Volvo cars to be lighter with SPA

Volvo seems to put off some weight on its cars after breaking ties with Ford Motors. Now, the independent Volvo Motors has chalked out its future engineering plans and in this regard, Volvo has developed the new Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) which will allow future Volvos to be up to 150kg lighter than their predecessors. SPA will serve as a future platform and that means all models — regardless of size — can be built on the same production line in Volvo units.

The robust growth epitome of Volvo cars in recent times has been possible because of the great engineering in its cars and the new technology is going to add another feather in Volvo’s cap. The SPA platform can be used right from a Volvo C30 to a Volvo S80 as well as the new range of highly efficient four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Chinese-owned Volvo claims that the SPA also allows for improved weight distribution and better driving dynamics, as well as incorporating a common electrical and safety architecture for all models. Volvo’s future plans also include highly efficient four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

The Volvo Environmental Architecture (VEA) direct-injection petrol and common-rail diesel engines will tend to produce less CO2 and will be upto 35% better fuel efficient than current engines. The currently used six-cylinder engines can gradually phase out as the new ones will are sure to perform better. The VEA engines are also upto 90kg lighter than existing units and some will be offered with hybrid technology, including an innovative flywheel hybrid system that claims 80bhp more power and 20% better economy.

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