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September 24, 2020

Is Geely Really Using Volvo Engines?


In 2010, after Volvo joined Geely, the two saw the future trend in the automotive industry where sustainability would be key. Emission regulations and rising fuel costs would result in demand for more efficient engines and a transition to electrification. 

To meet this demand Volvo, with Geely’s support, developed the latest Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA), a new modular engine architecture for three- and four-cylinder engines developed from the onset to support electrified powertrain systems. 

Developed with sustainability in mind, these VEA engines has the potential to meet even the most stringent future Euro 7 emissions and global fleet CO2 targets past 2030.

The 1.5TD engine was jointly developed by Geely and Volvo at the latter’s R&D center in Gothenburg, Sweden. Work was also done at the CEVT China Euro Vehicle Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden; and the Geely Research Institute in China. The Volvo Engine Architecture developed by Volvo under Geely forms the foundation of the 1.5TD—the engines used by the Coolray and Azkarra.


For Volvo, and subsequently, Geely, the move towards lower displacement smaller engines came naturally as they’re more efficient and with the help of modern engine technology provide the same power as larger engines. 

For compact models, a three cylinder is perfect for a variety of reasons: the smaller size leaves room for hybrid systems and gives designers more freedom; the lighter weight improves fuel economy and makes it easier to achieve better weight distribution, further improving drive performance.

The main concern consumers have with odd-numbered cylinder engines is perceivable engine vibration. However, Geely and Volvo didn’t think this was an unsolvable problem. For years, Volvo has utilized a five-cylinder engine and has extensive experience developing engines for the premium market segment.

The latest engine technology in Geely’s 1.5TD engine, such as counterweighted crankshafts, dual mass flywheel with centrifugal pendulum absorber damper, single balancing shaft, low noise timing belt, high stiffness oil pan, asymmetric oil pump impeller, engine compartment and vibration dampener have effectively eliminated perceivable engine vibrations. NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) in models utilizing Geely’s 1.5TD engine is on par or better than some equipped with four-cylinder engines.


With the support of electrified systems, perceivable vibrations can be reduced even further. Most vibration is felt during the engine start-up period and at lower engine speeds. However, with the addition of hybrid electric systems engine start-up can be made near instantaneous and lower driving speeds can be assisted by the electric motor.

Moreover, today’s state of the art technologies such as low-inertia turbochargers, superchargers, continuous variable valve timing, direct injection, intelligent engine heat management systems, low-friction camshafts, and electric power assist have made it possible to offer low displacement engines that provide similar power to V6s.

All Volvo Engine Architecture engines are designed to accommodate a variable combination of turbochargers, superchargers, and electric systems, which allow Volvo and Geely to offer consumers different levels of power output within the same engine family.

In fact, additional tuning has also been made to meet the localized needs of different markets. The three-cylinder engines are all turbocharged and include port fuel injection (PFI) or direct injection (DI). The latest variant, 1.5T Miller has been designed specifically for HEV application by adjusting variable valve timing to enable the engine to run on the fuel-efficient miller cycle.

Volvo and Geely tested and validated the 1.5TD above and beyond the industry standard. The 1.5TD engines are designed to last 15 years or a distance of 350,000 km, both much higher than the industry standards of 10 years or 200,000 km.

The 1.5TD engines are produced in powertrain plants around the world following the Volvo Global Manufacturing System. The engines share over 90 percent of the same global suppliers through Geely global joint procurement system.

13 comments:

  1. Geely will soon challenge the best of the world. It seems to be doing everything right. EVs will soon be their next project to challenge Tesla.

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  2. If Geely is really using Volvo engines, that’s good news. But have to consider the fact that Volvo is owned by Geely, so it could turn out that Volvo is using Geely engines.

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    1. It's a joint development. It's not exactly Volvo using Geely engines, or Geely using Volvo engines.

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    2. The Volvo Engine Architecture developed by Volvo under Geely forms the foundation of the 1.5TD—the engines used by the Coolray and Azkarra.

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  3. Volvo has Polestar...Lynk and Co is also developing one, I think.

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  4. I recently bought a Coolray sport. (3 weeks ago). Previously I owned a Peugeot 3008 1.6hdi which I sold due to Peugeot pulling out of cebu.
    While the Geely quality is excellent, it still doesn't match the quality of the Peugeot. On the exterior, the plastic parts are really 'plasticy' and blemishes can be seen. The advertised leather interior is 80% faux leather. Only the red parts are real leather. The performance is however absolutely outstanding. The cost of this is in the fuel consumption which, quite frankly is surprisingly poor using 100% more fuel than the Peugeot. 6-7kpl in town and only 12kpl on a run.
    I'm sure this will improve when the engine loosens up but I doubt it will ever be very good. On the bright side, it does look fantastic and it was 700k cheaper than the Peugeot.
    Time will tell how good the build quality is.

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  5. Honestly and obviously your peugoet is more fuel efficient because of that diesel engine. While the coolray on the hand at 6 to 7kpl in city driving is already good. Knowing my everyday go to work car a 2019 mitsubishi mirage automatic only got 8 to 9kpl and its just a 1.2 3cylinder engine. My vw beetle and mini countryman s got almost the same fuel consumption at 7 to 8kpl in city driving with the beetle got a 1.4 tsi turbo and 1.6 turbo for the mini. So for me that consumption is already acceptable knowing it's price competitively at p1.048m not really bothered as long as it puts a smile on my face evrytime i step on the gas ��

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. Chinese car makers never could make good combustion engines. Feely did a clever move to buy Volvo, so getting their hands on engine technology. The electrification of cars clearly plays in favour of Chinese, as it's a much more simple technology. The key there is battery technology

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  7. Reliability will be on stake and safety.

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  8. The question “is Geely using Volvo engines”
    As stated in the title question is not answered. If the title should be “
    Did Geely and Volvo
    condeveloped thr 1.5tdi engine?” , then the article is correct.

    You did not directly state “yes , Geely is using a Volvo engine” or “ No, geely is not using Volvo engines”

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  9. its just a marketing thing. like in camera business, nikon and canon says they produce their own sensors but are sourced from sony and tweak it to their standards. but in case of geely, which owns volvo and polestar now it would not be impossible to share engines but distance it from each other to protect their target market for volvo and geely.

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