VOLVO claims you don’t need big-bore cylinders when there’s a triple-turbo, in the shape of its latest 450 horsepower concept engine.

The offbeat Swedish brand once again challenges convention with a triple-boost 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, married to its Drive-E powertrain to maximise efficiency and reduce emissions despite the whopping power output.

Its High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept uses two parallel turbochargers, fed by an electrically powered turbo-compressor. Compressed air spools up the two parallel turbochargers creating a triple-boost effect. Volvo claims this kind of power density radically lessens the turbo-lag suffered by single turbo-charged engines.

Dr Peter Mertens, senior vice-president for research and development at Volvo said: “It may sound odd but this 450bhp powertrain concept is an important part of the Drive-E development programme. Down-sizing must offer customers attractive and usable power for broad scale emissions reduction to work.

“Compact powertrains free up space and weight in the structure of the car, which can be used for electrification and even further emissions reduction. And that is our ultimate ambition.”