Geely’s 1.5TD engine – everything you need to know, explained by CEVT powertrain boss Hakan Sandquist

The Geely/Volvo-developed 1.5 litre turbocharged powertrains will soon find their way into more cars in the future, and that includes upcoming Proton models as well. We’ve covered pretty much all there is to know about the engines, but unsurprisingly, some of you still have unanswered questions.

Well, if you’re one of those people, listen to CEVT (China Euro Vehicle Technology) director of powertrain strategy, Hakan Sandquist as he answers some of those queries. He holds a PH.D in internal combustion engines and has spent over 20 years researching and developing powertrain technologies for Volvo and Geely.

In the video, he shares about how the 1.5TD engine came to be, the materials that were used for its components, and if there are any weaknesses that the company is working to improve. Sandquist also touched on future electrification plans as the world transitions into greener tech, and most importantly, the longevity of the “inherently imbalanced” three-cylinder engine.

Geely’s 1.5TD engine – everything you need to know, explained by CEVT powertrain boss Hakan Sandquist

Here’s a little fun fact – the 1.5TD engine was designed in strict accordance to Volvo Cars’ requirements. To date, CEVT has deployed more than 230 1.5TD-equipped test cars globally, which have collectively covered a total mileage in excess of 12 million kilometres, all to prove that the engine is indeed long-lasting.

Sandquist also reiterated the fact that noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in models powered by 1.5TD engines is on par or better than some equipped with four-cylinder engines. In the future when the engine gets electrified, Geely said the vibrations will be further reduced, because most of the sensation is felt during engine start-up and at low engine speeds. In hybrids, the electric motor takes care of these situations before the ICE comes in.

To recap, the 1.5TD direct-injection engine (designated 1.5L TGDi on the X50 SUV) produces 177 PS at 5,500 rpm and 255 Nm from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. This engine is also shared with the Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 PHEV and the Geely Binyue plug-in hybrid in China.

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Matthew H Tong

An ardent believer that fun cars need not be fast and fast cars may not always be fun. Matt advocates the purity and simplicity of manually swapping cogs while coping in silence of its impending doom. Matt's not hot. Never hot.

 

Comments

  • Civic Turbo 2018 on Mar 24, 2021 at 1:27 pm

    We more interested in “HOW TO FIX” the loud wind-noise near the A-pillar for X50…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 10
    • Jerry on Mar 24, 2021 at 1:35 pm

      FYI, Civic Turbo 1.5 NVH is the worst compared to the new Persona.
      I personally owned a Civic 1.5 and bought a new Persona for my wife.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 32 Thumb down 4
      • This is the karma of buying cheap car for wife while self enjoying more expensive car.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 15
        • Brian on Mar 24, 2021 at 4:49 pm

          So stop pushing your peroduas to us. If you not keen to let your wife drive a perodua, why are you promo hardcore here. We want better cars not peroduas.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
          • Civic Turbo 2018 on Mar 25, 2021 at 1:04 pm

            NVH normally applies in firewall, door panel, undercarriage, and roof. Not inside a pillar… Jerry

            So what causes the wind-noise has to be design, seal or something else. Too easy to notice starting 80km/h

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • Brian on Mar 24, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    Info packed and comprehensive details on the engine. No fluff no BS like how some promote Japanese engines.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
    • Raja Celup on Mar 25, 2021 at 2:25 pm

      It means the spare parts are strictly follow Volvo price also ?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • dong gor on Mar 24, 2021 at 2:38 pm

    Under the hood is so neat! Honda, Nissan and other Japs should invest a little more on engine covers to cover up the mess when the hood is pop open. It really means something when we look under the hood

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
    • Brian on Mar 24, 2021 at 4:25 pm

      A well packaged engine bay shows the difference between brands that cares and brands that just want your money and run.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
      • bro, the cover is for NVH only, nothing specially neat about its conti heritage. If wasn’t NVH I rather able to check for problem immediately compare to another 30 min to grab tool for popping the quick nuts.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4
  • Middle Age Driver (Member) on Mar 24, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    After all the explanation & details, owners pop up the hood & see the engine rocking. That first sight is enough to debunk the entire hour of explanation. It would have been different if the engine remains absolute steady according to calculations of the master.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 9
    • Brian on Mar 24, 2021 at 4:47 pm

      https://paultan.org/2021/03/24/2021-volvo-xc40-recharge-ev-in-thailand-rm345k/
      If people are willing to plonk in 350k for this rocking engine, then it probably not a problem for owners.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • neutrino on Mar 26, 2021 at 9:22 am

    12Mil km for 230 cars combine, that means each car on avg only tested for ~52km, the logevity of the engine is questionable.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
  • Anthony on Mar 28, 2021 at 11:16 pm

    So TD not means turbodiesel ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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