XC70: Information 2.0 vs. 2.5 ?

[Georgeandkira]

Needed insight request:
I'm in New Jersey, USA and comparing the vehicle/engine combos below.

2015 XC70 FWD 2.0l 4 cylinder turbo, 8 speed automatic.
2016 XC70 AWD 2.5l 5 cylinder turbo, 6 speed automatic.

Availability is fluid, so I'm not asking vis price or odometer reading.

In the XC70 line the 2.5l engine had been replaced by 3.0l and 3.2l inline 6 cylinder engines. Only the 2016s have the 2.5 as an option.

I believe the 6 speed to be the Geartronic; a fine unit.
Is the 8 speed a ZF or otherwise "good unit"?

I've owned 3 non-turbo FWD V70's with success. All 3 had the same 2.4l (2435 cc.) aka, the white engine. Turbo versions had a 2.3l 5cyl.

Is the 2.5l in a 2016 at all related?

Does the 4 cylinder have a track record of solid performance? Did Volvo install them in other vehicles, maybe 50/40 series cars?

Is the 8 speed there to accommodate a 4 cylinder engine? The 4 does make in excess of 200 hp.

I like the option of FWD but would rather avoid an odd-ball or eclectic drivetrain. Is this layout legit or is it gimmicky?

Any info on the drivetrains mentioned would help. I'd love to upgrade my current 2007 with a newer "P3".

I'm test driving a 2015 w/2.0l/8 speed tomorrow.


TIA

[apersson850]

Yes, the 5-cylinder engines have their inheritage from the engines introduced with the 850-series.
The 4-cylinder is completely different, a member of the VEA (Volvo Engine Architecture).

The gearbox with the 5-cylinder is the TF-80SC or TF-80SD, made by Aisin-Warner. The 8-speed is from the same company but a new generation, designed for the VEA engines.

The first years the 4-cylinder VEA has a track record of being solidly unreliable. Some say it took until 2017 before Volvo shaped them up properly.
Horrible oil consumption, cracks between the cylinders and lots of EGR issues.

[GrahamBrown1]

I’d be going for the 5 cylinder, the 4 cylinders have suffered a lot due to oil consumption in the states, a lot of info in the web. Even on cars that are not that old. In my opinion the older gen cars such as these just suit the 5 cylinder.

The gearboxes are solid really, the only difference between the SC and SD box is the SD is designated for stop start engines and has an electric oil pump bolted to it for keeping the transmission oil pressure up when stop start is activated basically.

[Georgeandkira]

Many thanks
Tomorrow's test drive (2016 XC70 2.5) has a 6 speed, I'm told. We'll see. It's a more loaded example.

How critical or frequent is the AWD "bevel gear" maintenance?
I don't mind changing the fluid and filter.

The 2015 I drove Friday shifted beautifully.
While I know it doesn't matter, the top of its 4 cylinder looked so plasticy. I love how Volvo fitted it with a sponge cover to absorb noise.

Any pearls of wisdom welcome.

[GrahamBrown1]

Keeping the fluids fresh is the key, there later cars don’t suffer the bevel gear collar/sleeve wear like the older P2 cars did so I wouldn’t worry on that front.

And yes i agree with the engine cover, my S80 and XC70 have a loverly sponge cover with a proper volvo badge in the centre of it. These never ones just have the black plastic cover. Like you say little difference but it’s the small things and it just hints of cost cutting!

I was under the bonnet of a 3 yr old XC40 the other day, you don’t even get under bonnet insulation anymore! Just bare metal………

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Georgeandkira

Many thanks
Tomorrow's test drive (2016 XC70 2.5) has a 6 speed, I'm told. We'll see. It's a more loaded example.

How critical or frequent is the AWD "bevel gear" maintenance?
I don't mind changing the fluid and filter.

The 2015 I drove Friday shifted beautifully.
While I know it doesn't matter, the top of its 4 cylinder looked so plasticy. I love how Volvo fitted it with a sponge cover to absorb noise.

Any pearls of wisdom welcome.

I'm not sure of the exact interval for bevel gear servicing, but Google says every 50k. Not that you can believe everything on Google, but it sounds about right.

If you were doing a lot of off-roading and towing, maybe shorten that down to every 40k or so.

Same applies to transmission fluid servicing. 40k if towing, but 50-60k if not. That's what my mechanic told me.