Volvo B8444S engine

Usage

Volvo began offering a V8 engine in its large P2 platform automobiles in 2005. but later found its way in the second generation Volvo S80, and was mated to a six speed Aisin Seiki AWTF80-SC transmission of Japan also with a Swedish Haldex all-wheel drive (AWD) system. The 4.4 L V8 Volvo engine was built by Yamaha in Japan.

The B8444S shares its Yamaha origination, transverse layout, and 60 degree bank angle with the Ford SHO V8 engine. The two engines share many common dimensions including bore centers, stroke, bearing journal diameters, and deck height, but the die-cast open-deck aluminum Volvo block is clearly different from the sand-cast closed-deck aluminum SHO engine block.

As revealed in BBC's Top Gear show (Series 14 Episode 5) this basic engine is also used in the Noble M600, albeit longitudinally mounted, developing some 650 PS with the addition of Garrett AiResearch twin-turbochargers. The engine also features a MoTeC M190 and Injector Dynamics ID725 electronic fuel injection. The Noble unit is custom built by a third-party firm expressly for Noble Cars UK.

Volvo discontinued the engine subsequent to a change in its ownership and management in August, 2010. The new management intends to offer a single engine across all Volvo models, ultimately a four cylinder. At that point Volvo Cars was owned by Ford.

Applications:

• 2005 Volvo XC90
• 2006 Volvo S80
• 2010 Noble M600 (twin-turbocharged)
• 2014 Volvo S60 (V8 Supercars racecar)

Specification

As a Volvo V8, this new engine uses the similar Volvo engine naming system. The engine is called the Volvo B8444S. B being for bensin (gasoline), 8 for the number of cylinders, 4.4 for the total displacement of the engine, the last 4 for the number of valves per cylinder and S for suction, meaning it is naturally aspirated.

The engine is a 4414 cc aluminium DOHC V8 which produces 315 PS and 440 Nm. It has a 60 degree Vee angle. The engine block and heads are cast from aluminium reducing its weight to a comparatively light 190 kg.

To retain its 90 degree firing interval with its 60 degree Vee angle and cross plane crankshaft, the B8444s utilised offset crank journals.

Originally debuted in the Volvo XC90, which previously used 5- or 6-cylinder transverse inline engines, the B8444S had a number of significant packaging challenges to overcome. To save space and enable transverse orientation, the alternator is mounted directly to the engine block without brackets, the exhaust camshafts are linked to the intake camshafts with smaller secondary chains, and the left-hand cylinder bank is offset from its counterpart by half a cylinder's width. These tactics resulted in what was, at the time, the most compact V8 for its given 4.4 L displacement.

The B8444S also made strides in emissions standards as the first V8 engine to meet the Ultra-low-emission vehicle (ULEV II) standard. The emissions standards were met using a combination of four catalytic converters and continuous variable valve timing.

Motorsport

A 5.0 L version was developed for use in Volvo S60s by Garry Rogers Motorsport in the V8 Supercars series between 2014 and 2016.

Marine

The engine block is also used for the Yamaha F300V8, F350V8, and XTO Offshore outboards. The displacement ranges from 5.3 to 5.6 litres.

This displacement increase was achieved by increasing the stroke to 96 mm. The heads are also modified to “reverse flow” types where the inlet ports are on the outside of the engine, and the exhaust ports exit in towards the Vee of the engine. This allows a single exhaust exit path from the center of the engine which aids packaging the unit into an outboard form factor. The compression ratio was also dropped to 9.6:1. Whilst not ideal from an efficiency standpoint, it does reduce heat and stress on the engine which increases durability; an essential attribute for marine duty. It also allows 87 octane (AKI) rated fuels to be used.

The latest development of this outboard is called the ”XTO Offshore” and is rated at 425 hp. It has an increased displacement of 5.6-litres achieved by increasing the bore diameter from 94 to. The stroke remains the same, however the compression ratio is now 12.0:1. It also utilizes a gasoline direct injection system, a first for a 4-stroke outboard engine, and it requires 89 Octane (AKI) rated fuel.

References

References

1. (11 February 2014). "Volvo reveals V8 Supercars engine".
2. (2007). "2008 Volvo S80 specifications". Volvo Car Corporation.
3. Frank Wald. (15 March 2005). "Volvo XC90 V8: Fauchendes Kraftpaket". Der Spiegel.
4. Volvo Car Corporation. (10 January 2005). "Volvo XC90 gets the state-of-the-art V8 powertrain".
5. Jonathan Elfalan. (11 May 2007). "2007 Volvo S80 V8 AWD".
6. (18 March 2009). "Volvo to Switch to Only Four-Cylinder Engines".
7. Daniel DeGasperi. (17 June 2013). "Volvo announces V8 Supercars program, using Yamaha V8".
8. . (13 February 2014). ["Volvo S60 V8 Supercar makes its debut in Sydney"](https://www.media.volvocars.com/ca/en-ca/media/pressreleases/138688/volvo-s60-v8-supercar-makes-its-debut-in-sydney).