Volvo's new T3 three-cylinder petrol engine is starting to make an appearance as the automaker expands its XC40 compact SUV line.

The T3 petrol, the company's first I3, is a derivative of the in-house developed Drive-E engine family. The compact, 1.5-litre, direct-injection unit develops 156hp at 5,000rpm and, initially, is matched only to a six-speed manual transmission. An eight-speed automatic option will be introduced later, Volvo GB said; some other markets are quoting late 2019.

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Volvo said the 265Nm of torque available from 1,850 to 3,850rpm helps support a towing capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes with a braked trailer. Acceleration from 0-62mph is a claimed 9.4 seconds.

Combined cycle fuel economy is up to 45.6mpg and CO2 emissions are 144g/km at best.

UK spec XC40s now also get two-litre, four-cylinder T4 petrol and D3 diesel engines. The 190hp T4 comes with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission as standard while the 150hp D3 offers both manual and automatic options, the latter with the added choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

The 247hp T5 petrol and 190hp D4 diesel engines, both with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission, have been around since launch earlier this year.

The T3 will also form the basis of an expected PHEV version due later.

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