In 1983, Volvo presented four versions of the LCP 2000 at an environmental summit in Stockholm. Each had slightly different technical and mechanical configurations. For example, two different three-cylinder transverse turbodiesel engines were used. One was a lightweight 1.3 liter 50 hp magnesium engine, the other a 1.4 liter 90 hp cast iron engine.
This cast iron engine was unusual in that it was wrapped in a cooling jacket that actually used engine oil as coolant. Even stranger (especially for the time), these engines could run on a wide variety of fuels, including low-octane gasoline, rapeseed oil, and even sunflower oil. The EPA was able to get 56 mpg in the city and an incredible 81 mpg on the highway during testing. It could go from 0 to 60 in 11 seconds and had a top speed of 110 mph.
The shape of the car was also peculiar, with an aerodynamic wedge shape (with a drag coefficient of 0.25) to help with fuel efficiency. The two-door hatchback had a plastic rear hatch that included almost half of the roof and rose high so that passengers could climb into the back without contorting their bodies to sit in a rear-facing bench seat. This feature was included to save space and improve security.
The LCPs sat on an all-aluminum chassis with magnesium subframes and even sported carbon fiber door frames, an entirely new and untested material at the time. All four vehicles were equipped with front-wheel drive, but some used a 5-speed manual transmission, while others used an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT).
