Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid previewed, world’s most powerful and greenest SUV



As previously hinted, Volvo’s top-of-the-range XC90 T8 is said to produce a total of 400 hp and 640 Nm of torque from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Drive-E powertrain – even up to 450 hp here. However, this 2.0-litre engine is no ordinary four-cylinder mill. 

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In the XC90 T8, it’s not only turbocharged and supercharged to produce 318 hp and 400 Nm of torque, but it’s also paired to a 60kW electric motor with 240 Nm of torque placed at the rear axle.

On top of that, there’s the crankshaft-mounted starter generator (CISG) located between the engine and the eight-speed automatic gearbox that juggles between the roles of seamlessly switching from pure electric drive to full-hybrid mode, being a generator, and also as an electric engine booster by providing up to 150 Nm of torque when needed. Smart, huh?

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As a hybrid, the XC90 T8 is fitted with the high-voltage (270-400V) battery cleverly placed in the center tunnel without sacrificing interior space and also gives the XC90 a lower center of gravity for better handling. The XC90 T8’s fuel consumption is rated at just 2.5 litres per 100km travelled.

Before entering the vehicle, the driver can configure the XC90 T8’s drivetrain, battery and cabin, either directly inside the car or by using the Volvo On Call mobile app for a preferred cabin temperature. Once inside, the driver can choose from five different driving modes: Hybrid, Pure electric, Power mode, AWD, and Save.

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The default Hybrid mode automatically switches the power source from the 2.0-litre engine or the electric motor, Pure electric mode allows the XC90 T8 to be driven in full-electric for up to 40 km, while Power mode combines both power sources that is said to deliver lower-end torque similar to a V8 engine.

It will also send the XC90 T8 from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds. In AWD mode it offers constant all-wheel drive on demand while in Save mode the four-cylinder engine will charge the battery and when it’s fully charged, they will be freezed for a later use in Pure electric mode.

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Promising the best of both worlds where performance meets low emission, the XC90 T8 appears to be a multi-faceted vehicle that offers performance and efficiency in a single package. Volvo Car Group’s Senior Vice President of Research and Development, Dr Peter Mertens said, “The XC90 T8 is a plug-in electric car, hybrid car and high-performance car rolled into one.” Here’s to hoping that the folks at Volvo Car Malaysia will introduce this very trim here!

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XC90 T8

 

XC90

 

XC90 R-Design