If the XC90 was the first announcement of a new Volvo range, its plug-in hybrid variant now anticipates its commitment to electrification: 407 hp, 4×4 and 2.1 l / 100 km consumption.

It may not be the first hybrid SUV world with 7 seats: there was once a Range Rover Sport. Nor the first plug-in hybrid SUV: for that Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV launched its. However, Volvo itself assume today that their new Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine, that already support orders and will hit the market during the first quarter of 2016 from 79,950 €, is the first plug-in hybrid SUV 7 seater of the world. Volvo afine perhaps too to introduce the Volvo XC90 as an absolutely revolutionary vehicle … but basically, without being a pioneer, it is. And it is, of course, for the brand, but also for the market: their ratio power / efficiency is unattainable today thanks to its 43 km 100% power autonomy… and he has been ahead of his great rival Audi Q7.

It is clear therefore how much it represents and for Volvo XC90. If it became the first model of the new Volvo, and the first member of an unprecedented scalable modular platform SPA, Today this new T8 Twin Engine anticipates a whole new strategy electrification: 2020 announces that these models represent more than 10% of its overall volume. Yes, because even before he arrived, and there is still a Volvo V60 D6 Twin Engine, the brand now announces that all its new models will bet a plug-in hybrid variant, but it associated with a gasoline engine, Diesel discarding the first bet. There is no doubt that very soon because the role in Volvo it will take a new S90 (planned for summer), A new family of Compact (2017 ad) and a 100% electric model (Release 2019), But meanwhile the XC90 point all the lights.

Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine: technique

Therefore, to the Volvo plant in Gothenburg (Sweden) we move to test this highly anticipated first Volvo XC90T8 Twin Engine. Manager release a plug-in hybrid chain, always AWD and that all new large models starting from S60 (the smallest bet a T5 Twin more modest, front-wheel drive and powered 3-cylinder petrol engine) is associated, its specifications are already promising. up 5 operating modes It promises to be an electric cigar, a great hybrid, a powerful sports SUV and even a good all-rounder.

Thus starting the mechanical base XC90 T6, mounted gasoline engine optimized Drive-E with and turbo compressor 2 liters, 4 cylinders, 320 hp and 40.8 mkg torque that is located on the front axle, is responsible for move the front wheels. To complement a 65 kW electric engine (Equivalent to 87 hp) and 24.5 mkg torque is placed on the rear axle move the rear wheels, always fed by a powerful lithium-ion located on the tunnel along the interior developed in collaboration with LG and 9.2 kWh of total capacity. They can be recharged easily with any outlet: 2 hours with 16 amperes at three and a half to 10 and in 6 hours with 6 amps. The assembly is crowned with known Aisin automatic 8-speed and torque converter (With an oil pump larger) and with a starter motor 34 kW for starting the combustion engine when necessary or electric generator exercise.

With all this arsenal, the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine promises total 407 CV combined, a large maximum torque of 65.3 mkg, to 43 km of pure electric autonomy, 2,1 l / 100 km consumption combined cycles according to European standards and only 49 g / km of C02, a milestone for a model that runs along the 2.3 tons (Assure us that the batteries provide 120 kg extra) and with much power. Great effort has even led to improved expectations Volvo about 2.7 l / 100 km and 59 g / km of CO2 announced at first. Seen on paper outstanding performance, but … what about in practice? It is what we already have to check.

Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine: your answer

With an interior as luxurious and care as any XC90, then tore his usual original knob to take the hand soon gear lever…. and this is not any one. Only available plug-in hybrid, it is made of a Orrefors crystal exclusive with each piece crafted with cutting techniques and blown glass. A work of art that begins to conquer. But not yet lift up from the rooftops: time check its operation mode to mode.

Volvo XC90 as this premiere T8 Twin Engine fully charged battery to know what good electrical it is. Active and through a wheel in the center console the first mode PURE which forces your character 100 100 Power up to 120 km / h. Foot to the accelerator, instant torque and driving silence. I am inspired how such SUV, with 4.95 meters, He is able to move so much refinement and low noise levels. electric power only if demands momentarily maximum acceleration peaks (starts the combustion engine if you think you need a lot of power), but gradually you to involve you without sinking the right foot takes you to shoot many, many kilometers in electric breaks, apace and with more than enough performance. Although Ideal especially for urban environments, in a mixed use without being all careful that this type of vehicle requested, actual electrical usage stretch almost 25 km. Fantastic response, where if you involve yourself with her until 5 regenerative braking stages (function B that is handled with the shift lever and, using it in progression, allows you to completely halt anticipative way in town without using the brake pedal) can benefit substantially efficiency.

So, almost depleted batteries, and his plays check POWER mode, the sportiest. Very comfortable and well insulated rolling is the time when the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine offers the best combined performance. The entrance of the combustion engine is surprisingly fineness, almost negligible, and that is when They appear over 400 hp. Far below par, it is true that the change is somewhat slow between the application and the power delivery, but tarnishes the response of a very fast and powerful SUV. So officially approves a 0-100 km in just 5.6 seconds. Volvo says performance of a V8 good … although almost consumption: in this usage began to see more than 10 l / 100 km fuel spending. All obviously it can not be taken.

Almost no battery, electric range just 5 km mark, so active her SAVE mode: theoretically, “Freezes” the charge level to use it when you consider the driver (intended primarily to get the most out later use in town), but we announced it was also able to recharge. Ten kilometers of good use and, nothing, I see that follow the 5 km of autonomy. Only guard: so, unlike other competitive systems, I see later how to recharge only once completely depleted battery, at which point it reaches recover up to 1/3 of its electric range. Engineers confirm me that the decision is always chosen to be as efficient as possible.

Volvo XC90T8 Twin Engine: conclusion

The tour comes to an end by around Gothenburg with the pleasant sensation of being in a SUV very well done, exceptional. We lacked only the answer to better check on their other modes: in HYBRID, where the system automatically handles both types of propulsion to always seek the greatest possible efficiency; and AWD, where theoretically you select manually continuous all-wheel drive (Guaranteed by both engines without need for a drive shaft between the axles) to make this an effective XC90 road. But in such complex vehicles, one day of testing does not give much more.

Still, the letter of this Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine has the seal of guaranteed quality. Refined, extremely efficient if take advantage to maximize their power, powerful use if you need it, with a outstanding agility up for its size the result of a finely tuned frame and in which the hybrid whole does not seem excessive spending bill and the same space as 7 places than any other conventional variant of Volvo XC90 (alone increases slightly the central tunnel rear the batteries charged under seats), is also an plug-in easy to use… which it will cost just as in any XC90, adapt to the absence of a central console buttons reserving most functions to its large vertical touch screen. Even will have the Volvo On Call system, through which you can preheat or cool the passenger compartment by remote control, plus check your mobile battery status and charge. The future looks really well in Volvo. In fact, those responsible for ensuring dismiss us, in 4 years, this evolucionadísimo Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine will be its oldest model. Seeing is believing.

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