Swedish car maker, Volvo has launched the first plug-in Hybrid SUV in India – XC90 T8 Excellence, priced at Rs. 1.25 Crore (ex-showroom Delhi) is only available in the top-end Excellence trim. It will be imported to India as a CBU.
For those unfamiliar with Volvo’s T8 Twin Engine, the plug-in hybrid powertrain employs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder super- and turbocharged Drive-E petrol engine and an electric motor. There is also a 150 Nm crankshaft-mounted starter generator (CISG) positioned between the engine and eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission to help with low-speed or from stationary acceleration.
The combustion engine delivers 320 hp and 400 Nm of torque, all sent to the front wheels, while the electric motor (87 hp/240 Nm) drives the rear wheels. Total system output is rated at 407 hp and 640 Nm, and together, both drive units form an electric all-wheel drive system.
In terms of performance, the plug-in hybrid powertrain will propel the 2,343 kg SUV to 100 KMPH from a rest in 5.6 seconds, and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 230 KMPH. Combined fuel consumption here is 47.6 KMPL, and if you choose to run on just electricity, you could get as far as 43 km.
Going full electric is as simple as selecting the ‘pure electric’ drive mode via the car’s Sensus control system. Other modes – hybrid, power mode, AWD and save are also available as well.
Power for the electric motor comes from a 9.2 kWh rectangular lithium-ion traction battery. The battery can be recharged via a household socket with the included portable charger, taking 3.5 hours on our regular Malaysian power supply (240 V, 13 amps). Energy recuperation from braking and coasting as you drive is also another method of charging the the battery.
Design-wise, the XC90 T8 Excellence Twin Engine variant looks largely identical to the regular model currently sold, save for the inside where the Excellence badge proves its worth.
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Also see: 2015 Volvo XC90 SUV launched in India – Rs. 64.9 lakh
