First Drive: Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine

Volvo’s second plug-in hybrid is based on its new XC90 large SUV. Spearheading a new design direction and technological make-up, the T8 Twin Engine heralds a new era for the Swedish company.

Volvo’s all-new XC90 was launched to industry and public acclaim in 2015, replacing the first-generation car which debuted in 2002. The first Volvo to be built on the company’s new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), the seven-seat SUV features new, bolder styling and a range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

Taking on rivals such as the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Mercedes M-Class, Porsche Cayenne, and Volkswagen Touareg, the Swedish car is one of the models leading Volvo’s range refresh, which will see all the company’s models replaced and a 10 per cent range electrification by 2020. 

The Gothenburg car maker enjoyed record sales in 2015, and sold 43,432 cars in the UK, its best figure for 21 years. So the XC90 and its forthcoming new siblings have a lot riding on them.

What is it?
Don’t be fooled by the T8’s 'Twin Engine’ tag – this XC90 is still powered by the supercharged and turbocharged 320bhp/400Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine from the T6 version, but is boosted by an 87bhp/240Nm electric motor which drives the rear wheels. That’s where the hybrid bit comes in. The total system output is 420bhp, with 640Nm (472lb ft) of torque driving two – front or rear – or all-four wheels.

CO2 emissions come in at an official 49g/km, making the T8 Twin Engine the cleanest XC90 available. The XC90 can officially travel up to 27 miles on electric power alone, which is more than BMW’s similarly-sized X5 xDrive440e, but still fewer than the less expensive Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

Volvo says that this is enough for most drivers’ commutes and quotes an official 134.5mpg. Top speed of the XC90 T8 is 140mph and the ’twin-engined’ car gets to 62mph from rest in 5.6 seconds. On paper, the XC90 T8 is performance-minded but with a parsimonious nature.

The XC90 T8’s 16-cell, 400V lithium-ion hybrid system battery is mounted in the centre of the car where the transmission is situated in its conventionally-powered sisters, while a 12V battery for the petrol engine can be found in the cargo area. 

The ‘Electrical Rear Axle Drive’ powers the car when in all-electric mode, and supplements the petrol engine when larger power outputs is needed or when all-wheel drive is required. The system recharges the battery through regenerative braking under light braking cycles.

The hybrid XC90 loses very little of the conventionally-powered car’s practicality: the plug-in car sacrifices just 52 litres of cargo space to accommodate the hybrid drivetrain when in five-seat configuration.

How does it drive?
The are seven driving modes to choose from in the XC90 T8: Pure, Hybrid, Power, Save, AWD, Off Road and Individual. The default ‘Hybrid’ mode is recommended for everyday driving, but by scrolling through the driving mode menu, all-electric, emission-free running can be easily selected.

The ‘Pure’ mode harnesses all-electric power as much as possible up to 78mph, while the ‘Hybrid’ mode uses both the electric motor and the petrol engine together or individually for the best efficiency and performance. There is a 40mph ceiling in ‘Hybrid’ mode.

‘Power’ mode uses both the petrol engine and electric motor for maximum performance, while ‘Save’ does what it suggests: holds the battery’s charge so it can be used later, in cities for example.

When all-wheel drive performance is needed, select ‘AWD’, which is also suitable for towing. ‘Off Road’ meanwhile uses an electronically controlled limited-slip differential to help the car traverse over irregular terrain at speeds of up to 25mph. ‘Power’ and ‘AWD’ mode can be used up to 109mph.

Finally, ‘Individual’ allows tailoring of selected settings into one all-encompassing drive mode. Elements which can be optimised include steering weight, engine characteristics, climate control settings, as well as the driver information display.

Pick-up when using the car’s all-electric mode is as you’d expect from an EV: smooth and instant. When the petrol engine kicks in it does so quietly, the car choosing the power source which best suits that particular driving occasion.

Performance when both motors are called upon is quite prodigious, and you can quite believe that 5.6-second benchmark sprint time. There is a slight delay when the system calls upon the combined drivetrain, but this readily disappears when the ‘Power’ mode is selected.

For a company whose reputation has been built on safety since 1959, the XC90 T8 has strong brakes. However, the pedal feels ‘dead’ and a little lifeless compared to other plug-in hybrids we’ve tested.

Regenerative braking features highly, though: shift the bespoke crystal gear knob into ‘B’ and the system generates twice as much engine braking simulation when compared to the standard ‘D’ setting, charging the hybrid battery all the time.

As it’s a Volvo, the XC90 T8 has been set-up to be a comfortable cruiser. Suspension errs on the soft side and filters out all manner of road imperfections very well. Thicker anti-roll bars are fitted to help contain the XC90 T8’s increased 2,343kg weight, but this car remains resolutely an SUV which is adept at longer journeys as opposed to an out-and-out performance machine.

The well-designed, sumptuous, and relaxing cabin is both cosseting and user-friendly. The clean, uncluttered look works well and the use of soft-touch materials and leather lives up to the XC90’s ‘premium’ billing.

How long does it take to charge?
As with selected other plug-in hybrid cars, a 4.5-metre charge cable with a three-pin plug for use on a domestic 230V socket is standard equipment on the XC90. Using that, the car is charged up in 6 hours using a 6A supply, while a 10A charge takes only 3.5 hours. A 16A 'Type 2’ Mennekes cable and plug knocks another hour off that.

What does it cost?
The XC90 T8 is available in three trim levels, starting with the £59,850 Momentum. £62,750 buys the more sports-orientated R-Design model, while the top-line Inscription variant is £63,600. That’s a fair amount of money, but standard equipment is high.

All versions of the T8 receiving a 12.3-inch TFT driver’s information display, 4-Zone climate control, driver mode settings, an Orrefors Crystal gear knob, a panoramic sunroof, and air conditioning for the third row of seats. Options include a head-up display and a premium 1,400W Bowers and Wilkins surround sound system. 

Standard kit on all XC90s includes an air quality system, keyless entry, leather upholstery, LED active headlights, a fast-acting and sharp nine-inch touchscreen DAB and Bluetooth-connected infotainment system, a powered driver’s seat, a powered tailgate with hands-free opening, and ‘Sensus’ navigation.

The government-approved Plug-in Car Grant changes from 1 March 2016, but only the entry-level XC90 T8 Momentum qualifies for the Category 2 funding ‘discount’ of £2,500 as its retail price of £59,850 is just under the £60,000 cap. Volvo has also assigned POD Point as its home charging point partner – the company’s Homecharge System costs £395.

For comparison, the cheaper diesel-powered 225bhp XC90 D5 Momentum is priced at £45,500 and promises maximum fuel economy of 49.6mpg. Emissions are 152g/km.

How much does it cost to tax?
The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine has a benefit in kind rate of just five per cent, while Volvo states that businesses can claim 100 per cent Write Down Allowance for the car as it emits less then 75g/km of CO2, along with a National Insurance contribution reduction.

Compared to the D5 which will cost a 40 per cent taxpayer £414 per month, the T8 wins out – company car drivers will pay around £101 over the same period. The petrol-powered T6 model which uses the same engine as the T8 will cost £493 per month.

The XC90 T8 Twin Engine needs to be regularly charged, though, to deliver the savings it offers – if you regularly commute on long stretches of motorway, then the XC90 D5 will be a better bet.

Should I buy one?
The XC90 has been designed from the ground up to accept the plug-in hybrid powertrain and it shows. Neatly installed with very limited impact on space, the T8 Twin Engine has the potential to save business users money.

The reduced emissions ethos filters all through the range, with the company deciding on an exclusive range of four-cylinder engines to save fuel and reduce weight. It both looks and feels premium, too, and while upper trim level versions cost more than the BMW X5 xDrive40e, the Swedish car has a longer range.

Volvo’s sales projections point to 13 per cent of XC90s being the plug-in hybrid version. While that’s a small percentage of total XC90 sales, the car's supreme versatility and low tax benefits for company car drivers could prove too difficult to ignore.

VOLVO XC90 T8 TWIN ENGINE
Engine: 320bhp 1,969cc four-cylinder petrol with 87bhp electric motor
CO2: 49g/km
Range: 27 miles (electric only)
MPG (combined): 134.5mpg
VED: Band A, £0
BIK: 5%
Price (OTR): £60,455 (inc VAT, before government PiCG grant)