SA drive: Volvo's XC90 T8 Twin Engine

Published May 27, 2016

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By: Denis Droppa

Johannesburg - Volvo has introduced a vehicle that, in the right circumstances, could sip less than two litres per 100km during your work commute.

The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, launched in South Africa last week, is able to silently whisk around solely on electric power for up to 43km, a distance longer than the average one-way commute.

When Volvo representatives quoted a consumption claim of 2.1l/100km in our pre-drive press briefing it was met with predictable scepticism, but we managed to even better the claim with the XC90’s onboard computer showing 1.5 litres per 100 during the first part of our drive on the urban roads of Joburg’s northern suburbs.

For most of the urban driving the SUV stayed in zero-emission mode, with its rear wheels powered by an electric motor fed by a Lithium-ion battery pack. The Volvo’s able to run to a top speed of 125km/h on electric power alone, and only occasionally in those stop-start conditions, with more aggressive throttle inputs, did it employ the assistance of its 2-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine which feeds the front wheels.

Still economical for an SUV

Once our route took us onto freeways the petrol engine started doing most of the work and the fuel consumption rose to 7.7 litres per 100km, but it’s still impressively economical for a sports SUV with outputs of 300kW and 640Nm.

There are three modes the driver can choose from at the flick of a switch: Pure (electric power only), Hybrid (the default mode when you start the car which maintains an optimal balance between electric and petrol drive), and Power which makes the full petrol and electric power available for maximum acceleration. In Power mode the Volvo has the ability to scoot from 0-100km/h in just 5.6 seconds and reach a 230km/h top speed.

The switch between petrol and electric drive happens almost imperceptibly; it’s a smooth power flow with no pauses or lurches.

The battery pack is partially recharged by the petrol engine and by regenerative braking, but to charge it fully the car needs to be plugged into a wall socket when parked. It doesn’t require a costly charging station to be installed at the owner’s home or office; the vehicle comes with a standard two-pin plug and takes as little as three hours to fully charge which costs around R20 in electricity.

The driver’s able to ‘bank’ the battery’s charge level and store it for later use. While the vehicle will still use some electric power during start/stop traffic conditions and on pull-away, the battery level remains intact if the owner wants to drive on pure electric power at a specific point on their journey.

Is it versatile and practical?

The hybrid petrol-electric setup also provides all-wheel drive for owners who want to go offroading, and there is Hill Descent Control as well as an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential.

Instead of being located under the boot floor the XC90 T8 Twin Engine’s Lithium-ion battery pack is located in the centre tunnel, which enhances handling by lowering the centre of gravity and also frees up boot space. All seven seats remain in place and the boot offers a capacity from 262 to 1 005 litres, although there’s no spare wheel.

The XC90 T8 Twin Engine is available in three spec derivatives: the Momentum selling for R1 053 400, the Inscription (R1 092 100) and the flagship R-Design (R1 117 700), all with a 5-year/100 000km warranty and service plan.

All are highly-specced with safety features that include pedestrian and cyclist detection, front collision warning with full auto brake, auto brake at intersections, six airbags, stability control and ABS brakes. All three versions get electric front seats with memory, navigation, a high-end audio system, and a crystal gear selector, while adaptive cruise control and air suspension are available as extra-cost options.

Star Motoring

Motoring.co.za

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