By: IOL Motoring Staff
Johannesburg - Volvo's XC90 T8 Twin Engine, released in South Africa this week, brings this maker's new hybrid architecture to the local market for the first time.
Combining electric power with a two-litre turbopetrol four, it's rated at 300kW and 640Nm and, as its name suggests, it has two distinct drive trains.
The front wheels are driven by a turbo and supercharged Drive-E gas-burner that's good for a claimed 235kW and 400Nm, via an eight-speed Geartonic automatic transmission, while the rear wheels are motorvated by an on-demand electric rear axle drive system with a 65kW/240Nm electric motor and a 9.2 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack, allowing it to drive up to 43km on electric power alone.
There's also a crankshaft-mounted starter/generator between the petrol engine and the gearbox, which has three functions: First, it's a 34kW starter motor which allows the car to switch seamlessly between pure electric and hybrid driving. Secondly, it acts as a generator to recharge the battery pack, and thirdly as an electric engine-booster, working with the supercharger and turbocharger when extra power is needed to deliver up to 150 Nm of extra torque.
The resulting fuel-consumption figures are, to put it mildly, startling. Measured by the admittedly unrealistic EU methodology for plug-in hybrids, the T8 is able to return as low as 2.1 litres per 100km.
Also read: SA launch - Volvo's suave new XC90
You don't need a special charging station to wind up the T8's battery; it uses 220V household current from an earthed, two-pin Schuko-type power outlet (not a standard South African item but any certified electrician can install one in your garage) at a maximum of 13 amps to charge the battery in as little as three hours at a cost of about R20 at today's prices.
Unlike most hybrid vehicles, which have their batteries located under the boot floor, the XC90 was designed from the start as a plug-in hybrid and carries its batteries upright in what would normally be the transmission tunnel.
This not only lowers the centre of gravity and offers the battery pack some crash protection - especially from side impacts - but also means boot space isn't compromised and all seven seats remain in place.
Drive modes
The drive mode selector lets you choose 'on the fly' between Pure, Hybrid and Power modes. Pure mode is exactly what it says: electric power only, at up to 125km/h, with the petrol engine off, for as long as the battery lasts - or until you push the accelerator hard down, which automatically kicks in the petrol engine.
Hybrid mode - the default start-up mode - maintains the optimum balance between electric and petrol power, while Power mode gives you everything the car's got for maximum acceleration and performance - 300kW and 640Nm with sharper sharper throttle, steering and transmission response for 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.6 seconds and 230km/h flat out.
Two more drive modes are available: AWD keeps both engines running - and driving all four wheels - all the time, using the starter/generator to keep the battery going. Off-Road mode also brings in hill descent control as wheel as an electronic limited-slip front differential, at up to 40km/h, for really tricky terrain.
There are also three battery modes available: Normal, the default mode, lets the car manage energy consumption; Save 'locks' the battery, keeping it fully charged for later use, while Charge uses the starter/generator and regenerative braking to charge the battery as quickly as possible to a point where you've got enough amps for about 15km of electric driving.
Keeping you informed
The T8's special instrument panel displays battery level and battery range (next to the conventional fuel gauge) and the balance between electric and petrol power. A 'power gauge' replaces the traditional rev counter, showing current power usage for both the electric and petrol engines, the 'change-over point' at which the petrol engine will be activated, and the current drive mode - but in Power, AWD and Off-road modes it becomes a rev counter.
The XC90 T8 Twin Engine is available in South Africa in the same three trim levels as its more conventional siblings - Momentum, Inscription and R-Design. Nevertheless, standard kit across the range includes front collision warning with auto brake, auto brake at intersections, lane departure warning, road sign information and impact-absorbing seats.
You also get adaptive LED lighting, a big sunroof with a programmable auto-closing curtain, power-operated hands-free tailgate, power windows all round, keyless entry and start, leather trim, power-adjustable front seats with memory, satnav, cruise control, auto wipers, park assist, and four-zone auto aircon.
PRICES
Momentum - R1 053 400
Inscription - R1 092 100
R-Design - R1 117 700
These include a five-year or 100 000km warranty, a five-year or 100 000km maintenance plan, Tracker Connect and laminated glass all round.
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