New 2015 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in Hybrid gets 394 bhp

The new 2015 Volvo XC90 will have a range-topping plug-in hybrid version – the XC90 T8 – with four wheel drive, 394 bhp and 110 mpg.

The new 2015 Volvo XC90 plug-in Hybrid gets the T8 badge

We already know that the new 2015 Volvo XC90 will debut at the Paris Motor Show in the Autumn, and that it will come with a choice of just two engines – a 2.0 litre diesel and a 2.0 litre petrol. But there is a third option.

That third option will be a plug-in hybrid version of the new XC90 that will get the T8 badge on the back and, on the face of it, offer the best of all worlds.

Volvo are calling the XC90 T8’s powertrain ‘Twin engine Technology’ because it uses the new 2.0 litre Drive-E petrol engine – both supercharged and turbocharged – powering the front wheels and a 79 bhp electric motor for the rear wheels delivering a total of 394 bhp, yet offering emissions of around 60g/km (meaning economy of better than 100 mpg).

The supercharger fills the bottom end of the power range before the turbo kicks in, and the electric motor at the back produces instant torque, but you can also choose to use a pure EV mode for up to 25 miles of electric power.

In total, there are five different driving modes – Off Road, AWD, Pure, Hybrid and Power – all selectable from the portrait-shaped big tablet display in the centre.

Peter Mertens, Volvo’s Senior VP R&D, said:

There are no compromises when you drive an all-new XC90. In the past you could either have power or low CO2emissions. But with the all-new XC90 you can have both.
The new XC90 offers a range of Drive-E engine options, all of which provide an outstanding combination of performance and fuel-efficiency. The main distinguishing feature of the Drive-E engine range is that they are all four-cylinder engines.
With our new Drive-E powertrains, we have created a family of intelligent petrol and diesel engines with power curves that give exciting driveability at the same time as delivering world-beating fuel economy.

The new Volvo XC90 T8 with Twin Engine Technology isn’t going to be a cheap option – you can expect prices in the region of £60,000 – but there will be a range of engine power options from the regular ICE powered engines offering a range of models starting from lower down the cost scale, including a 223bhp XC90 D5 and a 187 bhp D4.

It looks like the new 2015 Volvo XC90 is going to be as innovative as the current XC90 was in 2002.