Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine detailed ahead of arrival

The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine, Volvo’s most powerful version of the new XC90, comes with 394bhp, gets to 62mph in 5.9 seconds with emissions of 59g/km.

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It may not be destined to be the biggest seller, but the new Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine is definitely the range-topping version of the new XC90, and Volvo has decided to reveal more of what the T8 has to offer ahead of its arrival in Volvo’s UK showrooms.

Just like the other XC90s available in the UK – a D5 diesel and a T6 petrol – the T8 comes with all the safety gubbins you could imagine, great styling, inside and out, and a full seven seats.

But where the T8 stands out is in its appealing combination of economy and performance, thanks to a new 2.0 litre Drive-E engine delivering 318hp thanks to both a turbocharger and supercharge, and an electric motor for the back axle delivering 82hp for a total of 400hp (394bhp).

That combination – with a battery pack lurking in the central tunnel that can be plugged-in to recharge – means the T8 can scoot to 62mph in 5.9 seconds and yet deliver just 59g/km emissions (around 110mpg on the official cycle).

The combination of electric motor and petrol engine are aided by an 8-speed automatic gearbox specially adapted for hybrid, with shift by wire technology and a large oil pump, and by a crankshaft-mounted starter generator (CISG) between the engine and gearbox that is a powerful 34kW starter, electric generator and electric engine booster all in one.

The T8 has five driving modes, withy the default Hybrid mode using the best combination of power sources for the driving style and conditions, Power Mode throwing everything at performance, Pure electric doing what it says on the tin, AWD forcing the T8 to use both axles and Save Mode keeping the stored electric p[ower for later use.

The T8 also uses a two-step braking system to to recover and transmit energy – either straight to the car or to the batteries, a unique cooling and climate system that gets two extra circuits to cool the CISG and rear electric motor as well as the battery and the ability to pre-condition the drivetrain – either from the car or via an App – to make sure the T8 is just how you need it to be.

Related Photos: 2015 Volvo XC90

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Volvo XC90 T8 Twin engine Video