Photo: Volvo
Well, well, well, what do we have here? Why it's the second generation of Volvo's mid-size luxury crossover SUV, which will also come in a very eco-friendly variant able to source 400 horsepower and 640 Nm of torque all while delivering carbon dioxide emissions of around 60 grams per kilometer. To be marketed under the T8 Twin Engine nameplate, the greenest 2015 Volvo XC90 is heralded by the Swedish manufacturer as the "most powerful and cleanest SUV" of its segment.
Basically, Volvo has rolled a plug-in electric, hybrid and a high-performance car into one single top-of-the-range package. According to carmaker, normal driving is conducted in the default hybrid mode. This mode utilizes a 2-liter four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged Drive-E gasoline mill powering the front axle and an 80 hp electric motor that sends oomph to the rear wheels.
That blower is used to fill the bottom end of the power range to give the engine a naturally-aspirated feel, while the turbocharger kicks in when the airflow builds up for relentless power higher in the rev range. As for the electric motor bolted directly on the rear axle between the wheels, just like any other electric motor, it provides bursts of immediate torque whenever driving conditions dictate this is necessary.
At the push of a button, the driver of the 2015 Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine can switch to quiet and emission-free city driving on pure electric power, with the range estimated at 25 miles in urban jungle conditions. When needed, the car's electronic brain can switch back on the petrol engine for extra assistance and a combined output of "around 400 horsepower and 640 Nm of torque."
“There are no compromises when you drive an all-new XC90,” said Peter Mertens, Senior VP of R&D at Volvo Car Group. “In the past you could either have power or low CO2 emissions. But with the all-new XC90 you can have both. “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. With seven people in the new XC90, carbon dioxide emissions per person and kilometre are outstandingly low."
According to an official statement, the upcoming Volvo XC90 engine lineup will also include a 2-liter D5 twin-turbo diesel with 225 horsepower, 470 Nm and "best in class fuel consumption of around 47 mpg (combined)," along with the D4 turbo diesel engine rated at 190 horsepower, 400 Nm and returning "around 56 mpg (combined cycle)." Stateside, Volvo will offer the second-gen XC90 in T6 guise, comprising of the same supercharged and turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder mill fitted to the T8 Twin Engine without the electric motor. Output is estimated at 320 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
As for the range-topping plug-in hybrid T8 Twin Engine variant, Dr. Mertens declared that the electrification technologies do "not compromise luggage or passenger space.” The all-new 2015 Volvo XC90 is set to be officially unveiled in August before making its public debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October and will hit dealer showrooms in spring 2015.
That blower is used to fill the bottom end of the power range to give the engine a naturally-aspirated feel, while the turbocharger kicks in when the airflow builds up for relentless power higher in the rev range. As for the electric motor bolted directly on the rear axle between the wheels, just like any other electric motor, it provides bursts of immediate torque whenever driving conditions dictate this is necessary.
At the push of a button, the driver of the 2015 Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine can switch to quiet and emission-free city driving on pure electric power, with the range estimated at 25 miles in urban jungle conditions. When needed, the car's electronic brain can switch back on the petrol engine for extra assistance and a combined output of "around 400 horsepower and 640 Nm of torque."
According to an official statement, the upcoming Volvo XC90 engine lineup will also include a 2-liter D5 twin-turbo diesel with 225 horsepower, 470 Nm and "best in class fuel consumption of around 47 mpg (combined)," along with the D4 turbo diesel engine rated at 190 horsepower, 400 Nm and returning "around 56 mpg (combined cycle)." Stateside, Volvo will offer the second-gen XC90 in T6 guise, comprising of the same supercharged and turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder mill fitted to the T8 Twin Engine without the electric motor. Output is estimated at 320 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
As for the range-topping plug-in hybrid T8 Twin Engine variant, Dr. Mertens declared that the electrification technologies do "not compromise luggage or passenger space.” The all-new 2015 Volvo XC90 is set to be officially unveiled in August before making its public debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October and will hit dealer showrooms in spring 2015.
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