Automotive

Volvo claims XC90 T8 hybrid is world's most powerful and cleanest SUV

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Volvo claims the new XC90 can run for 40 km in electric only mode
The T8 combines a four-cylinder motor with electric power
The XC90 T8's battery is mounted on the spine of the car
Inside, the XC90 is designed to be luxurious and cosseting for occupants
A crystal gearknob is one of Volvo's touches that are designed to set the XC90 apart from its competition
The T8 XC90 is meant to be the world's most powerful and cleanest SUV
The XC90s features strong, broad hips
Volvo claims the new XC90 can run for 40 km in electric only mode
Apple CarPlay will appear in the new XC90
Volvo's designers envisaged "Thor's Hammer" when designing the XC90's daytime running lights
The T8's electric motor is also able to work in tandem with the petrol engine when in hybrid or power modes
The new XC90
By mounting the electric motor over the rear wheels, Volvo has been able to use a bigger motor
The XC90 will achieve a claimed 60 g/km of CO2 on the NEDC
The electric drive unit sits at the rear of the car, and powers the rear wheels
The T8's electric drive unit combines the electric motor and inverter
The petrol engine powers the front wheels, while the rear wheels are powered by an electric motor
Five drive modes are available
View gallery - 18 images

Volvo has finally revealed the full details of the high-tech T8 powertrain that will power the plug-in hybrid version of its XC90 SUV. The XC90 T8 combines an electric motor with Volvo's supercharged and turbocharged Drive-E four cylinder engine, for a hybrid system that can run in electric-only mode for zero-emissions driving or combined with the ICE for increased power.

The four-cylinder Drive-E petrol engine beneath the XC90 T8's hood produces 318 hp (237 kW) and 400 Nm (295 ft lb) of torque on its own, and powers the front wheels. Volvo claims the Drive-E produces as much power as engines twice its size, thanks to the supercharger and turbocharger that bolster its outputs.

Providing electric power is a high voltage (270-400 V) battery that produces 65 kW (87 hp), and is centrally-mounted in a tunnel that runs down the middle of the car's chassis. Volvo claims this position doesn't impact on interior space, allowing the XC90 T8 to seat seven people with space for their luggage. The battery is hooked up to the XC90's electric motor, which is able to deliver 60 kW (82 hp) to the rear wheels, either on its own or in tandem with the petrol engine working up front.

The petrol engine powers the front wheels, while the rear wheels are powered by an electric motor

In between the the XC90 T8's engine and transmission, Volvo has fitted the car with a crankshaft mounted starter-generator (CISG), which allows the petrol and electric motors to work seamlessly behind the scenes. As well as acting as a starter motor, the 34 kW unit can provide an extra 150 Nm (11 ft lb) of torque when combined with the petrol engine.

To maximize the battery's charge, the new XC90 T8 is fitted with regenerative braking, allowing it to harvest energy when drivers lift off the throttle. The amount of energy that is actually regenerated is controlled by a stability function to stop the car slowing too aggressively when you lift off the throttle, and to stop the way the brake pedal responds from feeling unnatural.

Keeping all this electric hardware cool is a challenge that Volvo has attacked by fitting the XC90 T8 with a two-circuit system. The first circuit cools the CISG and electric motor, while the second keeps the battery cool both passively and, if necessary, actively by using the car's climate control system.

Five drive modes are available

This complicated combination of electric and petrol power allows drivers to use their car in five separate modes. As you'd expect, Pure electric mode uses only the rear-mounted motor to power the car, and Volvo claims that a range of over 40 km (25 mi) is achievable. Moving into Power mode, which can take the car from 0 to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds, combines the instant response of the electric motor with the petrol engine's more powerful top end performance for, according to Volvo, power and response to rival a V8.

Manually selecting all-wheel drive (AWD) mode also takes advantage of both motors, to provide more traction for drivers on demand, while Save mode allows drivers to hold the battery's charge for later use. Finally, the engine defaults to Hybrid mode, where the car will automatically alternate between petrol and electric power for maximum fuel efficiency. This complex combination of systems allow the T8 to emit just 59 g/km on the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC) with fuel economy of 2.5 L/100km, and a U.S. driving cycle fuel economy figure of 59 MPGe.

Source: Volvo

View gallery - 18 images
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2 comments
Rehab
Electric motor over the back wheels is by far the smartest way to build a hybrid. I like everything about the car but would not want 318 hp up front. 150 should be plenty for most. Nice job.
Michael Wilson
I love the technical specs, but hate the styling. That grill is hideous, but it seems they have to keep up with the joneses for a premium SUV. Anyway, call me when they've figured out how to stuff this 450hp into a premium sedan with speed and handling to back up the power.