The world’s most powerful SUV with the lowest emissions – oxymoron anyone? Not according to Swedish auto marque Volvo, though. Meet the new XC90 T8 TwinEngine
Story: Gaurav Nagpal
Be it the urban jungle or be it the real deal, unforgiving terrain often compels the use of a sport utility vehicle (SUV). Bouquets from appreciative customers who swear by the comfort and competence of SUVs are always accompanied by brickbats from the eco-warriors due to embarrassingly high fuel consumption and emission statistics. So when a new SUV comes along, claiming maximum power with minimum emissions, you have to take notice. Volvo seek to marry these seeming opposites in their new SUV, the XC90 T8 TwinEngine.
The ‘TwinEngine’ moniker is not without reason. The front wheels are powered by the four-cylinder 2.0-litre Drive-E petrol engine with a supercharger and a turbocharger, for an output of 318 PS and 400 Nm. Electric power comes from a high-voltage (270-400V) 64-kW battery that connects to the 82-PS/240-Nm electric motor powering the rear wheels.
Between the engine and the eight-speed automatic gearbox lies the crankshaft-mounted starter generator (CISG), a 34-kW starter motor providing up to 150 Nm extra torque and allowing a smooth transition from pure electric drive to combination combustion drive.
The total system output of 400 PS and 640 Nm is harnessed by the new eight-speed automatic transmission, and the behemoth does the 0-100 km/h dash in just 5.9 seconds.
The driver may choose from among five driving modes as follows:
Hybrid: Automatically switches between petrol and electric power to maximise fuel efficiency
Pure: 40 km range enhanced by regenerative braking
Power: Combined output from petrol engine and electric motor
AWD: Power delivered to all wheels
Save: ”Freeze” fully charged battery for later use, or charge battery with petrol engine for later use
All this performance and technology have some serious green credentials to boast about – the XC90 T8 emits just 59 g/km of CO2 and offers a fuel economy of 40 km/l on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), with a US driving cycle fuel economy of 25 km/l (59 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent or MPGe).
Says Dr Peter Martens, Senior VP, R&D, Volvo Car Group, “The XC90 T8 is a plug-in electric car, hybrid car, and high-performance car rolled into one.” The model is expected in showrooms before the end of 2015. Indians would welcome a car like this – we love poser value as well as brownie points with the green crowd. Here’s hoping the XC90 T8 lands on our shores very soon.
