There’s a new plug-in hybrid in Gothenburg’s line-up, the Volvo XC40 T5 Twin Engine, and it marks two firsts for the Swedish major: a front-wheel only hybrid driveline and an all-new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The Volvo XC40 compact luxury SUV is one of their most popular models worldwide. It brings all-road, all-weather capability and frugal drivelines to back up their famous safety kit. Overall, it’s an impressive package and the numbers have been telling of that fact. What was not part of the line-up thus far, of course, was a plug-in hybrid model. We knew it was coming, but we didn’t know that it would bring these two big changes.
The XC40 T5 Twin Engine driveline pairs the “T3”-spec 1.5-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine, codenamed “B3154T”, with a 60-kW electric motor and a 10.7-kWh battery pack. The combustion engine puts out 180 hp at 5,800 rpm and a peak 265 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm. The new e-motor adds 82 hp and 160 Nm leading to a peak hybrid output of 262 hp and 425 Nm – substantial figures by any standard. The new seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic box sees a new set of ratios between 3.529 and 0.725 and two final drive ratios: 4.647 and 3.435. The big difference is that, unlike the T8 Twin Engine AWD, the T5 Twin Engine is only front-wheel drive. It also gets a smaller 48-litre fuel tank.
The XC40 T5 Twin Engine interior remains vastly unchanged. The drive modes available are the traditional hybrid options: Pure, Hybrid and Power, with the addition of Off Road and Individual modes. The XC40 T5 Twin Engine can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and get up to 205 km/h. The battery pack allows an all-electric range of up to 46 km (on the WLTP Combined Cycle) and 54 km (NEDC). The claimed fuel efficiency is as high as 50 km/l (WLTP) and 58.8 km/l (NEDC).
No word from Volvo in India about its introduction here, so we have to just wait and see how things unfold. The XC40 is available in India with the D4 AWD turbo-diesel powertrain with 190 hp and 400 Nm, combined with the eight-speed automatic transmission and intelligent all-wheel drive.
Also read: Volvo XC40 D4 AWD First Drive Review
Also read: Volvo XC40 D4 AWD Road Test Review
