XC40 Twin Engine concludes Volvo’s relentless charge into hybridisation
What with Sweden’s determination for clean air and efficiency, it is inevitable that Chinese-owned Volvo will seek to satisfy those demands and, states Iain Robertson, the latest addition to its line-up of plug-in models is the popular XC40.
It is worth highlighting that a broad but unspoken preference exists around the motor industry worldwide at present. You see, it is not just the EU and our government that have been hammering on about electric vehicles, as though they are going to ‘save the world’ from an inevitable choking doom, as the rest of the world’s administrations, including President Trump’s, have an ecological agenda at play. Of course, some believe it more than others. The unspoken preference is for hybrid technology, which stretches the potential of fossil fuels.
The advent of EVs, if you need to be reminded, is still performing at a very low ebb. The reasons are simple: EVs are very expensive, recharging them can be fraught, ‘range anxiety’ remains an admittedly reducing problem but, most of all, because governments state that EVs are the eco-future, nobody believes them! I cannot say I blame either the consumer, or the company car sector.
However, hybridisation, the melding of electric with internal combustion engines, has been with us for two decades now. Although some hybrid cars and light vans are virtually useless, when they promise less than one mile of electric-only mobility, the advances made in electrification have opened-up some enticing new potential; plug-in hybrid vehicles. Promising a notional range of between 30 and 90 miles, dependent on storage battery size and electric motor potency, they provide the nirvana situation of city commuting in EV mode, with petrol (or clean diesel) for use in open countryside, or on the main driving routes, where they are significantly less polluting than in built-up areas.
Sadly, some reports have suggested that plug-in hybrids used by company car drivers are not being recharged as frequently as they ought to be. While they have their reasons for such tardiness, the fact that a hybrid has its infernal combustion engine to fall back on provides an understandable, if unforgivable excuse.
Not known for putting a cat among the pigeons, while Volvo’s safety legacy is eminently secure, its environmental stance is already well-established. Working to the premise of what it calls ‘Twin Engine’ technology, with deference to the hybridised petrol-electric drivetrain, Volvo’s compact SUV contender, the XC40, is the final piece of the company’s concise plug-in jigsaw.
Marrying Volvo’s efficient 1.5-litre three-cylinder 180bhp turbo-petrol engine to an 82bhp electric motor, completes a hybrid system that delivers 262bhp, thus creating the most potent, front-wheel drive powertrain in the XC40 range (as a first for Volvo’s compact platform; 4WD is reserved for the larger models). The power is balanced with strong environmental credentials, as preliminary WLTP figures for CO2 emissions are from just 38g/km (where 19.0-inch diameter wheels are specified), while the official combined fuel consumption is expected to be up to 141.1mpg (figures to be confirmed).#
The compact, energy-dense lithium-ion battery pack has a capacity of 10.7kWh, which enables electric-only driving of up to 28.6 miles, dependent on driving conditions and battery charge levels. XC40 T5 Twin Engine models come with a recharging outlet on the nearside front wing. A 4.5m cable, with a three-pin plug, is provided as standard, while a type-2/mode-3 fast-charge cable is available as an optional extra for £50. Charging via the fast-charge cable can revive the car’s high-voltage battery completely in as little as 2.5 hours. Fully charging using the three-pin plug cable takes between 3.5 and 6 hours.
The flexible power unit drives through an all-new seven-speed, twin-clutch, automated-manual gearbox for added efficiency. It can complete the 0-60mph benchmark in a cool 7.0s, before topping out at a maximum of 127mph. In terms of driveability, the flexing between petrol, electric and dual-source modes is seamless and requires no driver intervention. Needless to say, the handling envelope is uninspiring but safe, possessing high grip levels and a driver adjustable chassis setting that can vary between fluent ride quality and greater sportiness. The new model is exempt from road tax and represents a 16% Benefit-in-Kind tax rate for business use. Both users and the company accountant are going to love it.
If you want to indulge in the new model, it is available in higher-specification R-Design, R-Design Pro, Inscription and Inscription Pro trim levels. The on-the-road prices are from £40,905 for the R-Design, rising to £43,205 for Inscription Pro, with the customary raft of optional extras and packs for added user convenience. Volvo retailers are taking customer orders for the XC40 Twin Engine model now, with the first cars being scheduled for UK delivery in February 2020.
When the XC40 arrived, it illuminated the up-market end of the compact crossover scene. Delightful, high-quality trim detailing, especially with the application of natural finishes and high-grade leather, and a spacious, comfortable and easy-to-access cabin were expectations fulfilled by Volvo. The handsome exterior, complete with its ‘Thor’s Hammer’ daytime running-lights signature that reflected Volvo’s current styling ethos attracted potential customers by the score.
The new plug-in hybrid version is sure to accelerate Volvo’s reputation, especially in areas where congestion and clean air zones are fast becoming an urban priority. The new T5 Twin Engine joins two diesel and three petrol powertrains in the XC40 range, with an all-electric model joining the line-up in 2020 to provide a really comprehensive choice. It is fair to state that Volvo will be phasing out its diesel engines progressively and that hybrid technology will take over, with electricity as the only alternative. Volvo is regarded as one of the best luxury car brands on sale in the UK today, its effortless style and presence being supported by its strong repute in many key areas, not least the business sector.
