5 things you need to know about Volvo XC90 T8 Excellence

Volvo has some big plans lined-up for developing markets like India. Besides introducing all-new vehicles like the S90 luxury sedan, the Swedish carmaker is also looking into plug-in hybrid technology and improved safety aspect, both of which are to be found in the recently launched XC90 T8 Excellence. Here are 5 things you need to know about this new plug-in hybrid SUV.

Volvo’s most luxurious offering till date

Volvo themselves are calling the XC90 T8 Excellence as their most luxurious product ever. This Excellence model’s interiors boast of materials made in true Scandinavian style. The cabin is finished in extended leather-covered surfacing, fine quality Nappa leather upholstery and hand-crafted crystal glasses and gear-knob from Swedish glass maker Orrefors. What add to the overall ambience are new features like massage functions in all seats and the extremely impressive Bowers & Wilkins audio system that adds an extra speaker to its 19 speaker system.

Powertrain

The XC90 T8 Excellence is a plug-in hybrid, one that combines a 2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor. Now the petrol engine is both supercharged and turbocharged, thus delivering 320hp of power whereas the electric motor develops 87bhp and brings the total power output to 407hp and 640Nm of torque. Thanks to instant torque from the electric motor, Volvo is claiming a 0-100kmph time of just 5.6 seconds for this full-size luxury SUV.

Electric driving range

The XC90 T8 has a pure electric driving range of up to 40km which according to Volvo is more than the average run for most customers. The car offers three different driving modes – Pure, Hybrid and Power. In Pure mode, when the battery is fully charged, it serves as the car’s sole energy source, powering the electric motor over the rear axle. If more power is needed, the petrol engine starts up automatically.
The Hybrid, on the other hand, is is the default mode for everyday use. Here, the vehicle will automatically alternate between drawing power from the petrol motor and the electric motor. Lastly, Power mode gets the combined performance of both petrol and electric motors. This combination apparently offers better torque at lower revs, equivalent to that of a large displacement engine like a V8.

India’s first radar integrated car

Volvo really has gone to town when it comes to the safety aspect. The recent delicensing of certain frequencies of radar has enabled the brand to introduce their radar-based safety features in India. The XC90 T8 Excellence is equipped with 360 degrees radar and inputs from camera activate an array of pre-emptive safety functions like collision warning with full auto-braking for pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles and large animals, cross traffic alert and real collision warning. Besides these, there’s also adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and blind-spot detection.

Price

Being the most luxurious Volvo till date, the XC90 T8 Excellence is priced at a premium, at Rs 1.25 crore ex-showroom Delhi. What’s really impressive though is that it’s the only plug-in hybrid offering in its class.