Volvo gains mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines plus T8 upgrade

Volvo will begin fitting upgraded and newly developed electrified powertrain options to its entire model range.

The company has upgraded its existing Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain, while at the same time confirming that plug-in options will now be available on every model it produces.

In the coming months the company will offer a range of new mild hybrids, starting with diesel and petrol versions on the XC90 and XC60.

Using kinetic energy recovery, the new powertrains will provide up to 15% more efficiency.

A new brake-by-wire system interacts with the energy-recovery system and reduces fuel consumption and emissions by recovering kinetic energy under braking.

Volvo has upgraded its production capacity so that up to a quarter of total production can be Twin Engine plug-in hybrid cars. In addition, it expects its new ‘B’-badged powertrains to gradually become the best-selling models.

The upgraded T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid features a new battery and brake-by-wire advanced battery charging, increasing the zero-emission range by 15%.

The XC90 will be available with a B5-badged mild-hybrid petrol or diesel variant, as well as a B6-badged petrol mild hybrid. 

On the XC60, customers will be able to choose between a B5 mild-hybrid petrol or diesel variant, a B4 diesel mild hybrid as well as a B6 petrol mild hybrid. The B5 petrol will be available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. 

The company’s smaller Compact Modular Architecture-based XC40 SUV will also receive a new electrified option, in the form of a T5 Twin Engine petrol plug-in hybrid. A second, T4 Twin Engine, plug-in hybrid option will follow later. 

UK-market details and specifications are yet to be confirmed.