Volvo’s first ever petrol plug-in hybrid, the XC90 T8 Twin Engine, has qualified for the UK Plug-in Car Grant (PICG) scheme from the Office of Low Emissions (OLEV). The new XC90 T8 Twin engine is now available with an on-road price of £54,955 (including PICG).
The award-winning XC90 is the first car to be built on Volvo’s first in-house designed and built platform (SPA – Scalable Product Architecture), powered by Volvo’s new Drive-E powertrains.
The SPA platform is designed to incorporate electrification without encroaching on interior space, with the necessary battery pack being neatly concealed within the centre console. The Drive-E powertrain, from its initial concept, was designed to include electrification, with the new XC90 utilising both a 320hp petrol engine and 87hp electric motor.
With a combined output of 407hp, this 7-seat SUV emits an impressively low figure of just 49g/km of CO2, at the same time being able to go from stand still to 60mph in only 5.3 seconds.
The XC90 T8 Twin engine allows the driver to choose multiple drive modes:
- Pure – allows drivers to use electric energy for up to 28 miles with zero exhaust emissions
- Hybrid – uses a combination of the electrical and petrol motors to achieve reduced CO2 exhaust emissions
- Power – utilises the full power from both the petrol and electric motors allowing the driver to use the full 407hp available
The Plug in Car Grant (PICG) has a designed criteria to encourage manufactures to decrease the level of outputted CO2 exhaust emissions. To achieve this, hybrid vehicles must emit less than 75g/km, a minimal travelling range of 10 miles and must reach a speed of at least 60mph.
Companies choosing the XC90 T8 Twin Engine can benefit by writing down as much as 100% of the cost against their income tax liability. Driver who choose the XC90 T8 Momentum pay as little as £99.83 BIK a month (40% tax payer) whilst enjoying a full 7-seat SUV with 407hp.
The XC90 T8 is available in three designs: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription.
