Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 2021.

Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 2021.

Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 2021.

Volvo’s flagship XC90 crossover has recently been updated and received a hybrid version with the long name Recharge T8 Twin Engine Plug-in hybrid.

Unfortunately, the T8 in this string of technical terms does not mean the V-8 that the first generation XC90 once had, although today it’s hard to believe.

The Swedish hybrid now really has two engines: a two-liter gasoline «turbo four» in the front and an electric motor in the back.

In order to understand this properly, we with the CarsWeek editorial team took for the test a crossover of «birch», if you believe the specifications, colors made by R-Design.

Exterior

To distinguish the updated XC90 from its predecessor from the outside is not an easy task. Hardly anyone can do it at all, except for the owners of «dorestayl».

I suggest: you need to look at the bumpers, which have become prettier. In addition, there is a new radiator grill — in our version of R-Design its drawing has become even more «three-dimensional».

The masculine symbol, of course, has not gone anywhere. The optics of the crossover remain the same: powerful LED headlights in front and tall graceful lights in the back are also diode.

Cherry on the cake — new two-tone wheels that look very impressive.

Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 2021.

Interior

Finding differences in the interior is even more difficult. Instead of a mechanical gear selector, an electronic joystick has appeared, the steering wheel has changed a little — it seems that that’s all.

The spec also recalls that the restyling has expanded the list of electronic assistants available for the XC90.

Inside, the hybrid does not give itself out in anything: the lithium-ion battery is located in the central tunnel, so the trunk is exactly the same here, and the third row of seats is available for an additional fee.

Unless you can find a bag with a charger in the trunk. The test crossover is equipped with the optional R-Design package, but Volvo does not go with a gloomy black interior — with light leather and wood, it is indescribably prettier.

But the chairs are definitely good. The three separate second-row seats can be moved longitudinally and the backrests can be tilted.

The third row consists of a pair of seats designed for passengers up to 170 centimeters tall — if they are unnecessary, they can be completely hidden in the floor.

There is not much space, but there will be enough for children or fellow travelers. Here on the second row, especially pushed all the way back, it is spacious and comfortable.

In the menu of the multimedia system Sensus with a vertical touchscreen, several new items have appeared regarding the operation of the hybrid system and the charging of the battery.

And yes — the Bowers & Wilkins audio system plays divinely.

Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 2021.

Materials (edit)

Volvo XC90 of the second generation is built on a modular SPA platform, so there can be no V8 here — only modular two-liter turbocharged fours of the Drive E series.

In the case of the Recharge T8 Twin Engine Plug-in hybrid, this is a gasoline engine from the T6 version with a turbocharger and supercharger drive.

In tandem with an eight-speed «automatic», it rotates only the front axle, and a separate 87 horsepower electric motor with a single-stage gearbox is installed at the rear. The combined power of the hybrid powertrain is an impressive 407 horsepower.

The LG lithium-ion traction battery with a capacity of 11.6 kWh provides the crossover with a mileage of about 40 kilometers on electric traction.

The battery is charged on the go, but since it is a «plug-in» hybrid, you can use a standard charger and refill the battery while you are parked — it will fully charge in about 4-5 hours.

You just need to take care of the presence of a grounded 220 volt outlet in the nearest access, because it categorically refuses to charge through any XC90 T8 extension cord.

Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 2021.

Passability

The XC90 Recharge T8 Twin Engine Plug-in hybrid has three modes associated with the operation of the hybrid system: pure electric Pure, «automatic» Hybrid, in which, depending on the circumstances, both motors work in turn or together, as well as the maximum power mode Power. forcibly engaging both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor for maximum acceleration.

There is also a permanent all-wheel drive Constant AWD mode, «off-road» Off-Road and «personal» Individual.

The hybrid XC90 T8 is confusing with stunning dynamics: a 7-seater family crossover with a two-liter «four» suddenly catapults from a traffic light with frantic acceleration: 5.6 seconds from standstill to 100 km / h! The total torque of the power plant reaches 640 N • m — just ten less than that of the infernal Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S.

Only Volvo, thanks to electricity, accelerates in almost complete silence. In the Hybrid mode, the gasoline engine turns on and off on the go on its own — the crossover gets under way and always parks on electric traction.

With a fully charged battery and a measured rhythm of movement, I managed to reduce gasoline consumption to about 5-6 liters per 100 kilometers.

Of course, the battery does not need to be charged from the outlet — even with a zero range on electric traction, the XC90 will still work like a regular hybrid and help the internal combustion engine during acceleration.

True, fuel consumption at the same time quickly rises to 14-15 liters. Fortunately, the acceleration remains the same cannon. Another way to charge the battery is natural recuperation.

True, there is absolutely no sense from it, because these very few kilometers of power reserve on electricity instantly disappear after the very first dynamic acceleration.

All this inevitably leads to the idea that in order to save gasoline, it is necessary to regularly charge the battery, otherwise its meaning will be reduced to feeding the electric motor for the most powerful accelerations.

Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 2021.

But do not forget about the lower level of harmful emissions: coming and leaving the yard without starting the engine is very cool.

Otherwise, the XC90 Hybrid rides as tightly as any other version. The suspension is not averse to note the attention of the chipped asphalt and speed bumps, sometimes shaking the occupants of the cabin and on more harmless bumps.

The rolls are moderate, the handlebars are light and relatively sharp. The XC90 does not have a crawler gear, as well as differential locks — only their electronic imitations.

The ground clearance is adjustable from 237 to 267 millimeters in Off Road mode, which operates at speeds from 20 to 40 km / h.

Outcome

It turns out that you can enjoy all the advantages of the hybrid Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 Twin Engine Plug-in hybrid only if you charge it regularly, and for this, of course, you need the appropriate conditions and opportunities.

Without an outlet at hand, it simply turns into a good family car — relatively spacious, comfortable, cute, dynamic and generally pleasant in every sense.

The main thing is not to take a black interior. But everything costs money, and the hybrid system is quite a lot.

If we compare the XC90 T8 in R-Design with a similar diesel D5 in the same performance, then the difference will be more than a million rubles. Is it worth it? Everyone decides for himself.

If they cost the same, I would go for a hybrid. With such a difference, as they say, there is something to think about.

The cost of the XC90 Recharge T8 Twin Engine Plug-in hybrid starts at 6,468,000 rubles, a test car with a decent set of options is even more expensive — 7,405,700 rubles.

With the update, all XC90s have slightly risen in price, although since the 2021 model year, the basic equipment of Momentum has been expanded: now it includes keyless entry, a traffic sign recognition system, an electric tailgate, 19-inch wheels instead of the previous «eighteenths» and a little more pleasant little things.

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