The arrival of Volvo XC90, which is a hybrid car comes at the right time, when everyone is having a second thought about diesel car. The base for this new T8 Twin Engine is remarkable, as the Volvo XC90 is the leading Auto Express Car of the Year.
The T8 engine combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine over the front axle and an electric motor sitting over the rear axle. The electric motor can be used on its own for 26 miles, or combined with the engine for 402 bhp.
The car goes 0-60mph for 5.3 seconds with the car power mode and your foot to the floor. You also get the accompaniment of a synthetic engine note piped into the cabin to remind you of how quickly you’re going. You could explore into the menus on the wonderful 9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen devise your own individual setting, and leave its own devices the T8 will change between modes relatively impeccably, making you feel calm.
Despite the other optional drive modes – ‘Save’ to hold back on the use of electric power for town use, ‘AWD’ to ensure all wheels are constantly driven and ‘Pure’ for full EV mode, most owners would do well to leave the car in Hybrid and let the electrics sort things out. After all, the Volvo XC90 remains a worthy Car of the Year winner for hybrid adds to its already substantial appeal.
