By Staff Reporter

Volvo has introduced a plug-in hybrid model to the XC40 range. The new T5 Twin Engine joins two diesel and three petrol powertrains in the XC40 range. An all-electric model will be joining the line-up next year.

Hybrid power

The T5 Twin Engine marries Volvo’s efficient new 1.5-litre three-cylinder 134kW petrol engine with a 61kW electric motor in a hybrid system that delivers 196 kW, making it the most powerful powertrain in the XC40 range.

The compact, energy-dense lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 10.7kWh, enabling exhaust emissions-free electric-only driving of up to 46 kilometres (provisional data), according to driving conditions and battery charge levels, while combined cycle fuel consumption is expected to be up to 2l/100km.

Charging

XC40 T5 Twin Engine models come with a recharging outlet on the nearside front wing. A 4.5m cable with a three-pin plug is provided as standard. Charging via the fast-charge cable will completely recharge the car’s high-voltage battery in as little as 2.5 hours. Fully charging via the three-pin plug cable takes between 3.5 and 6 hours.

New transmission

The T5 Twin Engine is not only the first hybrid powertrain in the XC40, it is also the first to be engineered for use in Volvo’s CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform. The front-wheel drive T5 Twin Engine employs a new seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission which is featured for the first time in a new-generation Volvo model.

Note: the figures have been converted from miles to kilometres, and from horsepower to kilowatts. Accordingly, the figures may differ slightly with manufacturer numbers.