Volvo XC90 T8 hybrid launched at Rs. 1.25 Crore

The Volvo XC90 T8 plugin hybrid has been launched in India at a price of Rs. 1.25 Crore (ex-showroom Delhi). This is Volvo's first hybrid vehicle launch in the Indian market. The XC90 T8 will only be available in the top-end Excellence trim.

The T8 Excellence plug-in hybrid is the range topping model of the XC90 SUV line-up. It is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that has been turbocharged and supercharged to develop 316 BHP. This gasoline engine powers the front wheels, while the rear wheels are supplied juice from an 85 BHP electric motor. Cumulatively, the hybrid powertrain develops 401 BHP and 640 Nm of torque. The company claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time is 5.6 seconds.

The Volvo XC90 hybrid can either use the electric motor or the gasoline engine; or both, depending on the driving conditions and requirements. For this, the SUV gets three driving modes: Pure, Power, and Hybrid. Volvo claims that the T8 has an all-electric range of 40 km. A small 25 BHP motor has been employed to fill any torque gaps, in order to smoothen out the drive mode transitions.

The Volvo XC90 T8 Excellence is offered as a four-seater. Thus, the second row consists of individual, electronically-adjustable reclining seats, which also feature massage and ventilation functions. Each rear passenger gets an individual retractable touchscreen, while the legroom on offer is larger than what is available in the lower-spec XC90. The entertainment system is connected to a 20-speaker setup from Bowers and Wilkins. Other features on the inside include ambient lighting, folding tables, a refrigerator, and heated/chilled cup holders. The XC90 T8 even gets an exclusive set of handmade crystal glasses from a Swedish glass design firm - Orrefors. This design firm is also responsible for fabricating the car's crystal gear shift knob.

The XC90 T8 has also become the first car in the country to offer Radar-based safety functions. These include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, collision warning with full auto braking, blind spot detection, rear collision warning, and park pilot assist. All these functions are operated by sensing the car's surroundings through a 360-degree radar system and camera inputs.

The said price of Rs. 1.25 Crore includes two charging stations that will be installed by the manufacturer at any two locations of the customer's choice. These specially engineered stations can fully charge the XC90 in 2.5 hours.

Volvo will be importing the XC90 Excellence as a CBU model. It will be brought-in only on order. The Swedish automaker has claimed to have received over 50 bookings of the XC90 Excellence, while deliveries are expected to begin around the end of this year.