► Even lower CO2 figures for new XC90
► T8 Twin Engine does just ’49g/km’
► But can it really deliver in real world?
Volvo has set the cat among the pigeons with the claimed figures for its new XC90 T8 Twin Engine, purported to be the ‘world’s most powerful and cleanest SUV.’
The Swedes have improved their earlier quoted economy and emissions figures – average thirst for fuel is down to 135mpg while emissions tumble by 10g/km to a scant 49 grammes of CO2 for every kilometre driven.
Volvo’s XC90 T8 Twin Engine: a quick recap
Lest you’d forgotten, this is the hybrid-engined XC90 featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine developing 316bhp and 295lb ft of torque at the front wheels, backed up by an electric motor on the back axle.
The e-motor adds 86bhp of power and a further 177lb ft of twist. Yes, that’s 401bhp in total, and a heady 472lb ft. No wonder Volvo claims 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds, making this eco-warrior one of the fastest seven-seaters on the market.
Click here for our Volvo XC90 first drive review.
But those economy claims are nonsense! It’ll never crack 135mpg!
Yes, we’re minded to agree with you. Our own Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid test car has a similarly sky-high 149mpg claim and we’ve been averaging mid-40s, or 60s if we drive really carefully.
It’s a perennial problem with the latest batch of plug-in hybrids, whose topped-up batteries and e-drive zero-emissions ability (in the Volvo’s instance, a silent range of 26 miles is quoted) make it possible to cheat the European test somewhat.
It’s a shame, since the T8 remains an interesting engineering case and one offering ‘V8-like’ performance, according to Volvo, yet without the fuel-guzzling thirst of a big-cubes petrol lump.