Volvo reveals its new range of hybrid engines

Volvo has taken yet another step towards its electrification goals with the upgraded and newly developed electrified powertrain options. These new engines will be made available across its entire model range in the future.

The Swedish carmaker has upgraded its existing Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain, while at the same time confirming that plug-in options will now be available on every model it produces. Moreover, Volvo will introduce a range of mild hybrids in the coming months, starting with diesel and petrol versions on the XC90 and XC60 SUVs.

These mild hybrids would offer Volvo’s kinetic energy-recovery braking system, which is coupled with its existing internal combustion engines to create a new integrated electrified powertrain, under its new ‘B’ badge. This new powertrain, electrified via brake-by-wire energy recovery, offers drivers up to 15 per cent fuel savings and emission reductions in real-world driving.

The new brake-by-wire system interacts with the energy-recovery system and reduces fuel consumption and emissions by recovering kinetic energy under braking. In line with its strategy, Volvo has upgraded its production capacity so that up to 25 per cent of total production can be Twin Engine plug-in hybrid cars. In addition, it expects its new ‘B’-badged powertrains to gradually become the new standard, moving it closer to its goal that by the middle of the next decade all of its cars will be electrified.

There will be new and upgraded powertrains introduced on Volvo’s larger Scalable Product Architecture (SPA)-based cars. The upgraded T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid features a new battery and brake-by-wire advanced battery charging. The range of the T8 powertrain has increased by around 15 per cent, and this powertrain is available on all 90 and 60 series cars. The XC90 will be available with a B5-badged mild-hybrid petrol or diesel variant, as well as a B6-badged petrol mild hybrid. On the XC60, buyers will be able to choose between a B5 mild-hybrid petrol or diesel variant, a B4 diesel mild hybrid as well as a B6 petrol mild hybrid. The B5 petrol will be available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. 

Volvo’s smaller Compact Modular Architecture-based XC40 SUV will also receive a new electrified option, in the form of a T5 Twin Engine petrol plug-in hybrid. A second, T4 Twin Engine, plug-in hybrid option will follow later.