2015 Volvo XC90 drivetrains detailed

New plug-in hybrid headlines efficient second-generation XC90 SUV range. 

Volvo’s information drip-feed regarding all-new 2015 XC90 has shifted up a notch, with the Swedish carmaker announcing a range of high-tech Drive-E engine options for the large SUV. 

Topping the new lineup will be a new plug-in hybrid variant wearing a T8 badge, which Volvo claims will deliver the power of a large capacity normally aspirated engine combined with ultra-low fuel consumption and emission figures.

The T8’s hybrid drivetrain will be comprised of a 234kW turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine powering the front wheels, while a 60kW electric motor drives the rear axle. 

The petrol/electric drivetrain is rated at a muscular 294kW/640Nm combined,  and will be able to travel up to 40km in full electric mode.

Volvo is yet to specify fuel consumption figures for the T8 drivetrain, but claim an impressive CO2 figure of around 60g/km.

Lesser XC90 variants will use the non-electric  Drive-E powertrains previewed by the current S60, V60 and XC60 models, and promise impressive fuel efficiency for a large SUV.  In XC90 guise, the 140kW/400Nm D4 turbodiesel model is claimed to sip around 5L/100 km, while a twin-turbo 165kW/470Nm D5 turbodiesel still manages around 6L/100 km.

Two additional high-output four-cylinder petrol engines will also be available in the T5 and T6 XC90 variants. A 187kW/350Nm turbo unit powers the T5, while the T6 borrows the 235kW/400Nm turbocharged and supercharged four-pot from the hybrid model.

The new XC90 will also be the first model to adopt the brand’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, which is set to underpin all new Volvos in the future. The new chassis allows for weight reductions while improving safety and efficiency.

The second-generation Volvo XC90 SUV will make its public debut at the Paris motor show in October before going on sale in Australia during 2015.