XC90 REVAMP AS VOLVO RENEGES ON EV PLEDGE

Large SUV gets major overhaul as firm extends own ICE sales deadline

- JAMES ATTWOOD

Volvo has heavily reworked the highly V successful XC90 with a number of "fundamental changes", including design and technology updates inspired by its new electric EX90 sibling.

The second generation of the large SUV was launched in 2014 and the Swedish firm has sold close to a million examples. This new version is effectively a significant development of that model. It sits on the same SPAI platform and will be available with the same choice of one plug-in hybrid and two mild-hybrid allwheel-drive powertrains.

The significant revamp of the XC90 comes as Volvo abandons its pledge to sell only electric cars from 2030 onwards. Citing EV infrastructure and lower consumer acceptance than expected, the brand is now aiming for between 90% and 100% of sales to be electrified - either battery-electric or plug-in hybrid with the remainder coming from mild hybrids.

Volvo CEO Jim Rowan said that "the transition to electrification will not be linear" and that the firm "will continue to invest in our hybrids".

The new XC90 line-up will continue to be headed by the T8 PHEV, which pairs a 306bhp four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a 143bhp permanent magnet synchronous motor powered by a 14.7kWh (usable capacity) battery. The set-up offers an electric-only range of 44 miles.

The two mild hybrids use a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mated to an integrated starter-generator. The entry-level B5 version offers 247bhp while an e-supercharger in the B6 lifts that to 296bhp.

Volvo says that it has reworked the mild-hybrid engines to use the Miller combustion cycle to optimise their fuel efficiency. The B5 has an official fuel economy of 33.2mpg and the B6 offers 31.7mpg.