The local introduction of the highly anticipated XC60 T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid has been announced by Volvo Car South Africa as the Swedish luxury firm continues its shift towards electrification.
Positioned as the flagship of the recently refreshed XC60 line-up, above the B5 and B6 mild-hybrid variants, the all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid is available in both distinctive R-Design guise and luxury Inscription form. Pricing starts at R1 218 900.
The high-performance, low-emissions powertrain comprises the Scandinavian company’s 233 kW/400 Nm turbo- and supercharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, a 107 kW/309 Nm electric motor sited on the rear axle and an 18.8 kWh lithium-ion battery capable of receiving a charge via cable. As a result, the XC60 T8 Recharge boasts a pure electric range of up to 81 km, a combined fuel consumption of just 1.6 L/100 km and an impressive 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 4,8 seconds. Power is sent to all four wheels via Volvo’s standard Geartronic eight-speed automatic transmission.
As with other models in the XC60 range, the T8 Recharge features Volvo’s latest Android-powered infotainment system, complete with built-in Google apps and services. Volvo was the first automaker to directly integrate its cars with Google Assistant-enabled devices.
Additionally, the number of services available through the Volvo Cars app increases for the T8 Recharge thanks to the vehicle’s plug-in hybrid configuration, allowing owners to remotely precondition the cabin without having to start the engine, track the battery’s charge levels and monitor electricity consumption, for example.
A panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, inductive smartphone charging and 19-inch alloys as standard while the R-Design variant gains sporty model-specific interior and exterior styling cues. Various optional extras are also available for either derivative, including a Harman Kardon Premium Sound system, air suspension and wheels measuring up to 22-inches in diameter.
“The XC60 T8 Recharge arrives at the right time, with local interest in electrified vehicles growing fast. Globally, sales of Recharge models increased 11.5 percent year on year in January 2022, accounting for 31.7 percent of all Volvo vehicles sold around the world during the month,” said Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa
He adds, “You need only look at the popularity of our first fully electric model – the XC40 P8 Recharge – to understand there’s a growing local appetite for electrified vehicles. A plug-in hybrid is an attractive first step for South Africans who are considering making the switch to electric, and the XC60 T8 Recharge is a compelling option, combining ultra-low emissions with brisk performance.
“Its arrival is a further demonstration of our commitment to increasingly electrify our model range, with the ultimate ambition of becoming a fully electric car company by 2030.”
Amongst the many accolades that have been awarded to the current-generation Volvo XC60, such as World Car of the Year in 2018, Volvo’s best-selling vehicle was also announced as the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick Plus in 2020, one to sit nicely in Volvo’s awards cabinet right next to the XC60’s five-star Euro NCAP rating.
Keyword: Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge announced for South Africa