Volvo has chosen this year’s Beijing Motor Show to
unveil the new XC40 T5 Twin Engine, the plug-in hybrid version of the compact
SUV. With the new variant, every SUV in the Swedish automaker’s line-up is now
available as a PHEV.
The company hasn’t revealed exact
specifications of the T5 Twin Engine powertrain, but it should be similar to
what was shown to us back in October 2015. The base engine used is a 1.5 litre
turbocharged three-cylinder Drive-E unit that makes 180 hp, which is
supplemented by a 55 kW electric motor and a seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic
transmission.
The total system
output was rated at 250 PS and 400 Nm of torque. This setup is almost identical
to the one used in the new Geely Bo Rui GE, which is also celebrating its
premiere in Beijing.
There’s not much different in terms of the XC40
PHEV’s design, with the addition of a charging port on the left side being the
only notable revision along with the dedicated badges. It’s much the same story
on the inside, with the Sensus system now gaining additional drive modes. The
example you see in these photos is wearing the R-Design trim.
The XC40 was recently crowned 2018 European Car of
the Year, and has already gone on sale in a number of markets.
