Entering the new decade in a hybrid electric Volvo

“Thor’s Hammer” LED headlight design, the iconic Volvo grille and 19″ alloy wheels distinguish the 2020 Volvo XC 60 T8.

Photos by Aida Sevilla-Mendoza

What better way to enter the 2020s than by driving a luxury midsize SUV powered by a 400hp hybrid electric engine?

In the second generation Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), you can either whisper your way into the new decade by choosing the silent PURE Eco Drive or Hybrid Everyday use driving mode, or hit 100km/h, from zero in 5.5 seconds in Full Power mode, or switch to Constant AWD to tackle rough road conditions.

At the same time, the 5-seater Volvo XC60 T8 PHEV helps you clear the air by emitting only 47 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer.

CUTTING-EDGE TECH. Even when stuck in traffic, you won’t be bored at the wheel of a Volvo XC60 T8 PHEV as it is fitted with cutting-edge infotainment and connectivity tech via Sensus Connect’s 9-inch tablet-like integrated color touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, Bluetooth hands-free system with audio streaming, High Performance Audio System with 10 speakers (330W output) and two USB in the front tunnel.

Smartphone integration enables access to specific phone features like Spotify directly via the touchscreen, removing the need to switch from a phone’s screen to the car screen. Conveniently, the multifunction steering wheel’s right-hand spoke offers audio, phone and navigation control while the left-hand spoke offers control of driving function-related systems such as Speed Limiter, Adaptive Cruise Control and Pilot Assist.

SAFEST. And to top it all, upholding Volvo’s time-tested reputation as the safest car in the world, the X60 T8 PHEV is loaded with preventive safety and protective safety features plus advanced driver aids such as City Safety front collision warning and full auto brake, Sensus Navigation, Intellisafe lane keeping system, rear collision warning, cross traffic alert, and run-off road protection, plus a 360-degree surround bird’s eye view camera with dynamic guidelines.

Further boosting the XC60 TF’s safety quotient is its SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform, the basis for the strongest Volvo cars to date, due to the increased use of hot-formed boron steel from 7 percent in the original XC SUVs, to 40 percent in the second gen XC60. The new SPA architecture translates into significantly improved strength but without adding mass or weight.

The 2020 Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine/Plug-In Hybrid powertrain produces 400 hp and 640 Nm max torque with an 8- speed automatic transmission.

TWIN ENGINE. The Volvo PHEV has both a battery-powered electric motor and a gasoline internal combustion engine, thus the XC60’s Twin Engine nomenclature. The electric motor and the gasoline engine work seamlessly together or separately to deliver power to the wheels.

The XC60 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid T8 turbocharged-plus-supercharged 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder powertrain packs 320hp front drive with 80hp of electric rear drive for a total of 400hp. The top speed (limited) is 230km per hour. Equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the XC60 T8 has four driving modes: Pure Electric, Hybrid, Full Power, and AWD.

HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY. Regarding Pure Electric, the second gen XC60 has a 10.4-kWh lithium-ion, high voltage traction battery which is used to store energy. The battery receives energy from electric grid charging and from regenerative braking of the vehicle—it is recharged during driving whenever you brake or slow down.

The battery delivers power for Pure Electric drive. The PHEV can whisper along on electric mode with a zero emission driving range of up to 50 km, the usual driving range for commuting.

According to Scandinavian Motors Corp., the exclusive Philippine distributor of Volvo cars and parts, it will take about three hours for the battery to recharge through a conventional three-prong outlet at home, although it may also be recharged in idle mode or en route. If not, the gasoline engine will move the vehicle just fine in normal Hybrid mode.

In Hybrid mode, both the electric motor and the gasoline engine are used to optimize performance, fuel efficiency and comfort. The Full Power mode uses all available power to maximize performance, while AWD mode activates full-time all-wheel-drive for improved traction in slippery conditions.

SWEDISH ELEGANCE. The highly refined exterior design of the 2020 Volvo XC60 T8 combines Swedish elegance with dynamic practicality. The Inscription grille with chrome frame, LED headlights, “Thor’s Hammer” DRLs, pronounced wheel arches, 19-inch black diamond-cut alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, integrated roof rails, side moldings, and signature L-shaped rear combination taillights project a strong, premium road presence.

Inside the spacious cabin, clean lines, minimalist ergonomics and rich materials such as supple leather upholstery and driftwood décor inlay are neatly put together for a contemporary ambience favoring quality over clutter. The adult-sized accommodations in both rows of seats promise de luxe comfort and convenience, with a center armrest at the rear offering a storage tray and pull-out cupholders.

A digital instrument cluster with 12.3-inch TFT Adaptive Digital Display and 3-spoke sports leather multifunction steering wheel dominate the cockpit.

FOLDING REAR SEAT. The rear seats can be power- released and folded to increase cargo space to 1,433 liters. The only imperfection is the hump at the center of the rear floor which reduces the legroom available for the passenger sitting in the middle of the back seat.

Technology is front and center with the 9-inch infotainment touchscreen and the 12.3-inch digital driver display, the latter located directly behind the steering wheel so you can keep your eyes on the road. The touchscreen comes to life when you enter the car to present current navigational position, car status, messages, climate, audio and phone connectivity.

PRIORITY. In designing the XC60 T8 PHEV, Volvo gave priority to comfort, safety and cutting-edge technology rather than sporty athleticism or hard core off-road ambition. Driving the XC60 T8, you can sprint to 150 kph within 6 seconds on a traffic-free expressway, but somehow the innate conservative dignity of the brand, plus the myriad safety systems restraining your enthusiastic driving tendencies get in the way of having fun.

On the other hand, the XC60 T8 offers a luxuriously smooth, comfortable and quiet ride when cruising, a sense of supreme stability and security in its roomy cabin, and all that infotainment and connectivity at hand. Sometimes, though, the touchscreen interface can be frustrating and distracting while you are driving because too many controls depend on it, and it lags.

SUMMING UP. The 2020 Volvo XC60 T8 PHEV, handsome, cutting-edge and versatile, offers a fully connected and pleasurable driving experience with the perfect balance between comfort and control enhanced by state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid electric technology. It projects high-end Swedish elegance, impressive efficiency, and environment-friendly values. It is yours for P5.5 million.