For the next year, the Volvo Company is revamping the lineup and adding the new model 2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid. It will be laden with latest tech and safety features, as per the latest news.
The legendary Swedish carmaker is keen on making its entire range of upcoming vehicles electric. It is a conscious endeavor to join the bandwagon of green car manufacturers by the giant. The XC 60 is the popular vehicle from Volvo and it has a loyal user base.
2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid – Handsome Looking Vehicle
The 2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid is a handsome looking vehicle. The design cues taken from bigger sibling the XC 90 are quite clear. Built on the company’s new Scalable Platform Architecture, it is quite sleek and stylish- no matter which angle you look at it from. It will come in two trims- Inscription Pro and R-Design Pro.
The cabin is also quite plush and elegant looking. The seat upholstery is sleek and classy. Even the soft-touch plastic used on the car’s center console and dashboard’s driftwood trim reflect class. The large panoramic sunroof also looks great. It can accommodate up to 5 adults and default cargo space is 29.7 cubic feet.
Safety Features and Amenities
The Volvo cars are known for their excellent safety features and refined amenities. The 2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid is not going to be different in this regard. The Sensus infotainment system gets controlled through a 9-inch touchscreen display which is mounted on the center console. You may feel like using an iPad-the speed and response is that good. There is the only minimal learning curve and handling both entertainment and navigation is the breeze. Smartphone connectivity is also supported by the setup.
The Volvo has been making progress on deploying autonomous driving tech and it is labeled Pilot Assist in the 2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid. It can operate as long as vehicle speed remains under 80 MPH. It actually works well in urban traffic. The System also warns if it detects the driver is getting less alert than recommended levels while driving. Safety features include Lane Mitigation, roll stability control, airbags. However, Blind Spot Information System has been kept optional.
Powerful Engine of the 2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid
With time, the PHEV vehicles are getting more powerful and fuel economy is also getting enhanced. The powertrain comprises of a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine making 314 HP and an electric motor making 86 HP. The powertrain is handled by an eight-speed automatic transmission gearbox.
The new 2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid can cover 28 miles on electric power alone– which is quite decent. As per the claims of Volvo, the car’s battery also can be charged to full capacity in two and a half hours by using fast charger units. Furthermore, this is going to be a fast car if the claims made by Volvo turns out to be accurate. For a PHEV class vehicle, reaching 0-60 MPh in less than 5 seconds is quite impressive. It is actually on par with the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid.
There are a few driving modes to pick from like Pure, Hybrid and Power. However, acceleration is not equally impressive on all types of terrains. This is not a vehicle to offer same acceleration or ride on country roads and highway. While it is actually possible to charge’ up the vehicle running with the engine serving as a generator- it is not feasible or efficient. That way the fuel economy figure drops to a measly 31 MPG!
Price and Availability of the 2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid
The pricing of 2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid begins at approx $53,000. It will be unveiled in late 2017. The pricing is actually reasonable compared to other PHEV models like the Cayenne S E-Hybrid.
Conclusion
The 2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid is a nice vehicle that offers good value for money. However, its fuel economy figures look better on paper than what it shows in real life performance. What it misses on mileage the car make up in amenities and safety departments, beyond any doubt. The refined infotainment is a joy to use and Pilot Assist works quite good. Overall it offers a great luxury experience with mild to moderate dose of hybrid performance thrown in.
