Friday, February 22, 2019

Volvo XC90 facelift revealed with new mild hybrid tech

https://ift.tt/2Tbz7g9

Alex Ingram 2019-02-22 13:23

Updated Volvo XC90 SUV will gain an energy recovery system and mild cosmetic updates when deliveries begin in May

Volvo XC90 facelift - front road

The Volvo XC90 SUV has received a facelift, introducing revised styling, further safety tech, and a fuel-saving energy recovery system.

The Swedish brand’s continued push towards electrifying its range means that the non plug-in variants of the XC90 will feature a Kinetic Energy Recovery System. The setup harvests energy that would otherwise be lost under braking, which can then be deployed under acceleration to reduce the combustion engine’s load.

Best SUVs and 4x4s to buy 

According to Volvo, the system will reduce fuel usage and tailpipe emissions by 15 per cent in real-world driving. The new mild hybrid models will be signified by ‘B’ badging, with B5 and B6 petrols and a B5 diesel taking the place of the existing T5, T6 and D5 units. The non-hybrid models will be gradually phased out, with the D5 joining the range first, followed by the petrol variants.

The existing T8 plug-in hybrid remains at the top of the range. This gains similar energy recovery tech through an updated brake-by-wire battery charging system which should see its range improve by around 15 percent.

Cosmetically, not much will change on the outside. A new grille is the same size as before, but features a new concave design. Elsewhere, there’s a couple of new paint colours and alloy wheel designs.

As ever, Volvo wants to be seen at the forefront of automotive safety, and the XC90 adds a couple of updated features. An Oncoming Lane Mitigation system was introduced on the smaller XC60, and now comes equipped on the XC90, while its cross traffic alert system can now autonomously brake if necessary.

The revised XC90 is available to order now, with production of the updated model due to begin in May 2019.

Volvo models to gain B-badged variants

The XC90 is the first Volvo to gain the KERS-equipped tech, but it will eventually filter through to the rest of the range, too. The XC60 SUV will be the next to follow, with the same powertrains replacing the current D4, D5 and T5 petrol and diesel models.

Two plug-in hybrid options will soon join the XC40 range. First to make its debut will be a range-topping T5 Twin Engine, while a less powerful T4 will follow later. Meanwhile, the V60 T6 twin-engine model will gain similar efficiency improvements to those of the XC90 T8.

Do you like the look of the new facelifted Volvo XC90? Let us know in the comments below... 



from Featured Articles https://ift.tt/2VfXPJP

No comments:

Post a Comment