Flagship SUV gets refreshed with new energy-recovery system that will eventually be rolled across other model ranges in the future.
Erm, it looks the same…
After being on the market for more than four years, the Volvo XC90 has received a facelift.
However, the visual changes are very minor because Volvo says it doesn’t want to mess up with a design that has won praise since the flagship SUV was introduced in second-generation form in 2014.
While there are new exterior colours and wheels to choose from now, the only other notable alteration is the concaved grille up front.
The interior is also largely the same as before, but there’s a new design for the gear knob. As well, there’s now Android Auto joining the existing Apple CarPlay on the digital front of things.
What’s the mild hybrid like?
Volvo says the brake-by-wire system in the XC90 now works with the energy-recovery system to help reduce fuel consumption by around 15% in the real-world driving conditions.
This mild hybrid will eventually be available in all petrol and diesel models without plug-in facility.
Accompanying this introduction is a new badge. Depending on model and power, any Volvo with mild hybrid tech would be called B3, B4, B5 or B6.
They would supersede the conventional combustion-engined models using D (diesel) and T (petrol).
Uprated plug-in hybrids like the XC90 will still be called T8 Twin Engine.
Volvo has also announced separately that plug-in hybrids will eventually be available in all model ranges, with the latest XC40 being the next recipient later this year.
What about all-electric power?
That has yet to take place in any Volvo. But the Swedes have already confirmed that it will be launching its second model this year from Polestar, a new standalone brand.
Unlike the Polestar 1 sports car which has a plug-in hybrid, the Polestar 2 is due with all-electric power.
Overseas reports suggest that Polestar 2 would lend its BEV tech to the XC40 in the future.
In the meantime, expect the Thai Volvo office to update the XC90 range later this year which competes in the price range of 4-6 million baht with the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
