Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid launched in India at Rs 1.25 crore

Volvo India has launched the XC90 T8 Hybrid Excellence in India at Rs 1.25 crore (ex-Delhi).

While it may appear as the regular XC90, which is not bad at all given how stylish the SUV looks, the T8 Hybrid's distinguishing factors lie underneath the hood. These include adaptive cruise control collision detection, pedestrian detection, large object and animal detection. The hybrid also features lane departure warning, blind spot detection, cross traffic alert, rear collision warning and park pilot assist.

The XC90 T8 Hybrid is the first vehicle in India to get radar-based safety systems as standard. Volvo's radar hardware has been approved by the Government of India. Radar-based safety features will feature in other Volvos later on.

It gets a turbocharged and supercharged, 2.0-litre, 320PS, direct-injection petrol engine that's coupled to an electric motor, which produces 83Ps and 240Nm. The combined output is an impressive 407PS and 640Nm which should be enough to give this behemoth all the grunts it needs. The engine is mated to an 8-speed Aisin transmission. Volvo claims a 0-100 time of 6 seconds.

The battery can be charged using a 110V or a 240V power outlet. The former will charge the battery in 12 hours while the latter charges the battery in six hours only. On a fully charged battery, the XC90 T8 hybrid can travel up to 32km in pure electric mode. In the combined power mode, it can cover 250km, before it needs a refill. These are pretty impressive figures for a 2-tonne-plus SUV. Volvo will also provide two charging stations, at no extra cost. These will be installed by Volvo at points preferred by the owner, like one at home and the other at the office. These stations will charge the battery in just 2.5 hours. The SUV also features brake energy recuperation to charge the battery. In addition, the battery is charged while coasting.

There are six driving modes: Save, Pure, Hybrid, Power, AWD and Off-road. The electric motor powers the rear wheels in Off-road mode.

The XC90 T8 Hybrid, in this top of the line Excellence trim, is a four-seater, with individual seats at the rear. Heavily bolstered, all seats are heated as well as ventilated and have a massage function as standard. They are wrapped in perforated, Nappa leather, in keeping with the standards in this segment. There's a beverage cooler in between the rear seats that can hold two 750ml bottles and comes with crystal glasses, chiselled by the Swedish specialist Orrefors.

The Excellence console, located on the centre armrests, is the control centre that allows rear passengers to switch among different entertainment options as well as adjust the seats and set the temperature of the cooler. Volvo has also continued with the fantastic Bowers & Wilkins music system in the T8 Hybrid too.

The interiors are otherwise similar to other XC90s with the attention grabbing, i-Pad style infotainment system in the centre console, the non-veneered wood inserts and the leather-trimmed dashboard.

The hybrid has received 50 orders in India so far, and delivery begins end of the year. Volvo will open new showroom and service centre in Jaipur, Lucknow and Pune. Jaipur dealership will open later this year.

Depending on response, Volvo may launch the seven-seater XC90 T8 Hybrid later.