Volvo T6 and T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrids upgraded

Volvo has announced upgrades to its T6 and T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrains, and is planning a new range of mild hybrids as it moves towards full electrification of its range.

The T8 Twin Engine - available on the V60, V90, XC60, XC90, S60 and S90 - now produces 414bhp, with a new battery and “advanced battery charging” increasing range by around 15%.

The T6 Twin Engine - available on the V60 and S90 - has also been upgraded, receiving a similar increase in range to the T8.

Volvo says plug-in hybrid options will be offered on all of its cars going forward, with the company taking steps to ensure it can cope with demand for PHEVs: it anticipates 25% of the cars it builds from now on will feature a T6 or T8 Twin Engine.

Meanwhile, the Swedish carmaker has also announced a new range of mild hybrid models, starting with petrol and diesel versions of the XC90 and XC60 SUVs in the coming months.

These mild hybrids will feature what Volvo describes as “advanced kinetic energy recovery braking” via a brake-by-wire system, delivering estimated fuel and emissions savings of 15% in real-world conditions.

Volvo’s mild hybrid cars will be denoted by a new ‘B’ badge, and the company expect these to gradually become the standard as non-electrified vehicles are phased out of its range.

It means the XC90 will be offered with a B5 mild hybrid petrol or diesel engine, in addition to a B6 petrol mild hybrid engine. On the XC60, customers will have a choice of a B4 diesel mild hybrid, B5 petrol or diesel mild hybrids, or a B6 petrol mild hybrid. The B5 petrol will come with a choice of front- or all-wheel-drive.

Meanwhile, the XC40 SUV will be offered in T5 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid form, with a T4 PHEV option to follow at a later stage.