Currently reading: Volvo electrifies entire range with new XC40 plug-in hybrid

XC40 is the last model in firm's line-up to receive an electrified option; prices start from £40,905

Volvo has confirmed official UK pricing and specifications for its new Volvo XC40 T5 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid.

The last model in Volvo's line-up to receive an electrified variant, the mid-sized SUV pairs the 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine of the T3 with an 81bhp electric motor for a combined output of 258bhp. Power is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic gearbox, unlike Volvo's more powerful T8 hybrids, which sit atop the firm's SPA four-wheel-drive platform.

The new powertrain is capable of pure-electric running, with a 10.7kWh battery offering an electric-only range of up to 28.6 miles. Volvo claims preliminary tests on the WLTP combined cycle have yielded consumption figures of between 112.8mpg and 141.2mpg, with emissions rated at 38-43g/km, depending on wheel size.

The powertrain has been co-developed by Volvo’s parent company, Geely, and it’s also set to be used in that firm’s Lynk&Co models, the 01 and 02. Geely has also used the powertrain in its new flagship saloon for China, the Bo Rui GE.​

Three main drive modes are available with the T5 model: Hybrid, Power and Pure. The first will work to most efficiently combine both parts of the powertrain, while Power will maximise the output of both. The final will harness only the electric motor. Individual and Off road modes also feature, with the former allowing customisation of how the powertrain works and the latter focused on providing maximum traction in low-grip scenarios.

227627 New volvo xc40 t5 plug in hybrid

Prices for the new model begin at £40,905 for entry-level R-Design trim, rising to £41,255 for the better-equipped Inscription package. The range is headed up by R-Design Pro and Inscription Pro trims at £42,305. 

The company claims the XC40 will deliver "significant cost-of-ownership benefits", with an exemption from UK road tax, and company car buyers eligible to pay a benefit-in-kind tax rate of just 16%.

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Volvo’s XC40 arrives in the crowded premium compact SUV segment and hits the right note with design, practicality and driving style

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The new PHEV is capable of both domestic and rapid charging, with an optional fast-charge cable capable of delivering a full charge in as little as 2.5 hours. 

With the new XC40 T5 Twin Engine, Volvo has fulfilled its aim, reported in 2017, to offer an electrified variant of every car in its range by 2019. Beyond this, Volvo intends for 50% of its new car sales to be fully electric vehicles from 2025

An all-electric version of the XC40 will be the brand's first battery-electric vehicle, and is set to be unveiled in the coming months. 

Read more

Lynk&Co 01 PHEV 2019 review​

Volvo S60 gains 385bhp plug-in hybrid option in UK

Volvo XC40 review

Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: Deputy editor

Felix is Autocar's deputy editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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mesumguy 12 September 2019

V & T 40 are to be replaced with new models soon.

Battery packs do not eat into boot space as all new Volvo designs place them in the tunnel where the rear drive shaft would live. Therefore, 4X4 hybrids have electric driven rear wheels and can be tuned to be very rapid.

mesumguy 12 September 2019

Sorry meant to say S40 & V40 due for replacement.

Butter fingers and brain fog.

The Apprentice 11 September 2019

Still no mention of remaining

Still no mention of remaining boot size, not even a photo...hmmm

Citytiger 11 September 2019

The Apprentice wrote:

The Apprentice wrote:

Still no mention of remaining boot size, not even a photo...hmmm

586 litres according to the Volvo website, which is still bigger than an E-Pace an X3, a Q3 or a GLA.

The Apprentice 11 September 2019

Citytiger wrote:

Citytiger wrote:

The Apprentice wrote:

Still no mention of remaining boot size, not even a photo...hmmm

586 litres according to the Volvo website, which is still bigger than an E-Pace an X3, a Q3 or a GLA.

Are you sure? the ICE car has only 479L according to the Volvo website, I can't see the boot being bigger in a car with more hardware added to it. I think you must have looked at the XC60.The website does not tell us if there is any loss of space in the XC40 hybrid, every other hybrid to date has lost space compared to ICE versions. It would be impressive if Volvo managed to avoid it.

The Apprentice 11 September 2019

The Apprentice wrote:

The Apprentice wrote:

Citytiger wrote:

The Apprentice wrote:

Still no mention of remaining boot size, not even a photo...hmmm

586 litres according to the Volvo website, which is still bigger than an E-Pace an X3, a Q3 or a GLA.

Are you sure? the ICE car has only 479L according to the Volvo website, I can't see the boot being bigger in a car with more hardware added to it. I think you must have looked at the XC60.The website does not tell us if there is any loss of space in the XC40 hybrid, every other hybrid to date has lost space compared to ICE versions. It would be impressive if Volvo managed to avoid it.

ah 586L is to the roof, its more usual to take the value to the seat line, under the boot cover 460L for all models according to price list, sound about right. Well done Volvo, seems they have done a hybrid with no compromise on practicality to the regular version.

xxxx 12 September 2019

compromises

The Apprentice wrote:

The Apprentice wrote:

Citytiger wrote:

The Apprentice wrote:

Still no mention of remaining boot size, not even a photo...hmmm

586 litres according to the Volvo website, which is still bigger than an E-Pace an X3, a Q3 or a GLA.

Are you sure? the ICE car has only 479L according to the Volvo website, I can't see the boot being bigger in a car with more hardware added to it. I think you must have looked at the XC60.The website does not tell us if there is any loss of space in the XC40 hybrid, every other hybrid to date has lost space compared to ICE versions. It would be impressive if Volvo managed to avoid it.

ah 586L is to the roof, its more usual to take the value to the seat line, under the boot cover 460L for all models according to price list, sound about right. Well done Volvo, seems they have done a hybrid with no compromise on practicality to the regular version.

Other than weight, complexity, service cost? oh and the small matter of around +£6,000

The Apprentice 12 September 2019

xxxx wrote:

xxxx wrote:

The Apprentice wrote:

The Apprentice wrote:

Citytiger wrote:

The Apprentice wrote:

Still no mention of remaining boot size, not even a photo...hmmm

586 litres according to the Volvo website, which is still bigger than an E-Pace an X3, a Q3 or a GLA.

Are you sure? the ICE car has only 479L according to the Volvo website, I can't see the boot being bigger in a car with more hardware added to it. I think you must have looked at the XC60.The website does not tell us if there is any loss of space in the XC40 hybrid, every other hybrid to date has lost space compared to ICE versions. It would be impressive if Volvo managed to avoid it.

ah 586L is to the roof, its more usual to take the value to the seat line, under the boot cover 460L for all models according to price list, sound about right. Well done Volvo, seems they have done a hybrid with no compromise on practicality to the regular version.

Other than weight, complexity, service cost? oh and the small matter of around +£6,000

well obviously not a car intended for you, but for those in the company car market all of that is irrelevent.

Theley 11 September 2019

Exempt..I don’t think so

Article says “The company claims the XC40 will deliver "significant cost-of-ownership benefits", with an exemption from UK road tax,.   Sorry but the best you will get is a reduction to £130 as it is not pure electric

artill 11 September 2019

Theley wrote:

Theley wrote:

Article says “The company claims the XC40 will deliver "significant cost-of-ownership benefits", with an exemption from UK road tax,.   Sorry but the best you will get is a reduction to £130 as it is not pure electric

Quite right, and because the basic list price starts just above £40,000, you will pay £320 extra for the first 5 years, Its just the first years road tax which i believe is zero, but past 1 year you would have been better off with petrol power (assuming the list says under the 40k cut off) if you are not a CoCar driver

xxxx 12 September 2019

artill wrote:

artill wrote:

Theley wrote:

Article says “The company claims the XC40 will deliver "significant cost-of-ownership benefits", with an exemption from UK road tax,.   Sorry but the best you will get is a reduction to £130 as it is not pure electric

Quite right, and because the basic list price starts just above £40,000, you will pay £320 extra for the first 5 years, Its just the first years road tax which i believe is zero, but past 1 year you would have been better off with petrol power (assuming the list says under the 40k cut off) if you are not a CoCar driver

Be careful Citiytiger will be after you!