Volvo’s XC60 Plug In Hybrid T8 Model Is Finally in SA: Pricing and Specs for the Electric SUV

• Volvo South Africa has released its first plug-in hybrid model to the market as local interest in electrified vehicles grows rapidly
• The XC60 is the Swedish carmaker's mid-size SUV and Volvo says it boasts a pure electric range of up to 81 km
• The electric motor has 107 kW and 309 N.m and sits on the rear axle with an 18.8 kWh (gross capacity) lithium-ion battery capable of receiving a charge via a cable

Volvo's first plug-in hybrid model is now available in South Africa in the form of the XC60 T8 Recharge and retails for R1 218 900. The Swedish carmaker says on electric power alone the XC60 is capable of 81 km of range and a claimed combined fuel consumption of only 1.6 litres per 100 km.

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The mid-size SUV features a 2,0-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine producing 233 kW and 400 N.m with a 107 kW and 309 N.m electric motor located on the rear axle. The battery component is an 18.8 kWh (gross capacity) lithium-ion battery that can be charged via an electric cable. The normal eight-speed automatic gearbox from the XC60 does duty here too.

In terms of the specifications for the T8 Recharge model, the model is fitted with a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, inductive smartphone charging and 19-inch alloys. The sportier-looking R-Design derivative has model-specific interior and exterior styling cues, MotorPress reports.

Options include a Harman Kardon sound system, air suspension and larger wheels measuring up to 22 inches.

On the technology front, the T8 Recharge features an infotainment system featuring built-in Google apps and services. A cool feature is the integrated Google Assistant feature. The Volvo Cars application allows the driver to configure a myriad of services including remotely preconditioning the cabin (without having to start the engine), tracking the battery’s charge levels and monitoring electricity consumption.

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Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, says:

“You need only look at the popularity of our first fully electric model – the XC40 P8 Recharge – to understand there’s a growing local appetite for electrified vehicles. A plug-in hybrid is an attractive first step for South Africans who are considering making the switch to electric, and the XC60 T8 Recharge is a compelling option, combining ultra-low emissions with brisk performance. Its arrival is a further demonstration of our commitment to increasingly electrify our model range, with the ultimate ambition of becoming a fully electric car company by 2030.”

Kia named most dependable car brand in coveted JD Power Rankings

Another carmaker with good news to share is Kia. The South Korean brand was recently named the most dependable car company in the United States in the latest JD Power Rankings, Briefly News reported.

The recently launched Sorento also scooped the top spot in the study’s upper midsize SUV category. 32 car manufacturers were included in the survey and the questions covered covering specific problem symptoms grouped into five major vehicle areas: Problems Per 100, component replacement, software updates, vehicle appeal, and deterioration.

The JD Power Rankings provide a thorough look at whether owners of vehicles encountered any problems during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old vehicles (2019 model year). The overall dependability score is then determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100).

Source: Briefly News