[AUTO] At the wheel of the Volvo XC40 Twin Recharge: two in one

[YaKuZa--BoSs]

The Swedish SUV debuts the 'plug-in' hybrid versions, with up to 50 km in zero emissions and that, although it sounds contradictory, do not depend on a plug to travel. The most powerful offers 282 HP.

 

 

Volvo will have its first 100% electric car at the beginning of next year, precisely on the basis of the XC40, its smallest SUV. And it will continue to launch one of these models per year from now until 2025. In fact, it wants at that time half of the vehicles they sell to move only thanks to the energy of their batteries.

But as long as that comes, and then and after, the so-called plug-ins, PHEVs or 'plug-in' hybrid cars will continue to play a major role. This is for two reasons: having a combustion engine as the main engine, the only limitations when traveling is having a gas station on hand. And since their potential makes them very low-emission vehicles, they earn the DGT's ZERO label. At least, as long as the current system is not revised and that has these models and light hybrids at the center of the controversy.

 

 

The fact is that Volvo, which already has PHEV variants in its entire range, now completes the circle by launching this technology on the XC40, its smallest SUV. It does it with two versions, called T5 Twin Recharge and T4 Twin Recharge and that differ only in the power of the block 1.5 three-cylinder gasoline, depending on whether it delivers 180 or 129 horsepower.

The rest of the elements are the same, both the 82 hp electric motor (which makes the joint power 262 or 211 hp), the gearbox (double clutch and seven gears) and the battery pack, which They authorize an electric autonomy (in both cases) of between 47 and 50 km depending on the size of the wheel.

 

 

CONSUMPTION USING ALL THE BATTERY: FROM 1.8 LITERS
From these wicker, the XC40 T5 Twin Recharge certifies an average consumption of between 1.8-1.9 liters per 100 km, leaving CO2 emissions between 45 and 47 grams per kilometer. For that to be true, we would always have to start with the battery at the top in each of those 100 km sections and even this would not be achieved, since we would have to repeat exactly the homologation cycles (which are shorter, 23 km each one).

We count it not as a criticism of the car, extensive to all those who have a similar system, if not to put things in their place. Because the XC40 'plug in' has undeniable strengths, since many customers (as long as they can recharge it as often as necessary), can spend the whole week without spending a drop of gasoline.

 

 

In addition, the possibilities generated by the same hybrid system (which recovers energy that then supports the combustion engine), will mean that on many occasions we are reducing consumption compared to a conventional model. In addition, they do not have the limitations to travel that we will find in a 100% electric car due to the insufficient infrastructure of recharge poles.

A FIRST VERY DEVELOPING TEST.
We do not tell you as a theory. We were able to verify this during contact with the new model, specifically with the more powerful version. After a 120-kilometer journey, which alternated between conventional roads and the motorway, the on-board computer showed us an average of 5.4 liters. And if in the first part of the journey (about 70 km) we went in hybrid mode and taking care of everything we could driving to stretch the battery to the maximum until it was exhausted (we made an average of just three liters, with an unfavorable orography), the rest of the way was already completely carefree and, to lie to you, quite fast.

 

 

Nor did we have time to test all the energy combinations, since the car has different driving modes: Pure, where we only use the battery energy while there is charge and we do not exceed 125 km / h, Hybrid (combines the two engines seeking maximum possible efficiency) and Power (prioritizes performance). In addition, we can ask the system to maintain a certain level of charge (in order to enter a low emission zone) or force the combustion engine to also recharge it. Obviously, in these two modes (and in the Power) the gasoline consumption rises clearly.

BENEFITS AMPLIFIED BY ELECTRICAL SUPPORT
The electric motor also allows electricity to be recovered during braking or deceleration, even acting as an engine brake (it is enough to turn it backwards). And by the way, it is coupled to the front axle so the XC40 Twin Recharge are always front-wheel drive. In fact, the batteries are located in the transmission tunnel provided for these purposes, so it only steals the double bottom of the boot, which covers 460 liters (the fuel tank also goes from 54 to 48 liters). To recharge the batteries through a socket, the time in a household socket ranges between 9 and 3 hours, depending on the amperage (6A or 16A).

 

 

As for the 'conventional' dynamics, these XC 40s go really well. The small three-cylinder motor hardly vibrates and, with more than 260 horsepower thanks to the instantaneous thrust of the electrical part, it accelerates and recovers like a shot: the 7.3 seconds it takes to go from 0 to 100 km / h serve as a sample, although These models are among the first to arrive with the limitation that Volvo is going to introduce in all its new models so that they do not exceed 180 km / h.

AVAILABLE FOR A MONTHLY RENTING OF 357 EUROS
The range is articulated in four finishes and prices range between 45,520 euros and 50,320 euros in the case of the T4 (which will arrive in a few weeks); and between 46,350 and 51,420 euros the most powerful version. Although for the latter, a monthly renting of 357 euros is offered for a period of four years, with 15,000 kilometers per year and an entry of 7,750 euros. The monthly fee includes practically everything, including a tire change, except gasoline. In addition, to promote the car to be used as long as possible in zero emission mode, the brand will give away the average electricity consumption for the first 12 months.

 

 

As for the equipment or the interior definition, all versions come with a digital instrument panel and a 9 "multifunction central screen, Volvo on Call with numerous remote control and information functionalities, the semi-automatic speed pilot, the 360-degree camera, the 'security' key (which allows limiting certain car functions) or a blind spot warning system that acts on the steering to avoid being hit by the car behind us, as is usual in the Swedish house and in other manufacturers Premium the list of extras is even bigger so it will be very easy to spend several thousand euros on the initial price.