Volvo axes diesel XC40 in favour of new plug-in hybrid variants

Volvo has ditched diesel for its XC40 range to coincide with the introduction of new plug-in versions of the crossover.

It is now available in B3, B4 and B5 petrol, T4 and T5 plug-in Hybrid and P8 fully-electric form.

XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T4

The new plug-in hybrid system combines a 129hp 1.5-litre petrol engine, an 82hp electric motor and 10.7kWh rechargeable lithium-ion battery to deliver an all-electric driving range of up to 27 miles.

The new powertrain joins the Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T5 in the XC40 range and is available in R-Design and Inscription equipment grades, with front-wheel drive. 

Respective on-the-road prices are £39,130 and £39,475.

The new versions are on sale now and first deliveries to customers are expected in October 2020.

New B4 and B5 mild-hybrid petrol powertrains

The XC40 is also available in two mild-hybrid versions, which feature a 48-volt battery to support a 2.0-litre petrol engine. 

The new B4 produces 197hp and is available with front- or all-wheel drive, while the 250hp B5 comes exclusively with all-wheel drive.

An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on both.

The new powertrains replace the previous T4 and T5 petrol engines in the XC40 line-up. On-the-road prices are from £32,760 for the B4 (Momentum FWD) and £37,865 for the B5 (R-Design).

Volvo has also re-aligned its powertrain line-up on other models, introducing a new T6 plug-in hybrid variant.

Facelifted versions of the S90 are now only offered in T8 plug-in hybrid guise, while the V90 has been given the new T6 plug-in hybrid engine.

The T6 uses the same 2.0-litre petrol engine, electric motor and 11.6kWh battery, but has a lower power output of 340PS when compared to the T8’s 390PS. Prices for the S90 T8 and V90 T6 are the same, starting from £55,250.

The XC60 has lost its range-topping T8 model too, replaced by the same T6 version.

S60 models continue to be offered with the T8 powertrain, but the V60 is now offered with the T6 instead. As with the S90 and V90, prices are aligned and start at £45,175.

Currently, the brand’s new mild-hybrid diesel engines are offered on the V60, V90, XC60 and XC90. These replace the old units and are badged B4 and B5.

All Volvo’s petrol engines are also now fitted with mild-hybrid technology.

In the coming years Volvo Cars aims to establish itself as a leader in electrification and by 2025, it wants half of its global sales volume to consist of fully electric cars, with the rest hybrids.