Volvo Cars is back in action! The Swedish carmaker has unveiled the mid-life update of its flagship SUV – the XC90. Predictably, it features a handful of cosmetic changes inside and out. But the main talking point is the range of internal combustion engines which now feature mild-hybrid systems. What’s more, all Volvo models with mild-hybrid engines will be badged with the letter B, followed by a number which will be based on the tune of the internal combustion engine.

Before we get to the dry stuff, let’s see how the refreshed people-carrier differs from the earlier one. On the outside, the list of changes includes subtly restyled bumpers, a set of new alloy wheels, a new front grille and a choice of new exterior colours. Inside the cabin, Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system has been upgraded to support Android Auto. Up until now, it only supported smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay. Wherever available, the online music streaming service – Spotify – will also work.

The biggest change inside the cabin is the choice of seating configurations. The XC90 was always available with a seven- or a four-seat layout. With the facelift, Volvo has added the option of a six-seat configuration. Apart from that, there are some interior upholstery materials on offer such as a wool blend. It seems Volvo really wanted to expand the level of personalisation options for the XC90 and it has!

It is a refreshed Volvo! So, obviously, the list of safety gizmos has also been updated. Apart from the plethora of passenger and pedestrian safety features, the Volvo XC90 now also gets both City Safety and the Blind Spot Information System. Volvo claims that the former tech works with the Autobrake feature and is still the only in the automotive market to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. The XC90 also gets the Oncoming Lane Mitigation system which was first introduced with the current-gen XC60. The Cross Traffic Alert tech now also comes with the autobrake feature.

Over to the cleaner powertrains. Volvo has taken the same internal combustion engines and, as mentioned above, added a mild-hybrid system to all of them. The Swedes claims that with the new tech onboard, which works on the fundamentals of kinetic energy recovery braking system, the powertrains are up to 15 per cent more fuel efficient as well as less polluting. The XC90 will be offered with a B5-badged mild-hybrid petrol or diesel variant, as well as a B6-badged petrol mild hybrid.

Apart from releasing information about the revamped XC90, Volvo Cars has also gone ahead and revealed its plans about electrifying all its models. The carmaker has said that plug-in options will be available on every model it makes. The company has also upgraded its facility to ensure that up to 25 per cent of total cars produced can feature plug-in hybrid powertrains.

As for the mild-hybrid systems, they will start rolling out with the diesel and petrol versions of the XC90 and XC60 SUVs. Volvo has also said that in the coming months, it will introduce new and upgraded powertrains for all models underpinned by the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

Volvo Cars has also upgraded the T8 and T6 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrains. Both come with a new battery and brake-by-wire technology. Thanks to those additions, both can offer an approximate 15 per cent range increase. The T8 plug-in hybrid, which can be had with up to 420PS on tap, is available on the 90 and 60 series cars, whereas the smaller T6 plug-in hybrid does duty in the V60 and S60 models.

For the XC60 SUV, customers will be given an option between a B5 mild-hybrid petrol or diesel variant, a B4 mild-hybrid diesel and B6 mild-hybrid petrol. Out of the lot, only the B5 will be available with the option of an all-wheel-drive system. As far as the XC40 is concerned, it will get a new electrified powertrain – a T5 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid. A second such powertrain – the T4 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid – will be introduced at a later stage.

So, there you have it. Quite a long piece but a very informative one for sure! It seems that Volvo Cars is well on its way to meet its ambitious target that it set itself last year. The Swedish brand wants all of its models to be electrified by the year 2025.