Saar: Later, the upcoming XC40 is expected to get its variant list expanded with a plug-in hybrid powerplant too.

It isn’t a secret that Volvo Cars is leading the way to electrify all its models by as early as next year. It categorically mentioned that from next year, every Volvo model will have an electrified variant, be it a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or a pure electric. Currently, Volvo Auto India has just one such offering – the XC90 T8 Excellence. However, Volvo’s flagship SUV will soon share its hybrid powertrain with the XC60 and the S90 models.

At the media drive of the upcoming Volvo XC40, CarAndBike caught hold of Charles Frump, who is the managing director at Volvo Auto India. Frump mentioned that for the immediate future, the diesel-powered models will continue in India. However, the mid-size SUV XC60 and the flagship sedan S90 will soon be offered with plug-in hybrid powerplants.

Volvo XC40 Launch Details Revealed

Volvo already sells the plug-in hybrid variants of both the aforementioned models in several international markets. Both models are offered with the same T8 Plug-in Hybrid powerplant that powers the XC90. That’s because all three cars are built on the same SPA platform and currently Volvo doesn’t have any other plug-in hybrid powerplant for the said architecture. India will soon join that market list.

In the 2019 Volvo S90, the engine output is exactly the same as it is on the XC90. The 2.0-litre petrol engine, which is supercharged and turbocharged, is mated to an electric engine and the combined power output is 390PS/640Nm. However, those figures in the 2019 XC60 are rated at 320PS/640Nm. Clearly, Volvo didn’t want to offer the same power output in its mid-size SUV as it does in its flagships. An 8-speed automatic transmission does its duty for both the said models and power is routed to the road via an all-wheel-drive system.

No Diesel Engines For Next-Gen Volvo S60

Of course, price-wise both the plug-in hybrid variants will be considerably dearer than their diesel-powered counterparts. Volvo retails the XC60 and the S90 at less than Rs 60 lakh per piece. The hybrids are likely to knock on the Rs 1 crore mark for both the models. Volvo likes to do things without delays. After bringing these plug-in hybrids in our lives, we expect the sensible Swedes to consider landing the electrified XC40, which it unveiled at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show, on our shores too. You can read about it here. Good times ahead? We’d say – electrifying times ahead!