This big Swedish saloon is currently the top of the range of the Swedish manufacturer, rivaling the “trio of custom” — BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. To top this range, Volvo followed an alternative path , combining an internal combustion engine with an electric one. The name says it all: Volvo S90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid.
Naturally, it is its driving force that focuses all the attention, because by uniting hydrocarbons with electrons, it promises the best of both worlds. All the performance that the 408 hp and 640 Nm let you guess, with economy of use, thanks to the possibility of being able to circulate in exclusively electric mode.
Unlike German rivals, we didn't find a V8 under the hood, not even a V6. All Volvo S90s (and V90s) have only 2.0 l in-line four-cylinder engines. The S90 T8 comes equipped with the most powerful version of this block, while debiting substantial 320 horsepower — one of the most powerful four cylinders on the market — thanks to the adoption not only of a turbo, but also of a supercharger.
It is complemented with an 87 hp electric motor positioned on the rear axle, powered by a 9.2 kWh battery, allowing a 45 km maximum electrical autonomy , although, realistically, Guilherme, in a carefree drive, did not manage much more than 35 km.
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Power and strength abound, even considering the vast dimensions and mass (2.2 t) of the Volvo S90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid. Pay attention to the benefits, where it's enough 5.1s to reach 100 km/h and reaches a maximum speed of 250 km/h (limited) — Guilherme ended up discovering how easy it is to get distracted on the highway and travel at speeds well above the legal limit.
What about consumptions?
If performance is guaranteed, what about the economy? All plug-in hybrids are advertised with very low fuel consumption and emissions figures — between 2.4-2.9 l/100 km and 54-66 g/km in the case of this S90 — but is that really the case?
As is predictable, as long as there is a charge in the batteries, the electric motor assumes the main role in the locomotion of the Volvo S90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid, allowing very low consumption. But what about when we run out of batteries?
I leave the answer to that question for the video, where in addition to getting to know the S90 in more detail, Guilherme takes on his role as a teacher to explain — using a drawing at the level of a five-year-old child — what he can do. happen in various scenarios. To not lose:
The Volvo S90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid, with the R Design line, is available from 74 210 euros.