Thanks for logging in.

You can now click/tap WATCH to start the live stream.

Thanks for logging in.

You can now click/tap LISTEN to start the live stream.

Thanks for logging in.

You can now click/tap LATEST NEWS to start the live stream.

LISTEN
Watch
on air now

Create a 2GB account today!

You can now log in once to listen live, watch live, join competitions, enjoy exclusive 2GB content and other benefits.


Joining is free and easy.

You will soon need to register to keep streaming 2GB online. Register an account or skip for now to do it later.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Volvo’s XC40 plug-in hybrid is soon to arrive in showrooms but is it worth the extra money over the highly-regarded petrol models.

Motor Torque

A chance to drive Volvo’s soon to be launched XC40 plug-in hybrid. A difficult test for the petrol XC40’s are just so impressive, our best-selling compact prestige SUV’s on the market. I rather like Hybrids but the plug-in models are rather tedious for what they offer  – in this case 46 kilometres of motoring in Pure electric power mode, barely enough for the daily commute or in Hybrid mode the flexibility of a 1.3-litre turbo three-cylinder petrol engine coupled to the electric motor and 10.7kwh lithium-ion battery. Volvo quoting economy of 2.2L/100 although I managed just under 4.6L/100km.

To me the plug in Hybrid is a transitionary model with Volvo’s first full electric car the XC40 Pure Electric due here around the middle of next year. The plug-in hybrid at $64,990 is $8,000 dearer to the 2.0-litre turbo petrol XC40 T5 R-design auto – yes it offers considerably better fuel economy but only for a short time and then there’s the inconvenience factor of charging for around five hours for just 46 kilometers of pure electric power. To me unless you’ve got a certain green bent the plug-in Hybrid offers little for another $8,000 and a lot of inconvenience. As is said earlier the problem for Volvo is the 2.0-litre turbo petrol Volvo XC40 models are just so impressive by comparison.

I’m David Berthon

Click PLAY to listen!

Download this podcast here

Motor Torque
Advertisement