Driving Volvo’s flagship XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid SUV, a luxury dual motor
all-wheel-drive at $101,990 with a 2.0-litre supercharged and turbocharged petrol
four-cylinder engine and a rear mounted electric motor – total power 335kW, 709
Nm of torque driving through an 8-speed automatic. In short, its blisteringly
quick, the fastest Volvo yet built. Upgraded last year with a larger 18.8kw/h
battery providing a claimed electric only range of 76km. Enough for the daily
commute, rechargeable on a 3.6kW charger in around 4 hours. The Volvo XC60
Recharge hybrid is no lightweight at 2146 kilos which reflects in a stiff ride from
its adaptive air suspension, not helped by large 21-inch alloy wheels and low-
profile tyres. Disappointingly, unlike other XC60 models it only gets a repair kit
rather than a spare tyre. Despite its heft, well weighted electric steering and
excellent four-wheel ventilated disc brakes give it real confidence on a
demanding road. I found the electric range quoted reasonably accurate – it also
benefits from the ability to provide some charge on the run switching between
electric and internal combustion engines without fuss – I managed combined
cycle motoring in hybrid mode of 3.1L/100, once the battery was expended just
over 7L on 95 octane petrol. I’m David Berthon

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