As of next year, Volvo will be introducing a 48-volt mild-hybrid systems to select models, namely the XC60, XC90, S90, and V90 Cross Country, as a part of its ongoing push towards electrification. These offerings will bear the ‘B5’ and ‘B6’ badges but will feature the same turbocharged 2,0-litre four-cylinder motor as found in the current T5 and T6 models.
According to information sourced from Car and Driver, these select examples will boast a 48-volt mild-hybrid system which is said to ‘marginally’ improve fuel consumption and emissions in city driving conditions. Additionally, the system brings kinetic energy recovery, ‘silent Start/Stop’, and a brake by wire system to models, as well as improved NVH levels within the cabin and improvements to powertrain responsiveness. Along with the mild-hybrid system, Volvo’s new 8G Series automatic transmission will make its debut with claimed improvements in fuel consumption, shift quality, and NVH thanks to new dampers.
On B6 badged models, the mechanical supercharger is replaced by an electrical unit. It’s understood that this move again improves NVH levels and engine response while reducing parasitic loads on the internal combustion engine.
Drivers can expect to see improvements of between 1,0 and 3,0 l/100 km with these revisions. These ‘B’ models are already available in other markets globally and will make landfall in South Africa before the end of the year. It’s expected that this range will act as a supplementary offering to its fully electric Recharge range.
The XC90’s inclusion on this list may be temporary as a recent report suggested that this range would be fully electric when the next generation model is revealed possibly next year. the Swedish carmaker has not disclosed any further details about its electric drivetrain or how far it will travel between charges. The new Volvo XC90 will reportedly be built around the company’s new SPA2 modular architecture and there are also rumours of an even bigger XC100 model joining the line-up.
