edatoakrun
Well-known member
IMO, the obvious application for PHEV technology always was the high-end SUV market, where the cost and weight penalties of including an ICE are far less significant, and the simplicity of electric AWD is an improvement over the complex transmission of ICE power to four wheels.
With Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, and Audi all planning their own luxury PHESUVs, it looks like it might be a pretty crowded market segment as soon as this time next year.
Wonder what the implications for the Tesla X are, with an introduction ~simultaneous with this much "plug-in" Euro-competition.
Looking at only the drivetrain specs and interior photos, Volvo may have a very competitive entry in the new class.
The 2015 Volvo XC90 Has 400 HP And Is Cleaner Than A Prius
http://jalopnik.com/the-2015-volvo-xc90-has-400-hp-and-is-cleaner-than-a-pr-1601620363" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The New Volvo XC90's Interior Is Pretty Damn Spectacular
http://jalopnik.com/the-new-volvo-xc90s-interior-is-pretty-damn-spectacular-1581951868" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
With Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, and Audi all planning their own luxury PHESUVs, it looks like it might be a pretty crowded market segment as soon as this time next year.
Wonder what the implications for the Tesla X are, with an introduction ~simultaneous with this much "plug-in" Euro-competition.
Looking at only the drivetrain specs and interior photos, Volvo may have a very competitive entry in the new class.
The 2015 Volvo XC90 Has 400 HP And Is Cleaner Than A Prius
Volvo engineers must be wizards because their new Twin Engine drivetrain translates to the top of the range XC90 T8 having 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque with CO2 emissions of around 60 g/km. That's better than the Prius and its 91 g/km of emissions
... the T8 model. It's a seven-seater plug-in hybrid with four-wheel drive, ultra low emissions and a combined output of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque....
The two-liter, four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine powering the front wheels gets help from an 80 hp electric motor sending power to the rear wheels. For city cruising, it has an all-electric range of around 25 miles, turning the XC90 into an emission-free rear-wheel drive SUV...
Volvo also claims that since their new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) chassis was developed with the battery pack in mind from the start, the hybrid system does not compromise interior or luggage space in the XC90...
http://jalopnik.com/the-2015-volvo-xc90-has-400-hp-and-is-cleaner-than-a-pr-1601620363" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The New Volvo XC90's Interior Is Pretty Damn Spectacular
The 2015 Volvo XC90 is here and with it, the Swedish carmaker's new interior design…
I told you before that Volvo's new design language is pure sex, but the new XC90's interior is indeed like a stylish Scandinavian living room with seven canopies and a glass roof...
The simplicity of natural wood and soft leather in accompanied by a huge central touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay for all your infotainment needs...
http://jalopnik.com/the-new-volvo-xc90s-interior-is-pretty-damn-spectacular-1581951868" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;