The new Volvo XC 40 Twin Engine - reason mobile with fun factor

If you want to drive a new Volvo at 200 km / h, you have to be fast. Now the last models are coming onto the market that have not yet installed the voluntary speed limit of 180 kilometers per hour. Just like the brand new compact SUV XC 40, which is available as a plug-in hybrid.

• The XC 40 from Volvo is the first Swedish model with a three-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor.
• The small combustion engine delivers an impressive 180 hp , the electric motor delivers another 82 horsepower.
• Another thing is new: the electronics monitor the blind spot and intervene in dangerous situations.

Volvo XC 40 - a real hybrid

Hardly any other manufacturer is converting its vehicle fleet so consistently to e-mobility as the Swedes, which belong to the Chinese Geely group. Whether XC 60, XC 90, S 60 * or V 60 - there are hardly any model series that are not at least equipped with a MILD hybrid system * . In contrast to real hybrid vehicles, the electric motor only supports this, but cannot move the vehicle itself. The XC 40 T5 Twin Engine is brand new in the Swedish model range. A real hybrid. The compact SUV with the cheeky design can drive alone with the combustion engine, can be driven purely electrically or uses the power of the double heart . The driver can set this himself, but more on that later.

Striking rear view: The XC 40 is still striking in the design of the overflowing SUV flood.

© Volvo

Compact SUV: This is what the Volvo XC 40 does

First of all, about the performance data , which are already impressive. The Swedes get 180 horsepower and a torque of 265 Nm from the 1.5-liter displacement. But only the use of the 82 hp electric motor turns the SUV, which is quite heavy (1.8 tons) and bulky, into an agile device because of the hybrid technology . With the additional torque of 160 Nm, something stirs under the hood and enables the sprint to 100 km / h in 7.3 seconds . This is a real brisk moose that the Swedes put down there. Unfortunately, the power with the jagged 7-speed dual clutch transmission is only given to the front wheels, there is no more stable all-wheel drive. Why this SUV is not really suitable for off-road use, even if a special off-road driving program is offered.

Volvo XC 40 in the driving test: Stromer or combustion engine in a flying change

Rather a lifestyle device that can be used to drive to work in the city without a guilty conscience. Because the XC 40 T5 Twin Engine travels up to 50 kilometers purely electrically . Depending on driving style and weather, of course. The 10.7 kW / h battery is charged for between three and nine hours depending on the strength of the charging station.

Better to charge out: If you only have one household socket in the garage, it takes 9 hours until the battery is full again.

© Volvo

The Volvo also gets energy when driving. The electric motor acts as an additional brake and generates electricity again. Which engine you are traveling with can be left to the electronics. In the basic setting Hybrid, the best drive from the point of view of consumption is always selected. If there is enough battery capacity, it is quiet and quiet. By the way, up to speed 125, the combustion engine then switches on .

On the other hand, if you go to the Pure mode , you are traveling purely electrically. Ideally, if you leave early in the morning, you protect the environment in terms of noise. The threat of driving bans or city toll plans is no longer a problem. Simply switch to electric and you can again enjoy the great freedom that makes individual mobility so attractive. You can use the electrical range at any time as you like. With the Hold button you can freeze the existing battery charge and with Charge you can even increase it again. Then the combustor acts as a power generator.

You can choose between five driving modes: the off-road program stabilizes the car on slippery surfaces.

© Volvo

However, if you want to let it rip - there is power mode for you . Here the two engines are clamped together and bring everything they have to offer to the front axle. The instantly available torque of the electric machine then feels like a large turbocharger. A fine thing that should be even more fun together with the sportier tuning of the transmission and a richer engine sound .

Find out here how the Jaguar F-Type performed in the driving test.

This is how much the Volvo XC 40 consumes

The XC 40 T5 Twin Engine should also be fun for the wallet. The consumption values ​​per 100 kilometers should be between 2.0 and 2.4 liters , of course there is also the electricity consumption of 15.7 to 16.8 kWh. Of course, only with extremely gentle handling of the accelerator pedal. This means that 100 kilometers with this XC 40 cost between seven and eight euros purely mathematically and depending on the respective energy prices.

Engines and performance of the Volvo XC 40

Those who find this type of technology too complicated and the basic price of the double-powered Volvo at € 49,000 too high can still fall back on the conventional engines. The T3 has the same three-cylinder, but only produces 163 HP here and costs 32,950 euros in the basic configuration. The top petrol engine T5 AWD has a 2.0 liter engine with 247 hp. But you can also pay for it: it costs 47,750 euros. And diesel gensets are still on offer. The D3 (150 hp) is priced at 35,450 euros, the 190 hp D4 AWD at 46,450 euros.

Lademeister: First the folded back seat brings volume - then up to 1336 liters fit in the XC 40.

© Volvo

Also interesting : these seven cars impressed the most in 2019.

The Volvo XC 40 offers these features

All these models can be equipped with the many safety features for which Volvo * is famous. And these three are new: The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) now not only monitors the blind spot, but also works together with the steering assistant. If the driver overlooks the warning signals or does not react in time, the car steers independently and thus eliminates the danger to life and limb. In addition, the XC 40 now communicates with other cars. For example, the cloud tells you whether the roads are slippery, there is heavy fog on the route, or whether there was an accident somewhere.

The cockpit at Volvo is tidy and clear. Almost everything can be controlled and switched via the central display.

© Volvo

Datasheet Volvo XC 40 T5 Twin Engine

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* tz.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.