Volvo V90 Recharge T6 AWD: Transitional model

There are still the diesel models and the competitor of the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E-Class is still in the range as a diesel. Somewhat confusing, the diesel engines now also have the designations B4 / B5 and produce 197 or 235 hp. Much more important for the Swedes, however, are the plug-in hybrids, which, like most other manufacturers, are also an interim solution until the model portfolio has been completely electrified. For business customers, the Volvo V90 Recharge T6 is of particular interest here, whose two-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 186 kW / 253 hp / 350 Nm is supported by an electric motor that contributes a further 65 kW / 87 hp / 240 Nm, so that the total output at 250 kW / 340 PS and 590 Nm maximum torque and makes the Volvo part-time all-wheeler. The purely electric range of 57 kilometers is currently still sufficient, but this will cause problems from 2022, because from January 1, the full hybrid subsidy will only be available if the vehicle can cover more than 60 kilometers purely electrically without recharging. In 2024 the value will be increased to a minimum distance of 80 kilometers. The current 11.6 kWh battery pack is not sufficient for this. The standard consumption: 2.2 liters or 14.8 kWh per 100 kilometers.

Combined with a combustion engine and an electric motor, however, the 2.1-ton luxury-class station wagon is well motorized. Depending on the selected driving program, it starts purely electrically in the city center in order to switch to hybrid mode at a brisker pace. In partial load operation, the 4.94 meter long all-wheel drive drives at a brisk pace with the four-cylinder combustion engine and can be electrically assisted when accelerating strongly. The two-liter turbo remains acoustically in the background to sound slightly strained when accelerating strongly. A five- or even six-cylinder drives acoustically in a different league here. In addition, the beefy pulling through of a high-torque diesel with a corresponding staccato is missing. But it doesn’t change the fact that the interaction between the combustion engine and the electric motor works very well via the automatic transmission and, apart from fast driving, there is little lack of performance. Unfortunately, this does not apply to the governed top speed of 180 km / h, because in the competitive environment that is significantly less than all competitors can drive, which are usually only slowed down at 250 km / h. How many of the potential Volvo customers this bothers remains a secret. It will hardly be really many, because the fans of the traditional Swedish brand, which has been part of the Chinese Geely Group for many years, are hardly considered to be real fast drivers.

The suspension set-up matches the braked foam of the top speed, because the family station wagon V90 Recharge T6 AWD has hardly anything sporty apart from the 19-inch models with 255 tires, which are always worth seeing. The focus here is on comfort and you can’t blame the V90. Apart from the slightly tight springs on the front axle, in particular due to the 19-inch model and the increased battery weight, you are relaxed and comfortable on the road. There is a double wishbone suspension at the front and an integral axle with a transverse leaf spring made of composite material at the rear. A good choice is the optional air suspension for the rear axle with the corresponding adjustable damping. In AWD driving mode or with a corresponding slip at the front, the Volvo V90 becomes an all-wheel drive because the electric rear axle is permanently driven, making the Swede an all-wheel drive. The steering could give a little more feedback from the road surface and the restoring forces are lower than with some competitors. But you are in a family combination with business ambitions and so the package fits as well as the good noise insulation.

The interior of the Volvo V90, which costs at least 69,400 euros, is and remains excellent, because even if the newly designed digital instruments are a bit pale, the tidy package inside and the good workmanship are pleasing. The fully electric leather seats can be adjusted in an exemplary manner and the space available in the front is just as good as in the rear. The operation via the Google system known from the Polestar 2 works well, even if there is a problem with one or the other special location when looking for a destination. The upright touchscreen is just as puristic as the rest of the interior. The Google operation lacks a few apps that are available from one or the other competitor. However, this should improve as time goes on. The way not to want to develop everything yourself and to use a data professional like Google seems to be the right way, even for a premium manufacturer like Volvo.