New Facelift and engines announced plus 6 seat XC90!

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by RobQuads

It is a real 6 seater BUT the surprising thing is it literally is just the middle seat removed. The side seats are no bigger i.e. not as big as the front seats
I would have thought with not that much engineering they could achieve the same thing with just removable seats

It needs a nice centre console between the second row seats. The gap may be practical for children to access the rear without tilting the second row forwards though.

[Crockers]

As I read the article both the T5 and the D5 will be called B5. Or will it be B5T andB5D. Soon it will be like Audi with letters all over the back.

Or did I miss something?

[AB-UK]

On reading the publicity material I can't help feeling that moving from a plug-in hybrid to one which only has mechanical recharging and zero electric-only mileage is a retrograde step.
The expectation was that Volvo would announce a progressive move to an all-electric version.

I expect that other manufacturers are now breathing a collective sigh of relief at the news and might step up design/production of all-electric equivalent versions and thereby steal a march on Volvo.

As for labelling it the "B" series - why?
From an etymoligical perspective, "B" is second to "A" and subconsciously inferior, and since it doesn't actually stand for anything connected to the model (such as "e" for electric, "T" for turbo etc.) it seems a pretty pointless exercise.

Audi are fortunate to have a distinct advantage in this area.

[steadvex]

Originally Posted by AB-UK

On reading the publicity material I can't help feeling that moving from a plug-in hybrid to one which only has mechanical recharging and zero electric-only mileage is a retrograde step.
The expectation was that Volvo would announce a progressive move to an all-electric version.

I expect that other manufacturers are now breathing a collective sigh of relief at the news and might step up design/production of all-electric equivalent versions and thereby steal a march on Volvo.

As for labelling it the "B" series - why?
From an etymoligical perspective, "B" is second to "A" and subconsciously inferior, and since it doesn't actually stand for anything connected to the model (such as "e" for electric, "T" for turbo etc.) it seems a pretty pointless exercise.

Audi are fortunate to have a distinct advantage in this area.

I thought B was for battery to relate to the fuel type, like D for diesel and er T for the T in petrol.....

But in Volvo's defence, even as a big Volvo fan, the badges have never really made much sense to me

[AB-UK]

I would agree if it was indeed an electric-only powertrain, but it isn't.
The battery is linked with a petrol or diesel engine.

I thought a previous announcement from Volvo was that they would cease producing cars with diesel engines anyway.

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by AB-UK

I would agree if it was indeed an electric-only powertrain, but it isn't.
The battery is linked with a petrol or diesel engine.

I thought a previous announcement from Volvo was that they would cease producing cars with diesel engines anyway.

That's a common misconception. What they said was that they would have electrified their cars. Mild hybrid qualifies, but I suspect that it is a start of a long road towards more and more electrification.

From my perspective a mild hybrid diesel is ideal. Minimal emissions and 50MPG economy from a 2.5 ton SUV. Plus hopefully they will keep the same size fuel tank so that it will have a 750 mile refuelling range, if not more.

[steadvex]

if they start using B for now maybe it the idea of full electric won't scare people if the naming convention stays as B?

[anotherv60]

Hybrid in Swedish is "bland" so perhaps that is where the "B" badge comes from.

[anotherv60]

Originally Posted by apnicolle

Also, is that really a 6 seater, or is the middle seat just folded down?
Might just be my eyes, but the other two seats aren’t any wider or anything special?

Your right the seats look the same, they could make them wider but bet its a cost thing - the only difference I can see is the new cupholders located on the centre console. When we lived in the US one of our cars was a dodge grand caravan with a similar set up for entry with the 6 seats, it makes such a difference for getting into the car and the perception of extra space is significant - if that is the same with this updated XC90 we might consider this as a replacement for the Sharan as we don't use the 7th seat but frequently travel with 6.

Has anyone found the emissions data for these new hybrids - wonder if they will get lower tax and exemptions from emission zones?

[RobQuads]

Looking at the stats it looks like they are paying the cost of efficiency vs performance. The new B5 engine is slower 0-60 than the existing D5, no doubt because it looks like it exactly the same engine just more batteries to carry?

What I don't get it... If it has regenerative braking and that stores electric in the battery what then uses the battery if its not got a twin engine? Surely it must have electric motor somewhere?

I suspect the 15% gains will only ever be possible driving round town in lots to start stop and the more miles you do the less gain you will get (as typically more miles = more motorway miles)