Driving Volvo’s flagship XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid SUV, a luxury dual motor
all-wheel-drive at $101,990 with a 2.0-litre supercharged and turbocharged petrol
four-cylinder engine and a rear mounted electric motor – total power 335kW, 709
Nm of torque driving through an 8-speed automatic. In short, its blisteringly
quick, the fastest Volvo yet built. Upgraded last year with a larger 18.8kw/h
battery providing a claimed electric only range of 76km. Enough for the daily
commute, rechargeable on a 3.6kW charger in around 4 hours. The Volvo XC60
Recharge hybrid is no lightweight at 2146 kilos which reflects in a stiff ride from
its adaptive air suspension, not helped by large 21-inch alloy wheels and low-
profile tyres. Disappointingly, unlike other XC60 models it only gets a repair kit
rather than a spare tyre. Despite its heft, well weighted electric steering and
excellent four-wheel ventilated disc brakes give it real confidence on a
demanding road. I found the electric range quoted reasonably accurate - it also
benefits from the ability to provide some charge on the run switching between
electric and internal combustion engines without fuss - I managed combined
cycle motoring in hybrid mode of 3.1L/100, once the battery was expended just
over 7L on 95 octane petrol. I’m David Berthon

Driving Volvo’s flagship XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid SUV, a luxury dual motor all-wheel-drive at $101,990 with a 2.0-litre supercharged and turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine and a rear mounted electric motor – total power 335kW, 709 Nm of torque driving through an 8-speed automatic. In short, its blisteringly quick, the fastest Volvo yet built. Upgraded last year with a larger 18.8kw/h battery providing a claimed electric only range of 76km. Enough for the daily commute, rechargeable on a 3.6kW charger in around 4 hours. The Volvo XC60 Recharge hybrid is no lightweight at 2146 kilos which reflects in a stiff ride from its adaptive air suspension, not helped by large 21-inch alloy wheels and low- profile tyres. Disappointingly, unlike other XC60 models it only gets a repair kit rather than a spare tyre. Despite its heft, well weighted electric steering and excellent four-wheel ventilated disc brakes give it real confidence on a demanding road. I found the electric range quoted reasonably accurate - it also benefits from the ability to provide some charge on the run switching between electric and internal combustion engines without fuss - I managed combined cycle motoring in hybrid mode of 3.1L/100, once the battery was expended just over 7L on 95 octane petrol. I’m David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

Motor Torque with David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873 

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873&nbsp;