Volvo’s forthcoming XC90 SUV will have CO2 emissions of around 60g/km yet offer all-wheel drive and up to 400hp thanks to what the company calls its ‘Twin Engine Technology’.

A T8 Twin Engine badge will indicate the top-of-the-range model which the company describes as being a plug-in electric, hybrid and high-performance car rolled into one.

Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development of Volvo Car Group said: “In the past you could either have power or low CO2 emissions. But with the all-new XC90 you can have both.

“With our new Drive-E powertrains, we have created a family of intelligent petrol and diesel engines with power curves that give exciting driveability at the same time as delivering world-beating fuel economy,” added Dr. Mertens. “With seven people in the new XC90, carbon dioxide emissions per person and kilometre are outstandingly low.”

On the T8, normal driving is conducted in the default hybrid mode. This uses a two-litre, four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine that powers the front wheels and an 80 hp (60 kW) electric motor that drives the rear wheels.

It uses the supercharger to fill in the bottom end of the power range to give the engine a naturally-aspirated feel, while the turbocharger kicks in when the airflow builds up. The electric motor on the rear wheels provides immediate torque.

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Driving range on electric power only is claimed to be 40kms.

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