Volvo has been the most popular import brand in South Korea recently. Although it is a luxury brand, it has been on a roll due to the brand’s North European sensibility that does not seem extravagant and advanced quality. It is establishing itself as a major brand in South Korea by selling more than 10,000 units annually.
Its detailed and advanced product strategy perfectly shows the brand’s sustainability. Actually, it has been taking actions on powertrain faster than any other global auto brand. Particularly, South Korea is the first country to ban diesel engine sales in order to take early actions against an air pollution issue.
In July, Volvo Group Korea announced that it plans to include MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) instead of cars that run on diesel or gasoline to every model according to the headquarters’ plan to reduce carbon emission and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. In other words, it will replace the current internal combustion engines (D5, T4, T5, and T6) with new electric powertrain such as MHEV and PHEV.
One of Volvo’s new standardized powertrains will be MHEV that will display a “B” badge. It is an electric powertrain that combines kinetic energy recovery system with 2.0-liter gasoline engine. It combines 48V additional battery, belt starter generator (BSG), and DC-DC converter and it has electronically controlled brake system and energy recovery system interact with each other. This new powertrain improves mileage by 10%, reduces carbon dioxide mission by 7 grams per kilometer and displays more dynamic performance and is much quieter. Volvo’s 2021 models will be made up of B4 (197 horsepower), B5 (250 horsepower), B6 (300 horsepower), and rechargeable T8 (405 horsepower and includes electric motor).
Volvo Group Korea carried out a test-drive event with a title “Small Change Today for Better Tomorrow, BE BETTER” at the end of last month in Taean in order to celebrate the release of the MHEV model. Models that went out for test-drive at the event were XC40 with a B4 engine and V60 CC (Cross Country) with a B5 engine.
XC40 is a city-type SUV that is the first vehicle to be applied with Volvo’s a mid-size automobile platform CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) and it is equipped with a B4 engine instead of an internal combustion engine. It has maximum power of 197 horsepower/5400 rpm and maximum torque of 30.6 kg/m/1,500 to 4,200 rpm. Its 48V battery provides about 14 horsepower additionally and it supplements power of the engine during start, acceleration, and reignition.
Compared to a XC40 model that runs on a diesel engine, the new XC40 model is much quieter. Levels of noise and vibration however are similar to that of a normal car that runs on a gasoline engine. Because the newer model is quieter than the diesel model, road noise and wind noise that develop during high speed may feel much louder. Its acceleration power is also comparable to that of the diesel model. Despite its size, both its power and torque feel very sufficient. Its B4 engine is meshed with an 8 speed Geartronic transmission and they increase speed smoothly with a setting that is optimized for city drive.
It is also very stable during high speed. Every trim of the model is equipped with an AWD system. Its characteristic is its improved efficiency while having lighter system due to a modular design. It reduces risks of accident by distributing power depending on changes on the road from weather or geographical features. Its combined mileage is 10.4 km/l and is slightly lower than that of other diesel-ran SUVs that are at the same level.
V60 CC is a crossover model that combines strengths of sedan, SUV, and estate wagon and it is the model that shows the brand’s philosophy the best. B5 MHEV powertrain provides maximum power of 250 horsepower/5700 rpm and maximum torque of 35.7 kg/m/1,800 to 4,800 rpm. As this powertrain provides more power and torque than the B4 powertrain, V60 CC owners will be able to enjoy more relax feel during drives.
The model’s engine is combined with 8 speed Geartronic transmission and provides excellent acceleration power. It is able to reach 100 km/h from a complete stop in just 6.9 seconds. Noise that may be felt in XC40 is well controlled within V60 CC. Handling is also very good despite it being a crossover model.
The fact that V60 CC allows the driver to select a drive mode depending on a road situation or one’s preference adds interest in driving the vehicle. V60 CC offers five different drive modes, and they are Eco mode that improves fuel efficiency, Compost mode that is useful for every day drive, Dynamic mode that provides more dynamic drive, Off-Road mode that is suitable for driving on rough ground, and Individual mode that allows the driver to select driving conditions depending on his or her preference.
V60 CC’s mileage is slightly higher than that of XC40. Its combined mileage is 10.6 km/l and it was 12 km/l when it went for a test-drive on a quiet road at a fixed speed. Although XC40 and V60 CC have similar weights, V60 CC has slightly better mileage as it has more power than XC40.
The biggest appeal of Volvo’s upcoming models is the fact that there is an upward leveling to safety as Volvo includes every safety device and equipment for all of the models. Volvo’s City Safety system that is included in every model combines automatic brake function and collision avoidance system and prevents risks of an accident. It is the only safety system that is able to detect other vehicles, pedestrians, bicycle riders, and large animals.
In addition to the City Safety system, Volvo has also added its advanced safety technologies such as Pilot Assist II that maintains a fixed space with the car in front and a fixed speed of up to 140 km/h, run-off mitigation function, function that prevents collision with a car approaching from the other side of the road, and blind spot information system. Its Care Key that prevents accidents from high speed by setting a max speed before a driver lends his or her vehicle to others is also a new feature introduced by Volvo.
Prices of XC40 with the B4 powertrain and V60 CC with the B5 powertrain are between $43,000 (46.7 million KRW) and $47,300 (51.3 million KRW) and between $49,100 (53.3 million KRW) and $54,700 (59.4 million KRW) respectively.
Staff Reporter Jung, Chiyeon | chiyeon@etnews.com