Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine PHEV Launched In Malaysia - EEV, 407hp, From RM369k

Following a short media preview over the last few days, Volvo Cars Malaysia has officially launched the S90 T8 Twin Engine during the ongoing International Greentech Eco Products Exhibition Conference Malaysia (or IGEM for short). Available in two trim levels, the S90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription is going for RM 368,888, while the Inscription Plus variant is going for RM 388,888. If you make your order before the end of October 2017, you can get them at an introductory price of RM 348,888 and RM 368,888 respectively- all prices are on-the-road, inclusive of GST but not including insurance.

We’ll do a quick run through of the specifications. For those unfamiliar with Volvo’s powertrains, the T8 Twin Engine is a plug-in hybrid powertrain that pairs a twincharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor. The engine produces 320 hp, while the electric motor provides another 87 hp; combined, the total system output is a whopping 407 hp and 640 Nm, provided your batteries have enough juice for the electric motors.

This allows the S90 T8 Twin Engine to hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.8 seconds, and the range on battery alone is up to 50 km as per EU testing cycles. Out of practicality and simplicity, the petrol engine powers just the front wheels while the motors provide drive to the rear. In a technical sense, the S90 T8 Twin Engine is all-wheel drive- but if you leave it in the electric-only ‘Pure’ mode it can be run as rear-wheel drive. 

The Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform that the S90 T8 Twin Engine sits on was designed from the get-go to accept hybrid components, as evidenced by the XC90 T8 Twin Engine. Volvo mounts the batteries low in the floor for better weight distribution and handling. It’s a proven platform, providing great comfort without compromising on handling.

What’s the difference between Inscription and Inscription Plus? The Inscription variant already nets you an impressive amount of kit, with all of the features you can find in the S90 T6. There’s the:

• LED Illumination headlights With Active Bending Lights
• Integrated Daytime Running Lights
• Digital Instrument Cluster with 12.3" TFT Adaptive Display
• Intelligent Driver Information System
• Keyless Entry and Drive
• 9-Inch Touch Enabled Centre Screen Display (CSD) 
• Park Assist with Park Assist Pilot
• 360* Surround View Camera
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA)
• Lane Keeping Aid (LKA)
• 2-stage Integrated Booster Seats
• Comfort Seats with Fine Nappa Leather
• Orrefors Crystal gear lever
• 6 Airbags

If you’re willing to put in the extra RM 20,000 for the Inscription Plus, you also get the:

• Bower & Wilkins 19-speaker sound system
• Air Suspension with Electronically Controlled Dampers.

Arguably the sound system itself more than makes up for the difference in value for the Inscription Plus, but the air suspension definitely adds an additional level of comfort and refinement to an already excellent product.

Also worth noting is that the S90 T8 Twin Engine comes with the IntelliSafe Assist as standard, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Distance Alert, as well as the semi-autonomous drive feature- Pilot Assist. This allows the car to steer and maintain speeds of up to 130 km/h entirely by itself, braking and adjusting speed and distance for traffic as well. It’s halfway towards autonomous driving and definitely a help during the daily commute.