Volvo’s new long-range plug-in hybrid XC60 can do 124 miles on e-power alone

There’s a new version of Volvo’s best-selling car of all time. It’s new ‘long-range’ plug-in hybrid XC60 can now travel up to 124 miles on hopes and dreams – kidding! – electricity alone.

The larger XC90 has undergone a bit of marathon training too, because that big friendly family bus can now do up to 99 miles on electrons, which adds an enormous amount of flexibility to both cars.

Most of the increase comes courtesy of a much larger battery hidden in the floor of the popular SUVs, weighing in at 41.2kWh versus the 18.8kWh before. The electric motor is a touch more powerful too, now producing a max of 175bhp (versus around 150-odd horsepower in the previous gen).

Run of out e-juice, and the familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine of both cars joins the party to add… many more miles. The range-topping T8 AWD long-range XC60 can now hit 62mph a fraction quicker than before – 4.8s (!) – while the T8 XC90 can do it in 5.2s. Both irrelevant metrics in family cars, but fun to know nonetheless.

Volvo has added a bit of visual oomph to both cars to match the increased electricity count, mirroring the updates recently applied to its 40 series cars. The headlights get an update, as do the rear lights, bumpers, arches, wheels, dash, door panels and safety suite.

Plus, more Google AI. Yay.

“These long-range hybrids are a key part of Volvo Cars’ bridge to a fully electric future,” said, well, Volvo.