Volvo Car South Africa now lists a new entry-level Core version of its XC60 and XC90 T8 plug-in hybrids for the 2027 model year. Its South African pages price the XC60 T8 Core from R1 280 000 and the XC90 T8 Core from R1 585 000.

The Core versions were announced in early October. TopAuto reported on Friday, 2 October that they are new to the plug-in range and that prices of the existing versions have not changed. The Citizen noted on Monday, 5 October that the Core trim was previously offered only on mild-hybrid models.

Where the Core fits

On Volvo's XC60 page, the Core sits below the Plus at R1 460 800, the Black Edition at R1 490 800 and the Ultra at R1 500 700. The XC90 page lists the T8 Ultra at R1 936 500.

TopAuto's 2 October price list gives a sense of the step up from the mild hybrids. It has the mild-hybrid XC60 B5 Core at R1 058 400 and the XC90 B5 Plus at R1 555 500, and puts the plug-in XC90 T8 Core at R1 585 000, or R29 500 more than that B5 Plus.

In comments carried by TopAuto, Vusi Machie, Product and Pricing Manager at Volvo Car South Africa, said: "The Core derivatives give more customers a way into a Volvo plug-in hybrid".

Electric range and performance

Both models pair a 184 kW petrol engine with a 115 kW electric motor, for a combined 299 kW, Volvo says. TopAuto notes that system output is down from 340 kW on earlier versions, and quotes the battery at 18.8 kWh, where Volvo's XC60 page lists 19 kWh.

Volvo's figures, with range and fuel use on the WLTP cycle:

  • XC60 T8: up to 81 km of electric range (a preliminary figure), 0–100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and a 468-litre boot
  • XC90 T8: up to 84 km of electric range and 1.5 L/100 km of fuel use (both preliminary), a 71-litre fuel tank, 0–100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and five, six or seven seats

If the preliminary figures hold, many owners could do most daily driving on electricity charged at home. Volvo's pages for both models say a charge from 0 to 100% takes around three hours on a 6.4 kW AC wallbox.

Warranty and plans

TopAuto lists a five-year or 100 000 km warranty for the T8 models, along with a five-year or 100 000 km service plan, five years of roadside assistance with no distance limit, and an eight-year or 160 000 km battery warranty.

What is still unclear

Volvo's XC90 page shows two different prices for the XC90 T8 Plus, so buyers should confirm the price with a dealer and compare the Core's standard equipment with the Plus before choosing. Longer-range versions with a 41.2 kWh battery will arrive in 2027, according to The Citizen.