New Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T4 arrives 

This is the new XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T4 - the second PHEV variant to join Volvo’s entry-level SUV line-up. UK orders are open now, with prices starting from £39,130.

That figure is for the Recharge T4 in R-Design trim; the same petrol/electric powertrain is also available in Inscription trim for £39,475. A Benefit-in-Kind rating from 12 percent means that both should be an affordable option for company car users. 

Sitting below the existing XC40 T5 PHEV, the T4 uses a familiar combination of 1.5-litre, three cylinder petrol engine,a  seven-speed automatic gearbox and an electric motor, with drive sent to the front wheels.

The electric motor in both T4 and T5 versions offes 81bhp, but the weaker petrol engine in the T4 means that the offers a total output of 208bhp, compared to the T5’s 258bhp. The T4 covers the 0-62mph benchmark in 8.5 seconds and, like all new Volvos, it’s limited to a 112mph top speed.

A 10.7kWh battery allows the T4 to cover 27 miles in all-electric mode. WLTP certified consumption results stand at 134.5mpg and 47g/km of CO2 emissions.

In addition to the new PHEV option, the XC40 gains mild hybrid tech for its combustion options to reduce emissions. The new B4 and B5 models feature 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines backed up a 48-volt integrated starter/generator system. 

The B4 makes 194bhp and can be chosen with either front or four-wheel-drive, while the B5 ups the output to 246bhp and is four-wheel drive only. Mild hybrid tech, which recycles otherwise wasted braking energy to reduce load on the engine under acceleration, helps reduce CO2 levels of the B4 to roughly the same as the slower T3 option.

The B4 Momentum is priced from £32,760, while the B5 R-Design trim is priced from £37,865.

Looking to make a switch to plug-in power? Check out the best plug-in hybrids here...