South Africa, 1 October 2026 – Volvo Car South Africa is pleased to announce the arrival of its award-winning XC60 and XC90 for the 2027 model year, with a redeveloped T8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain at the heart of the update. Two new Core derivatives open the plug-in hybrid range to more customers, and pricing remains unchanged from MY26.
The T8 PHEV update represents one of the most significant improvements to Volvo’s plug-in hybrid system since the battery upgrade introduced in 2022. Central to the system is a Miller-cycle petrol engine, an engine architecture that works particularly well within a modern electrified powertrain. Combined with advanced technologies, it forms part of a carefully upgraded package designed to enhance overall vehicle efficiency.
The integration of electrification, turbocharging and variable valve timing enables Volvo to deliver a powertrain that balances efficiency with the performance and drivability expected of a premium plug-in hybrid. The result is lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. The engine supports compliance with upcoming Euro 7 requirements and remains fully compatible with South African fuel quality standards.
Volvo has adjusted the balance of the system to suit this approach. The petrol engine now delivers less peak power and torque than before, and the rear electric motor has been upgraded from approximately 108 kW to approximately 116 kW. Combined system output is 299 kW, with overall system torque similar to MY26 and a greater share of it supplied electrically. Customers can expect stronger low-speed acceleration, improved electric-only performance and smoother transitions between electric and petrol power.
The 18.8 kWh battery, eight-speed automatic transmission and electrified all-wheel drive carry over unchanged, with comparable electric driving capability. The MY27 XC60 T8 PHEV offers an electric-only range of up to 81 km and a combined fuel consumption of 1.4 l/100 km, while the XC90 T8 PHEV offers an electric-only range of up to 84 km and a combined fuel consumption of 1.5 l/100 km.
The MY27 line-up also introduces two new Core derivatives, which become the entry points to Volvo’s plug-in hybrid offering in South Africa:
XC60 T8 PHEV Core: R1,280,000
XC90 T8 PHEV Core: R1,585,000
“The MY27 XC60 and XC90 reflect where our plug-in hybrids are heading,” says Vusi Machie, Product and Pricing Manager at Volvo Car South Africa. “The new T8 PHEV system is more efficient and produces fewer emissions, and we have kept pricing at MY26 levels. The Core derivatives give more customers a way into a Volvo plug-in hybrid without compromising on the safety, design and everyday usability the XC60 and XC90 are known for.”
The XC60 and XC90 have long been central to Volvo’s presence in the premium SUV segment. The MY27 update builds on that position and supports the company’s broader direction towards a fully electrified line-up, while giving South African customers a practical plug-in hybrid choice in the meantime. For many owners, daily driving can be completed on electric power, with the petrol engine available for longer journeys.
The MY27 Volvo XC60 and XC90 are available now at Volvo retailers nationwide.
