We knew Volvo Car Malaysia was serious about expansion, but this is truly a first.
Volvo Car Malaysia has officially teased the arrival of the all-new XC40 T5 Twin Engine on their facebook page today. The features a close up photo of the XC40 headlight with the caption:
“The car you trust to protect your loved ones, now protects their future. Coming soon.
#VolvoRecharged #VolvoCarMalaysia”
Now, that alone does not literally name the XC40 T5 Twin Engine, but there are some other pieces of evidence we can find from this post on social media.
First, of course is in the caption itself. By saying that the product will protect their future, it implies that this is an eco-friendly product. Could this mean it’s the all-electric XC40 Recharge? We don’t think. The photo shown features an XC40 with a black grille, which is a feature on the petrol, diesel and hybrid variants. The electric version comes with a body-coloured grille.
The second piece of evidence is a little more direct. We clicked to see who had shared the link. To no surprise, it was mostly dealers and salespeople who shared the post first. Some of them had actually added captions of their own.
One of the captions by a dealer representative clearly states that the car in question is a XC40 T5 PHEV.
Now that’s interesting because this would be a first for Volvo Car Malaysia.
It’ll be the first time a premium marque introduced a plug-in hybrid variant to the compact premium crossover segment. Their primary competitors are the following in this segment:
- BMW X1, X2 – both turbocharged petrol
- Mercedes-Benz GLA, GLB – both turbocharged petrol
- Audi Q3 – turbocharged petrol
- Lexus UX – naturally-aspirated petrol
- Jaguar E-Pace – turbocharged petrol
- Land Rover Evoque – turbocharged petrol
The other thing Volvo Car has that the others don’t is local assembly. From the time they launched the XC40 in late 2018, they said they were going in on CKD all the way.
As for when it’ll be coming, well, “soon” is the best answer we can get for now. That may mean a matter for days or it could mean a matter of months. We’ve seen all kinds of things happen with car companies and electrification in Malaysia. Whatever it is, Volvo dealers are ready to register interested buyers.
The last couple of questions will be around the specifications and price. Based on Volvo Car Malaysia’s history, we can assume that the PHEV variant will be a little more upmarket. We went into Volvo Car UK’s configurator and played around with a few options. It looks like the PHEV model can be configured wither as an Inscription or an R-Design trim.
The last couple of questions will be around specifications and price. Based on Volvo Car Malaysia’s history, we can assume that the PHEV variant will be a little more upmarket. We went into Volvo Car UK’s configurator and played around with a few options. It looks like the PHEV model can be configured wither as an Inscription or an R-Design trim.
In the past, all of Volvo’s PHEV models have been Inscription trimmed. However, there is a chance that they may stick to the R-Design look with the XC40. For one, it may simplify inventory, as the current turbocharged petrol model already comes with an R-Design kit. Having the same set of rims and bumpers and trim pieces for all XC40s in Malaysia would just make things simpler in the aftersales department.
Another reason they might stick with R-Design is because the XC40 is targeted at a more youthful market. The more athletic look just works better in that sense.
Finally, there’s the price. The current petrol model was launched at RM255,888. In Thailand, this PHEV model goes for RM280,000, which is what their T4 petrol version went for when it launched. If Volvo Car Malaysia is going to position the PHEV variant as a direct replacement, it’s likely they’ll maintain the price below RM260,000.
Bear in mind that the T5 Twin Engine loses all-wheel drive and uses a smaller 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor. It also uses a 7-speed DCT gearbox instead of the 8-speed conventional automatic. Total system power output is impressive at 258hp and 425Nm of torque, but is it enough to warranty a major price increase? We’ll have to wait and see.
