• Volvo’s plug-in hybrid technology judged perfect for towing duties by Caravan and Motorhome Club experts
• XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T5 FWD wins Alternatively Fuelled Towcar award
• V60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 AWD named Family Towcar of the Year
• Both models take caravan towing class honours – the XC40 in the 1,500-1,700kg category and the V60 in the over 1,700kg class
Volvo’s new Recharge plug-in hybrid models have enjoyed great success in their first appearance in the annual Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year Awards, netting a haul of four honours between them. The results are a further boost to the reputation of Volvo’s plug-in hybrid technology for delivering excellent efficiency without diminishing performance.
The XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T5 FWD has been crowned the Alternatively Fuelled Towcar of the Year. The achievement sustains the impressive performance of Volvo’s premium compact SUV which, in diesel-powered form, was the reigning 2020 Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year.
The V60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 AWD mid-size estate has taken the Family Towcar of the Year title, while both models also drove off with the best-in-category honours for towing caravans, with the XC40 winning the 1,500-1,700kg caravan class and the V60 reigning supreme in the over 1,700kg sector.
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The panel of expert judges scrutinised the capabilities of 40 different vehicles, taking into account all the factors that contribute to a car’s ‘caravanability’, including towing capacity, roof load and nose weight limits, and boot space.
Commenting on the XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid’s performance, the judges reported: “Delicious kerb weight, delicious economy and pulls like a train. It’s capable of towing a large caravan, but with hybrid tech to enhance economy, especially when not towing.”
The XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T5 FWD tips the scales at a minimum of 1,812kg (running order weight) and produces 180hp and 265Nm of torque from its 1.5-litre petrol engine, along with 82hp and 160Nm from its electric motor. Its maximum braked trailer towing capacity is 1,800kg. The efficiency of its petrol-electric powertrain results in official WLTP Combined fuel economy of 117.7-134.5mpg, while CO2 emissions are 47-55g/km, together with an all-electric driving range of up to 27.3 miles (according to battery charge, vehicle load and driving conditions).
The V60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 AWD was praised for “one of the best combinations of astonishing power delivery, practicality and a fair price tag”. It has all-wheel drive and a minimum running order weight of 2,075kg, and its 2.0-litre petrol engine musters 253hp and 350Nm of torque, while its electric motor produces 87hp and 240Nm. This helps give it a maximum braked towing weight of 2,000kg. Its benchmark WLTP efficiency figures are 134.5-156.9mpg and 41-46g/km of CO2, along with an electric-only range of up to 34.2 miles.
Steve Beattie, Volvo Car UK’s Head of Sales, said: “Volvo has taken a market lead in rolling out Recharge plug-in hybrid versions across our entire UK model range. The Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar Awards are a welcome independent seal of approval of how our advanced technology offers customers excellent real-world performance, practicality and flexibility that goes beyond simple fuel and emissions efficiency.”
