Volvo Australia culls petrol models, raises prices

Volvo Car Australia has made a number of changes to its line-up for 2024 as it pushes toward going all-electric by 2026.

The flagship petrol engines for the XC40 and XC60 have been axed locally in a move a Volvo Car Australia spokesperson said is due to the company’s “continue[d] journey to an all-electric future”.

The combustion-powered XC40 lineup still consists of the Plus, Ultimate Bright and Ultimate Dark trim levels, however all of them are now powered by the 145kW ‘B4’ mild-hybrid engine.

The 183kW ‘B5’ mild-hybrid engine previously fitted to the XC40 Ultimate Dark has been axed.

Volvo Australia culls petrol models, raises prices — ***XC40***

The XC60 range on other other hand has been cut back to the Plus B5 and the Ultimate B5 Bright. The Ultimate B6 Dark with the 220kW mild-hybrid engine has been axed.

The XC60 Recharge Plus T8 Plug-in Hybrid has also been introduced for the 2024 model year, which slots under the flagship XC60 Recharge Ultimate T8 Plug-in Hybrid.

The entry-level XC90 Plus B5 and the Ultimate B6 Dark have been axed from the BMW X7-rivalling range, though a new Ultimate B5 Bright model has been added.

In addition, Volvo Car Australia has increased the asking prices of the majority of its models. Prices have increased by up to $5500, depending on the model and variant.

As part of the price rises, Volvo has made some adjustments to the standard specification.

The Volvo XC40 Plus B4 now gains an air purifier, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and the XC40 Ultimate B4 Bright and Ultimate B4 Dark now both receive Pixel LED headlights.

The all-electric XC40 and C40 Recharge models have received updates that bring more range, among other tweaks. The single-motor versions also move from front- to rear-wheel drive.

The entry-level XC60 Plus B5 now gets an air purifier, and the XC60 Ultimate B5 Bright receive a Harman Kardon premium sound system.

The XC90 Ultimate B6 Bright now also gets a Harman Kardon premium sound system, as well as a perforated black Nappa leather-accented upholstery.

The S60 Ultimate B5 Bright now gains a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and the V60 Cross Country Ultimate B5 gets a Harman Kardon premium sound system and a panoramic sunroof.

As previously reported, Volvo wants to sell its last petrol-powered car in Australia during 2025 as part of an ambitious plan aimed at making it one of Australia’s largest luxury brands.

The brand has committed to selling only electric cars by 2030 worldwide, but Volvo Car Australia managing director Stephen Connor told media in November 2022 he thinks the brand’s local buyers will be ready before then.

“We’re not going to wait for 2030, we’re not going to wait for the global strategy to come out. I put a proposal to Gothenburg the other day, and we will be fully electric by 2026 in Australia,” said Mr Connor.

Although upstarts such as Tesla, BYD, and its corporate cousins at Polestar are already electric-only locally, Volvo plans to be the first brand to fully transition to pure-electric power in Australia having previously offered petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid options here.