Volvo XC60 Recharge review: Will green and sporty PHEV tempt drivers out of their Audis and BMWs?

Not only is the newest XC60 Recharge its most luxurious yet, it’s also its sportiest and greenest.

The top-end Black Edition is clearly targeted at young executives with growing families who have a sense of adventure.

The designers obviously had Bruce Wayne in mind, as almost everything on the car is black – including the badging on the tailgate.

My father-in-law – a life-long Volvo fan (both trucks and cars) – was simply aghast at the badge at the front, which, he barked, was barely visible.

Granted, the metallic black paint did nothing to highlight it, or the high-gloss slatted grille, or the gills in the lower apron.

We did like the stonking 21-inch darkened rims, which added a bit of menace, as did the slim Thor’s Hammer LED lights, which really brought the car alive at night.

Inside is where the battle for hearts and minds will be won, with a cabin that is truly worthy of the luxury moniker.

From the moment you open the door, it screams style and sophistication, with soft faux-leather upholstery, polished aluminium inserts and piano-black panels at every touch.

A full tilt/slide panoramic glass roof allows light to flood into the cabin, while a porous cover prevents glare on the high-res 12.3in infotainment screen that’s home to music, phone and apps such as Google Maps.

These can be accessed through Google Assist voice control, including surfing the web for nearby petrol stations, restaurants or hotels.

The chunky three-spoke sports steering wheel adds a dollop of premium, while the crystal gearshift is the cherry on top of the bling cake.

It’s not all style over substance though, and being a Volvo, the car is loaded with the latest safety tech, including dual-stage passenger and driver airbags, SIPS (side impact protection system), emergency braking with steering support and child and cyclist detection, inflatable curtains and whiplash protection system.

A special mention must be given to the rear seats, which can transform into booster seats for young children at the flick of a switch. Genius.

Being all-wheel drive, this mid-sized SUV has proper off-road credentials, with three drive modes that should get you out of a muddy hole or off soft sand.

It’s super-efficient too, with a powerful 2.0-litre petrol engine twinned to an electric motor, auto gearbox and 18.8kWh battery that, combined, generate a meaty 350bhp. It is no slouch either and can sprint from 0-100kmh in just 5.4 seconds, while returning over 40mpg.

On battery power alone, Volvo claims you can cover up to 78km on a single charge – which takes less than three hours on a home wall box.

We only managed 60km, but that included long stretches on the motorway, where it cruised in total silence.

When it ran out of spark, the petrol engine kicked in, leaving us more than pleasantly surprised.

Unlike many of its underpowered rivals, the 2.0-litre unit had more than enough grunt to haul the hulking 2.2-tonne body and all its occupants effortlessly. It returned diesel-like consumption too and 7.1 litres/100km is not too shabby for a wagon this size.

We reckon city folk who do school runs, football practice and all that stuff will love this machine, and it will certainly tempt some out of their Audis, Mercs and BMWs.

The top-end model we tested is a bit pricey at €82,395, so save a few bob and go for the entry-level Plus model, which is a more reasonable €67,995.

Fourth-gen BMW X3 price revealed

Unlike the latest models of the 5 and 3-Series, the X3 SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) will come with the option of diesel power.

The fourth-generation crossover gets a bold new exterior, with a distinctive double-kidney grille that comes with “Iconic Glow” function, new L-shaped LED headlight design and a sporty new silhouette.

Inside, there’s a brand-new interior featuring the latest BMW iDrive with QuickSelect; BMW Interaction Bar (as seen in the flagship 7-Series); new seats, covered with sustainable materials; and boot capacity on combustion models that is increased to 570 litres, expandable to 1,700 litres.

The latest-generation BMW eDrive technology in the 30e xDrive plug-in hybrid extends its electric range up to 90km (WLTP).

It also comes with re-engineered chassis on all models, offering enhanced driving characteristics and ride comfort.

Serious performance fans won’t be disappointed with the range-topping X3 M50 xDrive, featuring the most powerful six-cylinder in-line petrol engine ever fitted in an M Performance model, with a savage 398bhp.

It’s absolutely heaving with standard kit across the range, including three-zone automatic climate control, acoustic glass, automatic tailgate, electric folding exterior mirrors and BMW Live Cockpit Plus with BMW Maps navigation.

Priced from €69,410 (plus postage and packing), order books are open now, with first deliveries by the end of the year.

Audi unveils most powerful RSQ8, with 631bhp

Serious petrolheads will be dancing in the streets with the news that Audi is adding to its flagship Q8 range with a blistering new RS.

The snarling, turbocharged petrol V8 will churn out a blistering 631bhp – just 10hp under the Lamborghini Urus – and will hit 100kmh in just over three seconds.

As with other RS models in the range, adaptive air suspension and a launch-control system are also fitted as standard as is permanent quattro all-wheel drive.

Design-wise, the new Performance and RS models get bulkier bodies, flared wheel-arches, a new honeycomb grille and slightly tweaked front and rear ends.

Both are fitted with matrix LED headlights and customisable OLED rear lights.

A super-aggressive rear diffuser is home to oval tailpipes and it will sport new matte gold 22-inch alloy wheels and RS badging.

Prices and specs will be announced closer to launch next month, with deliveries in September.