Volvo will preview its diesel plug-hybrid V60 model at the Geneva Motor Show ahead of its launch next year.
The ground-breaking newcomer offers three drive modes – pure electric, hybrid and power (combines hybrid and diesel engines).
Volvo says the new V60’s front wheels will be driven by its 150kW/440Nm 2.5-litre, five-cylinder D5 turbo-diesel engine wile the rear features an electric rear axle drive (ERAD) with a 50kW electric motor.
Combined that’s 200kW/640Nm driving through a complex management system and six-speed transmission. Zero to 100km/h is achieved in just 6.9 seconds.
Volvo says the diesel plug-in hybrid V60 will return fuel consumption as low as 1.9l/100kms, while emissions are rated at a mere 49g/km.
In pure electric mode, the high-tech V60 offers a range of 50kms. Combined, the V60 can cover 1200kms between refills/recharging.
The different power sources offer lots of possibilities just right for today’s world. For example when commuting from home, the driver may choose to run on hybrid power, saving the battery capacity to enable smog-free, pure-electric running in the city.
And if that’s too hard, the driver can simply input a planned route into the management system and the control system calculates the balance between diesel and electric power to provide the lowest possible C02 emissions for the desired route.
The plug-in technology allows home recharging which takes (depending on the power source) three to seven hours.
Volvo’s diesel plug-in hybrid V60 differs from conventional models with lightweight wheels fitted with Pirelli low rolling resistance tyres, a suitably modified instrument panel and unique white paint developed by Dupont.
The diesel-hybrid Volvo V60 is scheduled for European launch in 2012.
