World’s First: Volvo’s Claim To Fame

Volvo Unveils V60 Next-Generation Hybrid

Volvo introduced the V60 Plug-in Hybrid at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The V60 is the world’s first diesel-electric production plug-in hybrid.

The station wagon combines a diesel engine with an electric motor and offers three driving modes. Based on the 2011 Volvo V60 station-wagon, the vehicle can run as an electric car with a range of 30 miles; a high-efficiency hybrid delivering about 124 mpg; and a sports car that can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. The car has a range of about 745 miles.

Even with those credentials, one distinguishing feature noted by several reviewers is that this car looks like a regular sporty car. As one reviewer put it, “It doesn’t scream green.” Yet, in typical Volvo style, the automaker goes the extra distance to make this car greener than many alternatives. For instance, when it comes to long-term battery issues, Volvo says that it will ensure the safe disposal of used and unserviceable batteries. This is likely to differentiate the car from others as battery recycling increasingly becomes the focus of legislatures due to the expected increased sales of hybrids and electric cars.

Another important differentiator is driver protection. The V60 will incorporate many standard Volvo safety features.

Taking a closer look at the car, the power train behind the impressive numbers includes a five-cylinder 2.4-liter D5 turbodiesel engine that produces 215-hp and a 70-hp electric motor. The car’s front wheels are powered by the diesel engine; the rear axle features ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) powered from the electric motor. The diesel engine is considered one of the more frugal engines (in terms of fuel consumption) on the market today.

These two elements are used in different combinations to offer three driving modes. There is an all-electric mode, a hybrid fuel-efficient mode that alternates propulsion between the two, and a power mode the runs both at the same time. In the hybrid mode where the engine and motor are alternatively used, the car automatically switches between the power trains to provide the most energy efficient drive possible.

One interesting feature of the V60 lets the driver key in a planned trip’s distance (short, medium or long) and a control system calculates the best balance between diesel and electric power to obtain the lowest possible CO2 emissions for the given distance.

To get a comfortable start of the journey, the car driver has the choice to preheat or cool the passenger compartment during the recharging process. This means that more battery capacity can be used for powering the car. The car has several additional features that emphasize its CO2-lean profile, such as lightweight wheels with exceptionally low air drag and Pirelli tires designed for low rolling resistance.

The V60 is expected to be available in 2012.

> View a Worldcarfans video of the V60 Hybrid’s different power modes here.
> View a Volvo gallery of the V60 Hybrid here.