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The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the
world's first diesel plug-in hybrid and is Volvo Car Corporation's most
technically advanced model ever - an electric car, hybrid car and
muscle-car all rolled into one. At the touch of a button, the driver can
choose which of the three cars they want to drive at any given moment.
Diesel Hybrid Car News Page
The indicative price of the world's
first plug-in hybrid with diesel engine is starting at between £45,000
and £50,000 in the UK, minus any government subsidy for electric cars
(Plug-in Car Grant).
Sales get under way at the start of
2012 with a limited model year production run of 1,000 cars starting in
November 2012. They will be offered with Pure Limited specification,
which includes the highest SE Lux trim level.
"Our plug-in hybrid has received
considerable attention since it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in
2011. Now we're taking the next step by presenting the production model,
which is graced with a distinctive profile featuring a spectacular
silver colour, an exclusive interior and generous standard equipment,"
says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.
The production version of the V60
Plug-in Hybrid will be launched in just one colour - Electric Silver.
The car is also distinguished by aero-designed 17-inch wheels,
integrated exhaust tailpipes and a number of bodywork features in glossy
black, such as the grille and the aerodynamic front spoiler. The
chromed "Plug-in Hybrid" emblem is found both on the lower part of the
tailgate and in a smaller version on the front wings.
Nordic region the biggest
market
After the initial batch of 1,000 cars
for model year 2013, production of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will increase
to 4,000-6,000 cars as of model year 2014.
About 30 per cent of total volume will
go to Sweden and the other Nordic countries. Germany, Switzerland,
Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK will have a share of between
5 and 15 per cent each.
"We expect the order books to fill very
quickly. The most discerning customers have many exclusive cars to
choose between. But for anyone who truly wants to be in a league of
their own behind the wheel of the most ingenious car in the world,
there's only our V60 Plug-in Hybrid," concludes Stefan Jacoby.
Electrifying temporary presence
In addition to other venues, the V60
Plug-in Hybrid will be launched through "electrifying" temporary
presence in high profile venues. They will appear in places such as
Stockholm, Berlin and London. The idea is that customers should meet the
car where they feel most at home.
Surveys reveal that the main target
group for the V60 Plug-in Hybrid includes customers that are eager to
adopt unique new technology. The car is ideal for customers who want
superior environmental performance without compromising any of the
established qualities in a contemporary luxury car.
Volvo Car Corporation expects that 80
per cent of total sales will be in the form of company cars.
The first Volvo with the D6
badge
On the car's tailgate there is a D6
badge. The reason is that the combined performance of the five-cylinder
turbo diesel and electric motor puts the car firmly within the same
horsepower range as the petrol powered T6.
The front wheels of the V60 Plug-in
Hybrid are powered by a five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbo diesel producing
215 hp and maximum torque is 440 Nm. The car has a six-speed automatic
transmission.
The rear axle is powered by an electric
motor producing 70 horsepower. The electric motor is supplied with power
from an 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack installed under the floor of
the load compartment.
The sophisticated and exceptionally
compact battery pack consists of 10 modules each containing 20 cells. An
integrated computer monitors the system and compares temperature and
charge level in each of the 200 cells. The battery pack also has an
integrated water-cooling system driven by the car's climate unit.
Three driving modes - three
cars in one
The driver selects the required driving
mode via three buttons that give the car three entirely different
temperaments: Pure, Hybrid or Power.
- In Pure mode the car is powered
solely by its electric motor as much as possible. If the battery
pack has been recharged with electricity from renewable sources, its
range is up to 32 miles with no carbon dioxide emissions from the
tailpipe. The electric range varies with terrain, climate and
driving style.
- Hybrid is the standard setting
whenever the car is started. The diesel engine and electric motor
cooperate to ensure optimal balance between driving pleasure and
environmental footprint. CO2 emission (NEDC, mixed
driving cycle for certification) is just 49g/km and it has a total
range of up to 621 miles.
- In Power mode the technology is
optimised to give the car the maximum possible power. The diesel
engine and electric motor have a total power output of 215+70
horsepower and maximum torque of 440+200Nm. The electric motor's
lightning-quick torque delivery contributes to the car's
acceleration from 0 to 62mph in 6.2 seconds.
Save battery power for later
The driver can choose to save battery
power in order to drive on pure electricity later on, for instance in an
urban green zone or in the heart of a city.
When Save is activated, the on-board
system ensures that there is always sufficient charge for driving later
in Pure mode. If necessary, the high-tension alternator will charge the
battery pack so there is sufficient capacity for driving in Pure mode.
The aim is that the Save mode should
ensure there is sufficient battery power for about 12.5 miles of driving
on electricity alone.
Charge at home - cooling or
heating in advance
The V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be recharged
from a regular power outlet (230V/6A, 10A or 16A) at home or in a car
park. Recharging time varies with amperage. A full charge with 10A takes
4.5 hours. This is cut to 3.5 hours with 16A, while a 6A charge takes
7.5 hours.
It is also possible while recharging
the car to heat or cool the passenger compartment to provide a more
comfortable start of your journey. This also means that more battery
power is used for actually propelling the car.
The pre-conditioning function can also
cool the batteries. The ideal operating temperature for the battery pack
is 20-30°C. This means that cooling prior to driving is very important
in order to maximise battery charge and thus also range.
The V60 Plug-in Hybrid has two heating
systems. In electric mode the car uses a PTC (Positive Temperature
Coefficient) air heater. The car also has a diesel-powered heater.
Better pulling power with
four-wheel drive (AWD)
Pressing the AWD button activates the
electrical four-wheel drive. Instead of the mechanical power transfer of
conventional four-wheel drive, the central control unit distributes
power between the diesel-driven front wheels and the electrically-driven
rear axle. The electric four-wheel drive system has been designed to
provide better grip when starting and when driving on slippery roads,
for instance in snow or mud.
However, owing to the electric motor's
lower power, torque to the rear wheels is limited and four-wheel drive
is active up to 75mph.
When four-wheel drive is activated, the
diesel engine operates continuously and the generator ensures that the
charge level in the battery pack is sufficient to supply the rear axle
with the necessary power.
Since electric four-wheel drive is only
activated by the driver when necessary, it is more economical than
conventional permanent four-wheel drive.
Two-stage braking system
A two-stage braking system is yet
another smart feature of the Volvo Plug-in Hybrid. When the driver
presses the brake pedal, the system starts braking the rear axle's
electric motor. This braking energy is then used to recharge the car's
battery pack.
The mechanical brakes are activated
only when the situation requires more braking power than the rear axle
can provide.
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