A brand known for safety rather than fuel efficiency, Volvo is racing to get into the green game with electrified vehicles. This week it announced a new plug-in diesel hybrid version of its overseas-only V60 wagon that it says is "production ready."
This V60 (an
S60 wagon) is what's known as a "through-the-road" hybrid, with each powertrain driving a different pair of wheels. The 215-hp, 2.5-liter, five-cylinder diesel engine powers the front wheels, while a 70-hp electric motor propels the rear wheels. The electric motor gets its juice from a 12-kwh lithium-ion battery pack that takes up several inches on the bottom of the cargo floor, which Volvo says will give it an all-electric range of about 30 miles. It can be recharged in four hours by a 240-volt outlet.
The V60 plug-in diesel hybrid has at least three driver-controlled modes: normal hybrid, power, and all-electric. In normal hybrid mode, the car will reportedly shift from all-electric to all-diesel mode and back to maximize efficiency. In this mode, the car can also take advantage of its all-wheel-drive capability, if the traction control system detects slippery road conditions. Power mode maximizes performance using both power sources for a combined output of 285 hp, resulting in 0-60 mph acceleration under seven seconds. All-electric mode is good for up to 62 mph. (
In our own tests, we've found that high-speed highway driving disproportionately diminishes electric cars' range.) Unlike other plug-in cars, the V60 plug-in diesel is rated to carry half a ton and tow a two-ton trailer.
Read More:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/02/2011-geneva-motor-show-volvo-to-debut-v60-diesel-plug-in-hybrid-.html
