- The Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid concept, the automaker's second plug-in hybrid offering, will debut next week at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.
- Volvo says the gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid technology will reach American showrooms in a "couple of years," but will not say on which model.
- Volvo describes the XC60 concept as an all-in-one electric, hybrid and performance car.
DETROIT — The Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid concept, the automaker's second plug-in hybrid offering, will debut next week at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.
Volvo says the gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid technology will reach American showrooms in a "couple of years."
Volvo describes the XC60 concept as an all-in-one electric, hybrid and performance car. The XC60 seems custom tailored for U.S. consumers since the engine in the XC60 concept uses gasoline, not diesel. A diesel-electric Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be the first production model with this technology. The car will go on sale in Europe later this year, said Volvo.
"This world-class gasoline plug-in hybrid technology, featuring a state-of-the-art four-cylinder engine from our upcoming Volvo Environmental Architecture engine family, will reach our American showrooms in a couple of years," said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volvo Car Corp. in a statement on Wednesday. "However, it is too early to say which model will be the first to feature this solution."
The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid concept offers a push-button solution for finicky drivers. The driver chooses the driving mode from three buttons on the instrument panel.
In "pure" mode, the car is powered solely by its electric motor "as much as possible," said Volvo. In this mode, the car has a range of 35 miles.
The "hybrid" mode is the standard setting whenever the car is started. In this mode, the car has a range of 600 miles and has a combined average fuel economy of 50 mpg, according to the automaker.
In "power" model, the technology delivers "maximum possible power," said Volvo. The 280-horsepower gasoline engine is combined with a 70-hp electric motor. Volvo says the car sprints from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds in this mode.
The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid concept's front wheels are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The rear wheels are driven by the electric motor powered by a 12kW lithium-ion battery pack.
The engine is part of the automaker's upcoming Volvo Environmental Architecture engine family, which features gasoline and diesel offerings. The engine family is expected to include three-cylinder engines, said Volvo.
The new powertrains are "considerably lighter than present engines with similar performance," said Volvo. Fuel economy is expected to be improved by up to 35 percent compared to engines with similar performance.
The Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid concept gets white exterior paint, 21-inch wheels and a cabin with dark blue leather upholstery. It also features the Volvo Sensus infotainment system, which tells the driver where to find charging stations and the best route for low energy consumption.
Inside Line says: Volvo is making a major bet on hybrid technology.
Add A Comment »
rmartinez007 says:
11:45 AM, 01/11/2012
"pure" mode= 35 mpg
"hybrid" mode= 50 mpg
What??? Is this backwards? Then why drive in pure mode?
Finally, a hybrid SUV better than my Hybrid Hylander. But I'm sure this in going to be expensive. I'm sure it also comes with a 3rd row seat, right?
hubblehornz66 says:
03:45 PM, 01/06/2012
@rollk
ohh that makes since( im karz4life10)
qdp says:
10:06 PM, 01/05/2012
Three buttoms for 3 driving modes is too much. There should be only ONE buttom, Pure; the rest of 2 driving modes should be determined by on-board computer through monitoring the way the gas padle is pressed
duck87 says:
07:28 AM, 01/05/2012
@veryhrm: They are, right about now. The Detroit Auto Show is also previewing the next-gen Acura NSX, with torque vectoring in the front done by two separate electric in-hub motors, and a gasoline/electric combination driving the rears.
As for this Volvo, it's going to be extremely expensive.
veryhrm says:
03:27 AM, 01/05/2012
"The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid concept's front wheels are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The rear wheels are driven by the electric motor powered by a 12kW lithium-ion battery pack."
For years i've wondered why more companies didn't go this route. Separate drive-trains linked together by the road. Now if they put a manual transmission in there too and we might have something.
lookatmyshoes says:
07:46 PM, 01/04/2012
If the Chinese keep injecting capital and give the Swedish management autonomy to develop new cars and technology, Volvo should make much more progress than Jaguar made under Tata ownership.
This technology is great, at least in paper look superior that what Audi BMW and MB have announced for the future. No doubt this plug in Hybrid technology will be expensive and maybe I will not buy a Hybrid in the next 10 years but a 4 cylinder alone with 200 plus hp would be great to see in future Volvos, the 8 speed transmission would be a great addition as well.
The V60 would be a big mistake if is not offered in the US I am sure it will sell well if they offer the right options like AWD, Diesel and 4 Cylinder turbo. starting in the low 30s.
Along with axing the 40 lineup I would also would discontinue the XC70 it doesn't make any sense to keep now that the XC60 exists
morey000 says:
05:46 PM, 01/04/2012
Great- a luxury Prius.
rollk says:
04:39 PM, 01/04/2012
@karz4life10
because when you're spending $65k+ on a car that starts retail at $40k, you want people to know you spent (or have) the extra money. not me personally, but they're out there.
blackdynamite1 says:
02:42 PM, 01/04/2012
The state-of-the-art takes a step forward in 2014
BD
wideturnone says:
02:40 PM, 01/04/2012
Someone needs to help show Volvo the light, and the rest of the auto manufacturers too, with diesel offerings here in the US. If more Americans knew the benefits that new diesels had over a gas counterpart, they'd forget the horrible diesels of the 70's and 80's.
I want the V60 diesel hybrid here now - and am trying to figure out a way to buy one in Europe and sneak it back here. Anyone with a big yacht that would be willing to hold one on deck for me? Maybe a nice summertime cruise to the UK and back next summer?