Geneva: Volvo will show production-intent 2012 V60 plug-in EV diesel hybrid wagon

[Wimbledon]

While this isn't a Fisker vehicle, I know many of you will find this interesting.

It looks like Volvo is on track to release the second luxury plug-in hybrid on the market, after the Fisker Karma.

For the first 50 miles, this Volvo runs all-electric and transfers the power to the road via rear wheel drive!

Once the battery is depleted, a 215-horsepower, 2.4-liter turbo-diesel I-5 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission kicks in to drive the front wheels.

I would like to know if the diesel directly powers the front wheels only or if the diesel can also be used as a range-extender to power the rear wheels alone or in conjunction with the electric motor to create an AWD vehicle.

According to Volvo, the V60 PHEV gets around 124 mpg on the European combined cycle.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/111012730561...for-geneva

World Car Fans Wrote:Volvo will be bringing the V60 plug-in hybrid to the Geneva auto show and promises to deliver the vehicle to the market next year.

Volvo is calling the V60 plug-in a "virtually production-ready car" but it isn't a concept either so the assumption is that Volvo will be releasing the model in 2012 even if it might feature slightly different specs.

But the specs on this diesel-electric V60 plug-in hybrid are impressive. Fuel consumption is 1.9 liters/100 km, CO2 emissions are below 50 g/km and the car can run up to 50 km on pure electric power alone.

The hybrid system, developed in partnership with Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall, features Volvo's D5 2.4 liter, five-cylinder diesel engine driving the front wheels with an output of 215 PS (158 kW) and 440 Nm of torque. On the rear axle is an ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) electric motor with 70 kW powered by a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Gearbox is a six-speed automatic.

"This second-generation hybrid is the perfect choice for the uncompromising buyer who wants a superbly carbon dioxide-lean car packed with driving pleasure," said Volvo Cars CEO Stefan Jacoby in the press release.

In my opinion the Volvo V60 PHEV is quite a stylish wagon and would nicely complement a Fisker Karma. Although there are rumors that a Fisker Karma wagon is on the way...

It's not clear yet whether we'll get the production Volvo in the United States.

Volvo has been working on this system for several years now, and first showed a prototype plug-in EV V70 in 2009.

http://rumors.automobilemag.com/volvo-to...-1030.html

[Wimbledon]

The V60 looks excellent with the Heico Sportiv kit:





Interior:

[Dutch]

Nice post Wimbledon.

Small typo: the 50 miles pure electric is 50 km (31 miles).

From what I understood the diesel engine is not a range-extender in the sense that it charges the battery.

[Wimbledon]

(01-28-2011 04:26 AM)Dutch Wrote:  Small typo: the 50 miles pure electric is 50 km (31 miles).

Thanks for catching that detail.

We are more likely to get this car in the U.S. as an S60 sedan, as our market sells so few wagons that the V60 is not even sold here.

Some background information on U.S. Volvo S60 pricing:

Volvo S60 T5 FWD $31k +
Volvo S60 T6 AWD $37k +

If this model arrives in the U.S. I'd expect somewhere closer to $45k-$50k +.

I'd much rather drive the Volvo than a Chevrolet Volt or Tesla Model S. Not enough details on the Fisker Nina yet to know how that car will compare.

[Bandi]

luxus is - for me - another thing

[Wimbledon]

Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid confirmed for production

Volvo Wrote:Volvo Cars first with next-generation hybrids
The V60 Plug-in Hybrid is three cars in one

How about integrating the very best properties from three different car types into one, single attractive sports wagon?

By simply pressing a button you can choose which car you want to drive:

* An electric car with a range of up to 50 kilometres.
* A high-efficiency hybrid with carbon dioxide emissions averaging just 49 g/km.
* A muscular fun-to-drive car with a combined output of 215 + 70 horsepower, 440 + 200 Nm of torque and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h of just 6.9 seconds.

Allow us to present the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid. Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will reach the showrooms 2012.

"The second-generation hybrid is the perfect choice for the uncompromising buyer who wants a superbly carbon dioxide-lean car packed with driving pleasure," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars. He adds:

"The technology is still undergoing development and testing. However, the car already points very clearly to what our customers can expect when the plug-in hybrid enters showrooms next year."

The front wheels of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be driven by a five-cylinder 2.4-litre D5 turbodiesel, which produces 215 horsepower and maximum torque of 440 Nm.

The rear axle features ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) in the form of an electric motor producing 70 horsepower, which receives its power from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The car features a six-speed automatic transmission.

The driver chooses the preferred driving mode via three buttons on the instrument panel: Pure, Hybrid and Power. The interaction between diesel and electric power is handled via a control system.

"In order to get true car enthusiasts to think green, you have to offer them the opportunity to drive with low carbon dioxide emissions without taking away the adrenaline rush that promotes genuine driving pleasure. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid has all the traditional properties of a genuine sports wagon. What we've done is to spice it up with spearhead technology that allows the driver to choose: zero emissions, high-efficiency hybrid or full-on performance. Just select the mode that suits best," says Stefan Jacoby.

Three different temperaments

The Pure, Hybrid and Power driving modes give the V60 Plug-in Hybrid three different temperaments:

* In Pure the car runs only on its electric motor as much as possible. If the battery has been recharged using electricity from a renewable source, the driving range is up to 50 km with zero emissions of carbon dioxide. Battery range varies with terrain, climate and driving style.
* Hybrid is the default mode whenever the car is started. The diesel engine and electric motor interact to provide the optimal balance between driving pleasure and low environmental impact. Emissions of CO2 (EU Combined) are 49 g/km, corresponding to diesel fuel consumption of 1.9 l/100 km. The car's total range is up to 1200 km.
* In Power the technology is optimised to give the car the best possible performance. The diesel engine and electric motor have a combined power output 215 + 70 horsepower and maximum torque of 440 + 200 Nm. The electric motor's lightning-quick torque delivery contributes to the car's 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 6.9 seconds.

The majority of all European car drivers cover less than 50 km a day, for instance to and from work. On longer trips, the diesel engine is activated automatically, giving the car the same properties and range as a conventional hybrid.

Several additional possibilities and benefits

In addition to its three driving modes, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid features a number of other possibilities and benefits:

* The driver can choose to save battery capacity in order to be sure of driving on clean electricity later, for instance after entering the city. In order to maintain a sufficient battery charge level, the car is powered by its diesel engine.
* Pushing the AWD button in the centre stack activates electric four-wheel drive. Instead of the mechanical power transmission of the conventional AWD system, the central control unit manages torque distribution to the diesel-driven front wheels and the electrically powered rear axle.
* Via the car setup menu, the driver can key in the planned route's distance (short, medium or long). The control system calculates the balance between diesel and electric power to obtain the lowest possible CO2 emissions for the given distance.

Recharging at home

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is recharged via a regular power socket (230V/6A, 10A or 16A) at home or in a parking lot. The charging time depends on the level of the current. A full 10A charge takes 4.5 hours. The time is shortened to 3 hours with 16A, while a charge in a 6A socket takes 7.5 hours.

To get a comfortable start of the journey, the car driver has the possibility to preheat or cool the passenger compartment during the recharging process. This also means that more battery capacity can be used for powering the car.

The pre conditioning is programmed via a timer integrated into the car's setup menu or remotely via a mobile phone.

Special white paintwork

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid features a special white paint supplied by Dupont - and the interior also has several unique details and colours compared with a standard V60, such as leather upholstery from Elmo.

On the outside the car has several additional features that emphasise its CO2-lean profile, such as lightweight wheels with exceptionally low air drag and Pirelli tyres designed for low rolling resistance.

The instrument panel in the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid has been modified to give the driver a full range of important information about diesel and electricity consumption, battery charge level, remaining range and so on.

It will also be possible to communicate with the car via a mobile application. This gives the owner access to a number of smart features, such as a reminder to plug in the charging cable if this hasn't been done at a certain, pre-set time.

New, groundbreaking green-tech

"Volvo Cars has introduced groundbreaking green-tech before. For instance, we invented the catalytic converter with Lambda probe, a system that is now fitted to all cars. With our latest development we are once again demonstrating our leadership in the environmental field by being first to market hybrid technology in an entirely new dimension," says Stefan Jacoby, and adds:

"Having Vattenfall in the electricity generating industry as a partner gives us an added strength. It allows us to be on the inside and shape developments in this area, for instance when it comes to clean electricity and infrastructure. We will also offer our customers a climate-neutral electricity supply contract when our plug-in hybrid enters series production."

[Wimbledon]

A gasoline variant for the US?

This may be the closest competitor to the Tesla Model S.

http://wot.motortrend.com/volvo-evaluati...86171.html

Motor Trend Wrote:It’s not news that Volvo is preparing a plug-in electric hybrid version of its V60 wagon for European consumption next year; the automaker showed an almost-production-ready version at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. And if CEO Stefan Jacoby has his way, a PHEV will be heading stateside from the Swedish automaker within the next few years, too.

While speaking in Washington, D.C., Jacoby stated that Volvo is aiming to have a PHEV in the U.S. somewhere between 2013 and 2014. However, that relies on testing and evaluation the automaker is beginning this year to determine if the carmaker’s current PHEV setup will work with a gasoline engine. The current setup found in the V60 PHEV uses an electric motor paired with a diesel mill.

There had already been rumors swirling about the U.S. getting the V60 as hybrid-only, and we have previously spotted a gas-powered V60 roaming the streets of California. When we spoke with Volvo earlier today, we were told that if the U.S. was to get the V60 PHEV, it would be the same car as the European-spec one, just with a gas-powered engine in place of the oil burner.

But Volvo was quick to point out that the V60 has yet — and may not be — approved for U.S. consumption. If the small wagon doesn’t make the jump across the pond, that doesn’t mean that we won’t see a PHEV. The gas-electric powertrain being developed as an “engine platform,” and could see application in other Volvo models.

Our bet? We’ll see the plug-in powertrain in the S60 sedan sometime within the next few years. Stay tuned.

[Fabulist]

(01-28-2011 08:51 AM)Wimbledon Wrote:  I'd much rather drive the Volvo than a Chevrolet Volt or Tesla Model S. Not enough details on the Fisker Nina yet to know how that car will compare.

I have actually seen a Nina prototype in person and it is Pippa Middelton pretty compared to the Volvo's looks. The Volvo also seems needlessly complicated with two completely separate modes of propulsion, and I find it very doubtful that a 70HP electric motor can get this car from Zero to 60 in 5.9 seconds.

-- Fab.

[Wimbledon]

An interesting road test of the prototype:

http://www.greenmotor.co.uk/2011/08/test...ybrid.html

[Wimbledon]

Volvo Wrote:First-year volume of V60 Plug-in Hybrid almost booked

Parallel with the world-première of the all-new Volvo V40, the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid made its first motor show appearance in Geneva.

"We have seen an enormous interest. The first model year's batch of cars is almost booked even before the Plug-in Hybrid has reached the showrooms," said Stefan Jacoby.

The first 1,000 units of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid are only available in Electric Silver livery.

The car is also distinguished by aero-designed 17-inch wheels, integrated exhaust tailpipes and a number of bodywork features in glossy black.

"With the V60 Plug-in Hybrid we boost our leading position in electrification. None of our competitors can offer customers an equally ingenious car. It elevates hybrid technology to an entirely new level," Stefan Jacoby said.

After the initial batch of 1,000 cars for model year 2013, production of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will increase to 5,000 cars as of model year 2014. The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be built in the Volvo Cars Torslanda plant in Sweden.

Like Fisker, Volvo is painting its first PHEVs in a limited-edition silver paint. Perhaps Fisker has started a trend?