2013 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid

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In the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid the buyer gets the very best properties of three distinct car types. At the touch of a button the driver can decide how he or she wants to drive.

The "Pure" button makes the car run entirely on electricity, giving it a range of up to 31 miles (50 kilometers). Press "Hybrid" and you are driving a high-efficiency hybrid with average carbon dioxide emissions of just 49 g/km. Choose "Power" and you'll have at your command a veritable powerplant providing a combined total of 215 + 70 horsepower and acceleration from 0-60 mph in just 6.7 seconds.

"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," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

The front wheels of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be driven by a five-cylinder 2.4-liter D5 turbodiesel, which produces 215 horsepower and maximum torque of 325 lb-ft (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.

The majority of all European car drivers cover less than 30 miles 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.

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid: Review (2/2)