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Electric AWD and Route Planner

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 center 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 colors compared with a standard V60, such as leather upholstery from Elmo.

On the outside the car has several additional features that emphasize its CO2-lean profile, such as lightweight wheels with exceptionally low air drag and Pirelli tires 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.

Unique Safety Solutions for V60 Hybrid

All safety systems in the Volvo V60 will also be available in the plug-in hybrid version. However, electric power also adds new possible safety scenarios to the overall picture and these too must be dealt with. Volvo's safety experts have meticulously analyzed the five accident sequence phases and developed unique solutions for the battery and for protection of the occupants as necessary.

1. Normal driving: A comprehensive and advanced monitoring system keeps watch and ensures that each cell maintains the correct voltage level and optimal operating temperature by regulating the cooling system. This is of significance to both safety and battery capacity. In the event of any deviation, the battery is automatically shut down as a preventive measure.

2. Conflict: The battery adds weight that can create new conditions for the vehicle's dynamics and alter the car's behavior, for instance in fast avoidance manoeuvres. The Volvo V60 braking system can handle the increased mass, and DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) helps the driver contain the situation.

3. Avoidance: If a frontal collision is imminent and the driver is acting too late to brake the car, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid can activate automatic systems such as Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and City Safety to help avoid or reduce the effects of an collision.

4. Collision: In order to reduce the effects of a collision, the battery package is well protected and separated from the car's crumple zones and the occupants' compartment. The battery is also sturdily encapsulated. Steel beams and other parts of the structure around the battery are reinforced to help protect it from being affected in a collision.

If the battery is damaged, resulting in gas leakage, there are special evacuation ducts that lead the gas out under the car. In the event of extreme heat, the occupants are shielded by the battery's encapsulation. At the very moment of collision, crash sensors linked to the battery send information about the collision to the car's computer, which automatically shuts off the power supply to reduce the risk of a short-circuit.

5. After the collision: The battery has a security cut-out that functions like a household earth fault circuit breaker. It shuts down and isolates the battery if the current travels in the wrong direction, for instance if two cables are pressed together as a result of an accident. Volvo also works together with the emergency rescue services, providing them with detailed instructions on how best to handle various Volvo models in the event of an accident.

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications