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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