Amidst the avalanche of concepts and new models at the Australian International Motor Show, Volvo’s V60 wagon lug-in hybrid was possibly the most significant as it’s slated for launch as early as next year.
With Volvo’s 160kW/440Nm, five-cylinder, 2.4-litre D5 turbo-diesel driving the front wheels and a 52kW electric motor driving the rears (200kW/640Nm combined) the Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid wagon can be driven as a zero-emissions pure electric car with a range in that mode of 50kms.
Or you can push the ‘Hybrid’ button and the Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid wagon becomes a conventional high-efficiency hybrid with fuel consumption as low as 1.9l/100kms.
Push the ‘Power’ button and the Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid will please even enthusiast drivers with combined output of 200kW/440Nm delivering zero to 100km/h in just 6.9 seconds (that’s faster than the petrol-powered T5 model Volvo V60).
Operated efficiently the Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid offers a range between refueling of 1200kms (that’s further than Newcastle to Melbourne).
Recharging the battery pack takes three hours with 16A power, 4.5 hours with 10A or 7.5 hours with a 6A socket.
“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,” explained Volvo Cars clever President, Stefan Jacoby.
