Volvo has successfully integrated the assembly of the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid on the same production line as several of its regular models.
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Last week, Volvo teased its V60 Racing wagon that was scheduled to make its debut at the 2012 Sao Paulo Motor Show, and now the Swedish automaker has unveiled its newest race car.
The latest Volvo race car will be unveiled shortly at the Sao Paulo Motor Show, and the Swedish automaker released a teaser today to whet appetites.
It caused quite a stir back at the Geneva Auto Show in March, now Volvo is in the process of causing another one, having announced that the production version of its V60 Plug-in Hybrid wagon is heading to dealers next year as a 2013 model, albeit in the fourth quarter.
The V6o Plug-in Hybrid uses a 2.4-liter five-cylinder turbo diesel and a six-speed transaxle to power the front wheels, while the rears are turned via an electric motor that makes the equivalent of 70 hp. The electric motor receives its power from a 11.2 kilowatt per hour lithium-ion battery pack located underneath the floor of the car.
The V6 Plug-in Hybrid can operate in three different modes; Pure (electric), Hybrid, and Power (diesel only). In Pure mode, provided the battery is charged, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid can deliver a range of up to 32 miles on electric power alone.
In Hybrid form, both the electric powertrain and diesel engine are engaged, which happens automatically on vehicle startup. In this mode, the two power sources collectively aim to provide an ideal balance between low emissions, fuel economy and power when needed.
In Power Mode, where the turbo diesel engine is exclusively engaged, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid can accelerate from 0-62 mph in around 6.2 seconds, aided by 215 hp and some 324 lb-ft of torque.
As a Plug-in vehicle, the V60 PIH can be charged using a 230-volt outlet on 6, 10, 16 amp current cycles, though Volvo says a full charge using a 10 amp cycle takes approximately 4.5 hours (an hour less with 16A).
Other interesting features on the V60 Plug-in Hybrid include an electrically activated on-demand all-wheel drive system, that uses a central control unit to transmit power between the diesel driven front tires and the electric rears when needed (the electric motor also tops up the battery pack in AWD mode to ensure there’s adequate energy supply for the rear wheels); plus a two-stage braking system with regenerative action on the rear anchors that serve as the primary brakes (the hydraulically activated fronts are only engaged when additional braking force is required).
In addition, there’s also both electric and diesel engine operated heating systems, a further nod to maximizing overall vehicle efficiency in cold weather.
Volvo says it plans to build just 1,000 V6 Plug-in Hybrids next year, all will be aimed exclusively at European customers and all of them will be finished in just one exterior color; Electric Silver.
Other standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, gloss black accents and small, discreet “Plug-in Hybrid” logos on the front fenders and rear liftgate. Volvo says it expects around 80 percent of sales to be company car orders, while 30 percent of total production will be targeted to Nordic customers (Sweden, Norway and Finland). Once the initial batch of 1,000 cars has been sold, Volvo says it plans to up production for the 2014 model year, to around 4,500 plus units. Given that the projected price (in the UK at least) is close to $80,000 ( minus government subsidies) it will be interesting to see if Volvo meets its sales targets with the vehicle.
At present, there’s been no word of offering a V60 Plug-in Hybrid in North America and given our market’s preference for gasoline engines, as well as ultra-strict diesel emissions requirements, if one does eventually materialize it will likely be different to the version offered in Europe.
Heico Sportiv has been Volvo‘s official partner for vehicle individualization since 2008, and their newest creation is their take on Volvo’s V60 wagon. Heico is well known to add sportiness to Volvo’s creations, often times transforming Volvos in a way very few can in a classy and subtle fashion. Their V60 tuning program transforms the family wagon to something anyone would sport on the road thanks to their polyurethane body kit, 19-inch wheels, suspension, new exhaust, upgraded brakes and a classy, luxurious interior.
The exterior modifications begins with Heico’s two-piece front spoiler and rear apron with a carbon fiber diffuser. Heico then outfits the V60 with a set of 19×8-inch Volution VII wheels in a black diamond cut matte finish. Heico chooses to pair the wheels up to a set of Pirelli rubber. The vehicle is then lowered about 1.2-inches, giving it a better stance and handling capabilities. The V60 also sports a much deeper tone thanks to its quad-tipped exhaust system.
The braking system on Heico’s V60 now features six-piston calipers with a blue finish and Heico Sportiv logo. Larger disk brakes also aid in enhanced braking. On the inside, Heico will outfit any Volvo with a reupholstered leather interior, with the V60 getting a Chestnut finish complemented by an Alcantara roof liner.
Last but not least, Heico will have their e.motion 2.0 tuning program available for the V60. The e.motion is a plug-and-play supplementary engine control unit that comes up with up to 5 years warranty and is available for various Volvo engines. Performance increases vary of course, but the T6 engine goes from 304-hp to 330-hp. Each e.motion has settings for the driver to choose from, and one can opt for the Performance button, providing a more aggressive power curve and intense driving experience.
No pricing was announced for any of the mentioned products for the V60.
GALLERY: Heico Sportiv Volvo V60
Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby announced that the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid will come to the U.S. by 2014, with one major difference. While the European market V60 will use a diesel-electric hybrid system, the United States will get a gasoline-powered variant.
Jacoby said that the V60 has a target U.S. launch date of 2013 or 2014, since more engineering of the gasoline powertrain will be carried out in advance of the launch. The V60 joins the limited production all-electric C30, and an electric car with a hydrogen fuel-cell range extender in the near future.
[Source: Motor Authority]
While Volvo was apparently set to discontinue North American sales of all station wagons – arguably the vehicle they built their reputation on – in favor of crossovers. But that looks like it will change starting in 2012, with the launch of their V60 plug-in hybrid.
Unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show, the V60 Plug-In uses a 215 horsepower 2.4L diesel 5-cylinder engine to drive the front wheels, with a 70 horsepower electric motor powering the rear axle. Three power modes are available (one pure electric, one for hybrid driving and one for an extra boost, appropriately named “Power”). All-wheel-drive can also be engaged, with both motors driving all 4 wheels when traction is limited.
In electric mode, the V60 can go as far as 30 miles without using any diesel, and can be charged in as little as 3 hours. 60 mph comes up in only 7 seconds. We can’t imagine this car not coming Stateside. With Volvo exces previously commenting on their customers affinity for eco-friendly products – and the lack of such offerings in Volvo’s lineup – this one looks like a no-brainer.
Gallery: Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo fans can rejoice now that the famous station wagon variant, the V60, is back (in North America), but it couldn’t be further from the rugged, mechanically simple station wagons of the past.
The V60 Plug-In uses a 215 horsepower 2.4L diesel 5-cylinder engine to drive the front wheels, with a 70 horsepower electric motor powering the rear axle. Three power modes are available (one pure electric, one for hybrid driving and one for an extra boost, appropriately named “Power”). All-wheel-drive can also be engaged, with both motors driving all 4 wheels when traction is limited.
In electric mode, the V60 can go as far as 30 miles without using any diesel, and can be charged in as little as 3 hours. 60 mph comes up in only 7 seconds, but you’ll have to wait until 2012 to buy one for yourself.
[Source: Volvo]
Gallery: Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo has unveiled a plug-in diesel hybrid version of its V60 wagon ahead of the Geneva Auto Show, which promises to do for fuel spending what Atkins did for bread consumption.
The diesel hybrid takes Volvo’s 2.4-liter inline-five turbodiesel, pumping out 215 horsepower and 324 lb-ft of torque and adds an electric motor to the back wheels: a 70-horsepower motor powered by a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, controlling what Volvo calls the Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD).
With two engines and AWD, the V60 hybrid can run on “Pure” mode for 32 miles on just the electric motor. With “Hybrid” mode activated, it’s good for a range of 746 miles, and in full-attack “Power” mode the V60′s two engines hustle to 60mph in 6.9 seconds. That’s what 472 lb-ft of torque combined will do for a family hauler.
The V60 hybrid will debut in Geneva in a few weeks. Click the jump for video of the diesel-hybrid.
Volvo unceremoniously killed off their S60R and V70R some years ago, but they still kept their R-design appearance packages around, for those who wanted a more aggressive looking Volvo.
With the new S60 and V60 R-Design, the cosmetic upgrades are back, but a few mechanical changes are taking place as well. A strut tower brace, firmer springs and bushings make up most of the upgrades, but the real treat is a torque-vectoring traction control system that will appear on S60 AWD models. The new package will debut at the Paris Auto Show next week.
Hit the jump to read the official press release
Gallery: Volvo R-Design
[Source: Volvo]
In a bid to improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance Volvo will bdegin fitting two new gasoline turbocharged direct-injection (GTDi) engines in two of its cars later this year. Both a turbocharged 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder will be offered for the new S60 and V60 wagon.
The 1.6-liter GTDi T3 makes 148-hp with as much as 177 ft-lbs of torque. As for the T4 powerplant, it will produce 177-hp and 177 ft-lbs, with an overboost function that delivers up to 199 ft-lbs of torque. Both engines will be made entirely from aluminum to minimize weight.
Volvo expects the new engines to cut fuel consumption and emissions by as much as 20 percent.
The new engines will be fitted exclusively to the S60 and V60 models at first and there’s no word on if Volvo plans to offer either in North America. And as unlikely as it is, the T4 engine could see use in the S60 here, or perhaps in the next generation S40.
We expect Volvo to make an announcement of the new powerplants when it officially unveils the new V60 at the Paris Auto Show.
GALLERY: Volvo V60
[Source: AutoCar]