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Volvo power up the most advanced model they've ever made
publication date: Dec 16, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
The
Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid and is
Volvo Car Corporation's most technically advanced model ever - an electric car,
hybrid car and muscle-car all rolled into one.
At
the touch of a button, the driver can choose which of the three cars they want
to drive at any given moment. |  | The
indicative price of the world's first plug-in hybrid with diesel engine is
starting at between £45,000 and £50,000 in the UK, minus any government subsidy
for electric cars Plug-in Car Grant.
Sales
get under way at the start of 2012 with a limited model year production run of
1,000 cars starting in November 2012. They will be offered with Pure Limited
specification, which includes the highest SE Lux trim level.
The
front wheels of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid are powered by a five-cylinder 2.4-litre
turbo diesel producing 215 hp and maximum torque is 440 Nm. The car has a
six-speed automatic transmission.
The
rear axle is powered by an electric motor producing 70 horsepower. The electric
motor is supplied with power from an 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack
installed under the floor of the load compartment.
A sophisticated and exceptionally compact battery pack consists of 10 modules
each containing 20 cells. An integrated computer monitors the system and
compares temperature and charge level in each of the 200 cells. The battery
pack also has an integrated water-cooling system driven by the car's climate
unit.
The driver selects the required driving mode via
three buttons that give the car three entirely different temperaments: Pure,
Hybrid or Power.
In Pure mode the car is powered solely by its
electric motor as much as possible. If the battery pack has been recharged with
electricity from renewable sources, its range is up to 32 miles with no carbon
dioxide emissions from the tailpipe. The electric range varies with terrain,
climate and driving style.
Hybrid is the standard setting whenever the car is
started. The diesel engine and electric motor cooperate to ensure optimal
balance between driving pleasure and environmental footprint. CO2
emission (NEDC, mixed driving cycle for certification) is just 49g/km and it
has a total range of up to 621 miles.
In Power mode the technology is optimised to give
the car the maximum possible power. The diesel engine and electric motor have a
total power output of 215+70 horsepower and maximum torque of 440+200Nm. The
electric motor's lightning-quick torque delivery contributes to the car's
acceleration from 0 to 62mph in 6.2 seconds.
Pressing
the AWD button activates the electrical four-wheel drive. Instead of the
mechanical power transfer of conventional four-wheel drive, the central control
unit distributes power between the diesel-driven front wheels and the electrically-driven
rear axle. The electric four-wheel drive system has been designed to provide
better grip when starting and when driving on slippery roads, for instance in
snow or mud. |
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