When it comes to alternative fuels, Volvo long time behaved rather quiet. For this, the Swedes now bringing an eco-version on the market. The middle class estate V60 combines three-saving technologies.
Diesel, electric or hybrid drive: So far these three fuel-saving techniques were more or less side by side. Volvo now unites them in a vehicle. The new V60 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) can drive solely on electricity and will be due to its fuel-efficient diesel engine based on the hybrid technology frugal way even with dead batteries. Premiere of the middle class combined with celebrating the new drive at the Geneva Motor Show (8th to 18th March 2012), the production expected to begin in fall 2012.
The first 50 kilometers of the Volvo electric drive alone. For the drive, a 70 bhp electric motor at the rear axle, to an 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery big power. The battery is charged at any normal household socket - depending on the current intensity to 3.5 to 7.5 hours for a full range cable storage.
Launch late 2012
If the electricity supply of power, it switches to a 158 kW/215 hp five-cylinder diesel on the front axle. The driver can choose via a switch the mode of cooperation and focus on either high or low power consumption. In the combined driving cycle should consume only 1.9 liters per 100 kilometers. Included in it is already the pure electric driving, the hybrid mode, consumption is projected to be considerably higher. Both engines work together, an electric four-wheel drive. This only works up to a speed of 120 km / h, then turns the electric motor as its power output sufficient would not challenge.
The first units are the end of 2012 in Germany on the market, pre-orders are already available in the spring. Very cheap eco-combi is not, requires 57,000 euros Volvo, but donated a host of facilities. The cost compared to a similar model with a conventional drive should be around 5,000 euros.
"A few hundred" for Germany
The high-tech Volvo will remain a rare sight at first. 2012, only 1,000 units were built before 2013, the emissions increase to about 6,000 units. About a third of the cars remain in Sweden, Germany, for a few hundred vehicles per year provided.
The Swedes are the first to introduce such a drive combination on the market. Toyota is offering next year to a principle similar technology, the Prius plug-in hybrid, but with a petrol instead of diesel. The Japanese comes in e-mode around 20 kilometers, the average fuel consumption is 2.2 liters. A diesel hybrid currently offer only to Peugeot and Citroen in different car models. Is a plug-in function is not there, however, the batteries can be charged while driving only by braking force recovery.
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