Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept
Charge up or fuel up; it's your choice.
Making its global debut at this year's North American International Auto Show is the new Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept. This follows the recent introduction of the Volvo V-6 diesel-electric plug-in hybrid due to go on sale in Europe later this year. President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation, Stefan Jacoby, says the gasoline version "has great potential in several markets that are vital for our ambitious growth plans, such as the United States, China, and Russia."
The XC60 Plug-in hybrid is powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 270 bhp and 280 lb.-ft of torque, which drives the front wheels via a new 8-speed automatic transmission. At the rear, a 50-kW (70 horsepower) electric motor drives the wheels with 148 lb.-ft. of torque. Combined, this "hybrid" all-wheel-drive system can be activated via a button and electronically controlled to split the power delivery for optimal traction under slippery road conditions. Volvo tells us that XC60 Plug-in has a peak combined output of 350 hp, which helps it hit 60 mph in a fleet 5.8 seconds.
Electricity for the XC60 is stored in a 12-kWh lithium-ion battery pack residing under the floor of the luggage compartment. It is charged under braking by a 34-kW integrated starter/generator located between the engine and the transmission. The vehicle can also be juiced up via a conventional 110V/12A outlet taking 7.5 hours, or from a 220V/12A outlet that cuts the charge time to 3.5 hours.
There are three driving modes for the Volvo: Pure, Hybrid and Power. In Pure setting, the XC60 runs on its electric motor as much as possible. You can go about 35 miles before the engine has to kick in to help. In Hybrid mode, the standard setting, the car balances both power sources for a combined fuel economy of 50 mpg and an impressive range of 600 miles between fuel-ups. Power mode, of course, is for those who want maximum performance at all times.
Notable features for the Volvo Plug-in Hybrid include a mobile phone app that allows you to check on the status of the battery charge, remaining range, or even pre-program the interior climate so it can leverage a connected landline power source when it's plugged in, and doesn't have to waste precious battery electricity when it is off the grid. Another worth mentioning is a Save setting that allows the driver to tell the Volvo to charge up the battery during a drive so there will be about 12 miles of pure electric range for those times when your destination is in an urban city setting.
There's no official word from Volvo as to when we might see the production version of XC60 Plug-in Hybrid on the road in the U.S. Our best guess: a couple of years, but the technology may be fitted to another model by then.
