Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Volvo, Detroit Auto Show

Anyone in the U.S. who's been looking longingly at the Volvo's diesel-electric V60 plug-in hybrid - which is only scheduled to go on sale in Europe, starting sometime later this year - take hope: the Swedish automaker has taken the digital wraps off of the new XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept, and is dropping all sorts of hints that it's coming to America. It burns gas instead of diesel fuel, true, but Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO at Volvo Car Corporation, said in a statement that this is just what's required to compete here:

The gasoline plug-in hybrid is ideal for the American motorist who wants an electric car while at the same time retaining all the power and capacity that comes in his or her present vehicle. ... 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.

Patty Hooley of the Dealer Council of Volvo Cars North America said in a statement that, "From a U.S. market perspective, a gasoline plug-in hybrid would be an excellent addition to our product offer." So, we don't know when, but it sure sounds like Volvo is planning on bringing this plug-in hybrid to our shores some time soon.

What would we get should the car arrive? The XC60 PHEV concept uses a 280-horsepower, four-cylinder gas engine - part of the new Volvo Environmental Architecture family of engines - and a battery of unspecified size that offers a EV-range of 35 miles. That battery recharges in about 7.5 hours from a standard U.S. outlet, and those numbers suggest it's similar to the pack that powers the Chevrolet Volt. With a 70-hp electric motor, the XC60 gives a total of 350 horses, or around the power of a V8, which should also appeal to U.S. drivers. Another good number? An "operational fuel economy" of 50 miles per gallon. Add that all up, and Volvo says the combination of powertrains in the XC60 is "superior to all existing hybrids." We'll see how that confidence translates to the real world when we see the vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show next week.




?

Continue reading Volvo releases details about Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept

Volvo releases details about Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments