Volvo Diesel Hybrid...

[samagon]

two words..

suh weet!

Current gasoline-powered hybrids can barely manage to keep ahead of small diesels in the mpg wars that will shape our future transportation structure, but in theory a diesel hybrid would rule the roost -- for the moment, at least. That's what Volvo will be showing off in Geneva shortly, promising a whopping 124MPG from the V60 plug-in diesel hybrid it announced a few weeks back. The car uses an internal combustion engine driving the front wheels and an electric one to spin the rears, meaning 2WD efficiency but AWD grip -- and a combined 285hp to handily blow the doors off any Prius that dares step up at a streetlight. Volvo is saying the car will take about five hours to charge on a standard household outlet and that you'll be able to monitor that status from your iPhone. Check it out in the video below and turn up those speakers in preparation for one heck of an inspirational piano solo.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/21/v...shows-off-iph/

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[BrysImpreza]

Love it, but will it ever reach our shores? Doubtful.

[Sideshowbob]

Yeah, it's awesome but worthless until I can buy one.

[shikataganai]

Note the bit in the video about "emissions free zones" or something along those lines. That tells of the target market: European and Asian cities with CO2-based congestion pricing. As we're unlikely to get that, we're thus unlikely to get the car, too, for better or worse.

[samagon]

more intel..

While hypermilers debate the various advantages and drawbacks of diesels versus hybrids, Volvo is here to ask, "Why not have both?" As promised, the Swedish automaker is rolling into Geneva with what it's calling "the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid".

Packaged into the svelte V60 wagon, the diesel hybrid packs two distinct drivetrains that can operate separately or in conjunction with one another. Up front is a 2.4-liter five-cylinder turbodiesel with 215 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque, while a 70-horsepower electric motor with a 12-kWh lithium-ion battery pack twists the Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD).

At the touch of a button, the V60 hybrid can operate in Pure mode as an EV with a 32-mile range on electric power alone. In Hybrid mode, it emits less than 50 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer with a 746-mile range, and in Power mode, the powerplant acts as a boosted torque monster with a combined output at 472 lb-ft of twist for a 6.9-second sprint to 62 miles per hour. That may not seem too quick, but for a diesel wagon schlepping around that much Duracell, it's relatively rapid.

The V60 Plug-In Hybrid is set to debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, but if you want to see a brief video and delve further into the specs now, feel free to check out the full press brief after the jump.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/21/v...-geneva-debut/

[samagon]

Originally Posted by shikataganai

Note the bit in the video about "emissions free zones" or something along those lines. That tells of the target market: European and Asian cities with CO2-based congestion pricing. As we're unlikely to get that, we're thus unlikely to get the car, too, for better or worse.

well, someone needs to go and redo the volt to be what this thing is.

or at least go through and make a vette version, maybe call it the megavolt.

anyone at GM reading?

[keepclam]

Originally Posted by samagon

well, someone needs to go and redo the volt to be what this thing is.

or at least go through and make a vette version, maybe call it the megavolt.

Maybe call it the Re-Volt.

[Yotsuya]

That's Supervolt.

[samagon]

Wait, why am I calling on GM to do this?

Ford still owns Volvo right?

Ford needs to use this to make a real hybrid to compete with the volt based on this, they could even call it the Ford Bolt!

I like this idea better.

[Calamity Jesus]

Originally Posted by shikataganai

Note the bit in the video about "emissions free zones" or something along those lines. That tells of the target market: European and Asian cities with CO2-based congestion pricing. As we're unlikely to get that, we're thus unlikely to get the car, too, for better or worse.

Did this make anyone else think about WWII diesel/electric submarines?

[SCRAPPYDO]

I think ford sold its share in volvo Sam. At least a large part of it. I may be wrong.

[AVANTI R5]

Volvo will introduce what it bills as the world’s first diesel-electric plug-in hybrid at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

The system, which will be used to power the Swedish maker’s V60 wagon, will differ significantly from current hybrid powertrains, including traditional systems used in the Toyota Prius and more advanced plug-ins found in the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Volvo’s plug-in will create a virtual all-wheel-drive system, using the diesel to drive the front wheels and the electric motors to drive the rear.

The V60 plug-in will be the first electric drive model from Volvo – though the maker is also working up a pure battery-electric vehicle based on the smaller C30 — and its lithium-ion battery pack is expected to yield about 32 miles when running solely in battery made. The rear-mounted electric motor can produce a maximum 70 horsepower.

But when the battery runs down – or extra power is needed – the 215-horsepower diesel kicks in. When they’re both operating together in Sport mode, the two power sources can produce 285 hp and a full 472 lb-ft of tire spinning torque, launching the V60 diesel plug-in from 0 to 60 in just 6.9 seconds.






The Volvo design uses the diesel to power the front wheels and the electric motor to drive the rear.

“In order to get true car enthusiasts to think green, you have to offer them the opportunity to drive with low carbon dioxide emissions without taking away the adrenaline rush that promotes genuine driving pleasure,” said Volvo Cars president Stefan Jacoby.

Alternately, a driver can choose “Pure” mode to remain in battery-electric mode as long as there’s a sufficient charge, or “Hybrid,” to put the emphasis on fuel efficiency and range. In that mode, Volvo is claiming a range of 745 miles and the equivalent of 125 mpg, though it remains to be seen if that figure would be vouched for by U.S. regulators.

In fact, it’s unclear whether the Volvo V60 plug-in will make it to the States, where diesel power has yet to gain much acceptance. Part of the problem is the premium for after-treatment systems needed to meet tough NOx and particulate standards. Add on the cost of the hybrid portion of the driveline and Volvo may simply have to charge too much green despite the V60 plug-in’s green credentials.

The battery pack is a relatively modest 12 kilowatt-hours, about half the size of the Lion pack in the fully-electric Nissan Leaf, and a quarter smaller than the Volt’s 16 kWh of batteries. Volvo claims the V60 plug-in will be able to recharge in as little as three hours using a 16 amp 220-volt charger.

Volvo actually won’t be alone in going the diesel-hybrid route. Peugeot
Peugeot is working up a diesel-electric version of the 3008, but that model will be a conventional, rather than plug-in, hybrid, which means only limited range on battery power alone.Volvo Readying Diesel Plug-in Hybrid

[lark6]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

I think ford sold its share in volvo Sam. At least a large part of it. I may be wrong.

Volvo Cars was sold by Ford to the holding company of China's Geely Automobile last year.

[samagon]

bah, well, Ford still needs to take the name Bolt, that would be an epic coup!

if the car is right, it could be an epic coupe as well!

[Balantz]

You really ought to be pun-ished for that... ^^^

[Masterauto]

I like it and want one.

[Dirty25RS]

video

YouTube - â–º NEW 2012 Volvo V60 Plug-In HYBRID

YouTube - â–º NEW 2012 Volvo V60 Plug-In HYBRID

[shikataganai]

Not coming to the U.S., big surprise: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/car...n-hybrid-.html

[SLegacy99]

I'd certainly be willing to spend the premium on this vehicle if I needed a family a hauler. I'd much prefer this over a Highlander Hi., X5d, etc. or any other SUV/minivan.

[JuggernautTCW]

Originally Posted by keepclam

Maybe call it the Re-Volt.

Originally Posted by Yotsuya

That's Supervolt.

Surprised that someone hasnt said Volt SS....

[RedHotLama]

Add a panoramic solar power roof and this thing would be gold.

[White out]

It's great to see a company finally going the diesel-hybrid route. I'm not really surprised that it's coming from Volvo. They seem to sneak great technology in.

Nick