Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Concept In Detail - VIDEO

Volvo XC 60 Concept Video:

Volvo XC 60 Plug-In hybrid Concept to Appear At Detroit Show

Volvo might have already started production on its first plug-in hybrid wagon -- the 2012 V60 Diesel Plug-in Hybrid -- but as we’ve told you before, the Swedish automaker doesn’t think the U.S. is ready for a diesel plug-in hybrid yet.

But at next week’s 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Volvo will unveil the XC60 Crossover Plug-in Hybrid concept car: a vehicle built to illustrate Volvo’s plans to bring a plug-in hybrid car to the U.S.

A few weeks ago, we were given an exclusive presentation about the XC60 when we visited Volvo’s Gothenburg headquarters. Now we can tell you more about this exciting plug-in concept, designed with the U.S. in mind.

Same Technology, With One Difference

Just like the 2012 Volvo V60 Diesel Plug-in Hybrid, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid concept is a through-the-road hybrid, where the front wheels are driven by a conventional gasoline engine and small electric motor, while the rear wheels are solely driven by an electric motor.

In fact, the XC60 shares almost every part of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid’s drivetrain, from its 12 kilowatt-hour (8 kilowatt-hour used) lithium-ion battery pack and 50 kilowatt peak rear-wheel drive motor. But instead of a 2.4 liter Diesel engine, the XC60 plug-in concept is the first Volvo car to make use of its new range of Turbocharged, four cylinder VEA engines. Smaller and lighter than previous generation engines, the 2.0 liter gasoline engine will produce 280 horsepower and around 280 pound-feet of torque.

The extra horsepower over the D5 diesel engine found in the 2012 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid means the XC60 plug-in concept is a little faster, taking just 5.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. Where permitted, it will go on to a top speed of 130 mph.

Yes, It Tows Too

Volvo executives are keen to point out that the XC60 concept doesn’t loose any of the capabilities of its gasoline sibling because it uses a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. In fact, it outperforms a traditional gasoline-engined XC60.

That even includes towing, with the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid just as happy to tow 3,300 pounds as the current 2012 XC60 gasoline lineup. In fact, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid benefits from the best torque figures of any XC60 yet. With 427 pound feet of combined electric and gasoline grunt, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid is the prefect towing green machine.

New York to Detroit On A Single Tank

Volvo claims the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept can travel up to 600 miles on a tank of gasoline and a fully-charged battery. That’s on a useable 8 kilowatt-hours of electricity and a 14 gallon tank of gasoline.

That equates to a hybrid fuel economy of around 50 mpg.

When used in all-electric mode, Volvo claims the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept can travel up to 35 miles on a single charge, resulting in a fuel economy equivalence of 105 MPGe.

Source: Green Car Reports

SUV Jeep Car: Volvo XC60 SUV car

Volvo's new crossover vehicle boasts an exciting mix of two car styles and steps boldly into what is the motoring world's toughest and fastest-growing segment. Sports XC muscles, it combines a strong athletic body with high ground clearance and large wheels, while the flowing lines create a sporty charisma of a coupe.

“This car is charged with more emotive form and more energy than any other Volvo. We’re elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally turning up the visual volume. If you say that you’d recognise a Volvo from a hundred metres away today, I dare say the Volvo XC60 radiates a clear Volvo presence from at least twice that distance,” says Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin.

A variety of intelligent safety systems are another important part of the new Volvo XC60. The major news is City Safety – a unique system that can help the driver avoid or reduce the effects of the type of low-speed impacts that are common in city traffic and traffic tailbacks. If the car is about to drive into the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the car brakes itself.

“We are the first manufacturer in the world to offer this type of feature as standard. City Safety clearly shows that the new Volvo XC60 is the safest car Volvo has ever produced. The car is packed with our accumulated safety know-how and technology, both when it comes to preventing accidents and protecting all the occupants in a collision,” says Fredrik Arp.

The XC60 project has its sights set on a target group that imposes high demands on design, brand integrity and high-tech content in its choice of lifestyle products.

“One might say that this could be the C30 owner’s next car. It’s as sporty and exciting, but more capable. With the Volvo XC60, we are widening our model range to attract even more customers with an active urban lifestyle,” explains Fredrik Arp.

The new XC60 is being launched with a choice of three engines: the turbocharged T6 which produces 285PS, and two variants of the D5 turbodiesel, producing 185 and 163 horsepower respectively. All- Wheel Drive (AWD) is fitted as standard.

“During 2009, we will offer a front-wheel driven 2.4-litre version powered by a Euro 5 diesel engine producing 163 horsepower and with a CO2 target around 170 g/km,” reveals Fredrik Arp.

The global sales target for the new XC60 is over 50,000 cars per year. The five largest markets during peak year 2010 will be the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and China. The Volvo XC60 will be built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium. Sales of the car will start in Europe during the second half of 2008, while sales in North America will get under way in early 2009. The new XC60 will arrive in UK dealer showrooms in October.