It may look like a regular XC60, but the Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Concept is more of a statement of intent than a production-ready car. The automaker is getting ready to sell a plug-in diesel-hybrid V60 in Europe (to go with the electric C30), but a plug-in hybrid for the U.S. is still 2-4 years out, Volvo's Geno Effler told Inside Line, and it wouldn't necessarily be XC60-based.
Keep in mind that the United States is absolutely not the company's biggest market -- it sold 67,240 vehicles here in 2011 compared to 449,225 worldwide. So exporting a niche hybrid model here is not a top priority.
What makes the XC60 concept interesting to us is that it purportedly uses a turbocharged and direct-injected, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder -- part of a new family of D.I. gasoline and diesel engines that can be built on the same production line. The engine would reportedly make about 280 horsepower, and with another 70 hp from a rear-axle electric motor, combined output would be 350 hp. That heady horsepower figure, we're told, justifies the unexpected T8 badge on the back of this concept crossover; the S60 T6 R-Design makes just 325.
Juice for the rear electric motor comes from a 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack. For comparison, a Chevy Volt has a 16kWh battery pack, so we'd guess Volvo's claimed 35-mile electric driving range for the XC60 concept would be right at the upper limit.
With a phased rollout beginning in 2013, the new 2.0-liter engine (and its diesel counterpart) will eventually replace the T5 and T6 engines. Details include variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust side (it won't use different camshaft profiles for variable lift initially), and an electric water pump. All versions will come with a new start-stop system that shuts off the engine earlier during deceleration to realize more tangible fuel mileage gains -- about 5-6 percent, we're told.
The new engine family will also usher in a new transmission: An Aisin eight-speed automatic will replace the current six-speed auto. Volvo engineers are also revamping the current MC66 six-speed manual gearbox to reduce friction in every area possible.
xprojected says:
08:00 AM, 01/10/12
"Keep in mind that the United States is absolutely not the company's biggest market -- it sold 67,240 vehicles here in 2011 compared to 449,225 worldwide."
This page would suggest otherwise:
https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/enhanced/en-gb/Media/Preview.aspx?mediaid=41678
Under "Ten Biggest Markets", the US is #1 in both 2011 and 2010. Granted, Sweden is very close, and China could surpass the US in a few years.