Volvo to Launch First Diesel Plug-in Car

Feb 23 2011

UK car finance buyers will be happy to hear that Volvo plans to showcase a diesel plug-in hybrid car at the upcoming Geneva motor show. The car will be based on Volvo's V60 estate and, according to the company, it will be the first car in the world to adopt the new power system.

Peugeot has already announced plans to exhibit a diesel hybrid version of its popular 3008, but will not utilise a plug-in version. Plug-in cars carry more batteries than their hybrid counterparts, thus allowing them to drive farther distances. UK car finance users who have to travel substantial distances every day will no doubt welcome this feature.

Volvo and Peugeot's diesel hybrid cars have a different layout from those built by the industry leader Toyota, whose internal combustion engines and electric motors form an integrated power train with which to drive the front wheels. Peugeot and Volvo however employ a diesel engine which drives the front wheels. When the car switches to battery operation, it is driven via the rear wheels by electric motors.

UK Car finance buyers opting to purchase a Volvo V60 diesel hybrid will be able to travel 32 miles in battery mode while the car is driven by a 70 bhp electric motor. When running out of battery power or accelerating to higher speeds, the full power of the 215 bhp diesel becomes available. When used as a hybrid, the CO2 emissions are extremely low at 49g/km. The three modes (power, pure and hybrid) are simply selected by pressing a button on the dashboard.

Author - Louise Hutchinson

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