Volvo Launches new V60 D6 Plug-In Hybrid

Following the presentation of the new V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrid at the Geneva Motor Show this past March, Volvo has released more information as well as pricing in certain countries including Britain where it will be available for order from the beginning of 2012, with first deliveries expected in November.

In the UK, the European market-only V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrid will cost between £45,000 and £50,000, not including the “Plug-in Car Grant” government subsidy.

Pegged as the world's first diesel-electric plug-in hybrid production model, V60 D6 features a 2.4-liter five-cylinder turbodiesel delivering 215HP and 440 Nm (324.5 lb-ft) of torque that drives the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 70HP electric motor, which draws energy from a 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery, driving the rear axle.

The V60 D6 can operate three different modes. In hybrid mode, the diesel and the electric engine work in parallel, achieving a range of up to 621 miles (999 km) and emitting just 49g/km of CO2.

In “pure” mode, the car is powered by the electric motor as much as possible offering a range of 32 miles (52 km). For maximum performance the driver can select the “power” mode, in which both motors work together, producing 215HP+70HP and 440+200Nm (324.5+147.5 lb-ft) of torque respectively. In this case, the V60 D6 accelerates from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.2 seconds.

"Our plug-in hybrid has received considerable attention since it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011”, said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo. “Now we're taking the next step by presenting the production model, which is graced with a distinctive profile featuring a spectacular silver color, an exclusive interior and generous standard equipment.”

Volvo’s plug-in hybrid will be available from November 2012 in a limited run of just 1,000 cars. This initial batch will be launched in just one color (“Electric Silver”) with glossy black details in parts like the grille and the front spoiler.

Its standard specification includes 17-inch alloy wheels, integrated exhaust pipes and a chromed “Plug-in Hybrid” logo on the front wings and the tailgate.

The interior features leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and inlays of blue-grey wood, a gear lever knob with integrated indicator, speed-dependent power steering, electrically adjustable driver's seat, parking sensors front and rear, Bluetooth phone link and Volvo on Call. Also standard are a High Performance Multimedia DVD audio system with a 4x40W amplifier, eight loudspeakers and seven-inch screen.

After the initial 1,000 units of the 2013 MY, production will increase to 4,000-6,000 cars from the 2014 model year, with Volvo expecting 80% of sales to go to company cars.

About 30 per cent of the car’s production is allocated to Sweden and the other Nordic countries. Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK will each receive a share of between 5 and 15 per cent.

"We expect the order books to fill very quickly”, commented Jacoby. “The most discerning customers have many exclusive cars to choose between. But for anyone who truly wants to be in a league of their own behind the wheel of the most ingenious car in the world, there's only our V60 Plug-in Hybrid.”

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Honda Wants Dealers to Move “Full Speed Ahead” as N.A. Production Returns to Normal

Not all automakers are affected by the economic crisis raging in Europe. Volvo, meanwhile, expects to sell between 430000-440000 units this year compared to 374,000 cars last year.

CEO of the Swedish carmaker, Stefan Jacoby, the reason for this is that the Volvo's largest markets are the Nordic countries and Germany, which is not the financial crisis that the storms of the south, like Italy, Spain and Greece.

"There is no sign of abating. Our order books are full until the spring of 2012," Jacoby told Automotive News Europe.

The Swedish manufacturer current global workforce of about 24,000 employees, including 16,000 in Sweden, 5000 in Belgium, in 1000 China and 2000 in other markets.

As a result, a thriving sales, Volvo will bring more than 10,000 new employees in order to achieve sales targets 800 000 2020. In the words of Jacoby, "in 2020, we must increase the number of employees is 33 000 -. 35 000 employees"

Volvo, which was sold by Ford to China's Geely in 2010, plans to add two new plants in China. The first to Chengdu is expected to open in 2013 and has an annual capacity of 150,000 units employing nearly 3,000 workers, while Jacoby expects local government to approve a second plant in the coming year.

Therefore, most of the 10 000 additional employees in the world is China, where Volvo wants to quadruple its sales, from 48 to 49 000 units this year to 200,000 by the end of this decade.



 

Read More

Volvo Is Proud To Reducing Its CO2 Emissions To Produce The Largest European

According to data collected in the European Federation for Transport and Environment for its annual analysis of the European car manufacturer, which has done more to reduce the average CO2 emissions in the range of products in 2010 is a Volvo.

The study shows that last year, eight biggest car manufacturers in Europe have reduced their average CO2 emissions from 2 to 6 percent. Volvo, meanwhile, has achieved a reduction of 9 percent over the head with associated graphical models, such as 99 g / km and V50 DRIVe 119 g / km DRIVe V70.

"We are very happy and very proud of this achievement," said Stefan Jacoby CEO of Volvo. Peter Mertens, corporate senior vice president in charge of research and development, added: "The goal is to go down to an average of 95 g of carbon dioxide per kilometer through our total car sales in 2020 theory, it is quite possible, but much depends. legislation, the availability of energy incentives, and customer demand course. "

The analysis conducted in 2010, European car manufacturers have been successful in its goal of reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption in its new models from 2.7% to an average of 140 g / km.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Volvo C70 Convertible Stop Factory Built In 2013

Volvo Automotive Division has announced the closure of the Uddevalla, Sweden in 2013, when it will take sole ownership of the factory. "The low production volumes do not justify the Uddevalla plant will continue," said Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volvo.

Uddevalla plant is currently under way between Volvo and Pininfarina have signed a joint venture, which was founded in 2005, the production of C70 hardtop convertible. The plant employs 600 people, and in 2010 production was 10,000 units, representing only 65% ​​of total capacity.

"Uddevalla factory to produce high quality cars," said Jacoby. "However, the carmaker Volvo is not the size, economic conditions justify a factory that produces a model for the volumes we have today."

Volvo last March and Pininfarina agreed to end their joint venture in 2013, leaving Volvo as the sole owner of the factory. Although production will cease, the people employed in Uddevalla be offered work at other Volvo plants.

 

Read More

2011 Volvo S60

During the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show keynote, Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby discussed his plans to shift the Swedish automaker away from the rest of the premium segment. This doesn’t mean that the quality of materials or craftsmanship is going to suffer, but instead of creating products that are specifically engineered to compete with the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Volvo will be working to reaffirm its own unique Swedish brand identity.

The 2011 Volvo S60 points the way forward for the brand’s new groundwork. The ‘naughty’ new sedan is stylish, luxurious and has the guts of a true sporting sedan, but it just doesn’t come close to the sort of precision we find in an Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series. Fine, then, that the Volvo has plenty of other impressive qualities to give it a unique edge over the competition. Consider it a premium sport sedan for people who don’t want the stereotypical premium sport sedan.

We recently welcomed a Blazing Copper S60 to the Autoblog Garage to see if Volvo’s recipe for uniqueness has created a delicious dish of Swedish engineering.

Read More

Volvo boosting XC60 production, ponders bringing China-built cars to U.S.

New Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby has stated publicly that the Swedish automaker plans to double global sales to 800,000 units per year by 2020. That’s a significant increase by any measure, and the company’s popularXC60 crossover appears to be a big part of those plans. Automobile reports that the Geely-owned automaker plans to increase production of the popular crossover to 100,000 units globally, with quite a few of those extra units reserved for the rebounding U.S. market. Volvo is reportedly optimistic that it can increase XC60 sales by eight percent over 2010 levels.

We guessing Volvo can increase production at its existing plants to nudge XC60 sales beyond the six-figure mark, but to hit 800,000 total units per year, a new plant is likely needed. It just so happens Volvo is planning a new factory in China, and Automobile cites a report by The Wall Street Journal that suggests the idea is being kicked around to build vehicles in the emerging market and ship a portion of them them to our shores.

The plan makes abundant sense from a cost standpoint, but the move would have to be approved by the Chinese government. It should help that Volvo is owned by a Chinese automaker, and we’re thinking it’s only a matter of time before “Made in China” will include cars and trucks ’round these parts before too long.

Read More

Volvo to downsize engines in 2013; ponders diesel for U.S.

Engine downsizing is considered an effective method for reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency and that’s precisely why many automakers have developed smaller mills to replace older, larger motors. Kia,Volkswagen, Fiat, Audi and many others already announced their intentions to introduce downsized enginesin upcoming models. We can now add Volvo to the ranks of automakers developing new low-displacement powerplants.

According to Autocar, Volvo plans to introduce downsized gas- and diesel-fueled engines across its model range beginning in 2013. The automaker is also eying the addition of clean diesels that displace less than two liters – including a 1.6-liter engine that puts out 113 horsepower – and is even discussing the possibility of importing oil burners here to the States. Volvo’s Chief Executive Officer, Stefan Jacoby, tells Autocar that the company is “taking a deep look at whether it will introduce the diesels to the U.S.,” though nothing has been decided yet.

What do you think – would bringing over a range of diesels help improve Volvo’s fortunes in the States?

Read More