Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept – 2012 Detroit Auto Show

Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept – 2012 Detroit Auto Show

 

Choice. That’s what Volvo , the Chinese-owned Swedish-based company, is promising with the XC60  Plug-in Hybrid Concept, which will be unveiled next week in Detroit.
The driver can choose the driving mode via three buttons on the instrument panel – Pure, Hybrid or Power.
In Pure mode the car is powered solely by its electric motor as much as possible. The range, according to the European certification driving cycle NEDC, is 28 miles or 35 miles on the EPA’s U.S. cycle.

The Hybrid mode is the standard setting whenever the car is started. Volvo says that according to the European certification driving cycle NEDC, CO2 emissions are 53 g/km, which translates into fuel economy of over 100 mpg, giving the car a potential operating range of up to 600 miles. According to a second Volvo release the operational economy is 50 mpg, which sounds more realistic.
In Power mode, the engine and motors are optimized to create maximum possible power. The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine produces 280 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque while the electric motor is rated at 70 hp with 148 lb.-ft. of torque. The electric motor’s instant torque delivery contributes to the car’s acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.

The gasoline engine powers the front wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission while the electric motor drives the rear wheels. All-wheel-drive can be activated by pushing an AWD button. Instead of the mechanical power transfer of conventional four-wheel drive, the central control unit distributes power between the gasoline-driven front wheels and the electric-driven rear axle. Volvo says the all-wheel drive system has been designed to provide better traction when starting and for driving on slippery roads as well as in snow or mud.
The engine in the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept has no conventional starter motor or alternator. Instead, there is an Integrated Starter motor and Generator (ISG) connected to the crankshaft, which is located between the engine and the transmission. The ISG is capable of delivering an extra 34 kW (45 hp) during acceleration. It also charges the battery during braking.

Talking of which — the battery pack can be recharged from a regular power outlet and recharging time varies with the current. If 220V is available, a full charge with 12A takes just 3.5 hours. With 110V/12A a full charge takes 7.5 hours. It is also possible while recharging the car to heat or cool the passenger compartment ahead of time so more battery power is available to propel the car.
If you look closely you’ll see the concept carries a “T8″ badge. Volvo says this emphasizes the combined 350 horsepower of the high-performance 4-cylinder engine and the electric motor, which moves it into territory previously occupied by 8-cylinder engines.

Volvo says a vehicle, not necessarily the XC60, with this technology will be available within two years. On paper this looks like a great concept – as it gives the driver plenty of on-demand choices in powertrain modes. Different modes for different moods?
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