While the Swedes are not known for their army knives or their chocolate, they are known for constructing solid vehicles, made from innovative designs, and built to last a lifetime. In fact, the life of a single Volvo vehicle averages around 20 years, the second highest in vehicle longevity, just behind Mercedes. If one is going to invest in a vehicle for the next 20 years of their lives, it would be nice to have some options. Volvo understands this, which is why they have come out this year with their V60 three in one concept vehicle.
The new Volvo V60 Concept can operate in diesel, all electric, or hybrid, changes easily made by the driver by flipping a multimodal switch on the dashboard. In “Pure” mode it is a 70 horse power all electric, rear wheel driven, 70 mile range car. In “Hybrid”, the range increases slightly, from 30 miles to 745 miles, with an mpg rating of 125.
Lets take a worst case scenario: Teen Mom is starting a 7:oo, you are leaving work at 6:50, what do you do? Does a liesurely electric stroll sound like a good idea in a situation like this? Probably not, which is why Volvo makes this vehicle with one final mode, “Power”. Power mode allows the driver to press steel to floor and reach zero-to-62 in 6.9 seconds with the combined 285 horsepower of diesel and electric motors putting out 472 pound feet of torque.
“This is an exciting expansion of our increasing focus on electrification,” Derek Crabb, vp of powertrain engineering, said in a statement. “Battery cost and size mean that all-electric cars still have a relatively limited operating range. With the range extender, the electric car has its effective range increased by a thousand kilometers, yet with carbon dioxide emissions below or way below 50 g/km.”
Volvo says that the V60 could hit showroom floors as early as 2012. Lets hope some version of it will also be hitting showroom floors in Phoenix and the rest of North America.
Phoenix Valley auto enthusiasts can view and test drive any current production model Volvo at any Phoenix Valley Volvo dealer. Phoenix Valley auto enthusiasts should plan on attending the Phoenix Arizona International Auto Show to learn about the most recent concepts and innovations in the auto industry, including all of the latest technologies and ideas in the way of alternative fuels and modes of efficiency emerging from Volvo and the rest of the auto industry, taking place at the Phoenix Arizona Convention center over Thanksgiving weekend.
