Volvo will come at the Detroit Auto Show with an innovative petrol plug-in hybrid: the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept that previews a production version vehicle set to be offered in both Europe and North America. The concept combines a 280 HP four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine driving the front wheels with an electric motor producing 70 HP.
The concept offered three modes of operation: Pure, Hybrid or Power, with the Hybrid one offering a fuel economy of over 100 mpg. This system will sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds
"The technology in the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is as ingenious as it is unique," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation. "You can make really green progress on the road without compromising on any of the luxury car’s renowned properties. No other manufacturer has succeeded in delivering fuel economy and electrical range on this level in a capable, spacious performance car with 350 horsepower on tap."
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept.
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Volvo recently unveiled the first teaser image for their new five-door hatchback that will compete with models like the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3. Up until recently, the prototype seen testing was rumored to be called the V30, but along with the teaser image came an announcement from Volvo’s CEO, Stefan Jacoby, stating that it would officially be called the V40. The small taste of the teaser image simply wasn’t enough for us, so our spy photographers went on the hunt to catch the new hatchback testing in winter conditions.
Jacoby also announced that the new V40 will be replacing two existing models: the S40 and the V50. It’s still unclear if the C30 will be replaced or if it will be deleted from the lineup altogether because Jacoby said that it would be replaced with a new model, but that model would have more than three doors.
It is believed that the new V40 will be a smaller version of the V60, so expect to see a prominent grille, a sloping roofline, a tailgate-mounted spoiler, and distinctive taillights.
After the V40, Volvo will also be bringing a XC40 and rumors of an S40 sedan for the Chinese market have also surfaced.
There are few Volvos in this world that you can consider iconic cars, but if there ever was one, the old P1800 definitely tops that list. Unfortunately, the classic Swedish coupe has been lost in time, discontinued long ago with only memories serving proof of its existence.
This year, the P1800 is celebrating what would have been its 50th anniversary, and even if there’s no direct successor to the model, Volvo’s chief designer at its Monitoring and Concept Center, Chris Benjamin, has produced a visual sketch of what a modern-day P1800 could look like.
As a reminder of what-could-have-been, the "new" P1800 is certainly a car that would look pretty darn good in today’s world, but seeing as the Swedish company is currently in flux with drastic changes expected to be made in the coming months, there’s no telling if this sketch will even see the light of day - even as a concept.
Then again, the auto industry has proven time and again that you can never count out anything. If a modern-day P1800 is to be developed, we certainly wouldn’t hold back Volvo - and Geely, for that matter - from attempting to do so.
After all, it wasn’t that long ago when a couple of Korean brands were considered as mere afterthoughts. Now, Hyundai and Kia have become two of the biggest brands in the world.
So yeah, if there’s a model that deserves to have it’s silver anniversary celebrated, it’s the Volvo P1800. Cross your fingers that this "new-look" sketch comes to life in the near future.
For the longest time, we have been treated to Volvos that have the cutting edge design of a loaf of bread. It’s been one of the biggest knocks on the Swedish brand, and it appears that the company is determined to introduce a new generation of vehicles that will be a lot edgier than what we’re used to.
One of the next-generation models that’s expected to be introduced in the coming years is the Volvo XC90 crossover. Despite its popularity, the XC90 has been around the block for almost 10 years with very little changes being done on it. These design sketches of the future XC90 that the company recently released shows that Volvo may be serious in re-defining the way their vehicles look. Maybe there’s more to their "Scalable Platform Architecture" design language than we previously thought.
As for the rest of the information surrounding the next-generation XC90, not much has been laid out on the table except that we might be seeing the car in full form by 2014.
That should give Volvo enough time to really follow through on their desire to be up to the times as far as the design of their cars are concerned. If the new XC90 is remotely close to what these sketches are showing, then we’ll give those guys props for heading in the right direction.
The 2011 SEMA Auto Show is over so now it’s time to focus on the next motor show of the month: the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show starting November 16th. Just a few days ago, Subaru announced the BRZ STI Concept’s scheduled appearance in California, and now Volvo has announced a special edition C70. Called the C70 Inscription, this new edition will be offered worldwide and will be limited to 2,000 units a year.
The new C70 Inscription will be offered in only three exterior colors: Black Stone (Solid), Black Sapphire (Metallic), and Ice White (Solid). It will be distinguished by 18-inch wheels painted in black with polished spokes and outer perimeter, a high-gloss paint on the grille, and LED Daytime Running Lights.
For the interior, the model will add an exclusive leather-covered dashboard with contrasting stitching and Sovereign Hide upholstery in Off Black or Calcite with the same contrasting stitching as on dashboard, handbrake lever, and carpets. A sporty feeling will be added with a new set of aluminum pedals, a steering wheel and gear shift knob with aluminum inlays. Because this is a special edition, it will also feature "Inscription" logos on the front headrests, carpets, and handbrake lever.
UPDATE 12/15/11: Volvo has officially released the pricing details for the C70 Inscription package. If you’re interested in getting one, you’re going to need to shell out $3,900 for the opportunity to have one put into your C70. Add that to the $40,450 cost of the car itself and you’re looking at a price of around $44,350.
