The super-efficient Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid – one of the best-selling hybrid-electrified vehicles in Europe in 2013 – is now also available in Volvo Cars’ R-Design specification.
The V60 Plug-in Hybrid R-Design is available from £51,675 (excl £5000 Plug-In Car Grant) on-the-road in the UK and can be ordered now, with expected deliveries from August 2014.
The V60 Plug-in Hybrid R-Design features a number of unique interior and exterior features that create a sporty presence. The exterior blends the Plug-in Hybrid identification with the R-Design front bumper and grille, rear diffuser and 18-inch Ixion wheels.
“We sold almost 8,000 plug-in hybrids in 2013. Adding the R-Design dynamic attributes to the V60 Plug-in Hybrid – the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid – will further broaden its appeal. The customer gets segment-topping performance combined with outstanding efficiency,” says Alain Visser, Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Car Group.
Inside, the car comes with a full R-Design interior, featuring sports seats as standard with a blend of black nubuck textile and perforated leather. Amongst the other unique R-Design features, it also includes sports pedals, sports floor mats and charcoal headlining. The car retains the special plug-in hybrid instrumentation and information.
Also fitted as standard on all PHEVs is Volvo’s telematic system, Volvo On Call. This system allows users to use a free mobile app to access a number of functions and keeps the driver in constant contact with the vehicle, no matter where he/she is.
The front wheels of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid are powered by a five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbodiesel producing 215 hp and 440 Nm of torque. The car has a six-speed automatic transmission.
The rear axle is powered by an electric motor producing 70 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque. It is supplied with power from an 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack installed under the floor of the load compartment.
The driver selects the required driving mode via three buttons that give the car three entirely different temperaments: Pure, Hybrid or Power.
In the default hybrid mode, the carbon dioxide emissions are down to just 48g/km. This corresponds to fuel consumption of 155.2 mpg or 1.8 litres/100 km (NEDC certification driving cycle for hybrids).
What is more, at the touch of a button the driver can choose to cover up to 31 miles on pure electric power – or utilise the combined capacity of the diesel engine and electric motor to create a veritable driving machine that offers 215+70 horsepower and 440+200 Nm of torque.[wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]