Volvo Cars unveils new V60 D5

VOLVO Cars has unveiled a D5 twin engine special edition of its bestselling V60 twin engine plug-in hybrid. The new car will take the established Volvo cars plug-in hybrid solution to a wider audience.

The Volvo V60 D5 twin engine will deliver 120kW through the combustion engine and about 50kW from its 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack using the same proven configuration used in the V60 D6 twin engine. This translates to a maximum driveline power output of approximately 171kW when the electric motor and diesel engine are working simultaneously.

The special edition is delivered with crystal hhite exterior paint, 19-inch wheels and glossy black exterior detailing. Inside, the car is equipped with a black headliner and piano black trim. The Volvo V60 D5 special edition will also feature the unique blond sport seat upholstery with decorative white stitching as seen in the Volvo ocean race editions.

Just 500 examples of the special edition model will be built, while a regular Volvo V60 D5 twin engine will be more widely available later this year.

Twin engine technology is Volvo’s name for hybrid powertrain innovation, as a part of the drive-E powertrain programme. It represents Volvo’s commitment to maximising driving pleasure while minimising both cost of ownership for the driver and environmental impact and maintaining its lead in hybrid powertrain innovation.

As with the V60 D6 twin engine, the D5 comes with several drive modes that deliver three entirely different driving experiences: Pure, Hybrid and Power.

In Pure mode, the car is powered solely by its electric motor as much as possible. The range is up to 50km.

Hybrid is the standard setting whenever the car is started. The diesel engine and electric motor cooperate to achieve CO² emissions of 48g/km.

In Power mode, the technology is optimised to give the car the maximum possible power. The diesel engine and electric motor combine to deliver a total power output of 171kW and maximum torque of over 600Nm. The driver can choose to save battery power in order to drive on pure electricity later on, for instance in an urban green zone or in the heart of a city.

The Volvo V60 twin engine can be recharged from a regular power outlet at home or in a parking lot. Recharging time varies with amperage. A full charge with 10A takes 4.5 hours. This is cut to 3.5 hours with 16A, while a 6A charge takes 7.5 hours.

The Volvo V60 twin engine will not be sold in South Africa, however the Volvo XC90 twin engine T8 will be the first hybrid to be sold locally when it goes on sale in South Africa later this year.