Making history with world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid, Volvo Car is now ramping up production of the new V60 plug-in hybrid ahead of first customer deliveries in early 2013.
After the initial batch of 1,000 model year 2013 cars, production will increase to 4,000-6,000 cars from model year 2014.
The assembly of the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid has been successfully integrated on the same production line as the regular powered V60, V70, XC70, S80 and XC90 models at the Torslanda plant in Gothenburg.
This is a remarkable achievement considering the sophisticated plug-in hybrid technology includes two complete drive trains and a powerful battery that provides a range of up to 32 miles on pure electric power.
“We are first in the industry to integrate a plug-in hybrid in an established production flow together with other car models,” says Peter Mertens, senior vice president of research and development at Volvo Car Corporation. “The integration in the standard production flow gives the plug-in hybrid buyer the possibility to choose in principle all options available for the standard V60.”
All the additional equipment and additional systems in the plug-in hybrid have led to parts of the final assembly line being rebuilt and modified. The adaption makes it possible to smoothly integrate the assembly of over 300 more parts that are included in the plug-in hybrid compared to an equivalent V60.
“The V60 plug-in hybrid is a unique car, a historic step, not only for Volvo Car Corporation, but for the entire car industry. The first year’s 1,000-car batch has sold out even before the car has reached the showrooms and the order books for next year’s cars are already filling up,” concludes Mertens.
Meanwhile, Volvo's new V40 has been named Continental Irish Compact Family Car of the Year at the 2013 Continental Irish Car of the Year Awards.
The Volvo V40, launched earlier this year, has been an instant hit with its fresh Scandinavian design, innovative safety features and exciting driving dynamics.
The V40 is available from €26,995 and with class-leading CO2 emissions of 94g/km.
The V40's standard-fit, world's first pedestrian airbag, combined with Volvo's established city safety and pedestrian detection technology earned it recognition as the Continental Irish Compact Family Car of the Year 2013. Designed to help cushion the impact of a pedestrian hitting the vehicle by lifting the bonnet to create an extra deformation zone, fully inflating the airbag and covering the lower parts of the a-pillar and bottom third of the windscreen, all within a few milliseconds of the impact. The pedestrian airbag has also contributed towards the V40 receiving the highest ever recorded score by Euro NCAP.
Volvo V40 range specification has also been enhanced by the addition of Bluetooth and high performance audio now standard equipment across all three body styles.
