Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid announced for Geneva

Volvo will be bringing the V60 plug-in hybrid to the Geneva auto show and promises to deliver the vehicle to the market next year.

Volvo is calling the V60 plug-in a "virtually production-ready car" but it isn't a concept either so the assumption is that Volvo will be releasing the model in 2012 even if it might feature slightly different specs.

But the specs on this diesel-electric V60 plug-in hybrid are impressive. Fuel consumption is 1.9 liters/100 km, CO2 emissions are below 50 g/km and the car can run up to 50 km on pure electric power alone.

The hybrid system, developed in partnership with Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall, features Volvo's D5 2.4 liter, five-cylinder diesel engine driving the front wheels with an output of 215 PS (158 kW) and 440 Nm of torque. On the rear axle is an ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) electric motor with 70 kW powered by a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Gearbox is a six-speed automatic.

"This second-generation hybrid is the perfect choice for the uncompromising buyer who wants a superbly carbon dioxide-lean car packed with driving pleasure," said Volvo Cars CEO Stefan Jacoby in the press release.