2012 NAIAS: Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid
Sweden’s lone surviving auto brand chose to highlight a new plug-in hybrid concept vehicle called the XC60 Plug-in-Hybrid. While the vehicle looks like a conventional XC60, the SUV utilizes a 280 hp turbo four with an electric motor. The XC60 has three drive modes. One mode runs exclusively off of electric power, the next is a fuel saving hybrid mode, and the last is a performance hybrid mode with a combined 350 hp.
Volvo claims a 600 mile range when the efficiency mode is engaged and anticipates an ambitious 35 miles in electric-only mode. Understanding that many customers have been scared from electrified propulsion due to media-induced hysteria, Volvo went to great pains to explain the safety precautions engineered into their plug-in-hybrid systems. There are currently no plans to produce the XC60 Plug-in-hybrid, though Volvo officials were eager to point out that they covet consumers’ feedback on the concept.
Photos by Jason Muxlow
