Geely Group’s Volvo Cars is ramping up production of its V60 plug-in diesel hybrid by 90% to cope with strong demand across Europe, particularly in Holland, Belgium and Italy.
This will push plug-in hybrid production at the Torslanda plant from 150 to 282 units a week. The automaker will produce 7,600 this year and is targeting 10,000 in 2014.
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Research and development chief Peter Mertens said: “We are exceptionally pleased that the plug-in hybrid has received such a fantastic reception. However, I am not surprised. It is a unique car, superior to all other hybrids on the market and we have the flexibility to quickly adapt to the increasing demand.”
The V60’s driving mode can be selected via three buttons on the dashboard that gives the car three entirely different temperaments: pure, hybrid or power.
In the default hybrid mode, the carbon dioxide emissions are just 48g/km. At the touch of a button, the driver can also choose to cover up to 31 miles on pure electric power – or use the combined capacity of the diesel engine and electric motor with 215+70hp and 440+200 Nm of torque.
The plug-in is the result of close cooperation with Swedish electricity supplier Vattenfall which jointly financed the project with Volvo.
