Brian Joss –
Volvo Cars unveiled its new V60 D5 Twin Engine Special Edition at the Geneva Motor Show this week and just 500 cars will be sold, but not in South Africa.
However, the V60 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid which was also on display will be and it will take the established plug-in hybrid solution to a wider audience, Volvo said.
“We were the first car maker to develop and produce a diesel-based plug-in hybrid powertrain with the launch of the Volvo V60 D6 in 2012. Since then we have been working on further refining our innovative approach to electrification and hybrid powertrains, as can be seen in our new Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine which is just entering full-scale production. With the launch of the V60 D5 Twin Engine Special Edition we are broadening our Twin Engine product range,” said Dr Thomas Müller, vice president electrical and electronics systems engineering at Volvo Car Group.
The Volvo V60 D5 Twin Engine will deliver 120kW via the combustion engine and about 50 kW from its 11.2 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack with the same 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.
“We decided to offer a special edition of the V60 D5 Twin Engine to celebrate the growing success and continued roll-out of our Twin Engine product range, “ Dr Müller said. The Special Edition is delivered with Crystal White 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 XC90 Twin Engine T8, however, will be Volvo’s first hybrid to go on sale in South Africa later this year.
