Volvo might be increasingly moving away from making boxes for middle England, but it hasn't forgotten how sensible it is. As soon as next year (2012) you'll be able buy a big Swedish estate that returns a staggering 150mpg.
Volvo has revealed the V60 plug-in diesel hybrid estate, which can ride on electricity alone for 32 miles and puffs out a mere 49g/km on the combined EU test cycle. That means it will be the lowest emitting car on sale in the UK.
Consequently, it will cost nothing in annual VED, and nor will Boris want anything if you decide to jaunt into the London Congestion Zone.
Peugeot will get the first diesel hybrid to market later this year in the 3008 crossover (with 99g/km), but this plug-in car means that, in theory, drivers need never tap into the diesel tank.
Volvo claims that "the majority of all European drivers cover less than 32 miles a day." The V60 takes five hours to charge from a regular three-pin socket.
The tank range is around 750 miles - enough to get from London to Munich - yet it will hit 62mph in 6.9 seconds.
No prices have been announced as yet, but Volvo has already conceded that it will cost more than a conventionally engined V60. It debuts at the
Geneva Motor Show.
Mark Nichol - 21 Feb 2011
