V60

Make
Volvo
Segment
Wagon

Unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show, Volvo's V60 diesel-electric plug-in hybrid is set to go on sale in Europe early next year, but sadly there are no immediate plans for it to head stateside. As the world's first plug-in hybrid station wagon, there is perhaps an element of trepidation to the Swedish automaker's decision to limit the scope of its sale. However if sales exceed expectations there's a chance a gasoline-makeover could be introduced to the US market.

With a 2.4-liter inline 5-cylinder diesel engine producing 215hp and 324lb-ft of torque there is plenty of power here, which is enhanced to 285hp and 487lb-ft of torque when combined with the electric motor charged by a 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack. A rather swift hybrid acceleration of 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds is the result. Other interesting features that we won't get to enjoy include being able to input the distance of an intended journey into the car's computer in order to determine the best route and best use of diesel and/or electric power to achieve high fuel efficiency, and a relatively quick battery charge using typical home sockets.