2012 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid More Photos and Details【Video】

Volvo has released more details for the V60 Plug-in Hybrid, which will debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Volvo's safety tests take place in several different stages: at component level, for whole systems and the complete car is safety-tested virtually in the computer, and physically in Volvo Cars' technically advanced crash-test centre.

2012 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid powered by five-cylinder 2.4-litre D5 turbo diesel with 215 horsepower and maximum torque of 440 Nm that drives the front wheels, and a 70HP-strong electric motor that receives its juice from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and motivates the rear wheels. The car also features a six-speed automatic transmission.

With the diesel engine driving the front wheels and the electric motor mounted at the rear axle, the V60 plug-in hybrid sprints to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds when in 'Power' mode - a full second quicker than the regular V60 using the same diesel engine.

Inside, cabin has a revised instrument cluster, Elmo leather upholstery, and a new infotainment system with a variety of hybrid-specific functions.

Volvo admits the cost of the battery pack means the purchase price of the V60 Plug-In Hybrid will be higher than a conventional internal combustion model, although it says this will be offset at least partially by the savings in fuel costs, which it predicts will be around one-third that of the standard diesel. Volvo will announce pricing closer to the vehicle’s on sale date.





Press Release

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid - a sneak preview of the production model arriving in 2012

At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Volvo Cars will be unveiling the V60 Plug-in Hybrid - a virtually production-ready car with carbon dioxide emissions below 50 g/km.
The Plug-in Hybrid, which will be launched on the market in 2012, is the result of close cooperation between Volvo Cars and Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall.

"No industry or organisation can tackle the climate challenge all by itself. It is our mission to develop carbon dioxide-lean cars, but a sustainable future must be created jointly by everyone in society. This project shows how cooperation between experts in different areas brings us closer to the transition from individually carbon dioxide-lean products to a climate-smart lifestyle," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.
In January 2007, Volvo Cars and Vattenfall launched an industrial partnership whose aim was to test and develop plug-in technology. This cross-border initiative resulted in the foundation of a jointly owned company - V2 Plug-in-Hybrid Vehicle Partnership,

Half the CO2 emissions, full driving pleasure
Development work has been jointly financed. Now the project is on the threshold of introducing the market's first diesel plug-in hybrid. It's an attractive car type that gives the user access to the very best properties of both an electric car and a diesel-powered vehicle: very low fuel consumption and CO2 levels, combined with long range and high performance.
"One important aspect of the project was to retain the Volvo V60's excellent driving pleasure, high safety standard and luxurious comfort. At the same time, average CO2 emissions and fuel consumption will be halved compared with what is available on the market today," says Stefan Jacoby, and adds:
"We're taking a giant step forward towards our "DRIVe Towards Zero" vision, that is to say the hunt for zero emissions. In fact, when the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is run solely on electricity and recharged using renewable energy, we've already reached that goal."

Cheaper fuel costs
When powered solely by electricity, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid has a range of up to 50 kilometres. The car's total operating range is up to 1200 km. Carbon dioxide emissions will be an average of 49 grams per kilometre (EU Combined) and fuel consumption will be 1.9 litres per 100 km.
The cost of the battery pack means the plug-in hybrid will be more expensive to buy than a Volvo V60 with a conventional combustion engine. On the other hand, fuel costs will be one-third compared with a conventional combustion engine. The cost of running on electricity in Sweden has been calculated at about 2.50 kronor per 10 km. The exact cost will vary from one market to another.
The plug-in hybrid can be charged via a regular household electricity socket at home or when parked somewhere else. Charging time is about five hours if the car is recharged at home.

Electric power offers a range of benefits
Electrification of the transport sector is an important step in the fight against climate change. Electricity is a highly beneficial fuel:

• An electric motor is almost four times as efficient as a regular combustion engine. This means that an electrically powered car consumes less energy and thus produces lower emissions, even if it is powered by a blend of electricity sources that include fossil fuels.
• European electricity production has an emission ceiling. This means that even if all vehicles were to run on electricity, electricity production itself is not allowed to produce more carbon dioxide. This emission ceiling will be gradually lowered over a period of time.
• Electricity is an excellent source of energy. It does not risk running out, and it can be produced virtually without any CO2 emissions. For instance, Vattenfall is working towards halving the company's emissions by 2030 and becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
• Emissions from millions of exhaust tailpipes are transferred to a small number of production facilities, which are easier to control and which will operate on the basis of the EU's trade in emission rights, something that does not apply to the transport sector at present.
• Electric vehicles use relatively little electricity and the increase in consumption will be more than covered by ambitious expansion plans for renewable energy sources throughout Europe. A single wind-power station, for instance, produces sufficient renewable energy to power 3,000 electric cars. Vattenfall will offer buyers of the plug-in hybrid a contract including electricity from renewable sources.

Rapid expansion of renewable electricity production
Electricity production is undergoing rapid expansion. Wind-power is being commercially introduced on a large scale and is continuing to expand, biofuels will replace fossil fuels on a broad front, wave-power is expected to enter commercial operation within ten years, and new technology to clean CO2 emissions from coal-fired power stations is currently under development.

At Volvo Cars, work progresses on the V60 Plug-in Hybrid in parallel with development of the Volvo C30 Electric, which runs entirely on electricity.
"These two car types complement one another. With a plug-in hybrid the driver is entirely independent of recharging stations when driving long distances. The future electric-car market will feature a mixture of both all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids," says Stefan Jacoby.
The third leg in Volvo Cars' electrification strategy is empowering the upcoming engine generation with hybrid technology.

Fenice Gold And Diamonds Fiat 500C【Video】

A Chinese businessman, who wants to remain anonymous, commissioned the Italian coach Fenice Milano a Fiat Abarth 500 C, with various elements in gold and diamonds, inspired by the prototype ‘La Dolce Vita’, presented last October.

The model was commissioned from Italian design house Fenice Milano which has labelled it "La Dolce Vita Gold and Diamonds 200hp". Even the outside of the car features 24K gold particles in the golden pearlescent white paint and there's a gold thread finish to the hood too. But that's just the beginning.

This Fenice Fiat 500C uses 24K gold on everything, from the instrument panel, to the dashboard and other trim parts.

The interior of the Fenice Fiat 500 Convertible Abarth has been decked out with teak inserts, special leather and diamonds. The console is embellished with a gold framed instrument panel and teak and 24K gold inserts dashboard, whose profiles are hand-shaped by Fenice Milano’s artisans.





Press Release

€ 500,000 for a gold and diamonds 500C commissioned to Fenice Milan and Stuart Hughes

After the great interest achieved from the presentation on the market in September 2010, Fenice Milano (www.fenicemilano.com) receives a commission from a wealthy Chinese businessman to build a special version of its "little one", which adds exclusivity and determination to the retro charm of the initial project. The new, unique model was named "La Dolce Vita Gold and Diamonds 200hp". A name that, by itself, sais it all and briefly describes the extraordinary budget that justifies a price of almost €500,000.

Further improved in performance thanks to the recently established partnership with the famous car technician Romeo Ferraris (www.romeoferraris.com) - specialized in car engine modifications and road racing since 1959 - and enriched by the installation of new electronic devices such as the prestigious "Supreme gold and diamonds Ipad" produced by the English Atelier of Stuart Hughes (www.stuarthughes.com).

The starting point for this event is the 500C Abarth, fully mechanically revised, to reach the extraordinary level of 200Hp, and whose precious finishes result in a real jewel of style and Made in Italy workmanship.

Thanks to its compact size (355cm long, 165cm wide and 149cm in height), this little jewel is ideal to comfortably move in the city, without sacrificing the luxury and exclusivity guaranteed by several inserts of precious materials, such as 24K gold and quality woods such as teak, entirely handmade by Fenice Milano's artisans. Pleasure and excitement in driving are guaranteed, due to an increase of 68hp from the original, permitted by the new ECU and exclusive use of an increased turbine entirely developed by Romeo Ferraris' Factory, combined with pipes and fittings made from scratch, as well as the complete exhaust system with 200-cells catalytic converter designed to improve engine performance. To add security, the brake system has also been completely revised, in order to balance the increased power obtained. The front axle has in fact been provided with an improved kit by Brembo equipped with adjustable dampers able to tame the exuberance of 'La Dolce Vita' and making it both safe and fun.

Inside, the redesigned steering wheel has the outer ring made of the teak and the interior one made in leather with controls in 24K gold, even the original carpet floor was replaced with teak. The console is embellished with a gold framed instrument panel and teak and 24K gold inserts dashboard, whose profiles are handshaped by Fenice Milano's artisans.

The last major innovation provided in "La Dolce Vita Gold and Diamonds 200hp" is in fact the placing in central position of an Ipad Supreme Edition made in 24k gold and diamonds by English designer Stuart Hughes, specialized in developing technological applications in precious materials. Especially designed for those who want to make the most of innovation and exclusivity in the onboard control instruments, the space for the Ipad provides a complete interaction of the device with the car, which is fitted with a GPS navigation system, a last generation hi-fi that can handle MP3 and all Ipod features and also an internet connection run by wi-fi and a appropriate sim card.

The golden pearlescent white painting includes 24K gold particles. The electric hood is provided in technical natural colored fabric with gold thread finished. The redesigned seats are also sewn with the precious material, the interior elements are full grain leather and natural-colored Alcantara with handmade on sight stitching.

Curiositiy:
The future owner wants the delivery of its new "little treat" to be made in absolute concealment, in a jewelry shop owned by a friend, as depicted in the animation video.

2012 Tesla Model S 【Video】

Tesla has released a new video that shows the Model S in action.

The North American company has divided its vehicle testing stage into two phases, Alpha and Beta, and this next video shows the Tesla Model S, which as you can notice, features a slightly modified front fascia, during the Alpha phase which began in 2010. 

The 2012 Model S is rear drive. The compact electric motor and transmission assembly — much smaller than a conventional internal combustion engine and gearbox — is mounted behind the rear axle line and under the trunk floor. More than 7,000 lithium ion battery cells are packaged in a reinforced structure that helps comprise the vehicle's floorpan. Cargo volume exceeds 30 cubic feet thanks to functional front and rear luggage areas.

As we have previously reported, the Model S is motivated by an electric motor that is powered by a 42 kWh lithium-ion battery. It enables the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, hit a top speed of 120 mph (193 km/h), and travel up to 300 miles (483 km) on a single charge.

K-PAX Racing unveils Volvo S60 Race Car

Motorward K-PAX Racing released the first image of their new Volvo race car for the 2011 World Challenge GT based on the S60 model.

With the series set to get underway at St. Petersburg, Fla., in late March, the new cars won’t debut until April at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. Until then we’ll have to settle with a teaser of the 2011 S60 model.

The Volvo S60 that K-PAX will be competing with in the World Challenge was redesigned for 2011. A new model is being offered for 2012 – the T5 version. The standard model is a T6 with all-wheel drive. The new S60 T5, propelled by a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, puts out 250 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft. of torque available at just 1,800 rpm. Coupled with its lighter weight as a front-drive model, the T5 is capable of 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.8 seconds, compared to 5.8 seconds for its more potent T6 sibling.

The S60 race machine will come with multiple aerodynamic tweaks, with the vehicle using elements such as an aggressive front apron, a new hood that uses a massive air intake and a generously-sized rear wing.





Press Release

K-PAX Racing to Campaign New Volvo S60 in World Challenge GT in 2011

Englewood, Colo. (Feb. 14, 2011) - K-PAX Racing, the World Challenge GT Manufacturers' and Drivers' champion in 2010, will return to defend its titles in 2011 with two new Volvo S60s that reflect the car's recent redesign.

The new all-wheel-drive Volvo S60s will be introduced at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, in late April for the fourth round of the World Challenge schedule.

"For the first three races, we'll run the body style that took us to last year's championships," said Jim Haughey, Team Owner of K-PAX Racing. "Once fans see the new cars, I think they'll be very impressed."

The 2011 World Challenge season begins with two races in St. Petersburg, Fla., the weekend of March 25-27. The World Challenge is North America's top production car-based racing series. Divided into three classes (World Challenge GT, World Challenge GTS, and World Challenge Touring Car), each race features a thrilling standing start, adrenaline-filled, door-to-door action and world-class drivers.

World Challenge features cars from the world's most popular manufacturers - race-prepped versions of the cars driven on the streets. Sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing, World Challenge races at North America's premier road and temporary street courses.

For more information about World Challenge, visit http://www.world-challenge.com/.

For more information on K-PAX Racing, visit http://www.kpaxracing.com/ and follow the team on Twitter @kpaxracing.

Volvo Mean Green – World’s Fastest Hybrid Truck

Volvo Trucks has produced a unique hybrid truck powered by a standard 16-litre 700 hp engine with twin turbos, an automated I-Shift gearbox and of course an electric motor. All this adds an additional 200 horsepower and 1100 Newton metres of torque- it’s quick!

Apart from the combustion engine, the Volvo Mean Green truck also has an electric motor, which adds 200 hp and 1100 Nm to the total output of the vehicle. The massive powerplant of the Volvo Mean Green truck sends its power to the wheels via a automated I-Shift gearbox.
The Volvo Mean Green truck has to beat a world record of a 166.7 km/h two-way average speed and a top speed of 260 km/h.

Aerodynamic improvements were made using a CAD simulated wind tunnel. Designer Jonas Sandstrom spent countless our doing this, together with his very dedicated team. “The absolute elite among Volvo’s hybrid technology experts are the driving force behind the project. They are true enthusiasts, every last one of them. I’d go so far as to say that ‘Mean Green’ is the world’s fastest hybrid truck.”




Press Release

"MEAN GREEN' – THE WORLD'S FASTEST HYBRID TRUCK
Mean Green is a unique hybrid truck built by an enthusiastic team at Volvo Trucks. They plan to use it next spring to beat the world speed record for the standing kilometer and behind the wheel is Swedish truck racing ace, Boije Ovebrink.

“The absolute elite among Volvo’s hybrid technology experts are the driving force behind the project. They are true enthusiasts, every last one of them. I’d go so far as to say that ‘Mean Green’ is the world’s fastest hybrid truck,” says Ovebrink.

To understand how he can make this claim with such confidence, we need to rewind to November 2007. Ovebrink had just beaten his own standing kilometre record from 2001 for trucks with a maximum displacement of 16 litres. He achieved this by reaching an average speed of 158.829 km/h with his red Volvo NH16 - a.k.a. ‘The Wild Viking’. After winning he met Staffan Jufors, President and CEO of Volvo Trucks, who asked him, “Do you plan to sit down and twiddle your thumbs now, enjoying the fame that comes with being world champion or do you have any new ideas?” Ovebrink replied: “I’d like to build the world’s fastest hybrid truck.”

“The idea met with approval, but at the time I had no idea about the fantastic technology Volvo had in the pipeline,” he recalls.

Planning for the hybrid got under way, but suddenly, however, a Czech truck racing team claimed they had beaten Ovebrink’s record. Order had to be restored, so that spring, Volvo engineer Olof Johansson got down to some serious work. He started building a truck that could retake the record, but that could also be reconfigured for the planned racing hybrid driveline. That truck is now called ‘Mean Green’. But the team decided not to install the hybrid driveline straight away.

“I started building the truck from two half frames that had been earmarked for the scrap yard and the American VN cab came from a crash-tested chassis whose cab was totally intact,” he explains.

Weight reduction was absolutely crucial to setting new records. For example, the front axle was milled by experts from Volvo’s engine factory in Skövde, Sweden and reduced from 100 kgs to 57 kgs. Then the gear set for first gear was removed from the gearbox, shaving another seven kgs off.

“I slit open the wiring harnesses and removed unnecessary wiring. That slashed almost six kilos,” says Johansson.

Ovebrink was also ordered to lose weight, as he recalls, “They made me promise to lose 20 kilos and, so fa,r I’m half-way to my target.”

Designer Jonas Sandström at Volvo put in many hours with his CAD program to come up with the optimal aerodynamic shape.

“It’s important that the wind breaks away from the bodywork in the right way. Our truck differs from a Formula 1 car, for instance, in that the aerodynamic properties allow the truck to slice through the air rather than be pressed down onto the road surface,” he explains.

Just a few days before the assault on the record, it was announced that FIA, the international motorsport organisation, had disallowed the Czech team’s result. Still, there was no need to cancel the planned attempt on the record. Ovebrink and the Volvo team were aiming to further improve on the 2007 record - and on June 9th 2010 they did just that. The new world record for the standing kilometre was set at a two-way average speed of 166.7 km/h. Top speed was in the region of 260 km/h.

Once this was achieved, focus reverted to what the entire project had been about from the very outset.

“Olof immediately went on the offensive. The very same day the new record was set; he pulled out his toolbox and started modifying the truck to build what we see today – a thoroughbred hybrid.”

The truck already had a standard Volvo 16-litre 700 hp engine with equipment including twin turbos from Volvo Penta. It was a powerplant delivering a massive 1900 horsepower. The truck retained that unit. However, the lightened Powertronic auto-shifter was replaced with a modified version of Volvo’s automated I-Shift gearbox so that the transmission could interact with the component that makes ‘Mean Green’ a hybrid – its electric motor.

“This gives an additional 200 horsepower and 1100 Newton metres of torque. The result is a lightning-speed boost from start-off without any of the customary diesel-engine ‘lag’. It’s like a champagne cork, but without the sound effects. For the first couple of seconds, the truck just makes a slight whistle until the diesel engine, which runs on renewable liquid rosin diesel, starts delivering with explosive force – by which time the truck is already doing 60 km/h and I can engage ninth gear,” explains Ovebrink.

So, when is ‘Mean Green’ going to make its bid for the standing kilometre record ? “This November we’ll test race it at Volvo’s Hällered proving ground to see what it’s capable of. Then, as soon as the winter snows disappear early next spring, we’ll set our record.” says Ovebrink, confidently.

Volvo Concept Truck 2020

Swedish manufacturer Volvo Trucks recently unveiled the Volvo Concept Truck 2020 design concept, The Volvo Concept Truck 2020 displays a long distance vehicle, which can be combined in length, equipped with autopilot. The Volvo Concept Truck 2020 will be able to drive non-stop in nose-to-tail convoys that run at 90 km/h (56 mph) while the cars communicate with each other via a wireless connection.

Moving on to driver’s comfort, the driver’s seat looks more like a modern office chair with a thin ventilated mesh backrest. Behind the driver seat you will find a futon sofa which can be turned into a wide comfortable bed. The luxury experience is further complemented by the customizable lighting that can be changed as per in-cab tasks or resting. The driver may also control the privacy screening and blackout electronically.

Outside, the concept truck features LED headlamps and turn indicators that are integrated into the front of the vehicle. The rear-view mirrors have been replaced by cameras, while images are projected onto the inside of the windscreen.

The Concept Truck 2020 has rear-view cameras that project an image onto the inside of the windscreen and helps the driver to orientate better, LED headlamps and indicators, and collision protection panels on the truck's nose.




Press Release

TRUCKS OF THE FUTURE; CLOSER TO REALITY THAN YOU THINK

Progress is getting ever faster. In just ten years' time trucks are going to be a lot different to those of today. At least that is according to Rikard Orell, Design Director at Volvo Truck Corporation and one of the brains behind Concept Truck 2020, the Volvo Truck Corporation's bold vision for the future.

Long distance haulage for the future: long combinations, controlled by autopilot, driven non-stop in nose-to-tail convoys on green super-motorways linking the continents.

This is the vision of the future that generated the ideas behind the Volvo Concept Truck 2020 design concept. But will it really look like this in just ten years?

"That is the whole point," says Rikard Orell Design Director at Volvo Trucks. "Progress is getting ever faster. Because of this our vision for the future is not that far away. Much of the technology in the Volvo Concept Truck 2020 is already available; other technology needs to be developed. One needs to dare to stride firmly into the debate, demonstrating what one can and will do. Just tinkering at the edges runs the risk of progress slipping away."

Safer and more efficient commercial transport

As road transport expands it must also become safer and more efficient. Volvo's design concept contains ideas about how that can be achieved. Some of these ideas can be integrated into production today, while others are there to arouse interest and start a discussion.

One of the more startling ideas is to link vehicles together wirelessly into long road-trains that rush across the continents at 90 km/h (56 mph).

"This will be possible when the transport sector's vision of green corridors becomes reality," says Rikard Orell. "Here heavy goods vehicles are separated from other traffic, driving in their own lanes, rather like a railway, but without the rails."

There are many advantages. Road safety increases, transport services require less space and wear and tear on the roads decreases. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions drop thanks to reduced drag when a truck is in the slipstream of the vehicle in front. In addition the driver can rest behind the wheel while the truck effectively drives itself. If this is counted as idle time, transport times can be cut, deliveries will be made more quickly and drivers can get back to their friends and families earlier.

Spacious and airy driver environment

The driver is at the centre of Volvo's world. It goes without saying that a design concept from Volvo Trucks contains a great many ideas about the development of the driver environment. In the Volvo Concept Truck 2020 the driver's environment is spacious, airy and free of disruption.

"We have replaced the traditional dashboard with a thin film panel on which information is tailored to suit the driver," says Rikard Orell. "The panel is operated like a touchpad, just like an iPhone. We have saved a lot of space that way."

Another space-saving idea is the sleek driver's seat with its thin, ventilated mesh backrest, more like a modern office chair than a traditional driver's seat. Behind the driver is a futon sofa which folds out into a wide, comfortable bed in the evening.

The lighting in the cab is divided into zones customised for the driver's various in-cab tasks, or for resting. Around the driver are large areas of glass providing good visibility out of the vehicle and even into it. This benefits eye contact between the driver and other road users preventing accidents. Privacy screening and blackout in the evening are also controlled electronically.

Aerodynamic collision protection

The design team also aimed for a sleek look for the exterior, reducing the perception of the vehicle's size. The LED headlamps and indicators are integrated into the front of the vehicle. The rear-view mirrors have been replaced by cameras that project their images onto the inside of the windscreen.

The lower section of the front of the vehicle features integrated collision protection projecting forwards about half a metre. This ‘nose' is gentler on oncoming cars in the event of a head-on collision and has also been shown to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

As Rikard Orell points out, "Because the nose is a safety function, our starting point has been that it does not count as part of the maximum permitted vehicle length, just as rear-view mirrors today are outside the maximum permitted width."

Some things you just do not change. The ‘Globetrotter' sign on the roof is still there, but has been redesigned so that it harmonises with the lines of the vehicle and reduces drag. The driver can also change the text on the sign from the instrument panel.

The rear end is the next stage

So work on the external design focuses largely on aerodynamics, but by how much is it really possible to reduce drag on a truck ?

"We have come so far with the front of the vehicle that further changes to the basic shape provide only marginal improvements," says Rikard Orell. "However, a lot will happen when we start work on the design of the rear end of the vehicle. There is a great deal of untapped aerodynamic potential there."