Auto Vehicle

Volvo First Serial Production Of A Diesel Plug in Hybrid

In model year 2014 Volvo wants to set the volume for the V60 Plug-in Hybrid to 4,000 to 6,000 units per year

From now on the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the assembly line. The installation of the worlds first diesel plug-in hybrid is built at the Volvo headquarters in Gothenburg Torslanda into the existing production line.

The production of the so-called Pure Limited Edition, which is limited to 1,000 units, is carried out on a band with other vehicles, the Volvo brand. With the beginning of the model year 2014, the start of production is scheduled for the spring of 2013, Volvo is increasing the volumes for the Volvo V60 Plug-in hybrid then to 4,000 to 6,000 units per year. The V60 develops 215 hp (158 kW) + 70 hp (51 kW). The maximum torque of 440 + 200 Nm. According to the manufacturer, the fuel consumption (combined) at 1.8 l/100 km lie.

The plug-in hybrid technology includes two complete drive units and a powerful battery that allows up to 50 kilometers purely electric driving. "We are the first car manufacturer, which has managed the production of a plug-in hybrid to integrate into an existing production with other models," says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development. "The integration into the ongoing production process enables buyers of hybrid models to access all configuration options that are available for the conventional diesel and gasoline vehicles in the Volvo V60."

More than 300 additional parts

The extensive number of necessary equipment and system components in the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid necessitated the conversion and modification of various sections of the production line. This adjustment allows the compared to the conventional Volvo V60 integrate more than 300 additional parts in the plug-in hybrid in the production process.

The V60 develops 215 hp (158 kW) + 70 hp (51 kW). The maximum torque of 440 + 200 Nm. According to the manufacturer, the fuel consumption (combined) at 1.8 l/100 km lie

Examples of integrated production process:

• The electric motor and its drive shaft is mounted in the same production area as the final drive of the standard all-wheel models.
• The installation of the cooling system and high-voltage cable is made at the same assembly station, which is also used for the drive unit of the vehicle and part of the body.
• The battery is lifted with the narrow side forward through a hatch into the vehicle. Then it is rotated by 90 degrees in the interior. The process takes 60 seconds and is performed with a tolerance range of less than 20 millimeters.

Rising demand

The series production of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the result of close cooperation between Volvo Car Corporation and which is also based in Sweden energy supplier Vattenfall. The companies have jointly funded the development. "The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is a unique vehicle - its series production is not only for Volvo, but for the entire automotive industry, a historic step. The first 1,000 units of Pure Limited Edition were sold before the car ever comes into the exhibition rooms of the Volvo dealer - and the order books for the next year are filling up steadily, "says Peter Mertens.