Wiesmann Roadster

Wiesmann Roadster

Wiesmann Roadster

The Wiesmann-Roadster which is manufactured since 1993, has been adapted permanently to the latest technical development. It's a dynamic and powerful sports car, made for convertible enthusiasts, taking its very own market position, supported by an ever growing fan community. The Wiesmann brand is established.

In succeeding years the Wiesmann-Roadster has been continuously developed and kept up-to-date with engineering progress. With almost 500 examples now having been built, a quality of finish has now been achieved which is unequalled among comparable small-scale manufacturers.

In 2003, on the 10th anniversary of the factory, Wiesmann gave the models a facelift: from the 300th. Roadster, all vehicles leaving the factory had a number of optical and technical detail alterations. The classic shape of the car body, which became very successful and is particularly loved by Wiesmann customers, retained unchanged. Improvements to the interior and modest alterations to the Roadster's external appearance were signs of the continued logical development of the vehicle concept.

Additional options allow the customers to individualise their own hand-made dream car. Individuality is the magic word! After all, the customer wants a car that is individually equipped, tailored to his wishes, crafted to suit him and make him satisfied and happy.

The Wiesmann-Roadster is available with two powerful engines:
MF 30 - 170 kW/231 HP - 2,979 cc
MF 3 - 252 kW/343 HP - 3,246 cc
Wiesmann Roadster (2006)
2006 Wiesmann Roadster

Even though the performance of the normally-fitted engine with 3 litres and 231 HP (achieving a power-weight ratio of 4.67 kg/HP) is adequate for a sports car, this was not always sufficient to fulfil all our customers' wishes for engine performance. This culminated in the offer of a further engine from the BMW stable, the M engine from the 3-series.

The driving qualities of the Roadsters with this engine, with its output of 343 HP and 365 Nm (resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of the car at its empty weight of 1,180 kg of 3.44 kg/HP) combined with a sequential manual 6-speed gearbox are driven to the very peak of driving enjoyment.

The extension of standard equipment covers the following new features:

Standard equipment

+ BMW M3-Motor 252 kW/ 343 HP and 365 Nm
+ Dynamics switch (throttle valve control selectable sporty/ comfortable)
+ New design of the rear light-clusters and the front flashers
+ Additional side blinkers in the sills
+ Redesigned door-lock
+ New switch design in the central console
+ New control lights display
+ New design for the instrument panel
+ Interior improvements with leather elements in cross-stitch pattern

Special equipment available at an extra price

+ Sequential 6-speed gearbox (SMG II) with switch on the steering wheel (2 driving modes: manual gear-change with steering wheel switch or with the gear stick; automatic mode)
+ Drivelogic (6 different driving programmes for comfortable driving through to sporty driving)
+ Acceleration assistant (for optimum vehicle acceleration at sports car racing level)
+ Control light display with gear indicator
+ DSC Dynamic Stability control (manual cut-out)
+ Modification of the front lighting units (additional xenon or H7 headlights)
+ Wider wheels (255/30 on 9.5x19" front, 295/30 on 11x19" rear)

The optical and aerodynamic developments, in combination with the modified standard equipment and great variety of individual possibilities, once again enhanced the attractiveness of the Wiesmann-Roadster.

Base price:
Wiesmann Roadster MF 30 € 91.000 incl. VAT
Wiesmann Roadster MF 3 € 96.000 incl. VAT

Volvo You Concept

Volvo You Concept

Volvo You Concept

Following on from the reveal of the Volvo Universe Concept earlier in 2011, the Frankfurt Motorshow marks the debut of an evolution to the Universe Concept - Volvo You Concept - and gives another insight into Volvo Cars future. Both concept cars are being used as design studies to obtain input from the global car buying public to find the ultimate design of the next large sedan from Volvo.

"Volvo You Concept gives a good indication of what you can expect from our next large sedan. The blend of contemporary Scandinavian design, exquisite craftsmanship and intuitive technology will appeal to luxury car buyers all over the world," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.

The Volvo You Concept, combines a sleek coupé-like exterior with a luxurious high-tech interior that keeps the driver in command via intuitive smart pad technology. Volvo You Concept's luxurious interior gives luxury sedan customers a full experience of the craftsmanship and intuitive technology that will be the hallmark of future Volvos.

Global Feedback

The company has collected global feedback on Universe Concept, both through surveys and by closely monitoring social media comments.

"The most valuable input has been used in the development of the Volvo You Concept. This car features a more daring, coupé -like profile than the Universe Concept, while the front moves towards a more classic Volvo look," explains Peter Horbury, Vice President Design at Volvo Car Corporation.
Volvo You Concept (2011)
2011 Volvo You Concept

He added, "The fastback profile mirrors a strong trend among European buyers. With growing signs that Chinese "taste buds" are moving rapidly in the same direction, our main aim is to explore how daring our next large sedan should be in order to be a global success. We are very eager to hear what people think about the Volvo You Concept."

Cars Designed Around People

Volvo Car Corporation's strategy is to achieve profitable growth by being a truly global company with products designed around customers' needs and lifestyle.

"With our hearts in Sweden and our eyes and ears all over the world, we intend to be the brand that best interprets what buyers of modern luxury cars want," says Stefan Jacoby. He adds:

"The Volvo You Concept reflects how people's perception of luxury is moving beyond the traditional perspective. There is a growing appreciation for the ingenious blend of elegant design, superior craftsmanship and smart technology."

Several aspects of the new strategy

The Volvo You Concept radiates several aspects of Volvo Car Corporation's new, customer focused "Designed Around You" strategy:

    It is a large, luxurious sedan with a new, sculpted Scandinavian form language that also honours the sweeping, elegant lines of classic Volvo models.
    The inspiration from - and cooperation with - a number of world famous brands demonstrates the level of exquisite craftsmanship customers can expect from future Volvo models.
    The concept car reveals how Volvo's new Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) opens up dynamic design possibilities - on top of the technological and industrial advantages.
    By bringing the latest intuitive smart pad technology into the car, Volvo Car Corporation emphasises its ambition to lead the development of super-functional connectivity features in cars.

Volvo makes life less complicated and more enjoyable

Volvo Car Corporation aims to make people's lives less complicated and more enjoyable while strengthening the company's established commitment to safety and the environment.

"We will compete with the best with our special kind of luxury. Volvo's cars are intuitive and uncomplicated. Our customers don't have to give away driving pleasure to drive safely. They can be environmentally conscious and still indulge the pure joy of owning a luxury car," Stefan Jacoby concludes

Touch-control cockpit and pure craftsmanship

The luxurious interior of the Volvo You Concept features a blend of intuitive smart pad technology and first-class craftsmanship.

"The Volvo You Concept explores new territories in our search for the ultimate intuitive car that makes the owners manual a thing of the past. Smart phones and smart pads have brought mobile infotainment into a new era. Here, we use a number of touch-screens to replace buttons and controls in order to make the driver totally connected, totally in control. The technology also helps us to create a refreshingly uncluttered interior," explains Peter Horbury.

The Volvo You Concept control centre consists of four main areas; a digital Driver Information Monitor (DIM), a head-up display on the windscreen, a touch-screen in the upper part of the centre console and a touch-screen between the two individual rear seats. The wood/leather steering wheel has aluminium and glass paddles with integrated touch-screens.

The touch-screen in the upper part of the centre console remains in sleep mode until the driver looks at it. A hidden infrared camera registers the eye movements and information is displayed on the screen.

Another sensor registers hand movements and triggers the Infotainment system's control mode. The possibilities vary depending on whether the screen is approached by the driver or by the front passenger.

"Certain functions, such as surfing the Web, are only accessible from the passenger side while the car is rolling. The technology knows who is the present operator and adapts itself automatically," says Peter Horbury.

The driver can "flip" data from the central touch-screen to the head-up display and can exchange data with the rear passengers. A light guide in the free-floating centre console indicates file transfer.

Unique air-powered sound system

The Infotainment system also integrates a high-end sound system from Alpine. It features the unique "FreshAir" subwoofer - a not yet released technology that uses the air outside the car to create the ultimate listening experience.

The sound system consists of small, optimised units that considerably cut weight - while still producing a better sound than today's systems.

Comfortable and cultivated

The interior is dedicated to offer design-driven customers a comfortable, cultivated, Scandinavian inspired environment that is also user-focused and refreshingly uncomplicated. Every detail has been chosen with the customer experience in focus.

The interior is driver-orientated at the front and comfortably relaxed in the rear. The dark colour scheme in the front seats fades seamlessly towards the rear until it fully transforms into a light rear seating area. The interior moulds into the rear seat and becomes part of the seating environment.

Volvo Car Corporation has partnered with several other famous brands in order to create a genuine feeling of luxury with the right Scandinavian touch.

Leather, suede and suit fabric

The four individual seats blend chrome-free leather from Bridge of Wear with Dinamica ecological suede. The off-black front seats have suede in the centre to create optimal grip. The soft beige rear seats are designed for pure comfort with leather in the centre and suede on the sides.

The Volvo You Concept design also integrates the luxurious qualities of a tailor made suit into the car. The back of the front seats and the door panels feature exclusive Italian fabric and designs from Swedish fashion house Oscar Jacobson.

The designers have also been generous with large, handcrafted pieces of walnut - accompanied by leather panels, Dinamica suede roof lining and carefully chosen aluminium details.

Hand-tufted wool carpets

The wooden floor, which echoes Scandinavian homes, is covered with a specially designed hand-tufted carpet from world-famous Swedish brand Kasthall. Just like the rest of the interior, it fades from dark in the front to light in the rear. The front texture has a sporty firmness, while the rear part of the carpet is luxuriously soft.

Inspiration from Georg Jensen

The Volvo You Concept is finished in a light blue, liquid metal paint from DuPont. The ventilated disc brakes are developed by Volvo's racing specialists Polestar.

The car's fastback silhouette is emphasised by the 21-inch polished aluminium wheels with a twisted twin-spoke design and tyres from Pirelli (275/30/21).

Up front, the Volvo You Concept grille - which has a more classic appearance than the Universe Concept - features details with the same beautifully polished craftsmanship.

"The design of the wheels, the grille and details in the innovative headlamps have been inspired by the exquisite works of world-famous Danish design house Georg Jensen. Their precious items capture the essence of Scandinavian design. Uncluttered, organic surfaces and superb craftsmanship that radiate timeless luxury," says Peter Horbury. He adds:

"This eternal beauty of Georg Jensen design is what we are aiming for with the whole concept car. Just like the finest luxury goods, this design should feel handcrafted and durable enough to stand the test of time."

mini cooper

Bentley Brooklands

Bentley Brooklands

Bentley Brooklands

The Bentley Brooklands is a stunning new model that marks the company's return to the luxury coupé market and reaffirms its reputation as creator of the world's most exclusive coupés. It is the ultimate Bentley: a stylish, four-seat, grand touring coupe with classic British proportions and muscular performance.

Bentley's chairman Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen describes the motivation behind the new coupé: "Bentley's proud sporting pedigree, forged by the exploits of the immortal 'Bentley Boys' on the famous Brooklands racetrack in the 1920s, was the inspiration for our new coupé, capturing all the style, power and splendour of that era."

Sporting design cues are matched by the phenomenal performance engineering of Bentley's legendary Crewe-built V8 engine. The new Bentley Brooklands possesses the most powerful V8 the company has ever produced - a 530bhp, twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre unit that also produces a prodigious 1050Nm of torque.

Each Bentley Brooklands coupé will be hand-assembled, employing traditional coach-building techniques and the craftsmanship skills in wood veneer and leather hide for which Bentley is renowned. To ensure exclusivity, lifetime production will be strictly limited to just 550 cars, with deliveries expected to start in the first half of 2008.

Exterior Design: Classic British Proportions

Bentley's rich coupé heritage provided the stimulus for Director of Styling, Dirk van Braeckel and his design team. For van Braeckel, the task was very clear: "To create a powerful, muscular and rakish grand touring coupé with classic British proportions, in the finest Bentley tradition."
Bentley Brooklands (2008)
2008 Bentley Brooklands

While the new Bentley Brooklands is influenced by Bentley's fine coupé lineage, its design and engineering are thoroughly contemporary. The proportions of long bonnet, short front overhang and long rear overhang achieve the design objective perfectly, while the low roofline, steeply raked screens and pillarless side glass convey both power and movement.

As the Bentley Brooklands will be built in very limited volume, the designers were able to introduce unique features that necessitate specialist coach-building techniques, as Programme Director, Ashley Wickham, reveals: "The Brooklands' beautiful flowing lines are testament to the traditional coach-building skills and craftsmanship of Crewe's highly talented workforce."

The 'floating' rear screen, for example, is a contemporary take on traditional coachbuilt Bentleys. The lower edge of the screen sits well above the upper edge of the boot lid to provide a flowing, flawless line to the back of the car. This can only be achieved by individually hand-welding the rear wings to the C-pillars.

The fitment of 20-inch diameter wheels as standard, signalling the surefooted, robust and dynamic character of the new model, reaffirms the powerful stance of the new Bentley coupé.

Interior Design: Peerless Craftsmanship with a Sporting Character

Dirk van Braeckel describes the mission for the Bentley interior design team: "To create the perfect Bentley coupé: sumptuous hand-crafted luxury with a distinctly sporting character."

As in every Bentley, peerless craftsmanship is to the fore, enhanced by the warmth and richness of the finest natural materials. To tailor for their individual requirements, customers may choose from an extensive palette of hides, veneers, carpet tones and seat belt colours.

Its four-seat architecture and deeply bolstered seats lend the Brooklands' interior a distinctly sporting atmosphere, complemented by design accents such as aluminium foot pedals and footrest. A new, single-piece, hide-trimmed roof lining flows uninterrupted from the front windscreen all the way to the rear of the car, mirroring the long, sleek profile of the elegant exterior.

The interior designers sought to offer the very highest levels of comfort and legroom, in true Bentley grand touring tradition, while the pillarless window design enhances the feeling of space.

The Bentley Brooklands' cabin is wider both front and rear than the previous Bentley Continental R coupé - the rear by 10 percent - and it easily exceeds the interior leg, knee and headroom of any luxury coupe on sale today. This allows four adults to be accommodated in supreme comfort. Individual rear seats with electrically operated sliding cushions, set further back than on the Azure, are separated by a new centre console, incorporating both storage and cup holders.

Most powerful Crewe-built V8 ever - 530bhp, 1050Nm

Beneath its muscular, rakish, coach-built body lies the most powerful Crewe-builtV8 engine ever produced, developing 530bhp. Maximum torque is an astonishing 1050Nm, the highest ever developed by a production V8 engine. Although performance figures are subject to final confirmation as part of the on-going development programme, the new Bentley coupé will deliver supercar levels of in-gear acceleration combined with Arnage refinement.

At the beginning of the project, Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board, Engineering, tasked his power train specialists to deliver an extraordinary driving experience in the Bentley coupé tradition: "Exhilarating, effortless, accessible performance for those truly passionate about their driving was our prime objective."

Launched in the Bentley S2 saloon in 1959 with a capacity of 6.23 litres, the legendary, Crewe-built V8 engine has continually evolved. The first V8 was very advanced for its time with an all-aluminium construction, a five-bearing crankshaft and a well-supported camshaft, producing nearly 200bhp and 400Nm of torque. The result was a light and supple powertrain that produced maximum torque at low engine speeds, the hallmark of every Bentley ever produced.

1969 saw the capacity grow to 6.75 litres, where it remains to this day, but by far the most significant change came in 1982, with the introduction of a turbocharger to create the near-300bhp Mulsanne Turbo, a car that transformed the image of Bentley. In 1999, the single turbo engine, by now featuring port injection and charge cooling, was installed in Arnage, with twin turbos arriving in 2002, developing up to 450bhp.

For the 2007 model Arnage, the V8 engine saw a step-change in performance and refinement which became the starting point for the new Bentley Brooklands. A re-profiled camshaft and new, low-inertia turbochargers, which operate with greater efficiency at lower engine speeds have resulted in reduced turbo lag, enhancing that prodigious wave of torque at any revs, the hallmark of a true Bentley. These changes extend the power potential of the V8 in the Arnage to 500bhp and 1000Nm of torque. For the Bentley Brooklands, further component optimisation and engine calibration ensure record power and torque levels from this hand-assembled engine.

As with the latest Arnage, the V8 engine is mated to a six-speed transmission with strengthened casing that transforms the way in which both parts of the drive train communicate. A sophisticated, locking torque converter and ESP system ensure that the driver can readily access the prodigious power. A semi-automatic function allows manual gear selection for even greater driver control.

Ferrari Enzo

Ferrari Enzo

Ferrari Enzo

Ferrari regularly produces a model that represents a synthesis of its technological knowledge and its sporting experience. The Ferrari 250 LM was the first of this type of models in 1963. It was conceived by the founder especially for the owner-driver and was deliberately designed for racing. The Ferrari GTO (1984), the Ferrari F40 (1987) and for Ferrari's fiftieth anniversary the Ferrari F50 (1995) have been the significant milestones in this journey. Each of these limited edition cars had a specific technological message that enriched the performance of the model. In 2002 Luca di Montezemolo presented the Ferrari Enzo which married four consecutive years of supremacy in the Constructor's World Championship to the technical input and fine adjustment sensitivity of the World Champion Michael Schumacher.

"The Ferrari Enzo is a historic car for Ferrari for many and various reasons. Therefore we had to chose a name with a strong symbolic significance and that was the name of the Company founder," said Montezemolo. "With an F1 gearbox, a 5998 cc V12 engine, carbon and composite materials, the Ferrari Enzo, of which 399 will be built, is the perfect synthesis of four consecutive Formula 1 Championships in the last four years. This is because it is the race track itself which has been the source of the highest level of technology characterising a unique car which is absolutely innovative and represents the quintessence of Ferrari past and present and looks to the Ferrari of the future."
Ferrari Enzo (2002)
2002 Ferrari Enzo

Calling upon this wealth of knowledge, the aim was to develop a car as an integrated system aimed at achieving extreme performance. A system where even driver performance limits could be improved through a Formula 1 man/machine interface. The new Ferrari Enzo required a special and in-depth technical collaboration with Brembo, Bridgestone, Magneti Marelli and OMR.

Brembo has been constantly developing its braking systems for Ferrari for many years. Brembo production and design capacities are demonstrated by the Brembo CCM discs made of composite ceramic material used on the new Ferrari Enzo. They are exceptionally light (providing a 30% saving in weight over similar cast iron units), they provide excellent braking efficiency in all conditions and practically never wear.

The Bridgestone Corporation is a valued Ferrari supplier, providing sporting and technical know-how for its F1 tyres. For the new Ferrari Enzo, Bridgestone has specifically developed the Potenza RE050 Scuderia. A high performance tyre able to reach speeds of over 350 km/h (218 mph), whilst maintaining road-holding limits and previously unknown driving precision.

Magneti Marelli is the leader in the production of automated manual transmission systems. A successful Formula 1 collaboration has been augmented with a partnership, established in the mid nineties to develop the electro-hydraulic gear change on the Ferrari F355 Berlinetta F1. The F1 gear change concept today extends to all new Ferrari and Maserati cars. The development of the F1 gear change for the Ferrari Enzo represented a most fascinating challenge, due to its closeness to the perennial challenge faced by the F1 single seater.

OMR (Officine Meccaniche Rezzatesi), has developed an exclusive pedal platform for the Ferrari Enzo. It features aluminium accelerator and brake pedals and has been designed to be adjustable in sixteen different positions to achieve the best driving performance and ergonomics.

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid

There are many hybrids on the market, but none of them can match the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid. The world's first diesel plug-in hybrid is Volvo Car Corporation's most technically advanced model ever - an electric car, hybrid car and muscle-car all rolled into one. At the mere touch of a button you can choose which of your three cars you want to drive at any given moment in time.

The production version of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be launched in just one colour - Electric Silver. Sales get under way at the start of 2012, and the first cars will be built in the autumn of that year.

"Our plug-in hybrid has received considerable attention since it was unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Now we're taking the next step by presenting the production model, which is graced with a distinctive profile featuring a spectacular silver colour, an exclusive interior and generous standard equipment," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.

The first 1,000 units of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid are only available in Electric Silver livery. The car is also distinguished by aero-designed 17-inch wheels, integrated exhaust tailpipes and a number of bodywork features in glossy black, such as the grille and the aerodynamic front spoiler.

The chromed "Plug-in Hybrid" emblem is found both on the lower part of the tailgate and in a smaller version on the front wings.

Exclusive interior

The interior of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid has black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and inlays of blue-grey wood. Other distinctive interior details include a leather-covered steering wheel, specially designed mats and a gear lever knob with integrated indicator.
Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid (2013)
2013 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid

The list of standard equipment includes features such as speed-dependent power steering, electrically adjustable driver's seat, parking sensors front and rear, Bluetooth phone link and Volvo on Call.

Standard is also the High Performance Multimedia DVD audio system with its 4x40 W amplifier, eight loudspeakers and seven-inch screen.

Smartphone app

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the first Volvo to be launched with an entirely digital Driver Information Monitor (DIM). The conventional analogue gauges have been replaced by a one-piece LED screen offering a large number of display options. The driver can choose which information to show via the car's menu setup.

It is also possible to communicate with the car via a mobile app. This gives the owner access to a number of smart functions such as air conditioning, pre-cooling and after-cooling, and a reminder to connect the charge cable if this has not been done by a predetermined time.

The first Volvo with the D6 badge

On the car's tailgate there is a D6 badge. The reason is that the combined performance of the five-cylinder turbodiesel and electric motor puts the car firmly within the same horsepower range as the petrol powered T6.

The front wheels of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid are powered by a five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbodiesel producing 215 hp and maximum torque is 440 Nm. The car has a six-speed automatic transmission.

The rear axle is powered by an electric motor producing 70 horsepower. The electric motor is supplied with power from an 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack installed under the floor of the load compartment.

The sophisticated and exceptionally compact battery pack consists of 10 modules each containing 20 cells. An integrated computer monitors the system and compares temperature and charge level in each of the 200 cells. The battery pack also has an integrated water-cooling system driven by the car's climate unit.

Three driving modes - three cars in one

The driver selects the required driving mode via three buttons that give the car three entirely different temperaments: Pure, Hybrid or Power.

In Pure mode the car is powered solely by its electric motor as much as possible. If the battery pack has been recharged with electricity from renewable sources, its range is up to 50 kilometres and its carbon dioxide emissions are zero. The electric range varies with terrain, climate and driving style.

Hybrid is the standard setting whenever the car is started. The diesel engine and electric motor cooperate to ensure optimal balance between driving pleasure and environmental footprint. CO2 emission (NEDC, mixed driving cycle for certification) is 49g/km, corresponding to diesel consumption of 1.9l/100km. The car has a total range of up to 1,000km.

In Power mode the technology is optimised to give the car the maximum possible power. The diesel engine and electric motor have a total power output of 215+70 horsepower and maximum torque of 440+200Nm. The electric motor's lightning-quick torque delivery contributes to the car's acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds.

Save battery power for later

The driver can choose to save battery power in order to drive on pure electricity later on, for instance in an urban green zone or in the heart of a city.

When Save is activated, the on-board system ensures that there is always sufficient charge for driving later in Pure mode. If necessary, the high-tension generator will charge the battery pack so there is sufficient capacity for driving in Pure mode.

The aim is that the Save mode should ensure there is sufficient battery power for about 20 kilometres of driving on electricity alone.

Charge at home - cooling or heating in advance

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be recharged from a regular power outlet (230V/6A, 10A or 16A) at home or in a parking lot. Recharging time varies with amperage. A full charge with 10A takes 4.5 hours. This is cut to 3.5 hours with 16A, while a 6A charge takes 7.5 hours.

It is also possible while recharging the car to heat or cool the passenger compartment to provide a more comfortable start of your journey. This also means that more battery power is used for actually propelling the car.

The pre-conditioning function can also cool the batteries. The ideal operating temperature for the battery pack is 20-30°C. This means that cooling prior to driving is very important in order to maximise battery charge and thus also range.

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid has two heating systems. In electric mode the car uses a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) air heater. The car also has a diesel-powered heater.

Better pulling power with four-wheel drive (AWD)

Pressing the AWD button activates the electrical four-wheel drive. Instead of the mechanical power transfer of conventional four-wheel drive, the central control unit distributes power between the diesel-driven front wheels and the electrically-driven rear axle. The electric four-wheel drive system has been designed to provide better grip when starting and when driving on slippery roads, for instance in snow or mud.

However, owing to the electric motor's lower power, torque to the rear wheels is limited and four-wheel drive is active up to 120 km/h.

When four-wheel drive is activated, the diesel engine operates continuously and the generator ensures that the charge level in the battery pack is sufficient to supply the rear axle with the necessary power.

Since electric four-wheel drive is only activated by the driver when necessary, it is more economical than conventional permanent four-wheel drive.

Two-stage braking system

A two-stage braking system is yet another smart feature of the Volvo Plug-in Hybrid. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the system starts braking the rear axle's electric motor. This braking energy is then used to recharge the car's battery pack.

The mechanical brakes are activated only when the situation requires more braking power than the rear axle can provide.

Immense interest suggests that the first series of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will sell out quickly

Volvo Car Corporation is on the threshold of introducing the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid - a rechargeable diesel hybrid car that is the company's most technically advanced model ever.

Production gets under way in November 2012 and the first model year's volume is limited to 1,000 cars. They will be offered with Pure Limited specifications, including the highest trim level Summum.

The indicative price of the world's first plug-in hybrid with diesel engine is starting at EUR 57,000 depending on market.

"There is immense interest from the markets. We are convinced that the first thousand cars will be sold even before production gets under way next autumn," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation. He adds:

"With the V60 Plug-in Hybrid we boost our leading position in electrification. None of our competitors can offer customers an equally ingenious car. It elevates hybrid technology to an entirely new level."

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the synthesis of close cooperation between Volvo Car Corporation and Swedish electricity supplier Vattenfall. The development project was financed jointly by the two companies.

"We are proud of launching this unique car together with Volvo. The Plug-in Hybrid confirms that electricity is the fuel for future transports," says Öystein Löseth, CEO of Vattenfall.

Nordic region the biggest market

After the initial batch of 1,000 cars for model year 2013, production of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will increase to 4,000-6,000 cars as of model year 2014.

About 30 per cent of total volume will go to Sweden and the other Nordic countries. Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Britain will have a share of between 5 and 15 per cent each.

"We expect the order books to fill very quickly. The most discerning customers have many exclusive cars to choose between. But for anyone who truly wants to be in a league of their own behind the wheel of the most ingenious car in the world, there's only our V60 Plug-in Hybrid," concludes Stefan Jacoby.

Electrifying temporary presence

In addition to other venues, the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be launched through "electrifying" temporary presence in high profile venues. They will appear in places such as Stockholm, Berlin and London. The idea is that customers should meet the car where they feel most at home.

Surveys reveal that the main target group for the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid includes customers that are eager to adopt unique new technology. The car is ideal for customers who want superior environmental performance without compromising any of the established qualities in a contemporary luxury car.

Volvo Car Corporation expects that 80 per cent of total sales will be in the form of company cars.

Starter pack from Vattenfall included

Vattenfall offers the owners of this new car a starter pack including 100 per cent renewable electricity generated by Vattenfall´s own production facilities and a wall-mounted charging station. The starter pack will be provided in Vattenfall's core markets Sweden, Germany and Netherlands.

"Neither the business world nor society can tackle climate changes single-handedly. It is Volvo Car Corporation's mission to develop cars with minimum carbon dioxide emissions, but it is up to society as a whole to create a sustainable future. This project shows how cooperation between experts in different spheres brings us closer to a changeover from individually carbon dioxide-lean products to a climate-smart lifestyle," says Stefan Jacoby.

Superior technology

From the environmental viewpoint the plug-in hybrid is totally superior to the first generation of hybrid cars, which in principle reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 15 per cent compared with the same model without hybrid power.

In hybrid mode, the large rechargeable battery pack in the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid gives 65 per cent lower carbon dioxide emissions than a conventional V60 with the same diesel engine: 49 g/km. This corresponds to fuel consumption of just 1.9 litres/100 km.

What is more, at the touch of a button the driver can choose to cover up to 50 kilometres on pure electric power - or utilise the combined capacity of the diesel engine and electric motor to create a veritable driving machine that offers 215+70 horsepower and 440+200 Nm of torque.

"It is the on-demand possibility to choose between the car's three different temperaments that makes the V60 Plug-in Hybrid superior to all other hybrids on the market. Thanks to the Pure, Hybrid and Power buttons, this car is the perfect choice for the uncompromising customer who wants minimum carbon dioxide emissions combined with maximum driving pleasure," says Stefan Jacoby.

A study of daily driving shows that most European drivers cover less than 50 kilometres a day, for instance to and from work. On longer trips, the diesel engine gives the car the same range as a conventional hybrid - but with far lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Jaguar C-X16