Volvo VEA Engines Enter Production

Volvo’s innovative new VEA 4-cylinder engine is officially in production, according to reports out of Sweden, with the first production examples expected to power 2014 models arriving in European Volvo showrooms later this summer.

We covered the new VEA (for “Volvo Engine Architecture”) in broad strokes when we talked about the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept, and in detail when we covered the i-ART diesels a few weeks ago. As we discussed then, Volvo’s VEA engine family is part of a sweeping bid to regain some of the market share and relevance the company lost when it was spun-off from Ford (and, afterwards, “saved” by Chinese firm, Geely).

According to Volvo, the new family of 4 cyl. gas and diesel engines, which share more than 60% of their components, will work in concert with innovative driveline electrification. Hybrids with the company’s upcoming KERS-like flywheel hybrid systems) to eventually replace the eight engine architectures currently in use across their eight vehicle platforms.

Source: Volvo, via CarScoop.

Up Close and Personal with the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid - VIDEO

Volvo’s XC60 plug-in hybrid “concept” was built to explore America’s reactions to a hybrid Volvo. The company has been developing its “green” technology for years in Europe, with stop-start technology,fully electric sporty coupes, and what the company calls a “world’s first” diesel-electric hybrid in series production – not to mention a number of prototypes running around fitted with advanced flywheel KERS systems – but those advanced cars may not be right for the US market, according to Volvo’s CEO.

According to Volvo, the US market wants a gasoline hybrid. “The gasoline plug-in hybrid is ideal for the American motorist who wants an electric car while, at the same time, retaining all the power and capacity that comes in his or her present vehicle.”

OK, then!

Despite rumors suggesting that some of the 6000 diesel Volvos getting built this year may make it to this side of the Pond as 2014 models, development of Volvos gasoline-electric hybrids continues. This XC60 (which shares much of its chassis with the S60 sedan and upcoming V60 wagon) combines a new 280 HP turbocharged 4-cylinder engine based on Volvo’s modular “VEA” platform with a 70 HP electric motor mounted at the rear of the car. With 350 combined HP and 100% of the electric motor’s torque applied to the rear wheels at launch, the XC60 plug-in can scoot to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds (3 tenths quicker than Porsche’s Cayenne S Hybrid), all while giving back an estimated 50 MPG using the EPA’s certification standards.

Of course, the XC60 plug-in hybrid can be driven in “Pure” mode as a ZEV electric. In that mode, the car has a 35 mile range – good for most people’s commutes and following the same type of thinking behind the Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius plug-ins.

You’re still thinking about that 5.8-second run, right? I am, too. You can check out Volvo’s official promo video, below …

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… and, if you’re in Chicago, head over to the grand re-opening of the “landmark” Volvo Oak Park dealership this Thursday night to get a first-hand look at Volvo’s 2014 plans for the US market.

Source: Green Car Reports

Volvo Rules-out “Quirky” Electric Cars

Despite what the company’s leadership in commercial hybrids, road-ready KERS systems, stop-start technology, and upcoming plug-in model line-up might lead you to believe, Volvo’s new leadership clearly doesn’t believe dedicated electric car designs like Nissan’s Leaf or Tesla’s Model S are the way forward. “(Volvo) customers don’t want quirky electric vehicles,” explains Peter Mertens, head of Research and Development at Volvo. “Our electric vehicles will be in existing models.”

So, no new ‘lectric P1800-esque retro coupe, then? I can live with that, especially if Volvo keeps pushing out cars like the slinky, sexy, and forbidden S40 hybrid diesel fruit (shown) or the rally-stage-stylish XC60 plug-in hybrid that the company insists is “coming soon” to US shores.

As for why Volvo saw fit to publicly poke fun at Nissan’s Leaf electric cars while they were announcing their upcoming hybrids, I can’t say. With real-world 0-60 acceleration in the sub 6-second range and fuel economy worthy of a Geo nameplate (not to mention the relative ease of converting the European Volvos to biodiesel), however, I’d tend to agree with Mertens: why would I want a limited EV when I could have a fast, clean, go-anywhere, go-anytime, AWD sporty sedan/SUV?

Look for Volvo’s new line-up of gas and diesel-electric hybrids to start popping up at dealers near you this summer, as MY2014 vehicles … and don’t hold your breath for pure electric cars, I guess!

Source: WhatCar

Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Concept In Detail - VIDEO

Volvo XC 60 Concept Video:

Volvo XC 60 Plug-In hybrid Concept to Appear At Detroit Show

Volvo might have already started production on its first plug-in hybrid wagon -- the 2012 V60 Diesel Plug-in Hybrid -- but as we’ve told you before, the Swedish automaker doesn’t think the U.S. is ready for a diesel plug-in hybrid yet.

But at next week’s 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Volvo will unveil the XC60 Crossover Plug-in Hybrid concept car: a vehicle built to illustrate Volvo’s plans to bring a plug-in hybrid car to the U.S.

A few weeks ago, we were given an exclusive presentation about the XC60 when we visited Volvo’s Gothenburg headquarters. Now we can tell you more about this exciting plug-in concept, designed with the U.S. in mind.

Same Technology, With One Difference

Just like the 2012 Volvo V60 Diesel Plug-in Hybrid, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid concept is a through-the-road hybrid, where the front wheels are driven by a conventional gasoline engine and small electric motor, while the rear wheels are solely driven by an electric motor.

In fact, the XC60 shares almost every part of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid’s drivetrain, from its 12 kilowatt-hour (8 kilowatt-hour used) lithium-ion battery pack and 50 kilowatt peak rear-wheel drive motor. But instead of a 2.4 liter Diesel engine, the XC60 plug-in concept is the first Volvo car to make use of its new range of Turbocharged, four cylinder VEA engines. Smaller and lighter than previous generation engines, the 2.0 liter gasoline engine will produce 280 horsepower and around 280 pound-feet of torque.

The extra horsepower over the D5 diesel engine found in the 2012 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid means the XC60 plug-in concept is a little faster, taking just 5.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. Where permitted, it will go on to a top speed of 130 mph.

Yes, It Tows Too

Volvo executives are keen to point out that the XC60 concept doesn’t loose any of the capabilities of its gasoline sibling because it uses a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. In fact, it outperforms a traditional gasoline-engined XC60.

That even includes towing, with the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid just as happy to tow 3,300 pounds as the current 2012 XC60 gasoline lineup. In fact, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid benefits from the best torque figures of any XC60 yet. With 427 pound feet of combined electric and gasoline grunt, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid is the prefect towing green machine.

New York to Detroit On A Single Tank

Volvo claims the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept can travel up to 600 miles on a tank of gasoline and a fully-charged battery. That’s on a useable 8 kilowatt-hours of electricity and a 14 gallon tank of gasoline.

That equates to a hybrid fuel economy of around 50 mpg.

When used in all-electric mode, Volvo claims the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept can travel up to 35 miles on a single charge, resulting in a fuel economy equivalence of 105 MPGe.

Source: Green Car Reports