Volvo plans to release 'micro-hybrid' in 2011

Michael Harley — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST

Click above for a gallery of the Volvo ReCharge Concept

Volvo's product development unit is still hard at work, even as Ford has slapped a price tag on the brand. In an effort to develop more environmentally-friendly vehicles capable of meeting stringent emissions regulations on the horizon, the Swedish automaker has been working on some new highly-efficient vehicles. In addition to the DRIVe trio of ultra-efficient diesel-powered models, Volvo is working on an all-new micro-hybrid model. Set to join the lineup in 2011, the vehicle will be available with a choice between gasoline or diesel power, and a manual or automatic transmission. Fuel-saving technology will include a start-stop system plus brake-energy regeneration to cut consumption by nearly 5 percent. We'll see a full hybrid (with the ability to run on electric power only) in 2012 with the D5 diesel engine (Volvo's similar battery and flexfuel ReCharge Concept is above). A plug-in electric is also expected to follow down the road.

Gallery: Volvo ReCharge Concept

Gallery: Volvo DRIVe C30, S40, V50

[Source: Channel4]

Volvo plans to release 'micro-hybrid' in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt Preview: Volvo unveils ReCharge PHEV concept

Alex Nunez — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Budget, Hybrid, Green, Hatchback, Volvo

Click image for gallery

Maybe they should've called it the "Volt-vo." In Frankfurt, Volvo will pull the wraps off the ReCharge concept, a C30-based plug-in hybrid vehicle that combines a 1.6L flexible-fuel engine connected to an auxiliary power unit (APU), which is in powers a set of in-wheel motors. It's a series hybrid, much like the Chevy Volt. The ReCharge's EV-only range on a full battery is said to be 62 miles, and under normal operating conditions, the car's engine wouldn't be activated to help with recharging until 70% of the battery's charge has been exhausted. Volvo says that on a 90 mile trip (150 km), for example, the ReCharge would essentially average 124 mpg (1.9L/100 km).

A full charge when plugged into a standard power outlet takes approximately 3 hours, but Volvo says that even 1 hour plugged in gives the car a 50% charge. Regenerative braking while underway helps charge the battery pack on the fly, and the driver can summon the combustion engine at any time to maximize charging if the situation is favorable (such as during highway driving) to get the car ready for straight EV duty at the next local stop. The ReCharge uses a lithium-polymer battery designed to last longer than the car's operating life. CO2 emissions, a key concern in Europe where the concept is being unveiled, are 66% better than what's afforded by current hybrid cars in the marketplace. We'll be on hand to bring you full details on Volvo's answer to the Chevy Volt next week.

[Source: Volvo]

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Frankfurt Preview: Volvo unveils ReCharge PHEV concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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