2015 Volvo V60 D5 Twin Engine revealed
The 2015 Volvo V60 D5 Twin Engine may not have a name that rolls off the tongue, but the diesel plug-in hybrid wagon from the Scandinavian brand promises to appeal to buyers with different palettes.
The car seen here is the limited edition model uncovered ahead of the 2015 Geneva motor show, which brings the same nomenclature for hybrid technology that Volvo has used with its range-topping XC90 T8 Twin Engine model to the company's established estate car.
The D5 Twin Engine follows on from the previous V60 D6 Plug-In Hybrid and, in short, is a slightly less powerful version of that vehicle.
The new D5 sees the same 11.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack producing 50kW of power powering the rear wheels, while a five-cylinder turbo diesel engine - this time with 120kW instead of 158kW - sends its power to the front wheels. The combined maximum power output is 170kW.
On electric power alone the D5 is said to be able to travel 50 kilometres, while fuel consumption is claimed at a combined 1.8 litres per 100km - identical figures to the D6. It can be recharged in between 3.5 and 7.5 hours depending on the amperage available (based on 230 volt power supply).
Dr Thomas Muller, vice president electrical and electronics systems engineering at Volvo Car Group, said the reconfiguring of the diesel-electric hybrid system in the V60 shows the company's commitment to expanding its hybrid portfolio.
"We were the first car maker to develop and produce a diesel-based plug-in hybrid powertrain with the launch of the V60 D6 in 2012. Since then we have been working on further refining our innovative approach to electrification and hybrid powertrains," Muller said.
"With the launch of the V60 D5 Twin Engine Special Edition we are broadening our Twin Engine product range," said Muller.
Volvo Car Australia has confirmed to CarAdvice that it is looking at the "potential further roll out" of the V60 D5 Twin Engine once the run of 500 limited edition models for Europe and Russia has been completed.
The company confirmed "no decision has been made for the Australian market" on a plug-in hybrid version of the V60, but asserted that "the business case for the model will be reviewed, and a decision made ... in due course".
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