Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Coming to America as Gasoline-powered Version

Swedish automaker Volvo took the wraps off the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid in Geneva in March, as the new V60 Plug-in Hybrid was shown at the Swiss venue. According to a recent report, Volvo will also bring the model to the US market, but not in its European form.

According to Motor Authority, company CEO Stefan Jacoby stated that he wants to introduce the efficient V60, but with a gasoline powered engine and not the diesel one that can be found in the European market version.

This is bad news, because the oil burner would have enabled the car to get a remarkable 123.8 mpg US (1.9 L/100 km). However, the use of a petrol-burner could make the V60 Plug-in Hybrid a bit cheaper.

As these are only the first announcements regarding the US model, there are no exact specifications available, but the American version should hold on to the 12 kWh lithium-ion battery, electric rear axle and all-wheel drive system.

The European version isn’t available yet either, as it will arrive in late 2012, only as a test fleet car. No exact date for the US model’s arrival is known, but it looks like we can expect it in 2013 or 2014. The extra time should help Volvo work out the kinks with the aid of test drives.

We’ll remind you that the front wheels of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid are driven by a five-cylinder 2.4-liter D5 turbodiesel, which produces 215 horsepower and maximum torque of 440 Nm (325 lb-ft), while the rear ones get an ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) system in the form of an electric motor producing 70 horsepower.