Volvo micro-hybrid coming in 2011, full hybrid in 2012
To date, aside from some diesel and flex-fuel engines in Europe, Volvo hasn't done much in the way of alternative drive vehicles. The Ford owned Swedish brand showed an extended range electric concept called the Recharge last year based on the C30. However, hybrids haven't been part of Volvo's program quite yet. That all appears set to change in the next few years as CAFE and European CO2 standards will be tightening. A micro hybrid, which is a fancy way of saying automatic start-stop system is set to debut in 2011. Actually, the system is also expected to incorporate a brake energy regeneration system like the one used by BMW. This system drives the alternator during deceleration to charge the 12V battery, reducing the parasitic load on the engine. A year later, a strong hybrid system paired with Volvo's five cylinder diesel should debut. At some point, a production car based on the ReCharge is expected to debut although there is no indication of when that might happen.
[Source: Channel 4]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tormod 8:34AM (12/11/2008)
Actually, they started early:
Volvo ECC turbine hybrid 1992
http://www.greencar.com/perspective/perspective-volvo-hybrid/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_ECC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-TLYJyc5qM
Then Ford came along...
Reply
JB_C30 8:50AM (12/11/2008)
But when(if ever) will these cars see the light of day in the States? Only one version of the C30 has ever made it stateside thus far.
Reply
mike!!ekiM 4:32PM (12/11/2008)
The 5 cyl diesel in the hybrid? What happened to the 4 cyl?
Reply