Volvo details electric car strategy

Volvo details electric car strategy

Volvo details electric car strategy

Volvo has announced a comprehensive electrification strategy in which plug-in hybrids will be introduced across its entire range.

The Swedish car maker will develop an entirely new range of electrified smaller cars and build a fully electric car for sale by 2019. Volvo says it expects electrified vehicles to account for up to 10 per cent of total car sales in the medium term.

The first phase of the new electrification strategy involves the introduction of plug-in hybrid versions of its 90 series and 60 series larger cars, based on the company's new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). This process has already begun with the launch of the T8 Twin Engine All-Wheel Drive plug-in hybrid version of its new XC90 SUV and will continue with plug-in hybrid versions of the new S90 premium saloon and other forthcoming models.

Volvo will also broaden the range of plug-in hybrid cars it offers with the introduction of a new front-wheel drive Twin Engine variant.

The Swedish car maker will further deepen its product offering with the introduction of an entirely new range of smaller 40 series cars based on its newly-developed Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) which, like the SPA, has been designed from the outset for electrification.

Further details of the all-electric car for 2019 will be released at a later date.

Volvo hybrid XC90 qualifies for UK plug-in grant

Volvo hybrid XC90 qualifies for UK plug-in grant

Volvo hybrid XC90 qualifies for UK plug-in grant

Volvo hybrid XC90 qualifies for UK plug-in grant

Volvo's first petrol plug-in hybrid - the XC90 T8 Twin Engine - has qualified for the UK Plug-in Car Grant (PICG) scheme.

That means the new XC90 is now available with an on-road price of £54,955 including the PICG. The Plug in Car Grant has a designed criteria to encourage manufactures to decrease the level of outputted CO2 exhaust emissions. To achieve this, hybrid vehicles must emit less than 75g/km, a minimal travelling range of 10 miles and must reach a speed of at least 60mph. 

Built on Volvo's SPA - Scalable Product Architecture - the platform is designed to incorporate electrification without encroaching on interior space. With the necessary battery pack concealed in the centre console, the Drive-E powertrain, from its initial concept, was designed to include electrification, with the new XC90 utilising both a 320hp petrol engine and 87hp electric motor.

With a combined output of 407hp, this 7-seat SUV emits a low figure of 49g/km of CO2, at the same time being able to go from stand still to 60mph 5.3 seconds.

The T8 Twin engine allows the driver to choose multiple drive modes: Pure - allows drivers to use electric energy for up to 28 miles with zero exhaust emissions. Hybrid - uses a combination of the electrical and petrol motors to achieve reduced CO2 exhaust emissions and Power - utilises the full power from both the petrol and electric motors allowing the driver to use the full 407hp available.

Companies choosing the XC90 T8 Twin Engine can benefit by writing down as much as 100 per cent of the cost against their income tax liability. Driver who choose the XC90 T8 Momentum pay as little as £99.83 BIK a month (40 per cent tax payer).

The Volvo XC90 T8 is on sale now and available in three trim levels: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription.

Volvo completes Polestar takeover

Volvo completes Polestar takeover

Volvo completes Polestar takeover

Volvo completes Polestar takeover

Volvo completes Polestar takeover

Volvo completes Polestar takeover

Volvo has acquired 100 per cent of Polestar, the Swedish high performance car company, including the Polestar brand.

Having worked together for many years, Polestar will now be used as the model name for special high performance Volvos. Polestar will also, in future, utilise Volvo's twin engine electrification technology to develop next generation performance cars. Volvo and Polestar have been working together in motor sport since 1996 and in recent years signed a cooperation agreement to jointly develop Polestar versions of Volvo cars that combine a comfortable Volvo driving experience with a very high level of power and handling.

The acquisition of Polestar Performance AB comprises of performance activities including performance-related software and aftermarket tuning hardware, as well as Polestar Holding AB, which is the owner of the Polestar trademarks. It has not acquired the racing division of Polestar.

The Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar feature a 350 horse power T6 engine, for a 0-62 mph time of 4.9 seconds, as well as featuring an 'extensively developed chassis', increased mid-range engine performance in combination with supporting changes for the gearbox and throttle response.

"Driving a Volvo Polestar is a special experience. We have decided to bring this experience to more Volvo drivers, placing the full resources of Volvo behind the development of Polestar as the model name for our high performance cars," said Hakan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars.

In 2015, Volvo says it expects to sell 750 Polestar versions of the V60 wagon and S60 sedan globally. Polestar sales are forecast to increase to between 1,000 and 1,500 cars a year in the medium term under Volvo's ownership.

The Polestar racing team will remain under the control of Christian Dahl, the former owner of Polestar, and will be renamed. The Polestar brand will continue to work alongside Christian Dahl.

"We are extremely satisfied with the way the performance business with Volvo has developed. But we are a racing team first and foremost. This is an opportunity to return our full attention to our core business - to develop and race Volvo cars," said Christian Dahl.