V.EFFICIENT (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Volvo's V60 mid-sized premium estate is at its most sophisticated in Plug-in hybrid form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 68

In T6 plug-in hybrid form, Volvo's V60 mid-sized premium estate combines turbocharging, supercharging and electrification for potentially astonishing efficiency returns, despite this ambitious Swedish model's huge power output. There's a significant price to pay for this technology and you'll need to tailor your motoring life to suit what this car can offer but if you can deal with these caveats, then this is a potentially very likeable package.

Backgroundword count: 121

If you've resisted the allure of SUVs and you're determined to choose a mid-sized premium-badged estate car, you might expect a near-£50,000 budget to buy you something with a six cylinder petrol or diesel engine. Volvo's V60 plug-in hybrid model can't offer that, but it can deliver plenty else in compensation. In return for the relatively high sticker figure, the usual PHEV virtues feature here in a car that has less direct competition than Volvo plug-in models in other market segments. As with the brand's other designs, its technology is based around the 2.0-litre four cylinder engine block that the company's been using for the last decade. Here though, you get it in the most sophisticated form the marque can offer.

Driving Experienceword count: 317

Under the bonnet of this Plug-in hybrid V60, you'll find a 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine which is mated to an electric motor sited on the back axle. For this Recharge T6 variant, the only one available on the V60, the engine's output is 253hp, while the electric motor contributes a further 145hp. The whole set-up is aided by a 25bhp starter motor/generator that pitches in from time to time to smooth any gaps in torque delivery between the two main power sources - engine and electric motor. It's all enough to deliver a set of stats that it's rather hard to get your head around. That big combined power output - close to 400hp - offsets the extra weight of all these mechanicals, so 62mph from rest can be dispatched in just 5.2, though top speed (as with all current Volvos) is limited to 112mph. Alongside all of this is the potential for the kind of fuel and CO2 readings that theoretically could equal those of a frugal supermini. Which of those two extremes you reach in a V60 Plug-in model will depend on your choice between the five driving settings that owners of all Volvo Plug-in hybrid models are offered. Ultimate speed is delivered by a 'Power' mode that sees both petrol and electric units permanently working together. Alternatively, there are four other drive choices: a 'Hybrid' setting that sees the two engines cutting in and out as necessary: an 'AWD' mode that gives you permanent 4x4 traction: plus a 'Pure electric' setting that only uses the battery power and is EAER-rated to take you up to 54.1 miles (more than most people's daily commuting distance) on a single charge. There's even a 'Save' option so that on a longer trip, you can hold that charge until you get to the city driving you might have to do at the end of the journey.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227