Volvo’s V60 Plug-in Hybrid, a sporty wagon that debuted at this year’s Geneva Auto Show, will go on sale in Europe in 2012, the company announced this week. 

Volvo’s V60 Plug-in Hybrid, a sporty wagon that debuted at this year’s Geneva Auto Show, will go on sale in Europe in 2012, the company announced this week. It’s meant to complement the all-electric C30 hatchback, a few prototypes of which are already silently cruising selected cities in Sweden.

This history-making PHEV has a unique design: a 2.4-liter 5-cylinder diesel engine powers the front wheels, while an electric motor drives the rear wheels. A switch on the dashboard lets the driver choose from three modes. In Pure Mode, the V60 runs on electricity alone, and has a range of about 30 miles. In Hybrid Mode, the range is around 745 miles. In Power Mode, both sets of wheels kick in to grip even the snowiest Swedish streets.

"One important aspect of the project was to retain the Volvo V60's excellent driving pleasure, high safety standard and luxurious comfort. At the same time, average CO2 emissions and fuel consumption will be halved compared with what is available on the market today," says Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby.

Image: Vovlo