Electric vehicle batteries are big, heavy, and expensive. Volvo hopes to tackle all three problem with one creative solution: body panels that double as car batteries.

The vehicle manufacturer is working with the Imperial College in London on a materials development project that may ultimately turn the entire vehicles into an ultra-light batteries. As part of the project, Volvo and Imperial college built a composite blend of carbon fibers (much like what is found in fishing rods and tennis rackets) and polymer resin that is supposedly strong, flexible, and light enough to be used in body panels. According to Volvo, the new material could slash the weight of EVs by up to 15%. Volvo’s carbon fiber can also charge up faster than traditional EV batteries.

The material development project is still in the beginning stages, and Volvo and Imperial College are still figuring out how to mass produce the carbon fiber blend. But within the next three years, Volvo will attempt to convert a vehicle’s spare wheel recess into a composite battery. Volvo researcher Per-Ivar Sellergren says, “This is a relatively large structure that is easy to replace. Not sufficiently large to power the entire car, but enough to switch the engine off and on when the car is at a standstill, for instance at traffic lights.” In the next 10 years, Volvo might start commercially producing the material in everything from vehicle roofs to dashboards. Volvo claims that the composite material is strong and crash-resistant.

If the project is successful, the future of such technology is limitless. For instance, mobile phones will be able to be as slim as credit cards and laptops will manage longer without needing to be recharged.

Volvo has seen the future and is going full speed ahead with the latest hybrid technology. As a potential second plug-in-hybrid offering, Volvo has announced it will unveil the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show next week.

Just like the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, the production intended XC60 concept is an all-in-one electric, hybrid and performance car by utilizing the petrol engine or electric motor separately or together for full power. The three modes of operation (Pure, Hybrid or Power) are selected by the touch of a button. However, the biggest difference between both Plug-in Hybrids is that the combustion engine in the V60 is diesel, while the XC60 concept is petrol.

In Pure mode, the car has a range of 56 km using the U.S certification driving cycle while 45 km is achieved according to the European certification driving cycle NEDC.

In Hybrid mode, which is the default setting when the car is started up, the petrol engine and electric motor work in tandem to provide a total operating range of up to 960 km with fuel economy figures of 2.3 L/100 km and CO2 emissions of 53 g/km under the NEDC driving cycle, or 4.7L/100 km combined fuel economy in continuous driving under the U.S. certification standard.

In “power” mode, the technology delivers “maximum possible power,” said Volvo. The 276bhp petrol engine is combined with a 69bhp electric motor. Volvo says the car sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds in this mode.

In essence, the XC60 concept is an SUV that performs like it has a V8 engine with a combined output of  345bhp while greatly surpassing the fuel economy of a 3-cylinder sub-compact vehicle.

Power is provided to the front wheels by a newly designed four-cylinder 2.0L turbo engine from the forthcoming VEA (Volvo Environmental Architecture) engine family. Motivating the rear wheels, the electric motor is powered by a 12 kWh lithium-ion compact battery pack installed under the floor of the loading compartment. Recharging takes just 3.5 hours via 220V/12A outlet while a 110V/12A full charge takes 7.5 hours.

Via a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission, both power plants can engage in electronically controlled four-wheel drive via the AWD button. However, since power to the rear wheels is dependent on battery power, the AWD system is considered more of an occasional feature to be used in slippery conditions as opposed to a conventional permanent four-wheel drive system.

While the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is only planned for Europe, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid is intended for North America and China. Sadly, Volvo hasn’t announced a firm sale date for the XC60 Plug-In Hybrid, stating only that it will arrive in showrooms in a couple of years.

Volvo has released the first official teaser image of the 2012 V40, ahead of its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

According to the Swedish automaker, the five-door hatchback will likely be offered with a new range of four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines.

The likes of the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3 will undoubtedly be watching to see if they’ve got anything to worry about, but from what we’ve seen so far, it looks like this will be one of those New Volvo products worth waiting for!

Volvo has released details on its new V60 Plug-In Hybrid, the world’s first ever diesel-electric plug-in hybrid.

The new diesel-electric V60 Plug-In Hybrid features a 2.4L five-cylinder turbodiesel engine rated at 215bhp and 440Nm of torque sending drive to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

This works in conjunction with a 70bhp electric motor powered by an 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery and driving the rear wheels.

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be recharged from a regular power outlet (230V/6A, 10A or 16A). A full charge with 10A takes 4.5 hours. This is cut to 3.5 hours with 16A, while a 6A charge takes 7.5 hours.

The V60 plug-in Hybrid offers one touch functionality. By merely pressing one of three buttons: Pure, Hybrid or Power, the driving mode is selected.

In Pure mode, the car is powered solely by its electric motor and has a range of 50km when the battery has been recharged from an outside source.

Hybrid mode is the standard setting and uses the diesel engine and electric motor together. In this mode, emissions are 49g/km while fuel consumption is an industry low of 1.9 litre/100km. The car has a total range of up to 1,000km in Hybrid mode.

In Power mode, the diesel engine and electric motor are optimized to produce a combined power output of 215bhp + 70bhp and maximum torque of 440Nm + 200Nm respectively, rendering a 0 to 100km/h time of 6.2 seconds.

Volvo says the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the first Volvo to be launched with an entirely digital Driver Information Monitor (DIM). The conventional analogue gauges have been replaced by a one-piece LED screen offering a large number of display options. The driver can choose which information to show via the car’s menu setup.

It is also possible to communicate with the car via a mobile app. This gives the owner access to a number of smart functions such as air conditioning, pre-cooling and after-cooling, and a reminder to connect the charging cable if this has not been done by a predetermined time.

The interior of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid has black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and inlays of blue-grey wood. Other distinctive interior details include a leather-covered steering wheel, specially designed floor mats and a gear lever knob with integrated indicator.

The list of standard equipment includes features such as speed-dependent power steering, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, parking sensors front and rear, Bluetooth phone link and Volvo on Call.

Standard specification includes the High Performance Multimedia DVD audio system with its 4x40W amplifier, 8 loudspeakers and 7” screen.

The production version of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be launched in just one colour – Electric Silver. The car is also distinguished by aero-designed 17” wheels, integrated exhaust tailpipes and a number of bodywork features in glossy black, such as the grille and the aerodynamic front spoiler. The chromed “Plug-in Hybrid” emblem is found both on the lower part of the tailgate and in a smaller version on the front wings.

The V60 plug-in hybrid will be launched in early 2012 with a limited model year production run of 1,000 cars, all will be aimed exclusively at European customers.

Production will increase to 4,000-6,000 cars as of model year 2014 with 30% of the total volume will go to Sweden and the other Nordic countries.

Volvo has recently given the world an idea of what its next-generation XC90 might look like, thanks to a quartet of sketches the Swedish automaker has released to the public.

At first glance, they all look roughly the same, but closer inspection reveals variations in everything from the size and shape of the signature taillamps to the C-pillar treatment to the varying degrees of angularity in the overall shapes. All, however, look far more modern than today’s XC90, which has been on the market since 2002.

Volvo didn’t so much as hint about which of the four is most likely to get the green light, but the Swedish company did say that they intend to release its new XC90 sometime in 2014 and the XC90 will be the first vehicle built on Volvo’s upcoming Scalable Platform Architecture.

Also, report suggests that the next-generation XC90 will feature only four-cylinder engines. Volvo has already made it clear that the company will only offer forced-induction four-cylinder engines (or smaller) moving forward and a hybrid version may bow in the near future as well.

What else do we know about the XC90 successor? Not much beyond the four sketches provided by the company below, but they do look like something interesting is in store!

Volvo has come up with an Inscription version of the C70 which is set to debut at the 2011 L.A Auto Show later this month.

Limited to only 2,000 units worldwide, the Volvo C70 Inscription blends distinctive exterior details such as the painted grille, black 18” wheels and LED daytime running lights surrounded by contrasting chrome. It will be available in three exterior colours – Black Stone (Solid), Black Sapphire (Metallic) and Ice White (Solid).

Inside, Volvo has added an exclusive leather-covered dashboard with contrasting stitching and Sovereign Hide upholstery in Off Black or Calcite with the same contrasting stitching as on the dashboard, handbrake lever and carpets.

Elsewhere, the steering wheel, gear shift knob and sports pedals feature aluminium inlays, and the variant gets Special Inscription carpets and handbrake lever as well as the word “Inscription” embroidered on the front headrests.

An aluminium inlay in the iconic ultra-slim centre stack comes as standard, but there’s Black or Nordic Light Oak as an option.

The Volvo C70 Inscription can be combined with all the engine options available for the Volvo C70 including the 230bhp turbocharged five-cylinder petrol-powered T5 and the two five-cylinder turbodiesels – the 177bhp D4 and 150bhp D3.

Volvo has just confirmed that its first ever plug-in hybrid electric car, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will go on sale in early 2012.

Developed in partnership with Swedish utility company, Vattenfall, the new Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid features a turbocharged 2.4L five-cylinder diesel engine and an ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) electric motor powered by a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery.

The engine produces 212bhp and 440Nm of torque, while the electric motor contributes 69bhp and 200Nm of torque.

This gives the car a combined maximum output of 281bhp and 640Nm of torque, which enables it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds.

The turbodiesel engine drives the front axle and the electric motor drives the rear, meaning the Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid is also an all-wheel drive vehicle.

As you’d expect, the Volvo V60 Plug-in-Hybrid offers various driving modes that range from eco-friendly to all out performance to suit the driver’s needs.

In Pure mode, the V60 runs on electricity as much as possible which provides a driving range of 50 km and an overall range of up to 1,200 km.

Hybrid mode is the default setting and it enables the car to average 1.9 litres per 100 km with CO2 emissions of 49 grams per kilometre.

Lastly, Power mode allows the engine and electric motor to work together, at full strength, for maximum performance.

Within the next 10 years, Volvo will stop making any engine options larger than a 4-cylinder to help it meet tougher emission standards in Europe, United States and China.

Volvo R&D boss, Peter Mertens told Automotive News Europe,”Before the end of the decade, all Volvo models will have engines with no more than four cylinders.”

These new engines will start to make their way into production by 2013, whereby a new family of 3 and 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines will replace Volvo’s 5 and 6-cylinder petrol engines, as well as its 5-cylinder diesel.

The new engine family is called Volvo Environmental Architecture (VEA), and the automaker says the VEA family consists of 4 engines: 1.5L 3-cylinder petrol direct-injection and diesel engine as well as a 2.0L 4-cylinder petrol direct-injection and diesel engines.

The new engines will be 90kg lighter than existing units and it will improve fuel economy by up to 35%.

The new VEA engines are seen as a significant strategy in the company’s goal, which by 2020, its annual sales will hit 800,000 cars. The Swedish automaker will also invest $11 billion (RM34 billion) in order to tap into China’s demand for vehicles, over the next five years.

Volvo has updated its best-selling vehicle, the XC90 for 2012 by adding some exterior and interior changes, to give a little bit of fresh air into the SUV which is about to enter its ninth year of production since its first launch in 2003.  

For the exterior, the newly refined XC90 now features a new set of day-running lights along with a redesigned silver metallic bumper bar as well as silver roof rails. There is also a new lower door moulding and all XC90 versions are fully colour-coordinated.

In the rear, the tail lamps now have dual light guides, LED brake lights and a silver turn indicator bulb. And as a final touch, new 18” wheels in silver matt finish are added.

The interior is where the XC90 is getting most of its updates. It has a new 3-spoke steering wheel, aluminium décor and a watch dial-like instruments with white lighting.

The Volvo On Call system is now combined with Bluetooth connectivity that can interact with Bluetooth phones and music players to allow for music streaming to the car’s stereo.

The rear tailgate is divided into an upper and lower section while there’s a new colour-schemed leather grab handle and a newly designed load cover.

The Executive version of the XC90 is available with ventilated and massaging leather seats. The R-Design features redesigned upholstery, new inlays, door panels and unique 19” wheels.

Volvo Cars Australia has pulled the wrap off a performance version of its S60 flagship sedan. The Swedish automaker has teamed up with Polestar and Heico to come out with a new project called the “S60 Performance Project”.

The unique model is based on the S60 T6 R Design and Polestar installed a revised ECU which enables the turbocharged 3.0L engine to produce 325bhp and 480Nm of torque; an increase of 25bhp and 40Nm.

Heico meanwhile, added a set of custom 19” Heico alloy wheels wrap around by Pirelli rubber and the German tuning house has also provided a new exhaust system for the S60.

Like the R Design models, the S60 Performance Project has been lowered by 15mm and features a sport suspension that includes monotube damping at the rear, 15% stiffer springs and the bushings that are 20% stiffer compared with the dynamic chassis in the standard S60 models.

The interior comes equipped with firmer side bolstering sports seats, leather clad three spoke steering wheel, dials with blue surrounds and aluminium ridged pedals.

Volvo is currently evaluating the S60 Performance Project and depending on customer demand, they look forward to letting loose a limited run for the special-edition S60 sedan!