Volvo C30 E Pure-Electric Hatch

The all-new V40 may be hogging the spotlight these days, but there's another equally important model for Volvo's future, one which the company continues to develop. That's the C30 E, an all-electric version of the three-door hatchback that's currently offered for lease to select buyers across Europe. To keep interest in the car (and the project) alive, Volvo has published another video of the C30 E undergoing further development in the northern regions of Finland. You can watch it right after the break.

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Volvo V40 Won't be Coming to the U.S.A.

We had a hunch that the all-new V40 hatchback wouldn't be making it to the United States after the Swedish automaker stated that it expects to sell 90,000 units per year with 85 percent of those or 76,500 cars earmarked for the European market. Nevertheless, just to make sure, we contacted Laura DiStefano, who is the Corporate Communications Manager for Volvo Cars of North America, asking her if the Swedish company had "plans to bring the new V40 or any of its future derivatives to the U.S.A. or Canada".
DiStefano replied, "We have no plans to bring the V40 to the U.S. market".
Of course, these things are not written on stone and depending on the situation, Volvo may have a change of heart in the future, but for now, U.S. buyers can cross the V40 from their shopping list.

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New Volvo V40, Aims for 90,000 Sales Per Year

Volvo's new V40 is by far the most leaked model of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. And after the recent revelations, there was no point to keep it under wraps so the Swedish automaker came forward with all the details about its new premium C-segment contender. “The all-new V40 is the first new model that is fully developed according to our human-centric, Designed Around You strategy”, said Volvo CEO Stephan Jacoby.
Jacoby added that the new model will “definitely give our toughest competitors a headache”. By which he means the BMW 1-Series and the upcoming Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
As we've already revealed, the 4.37 m long five-door hatchback will be available exclusively with turbocharged power plants. The gasoline units are a 1.6-liter in two versions, with 150 and 180 PS bearing the T3 and T4 monikers respectively, and the range-topping 254 PS 2.5-liter five-pot.
The diesel range comprises the D2 115PS 1.6-liter that emits just 94 g/km of CO2, and two versions of the 2.0-liter five-cylinder, the 150PS D3 and the 177PS D4.
The V40 will sport a comprehensive list of safety features, such as the world’s first pedestrian airbag, the Pedestrian Detection system and an updated version of the City Safety low-speed collision avoidance system that operates at speeds of up to 31 mph (80km/h, up from 19mph (30km/h) in its previous versions. Its specification will also include the Park Assist Pilot and Lane Keeping systems.
Hakan Abrahamson, Volvo’s Vehicle Line Director and V40 Vehicle Program Manager, commented: “The all-new V40 is the most intelligent and safe Volvo model so far. All its features are designed around the driver, helping him or her to stay alert and well informed to avoid collisions and dangerous situations.”
Volvo will commence production of the new V40 at its Ghent plant in Belgium in March. The annual sales target it has set is 90,000 units, with 85 percent of them earmarked for the European market.

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Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Makes World Premiere in Detroit

Seeing Volvo’s president and CEO Stefan Jacoby driving the all-new XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept on stage during the car’s launch in Detroit shows how important the U.S. market is to the (Chinese-owned) Swedish manufacturer. That’s because the USA remains the brand’s biggest market in the world and in which it recorded a 25 percent sales increase in 2011 on top of a 20 percent rise the previous year.
The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid may be a concept, but Volvo is already openly talking about developing a production version and the impact it expects to have in North America.
"A diesel-electric plug-in hybrid is coming to our European dealers this year and we are busy preparing a gasoline version for the American showrooms", said Jacoby, referring to the V60 and the XC60 Plug-in hybrids respectively.
Patty Hooley, member of the Volvo Car North America Dealers Council, added that “Volvo’s dealers welcome the introduction of a plug-in hybrid. To me, the plug-in hybrid speaks both classic Volvo safety and responsibility as well as cutting edge Volvo innovation.”
The XC60 Plug-in Concept features essentially the same powertrain as the production version of the V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrid, which includes an internal combustion engine driving the front wheels and a 70HP electric motor that draws power from a 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and drives the rear axle.
The only difference is that, while the V60 will be offered in limited numbers in select European countries, the XC60 is aimed at the U.S. – that's why the former’s diesel engine was replaced by a 280HP turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline unit.
Combined output is 350HP with the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint estimated at just 5.8 seconds.
Volvo’s hybrid SUV can also be driven in zero-emissions all-electric mode for 28 miles (45 km), or in Hybrid mode where, despite the powerful gasoline engine coming into play, the company says it averages 2.3 lt/100 km or 100mpg according to European driving cycle and 50mpg using the U.S certification standards (Volvo didn't specify if it's e-mpg)
The crossover's maximum driving range is a not-too-shabby 600 miles (960 km).

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