Volvo XC60 plug-in at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show

The Volvo XC60 has received quite an upgrade, though, not much in terms of design; the aesthetic appeal remains the same but there's an all-new green engine. The all-electric XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is claimed to be a highly economical and a powerful high-performance hybrid car.

The XC60 will be run by a four-cylinder 284 PS turbocharged petrol engine which produces a maximum torque of 380 Nm as well as a 71 PS all-electric engine which combines to give the XC60 a total of 354 PS. At the touch of a button, the driver decides how the available power from the combination of the high-performance petrol engine and the electric motor is to be utilised. In Pure mode, the car is powered solely by the electric motor as much as possible. Power delivery to the wheels comes via a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission.

Quick charging is possible from a regular power outlet, at home or at a parking place. Recharging time varies with the current: With 220V of availability, a full charge with 12A takes just 3.5 hours. With 110V/12A a full charge takes 7.5 hours.

The driver can choose to save battery power for later use, for instance, when driving in an urban green zone or in the heart of a city. Upon activating Save, the generator charges and tops up the battery pack if needed. The aim is to ensure sufficient battery power for about 12 miles (20 km) of driving on electricity.