Volvo C30 - Volvo Finally Targets a Younger Market
by Jon Barlow
Until quite recently in order to appear on Volvo's sales radar you would have needed to be either a police force or someone with a lot of furniture or children to move around or perhaps both. There have only been a couple of occasions in Volvo's long motoring history where they have produced a design that bucked the reputation for solid and dependable if not terribly exciting cars. The P1800 was a design classic but considering they stopped making it in 1973 and was in essence a sports car something new from the Swedish stable has been a long time coming.
Other previous attempts to make a small, two-door hatchback have resulted in the much maligned 340 series with its Renault engine or the somewhat troublesome 480 which smelt of smouldering electrics as soon as you turned the ignition key. As a result of these somewhat disastrous forays into the smaller car market, Volvo rather rapidly went back to producing larger rear wheel drive cars which it has historically been rather good at.
Volvo who were founded in 1927 surprised the automotive world in 1999 and decided to sell the family silver to good 'ol Ford and as a result the two blue badges (oval and kinda square) became one. This was quite a canny move by the Swedes as Ford has more or less let Volvo get on with things and in turn Volvo has sent a healthy profit back to Detroit (a reported $700 million in 2004). Despite falling sales in the USA, it has at times been the only profitable car-maker in the House of Henry.
Turning our attention now to the C30, Volvo has benefited from Ford's ride and handling prowess mainly thanks to the highly praised Focus chassis and its line-up of petrol and Peugeot/Ford diesel engines, Volvo now has the tools to do the small-car business.
The C30 has set itself apart from competition such as the Audi A3 and BMW's 1-series with softer lines and lends itself to less angular coupes of old. The C30 is being strongly marketed at a "young and dynamic" market to people with "intense urban lifestyles" whoever they are, although Volvo is still expecting to sell some cars to the rest of us regular folks. Production will be at Volvo's Ghent plant in Belgium with some 65,000 C30's expected to roll off the lines each year.
As you would expect with all Volvo's the C30 has an excellent build quality to easily match its German rivals. The panel gaps are spot on and the lustrous paintwork then leads you into a well designed high quality cabin. The soft coatings of the interior give rise to a cleverly designed "floating" centre console which provides hidden storage space behind. An optional satellite navigation system emerges from the dash if you should lose your way.
There is not a huge amount of luggage space as you might expect in a two-door coupe but then hey if it's a family car you are after you're barking up the wrong tree here.
The C30 comes with a good choice of engine sizes from 1.6 litre petrol through to a 2.5 litre turbocharged T5 model. A number of oil-burners are available too including 1.6/2.0 and the top spec 2.4 D5 Unit. Performance levels are good especially the T5 which will keep you holding on to your seat at a top speed of 149mph which is pretty good considering the car weighs in at 1.4 tons (Volvo's never have been light weight). The ride quality is good as is the handling thanks to running gear donated from the Ford Focus. In keeping with all Volvo's, safety is still a big factor and the C30 is packed with features, the cleverest of which is Volvo's blind-spot information system with discreet lamps in the windscreen pillars which warn you when you're about to run into something or someone!
The C30 should appeal to many, even people who don't have "intense urban lifestyles" Sadly I don't think that includes me any more.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Coming Soon: Electric Cars For Sale : New Electric Cars hybrid engine 2008
Coming Soon: Electric Cars For Sale
by Robert Barr
The question is will it last? Have we finally reached a crisis point in a time when the world's automobile manufacturers realize we need an alternative to gas powered vehicles? That the only way to avoid the fate of the dinosaur is to drive better gas mileage into their cars and trucks while continuing research on other alternatives? Consumers are buying electric car kits, spending money on electric car conversions, and trying to find out exactly what electric cars are and how they work. But if gas sees sub two dollars a gallon, will we forget about the pain of $5 a gallon gas?
Most people say no. Most people realize we have gone down this road before and they are not willing to get caught behind the eight ball again. Problem is no one tells the car makers. All of the majors are working on alternative fuel sources for the next few model years banking on the fact that the world's drivers have had enough. Problem is if gas is cheap again, consumers will pick up right where they left off and drive up demand for SUV's and other gas guzzlers which will force automobile manufactures to retool to release pent up demand and sideline their "green" programs yet again.
Going Green Does Have Problems
There is a huge outcry against the E85 or Ethanol based fuel program. For one the energy savings created by using ethanol is negated by the fact that it burns less efficiently than gas. Also, with the price of food skyrocketing, people have a problem with turning that food into fuel. Not to mention logistics, there are only 1500 service stations out of a total of 176,000 that offer E85 ethanol, and the vehicle in question has to be converted to take the 85/15 ethanol gas blend. In other words, this will be another boondoggle that gets us no were fast.
There Are Other Solutions
The electric car is seen as the next best technology and will hit the market in full force over the next few model years. Toyota is considering a Prius with solar panels to power the air conditioning unit. General Motors is planning on launching the sleek and sexy Volt in 2010, and BMW is working on a hydrogen powered engine they say will be ready in less than ten years. There are rumors that Mercedes-Benz plans on eliminating gas powered engines from its entire fleet by 2015. That is a pretty bold effort, but one that is surely needed.
But if any of these fantastic technological breakthroughs are going to be successful people are going to have to buy them. No one is going to confuse you for a secret agent while tooling around town in your Prius, and you are certainly going to get stares in your SMART car from Mercedes, but for all the wrong reasons. But not to worry all of you fashonistas out there waiting for the right car to accessorize your dog-wallet-purse-girlfriend-job with, the Volt is a nice looking vehicle and if you happen to have a hundred grand laying around, you could always pony up for a Tesla and be green and sexy all at the same time!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Run Your Car on Water - An HHO Conversion Guide : New volvo hybrid water cars 2008
Run Your Car on Water - An HHO Conversion Guide
by James TopzC
onverting your car into a water powered hybrid may be worth considering due to the drastic increase in gas prices around the world. Hybrid cars are expensive to buy off the lot, so you may not save enough to make it worth it, however converting your current vehicle to a water hybrid is a very inexpensive option with similar results! How would you like to save 30%-60% on gas? I'll tell you how! Hybrid simply means you can run your car on something else, along with gas, in the case of the water hybrid, that something is water. Using electrolysis, water is charged electrically, producing a surge of energy. When this power surge is mixed with regular fuel, it makes what is known as "brown gas", a fuel that is often 3 times more powerful than standard gasoline or diesel. These systems are often known as hydrogen generators, water car systems, or HHO. To build your own system is simple. You simply need a set of plans, an hour or two of time, and about $25 or $50 worth of household parts that you may already own. Saving gas is not the only benefit of HHO or water hybrid cars. Several readers and most users have reported smoother shifting, a smoother and quieter engine, increased pickup, and much lower emissions! Save money and the environment! This technology has been around for several decades, but has been mostly kept under wraps by the big oil companies as well as car companies hoping to maintain the value of their overpriced hybrids! To begin your water car / HHO conversion, we recommend reading the free Run Your Car on Water Guide Blog. It's also worth signing up for their free water car conversion newsletter!(site:http://run-your-car-on-water-guide.blogspot.com)
by James TopzC
onverting your car into a water powered hybrid may be worth considering due to the drastic increase in gas prices around the world. Hybrid cars are expensive to buy off the lot, so you may not save enough to make it worth it, however converting your current vehicle to a water hybrid is a very inexpensive option with similar results! How would you like to save 30%-60% on gas? I'll tell you how! Hybrid simply means you can run your car on something else, along with gas, in the case of the water hybrid, that something is water. Using electrolysis, water is charged electrically, producing a surge of energy. When this power surge is mixed with regular fuel, it makes what is known as "brown gas", a fuel that is often 3 times more powerful than standard gasoline or diesel. These systems are often known as hydrogen generators, water car systems, or HHO. To build your own system is simple. You simply need a set of plans, an hour or two of time, and about $25 or $50 worth of household parts that you may already own. Saving gas is not the only benefit of HHO or water hybrid cars. Several readers and most users have reported smoother shifting, a smoother and quieter engine, increased pickup, and much lower emissions! Save money and the environment! This technology has been around for several decades, but has been mostly kept under wraps by the big oil companies as well as car companies hoping to maintain the value of their overpriced hybrids! To begin your water car / HHO conversion, we recommend reading the free Run Your Car on Water Guide Blog. It's also worth signing up for their free water car conversion newsletter!(site:http://run-your-car-on-water-guide.blogspot.com)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Run Your Car on Water, or Something Near To It : New volvo car 2008
Run Your Car on Water, or Something Near To It
by Andreis MillerBefore you let your imagination run wild, here is the truth: water by itself won't start your car. Before your car even powers to life, combustion between water and gasoline needs to occur. The mechanics behind this technology is known as electrolysis. By passing electric current, electrolysis separates the elements in a compound. In the case of water and gasoline, the water is burned to make hydrogen. When oxygen and hydrogen are separated by electricity, it then powers the car as it evaporates. With a 25-50% increase in fuel efficiency, powering your car on gasoline and water can truly spare you the costs of gasoline alone. With the kits available, converting your car is simple. But the price of these kits vary, based on your car's make, and can go between $50 to $300. You can get the kit installed by a professional, or do it yourself by following simple instructions. Although some models may demand mechanical alterations, there's usually no need to tune up your car to install or remove the kit. They are just add-ons that can be used at once. Safe For You, Safe For The Environment The increasing costs of gas might make things seem bleak, but hybrid cars that run on both gasoline and water is the solution. You don't even need a new car. You can have a hybrid car out of an old one with an easy conversion kit. Powering your car on water provides two excellent results - you contribute to the environment and you save tons of money on gas. Combining the power of hydrogen with gasoline doubles the mileage. On a gallon of gas and water, a Subaru can already go 32 miles. The build-up of carbon is greatly lessened, and you have cleaner emissions. This makes it simpler for the car to maintain. Moreover, hydrogen is just produced when required, so it is definitely safer. The News Have to Be Spread There are still skeptics, even if there are already numerous happy conversion kit users. Really, hesitating any longer is without cause. At this point when environmental and economic problems are critical for everyone's survival, utilizing both hydrogen and gasoline to run cars is a direct response to the issue. Minimal gasoline means extra money in the country's coffers and fresher air to boot. The coming of age of water-run cars has come on time. Becoming more and more a force to reckon with is water. This technology can definitely improve the world and save it for the better. It's time to do your share.
Relate : Hybrid car
Save price Samsung LCD HDTV
by Andreis MillerBefore you let your imagination run wild, here is the truth: water by itself won't start your car. Before your car even powers to life, combustion between water and gasoline needs to occur. The mechanics behind this technology is known as electrolysis. By passing electric current, electrolysis separates the elements in a compound. In the case of water and gasoline, the water is burned to make hydrogen. When oxygen and hydrogen are separated by electricity, it then powers the car as it evaporates. With a 25-50% increase in fuel efficiency, powering your car on gasoline and water can truly spare you the costs of gasoline alone. With the kits available, converting your car is simple. But the price of these kits vary, based on your car's make, and can go between $50 to $300. You can get the kit installed by a professional, or do it yourself by following simple instructions. Although some models may demand mechanical alterations, there's usually no need to tune up your car to install or remove the kit. They are just add-ons that can be used at once. Safe For You, Safe For The Environment The increasing costs of gas might make things seem bleak, but hybrid cars that run on both gasoline and water is the solution. You don't even need a new car. You can have a hybrid car out of an old one with an easy conversion kit. Powering your car on water provides two excellent results - you contribute to the environment and you save tons of money on gas. Combining the power of hydrogen with gasoline doubles the mileage. On a gallon of gas and water, a Subaru can already go 32 miles. The build-up of carbon is greatly lessened, and you have cleaner emissions. This makes it simpler for the car to maintain. Moreover, hydrogen is just produced when required, so it is definitely safer. The News Have to Be Spread There are still skeptics, even if there are already numerous happy conversion kit users. Really, hesitating any longer is without cause. At this point when environmental and economic problems are critical for everyone's survival, utilizing both hydrogen and gasoline to run cars is a direct response to the issue. Minimal gasoline means extra money in the country's coffers and fresher air to boot. The coming of age of water-run cars has come on time. Becoming more and more a force to reckon with is water. This technology can definitely improve the world and save it for the better. It's time to do your share.
Relate : Hybrid car
Save price Samsung LCD HDTV
Monday, May 5, 2008
General Motors CNG & LPG Vehicles General Motors CNG & LPG Vehicles
General Motors CNG & LPG Vehicles
by Robert Jent
American demand for CNG (compressed natural gas) or LPG (liquefied natural gas) powered vehicles may not be high currently, in part, because American car companies like Detroit’s General Motors are not actively promoting them to U.S. customers. However, overseas in European and Asian markets, General Motors has quite an interest and prolific production of alternatively fueled vehicles with production continuing through GM’s foreign subsidiary companies. Truthfully, the amount of CNG and LPG filling stations that exist within the fueling infrastructure of the United States would necessitate expansion. While there do exist nearly 1,100 CNG filling stations across the U.S., many are for private or commercial fleets, and a large amount of them are located within California’s borders, so a cross-country trek in a natural gas powered vehicle would currently be out of the question. In Europe, because of the smaller distances to travel, and the more readily available filling stations, natural gas powered automobiles are on the rise.
Most American consumers are not familiar with the popularity of natural gas powered vehicles in Europe and do not realize that the same products could be marketable in the United States as well, with the right promotional help from General Motors and other American motor companies. In addition to producing natural gas fuelled vehicles for European motorists, General Motors is currently working with natural gas distributors and providers to expand and enhance the compressed natural gas infrastructure in Europe. With General Motors help, Germany’s number of filling stations will rise to 1,000 this year, Austria and Switzerland are expanding their numbers, and France will have over 300 in the next few years. Western European totals are currently around 2,000 and growing. General Motors Korean subsidiary, GM Daewoo, has an increasing number of liquefied natural gas powered vehicles on the road, 117,270 vehicles since 2002, helping to improve the overly polluted air of South Asia. GM Thailand hasn’t missed a beat either, with their Optra model being the first and only compressed natural gas vehicle offering a three-year/100,000 kilometer full warranty. General Motors is stepping up efforts in the United States, if hesitantly, with an increased focus on the renewable fuel E85 ethanol, made up of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol can be produced locally and domestically from a large selection of different materials such as corn, grass, sugarcane, and agricultural waste.
As U.S. motor companies like General Motors increase their products’ relationships with natural gas, American companies such as Triple Diamond Energy Corp will undoubtedly be prepared to fill the new fueling needs.
by Robert Jent
American demand for CNG (compressed natural gas) or LPG (liquefied natural gas) powered vehicles may not be high currently, in part, because American car companies like Detroit’s General Motors are not actively promoting them to U.S. customers. However, overseas in European and Asian markets, General Motors has quite an interest and prolific production of alternatively fueled vehicles with production continuing through GM’s foreign subsidiary companies. Truthfully, the amount of CNG and LPG filling stations that exist within the fueling infrastructure of the United States would necessitate expansion. While there do exist nearly 1,100 CNG filling stations across the U.S., many are for private or commercial fleets, and a large amount of them are located within California’s borders, so a cross-country trek in a natural gas powered vehicle would currently be out of the question. In Europe, because of the smaller distances to travel, and the more readily available filling stations, natural gas powered automobiles are on the rise.
Most American consumers are not familiar with the popularity of natural gas powered vehicles in Europe and do not realize that the same products could be marketable in the United States as well, with the right promotional help from General Motors and other American motor companies. In addition to producing natural gas fuelled vehicles for European motorists, General Motors is currently working with natural gas distributors and providers to expand and enhance the compressed natural gas infrastructure in Europe. With General Motors help, Germany’s number of filling stations will rise to 1,000 this year, Austria and Switzerland are expanding their numbers, and France will have over 300 in the next few years. Western European totals are currently around 2,000 and growing. General Motors Korean subsidiary, GM Daewoo, has an increasing number of liquefied natural gas powered vehicles on the road, 117,270 vehicles since 2002, helping to improve the overly polluted air of South Asia. GM Thailand hasn’t missed a beat either, with their Optra model being the first and only compressed natural gas vehicle offering a three-year/100,000 kilometer full warranty. General Motors is stepping up efforts in the United States, if hesitantly, with an increased focus on the renewable fuel E85 ethanol, made up of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol can be produced locally and domestically from a large selection of different materials such as corn, grass, sugarcane, and agricultural waste.
As U.S. motor companies like General Motors increase their products’ relationships with natural gas, American companies such as Triple Diamond Energy Corp will undoubtedly be prepared to fill the new fueling needs.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Volvo's City Safety System Monitors Distances in Tight Driving Situations : New Volvo new car review 2008
Volvo's City Safety System Monitors Distances in Tight Driving Situations
by Rob Parker
The engineers at Volvo are no strangers to cutting edge safety systems. In 2006 the Volvo S80 could be outfitted with Collision Warning and Brake Support alerts. The systems sent visible and audible cues to the driver when the gap between his car and the one ahead tightened up too rapidly. In addition to the warnings, the brakes were prepped for use, but the driver's foot still had to do the work. Now, the Volvo XC60 crossover, set to go on sale in Europe this summer and coming to the United States in 2009, will be outfitted with City Safety, technology that will not only monitor the gap between cars and prep the brakes, but if necessary, do the braking itself.
Using an optical radar system built in to the windshield at the same level as the rear view mirror, City Safety monitors ahead of the car to a distance of approximately 20 feet (six meters). Intended for low-speed, bumper-to-bumper driving at rates of under 20 mph, the radar will pre-charge the brakes when the gap begins to get tight so the driver can respond more effectively. If, however, a collision is imminent, City Safety uses a hydraulic pump to activate the brakes on its own.
The unit's algorithm runs fifty calculations per second, constantly determining the necessary braking speed to prevent a collision, factoring in both the car's speed and the distance to the car ahead of its position in the lane. When the calculated force needed to brake exceeds a pre-determined level and the driver has not physically responded by tapping the brakes, City Safety concludes that a collision is imminent and intervenes. The system will work during the day and at night, but can be limited by weather conditions including fog, mist, heavy rain, or snow. Sensors in the windshield will alert the driver if dirt has built-up to a level that will compromise the unit's ability to scan the road ahead.
Statistics compiled by Volvo indicate that more than 75% of reported collisions actually occur when the vehicles involves are moving at speeds of less than 20 mph. The company's engineers optimistically predict that the City Safety system has the potential to reduce such low-speed collisions by as much as 50%. Although the units will be standard on the XC60 crossover, Volvo has not announced a decision on inclusion with other models or if City Safety will be offered as a standard feature or an available option when it does proliferate to those models.
The XC60, which will be built at the company's assembly facility in Ghent, Belgium, is being described by Volvo as the safest car it has ever built. The City Safety system joins a growing body of collision detection and prevention units being incorporated into 21st century vehicles, most geared toward blind spot monitoring and enhancing the driver's view and perception of the space around the car. Volvo's approach should prove particularly useful in crowded urban settings where commuters are subject to both tight driving conditions and the potential for road rage in other drivers.
by Rob Parker
The engineers at Volvo are no strangers to cutting edge safety systems. In 2006 the Volvo S80 could be outfitted with Collision Warning and Brake Support alerts. The systems sent visible and audible cues to the driver when the gap between his car and the one ahead tightened up too rapidly. In addition to the warnings, the brakes were prepped for use, but the driver's foot still had to do the work. Now, the Volvo XC60 crossover, set to go on sale in Europe this summer and coming to the United States in 2009, will be outfitted with City Safety, technology that will not only monitor the gap between cars and prep the brakes, but if necessary, do the braking itself.
Using an optical radar system built in to the windshield at the same level as the rear view mirror, City Safety monitors ahead of the car to a distance of approximately 20 feet (six meters). Intended for low-speed, bumper-to-bumper driving at rates of under 20 mph, the radar will pre-charge the brakes when the gap begins to get tight so the driver can respond more effectively. If, however, a collision is imminent, City Safety uses a hydraulic pump to activate the brakes on its own.
The unit's algorithm runs fifty calculations per second, constantly determining the necessary braking speed to prevent a collision, factoring in both the car's speed and the distance to the car ahead of its position in the lane. When the calculated force needed to brake exceeds a pre-determined level and the driver has not physically responded by tapping the brakes, City Safety concludes that a collision is imminent and intervenes. The system will work during the day and at night, but can be limited by weather conditions including fog, mist, heavy rain, or snow. Sensors in the windshield will alert the driver if dirt has built-up to a level that will compromise the unit's ability to scan the road ahead.
Statistics compiled by Volvo indicate that more than 75% of reported collisions actually occur when the vehicles involves are moving at speeds of less than 20 mph. The company's engineers optimistically predict that the City Safety system has the potential to reduce such low-speed collisions by as much as 50%. Although the units will be standard on the XC60 crossover, Volvo has not announced a decision on inclusion with other models or if City Safety will be offered as a standard feature or an available option when it does proliferate to those models.
The XC60, which will be built at the company's assembly facility in Ghent, Belgium, is being described by Volvo as the safest car it has ever built. The City Safety system joins a growing body of collision detection and prevention units being incorporated into 21st century vehicles, most geared toward blind spot monitoring and enhancing the driver's view and perception of the space around the car. Volvo's approach should prove particularly useful in crowded urban settings where commuters are subject to both tight driving conditions and the potential for road rage in other drivers.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
At the Frankfurt Auto Show: the Volvo Recharge Concept : new volvo 2008
At the Frankfurt Auto Show: the Volvo Recharge Concept : new volvo 2008
by Evander Klum
Almost all the cars that had its debut in the Frankfurt Auto show goes with its focus of Green car technology: low-emission diesels, fresh hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cells. The Volvo Recharge concept vehicle is one clear icon. The Recharge is built with a battery that can be recharged in a common electrical outlet to promote maximum environmental benefit. Only that, this battery can only run a maximum of 100 meters and then shifted to the four-cylinder Flexiful engine. "A certain proportion of electrical vehicles will be necessary to meet the CO2 emission demands of the future. Since the Volvo ReCharge Concept combines an excellent battery range with a backup combustion engine, it is a very interesting concept," says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Cars.The Recharge is product of a combination of a number of the latest technological innovations called "series hybrid" making no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels. The battery pack is a lithium-polymer battery. When the battery runs dry, the four-cylinder 1.6 liter engine powers up.The hybrid system is also backed up by an efficient generator, the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). It comes in when the battery runs short of power for the drive.The driver controls the four-cylinder Flexifuel engine manually by means of a button in the instrument panel. It allows the driver to start the engine earlier to prolong the life of the battery. The internal combustion engine starts if 70 percent of the battery power had already been used up."There is a considerable difference between our plug-in hybrid and today's hybrids. Today's hybrids use the battery only for short periods to assist the combustion engine. Our solution is designed for most people to run on electric power all the time, while providing the extra security that comes with having a combustion engine as a secondary source of electrical power," says Ichiro Sugioka, project manager for the Volvo ReCharge Concept.Also according to Sugioka, the Volvo ReCharge concept has its lively and sporty driving properties, it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds and can reach the top speed of 160 km/h. Inside, the cabin is equipped with interior auto parts (like auto floor mats) meant to give the passengers a comfortable ride."This is a ground-breaking innovation for sustainable transportation. A person driving less than 100 kilometres a day will rarely need to visit a filling station. In the USA, this may apply to almost 80 percent of drivers," says Magnus Jonsson.The battery can be fully charged within three hours, but a one hour quick charge can already reach 50 km according to Jonsson. "This plug-in hybrid car, when used as intended, should have about 66 percent lower emissions of carbon dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available on the market today. Emissions may be even lower if most of the electricity in intended markets comes from CO2-friendly sources such as biogas, hydropower and nuclear power," Jonsson added.
by Evander Klum
Almost all the cars that had its debut in the Frankfurt Auto show goes with its focus of Green car technology: low-emission diesels, fresh hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cells. The Volvo Recharge concept vehicle is one clear icon. The Recharge is built with a battery that can be recharged in a common electrical outlet to promote maximum environmental benefit. Only that, this battery can only run a maximum of 100 meters and then shifted to the four-cylinder Flexiful engine. "A certain proportion of electrical vehicles will be necessary to meet the CO2 emission demands of the future. Since the Volvo ReCharge Concept combines an excellent battery range with a backup combustion engine, it is a very interesting concept," says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Cars.The Recharge is product of a combination of a number of the latest technological innovations called "series hybrid" making no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels. The battery pack is a lithium-polymer battery. When the battery runs dry, the four-cylinder 1.6 liter engine powers up.The hybrid system is also backed up by an efficient generator, the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). It comes in when the battery runs short of power for the drive.The driver controls the four-cylinder Flexifuel engine manually by means of a button in the instrument panel. It allows the driver to start the engine earlier to prolong the life of the battery. The internal combustion engine starts if 70 percent of the battery power had already been used up."There is a considerable difference between our plug-in hybrid and today's hybrids. Today's hybrids use the battery only for short periods to assist the combustion engine. Our solution is designed for most people to run on electric power all the time, while providing the extra security that comes with having a combustion engine as a secondary source of electrical power," says Ichiro Sugioka, project manager for the Volvo ReCharge Concept.Also according to Sugioka, the Volvo ReCharge concept has its lively and sporty driving properties, it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds and can reach the top speed of 160 km/h. Inside, the cabin is equipped with interior auto parts (like auto floor mats) meant to give the passengers a comfortable ride."This is a ground-breaking innovation for sustainable transportation. A person driving less than 100 kilometres a day will rarely need to visit a filling station. In the USA, this may apply to almost 80 percent of drivers," says Magnus Jonsson.The battery can be fully charged within three hours, but a one hour quick charge can already reach 50 km according to Jonsson. "This plug-in hybrid car, when used as intended, should have about 66 percent lower emissions of carbon dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available on the market today. Emissions may be even lower if most of the electricity in intended markets comes from CO2-friendly sources such as biogas, hydropower and nuclear power," Jonsson added.
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