Volvo: abandonment of diesel engines
S60 AS THE NEXT STEP The new Volvo S60 is the first model from the Swedish premium brand to be offered without a diesel engine. With the next generation of the mid-size saloon, Volvo is reaffirming its commitment to a future without combustion engines. In July 2017, Volvo Cars became the first classic car manufacturer to commit to comprehensive electrification. Volvo has thus launched the most comprehensive e-strategy in [...]
In July 2017, Volvo Cars became the first classic car manufacturer to commit to comprehensive electrification. Volvo has thus presented the most comprehensive e-strategy in the automotive industry.
From 2019, all new Volvo models will therefore be available exclusively as a mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid version, each with a combination of gasoline and electric engine or as a purely battery-electric vehicle.
Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, explains the reasons for this step.
Håkan Samuelsson: "Our future is electric and we will no longer be developing a new generation of diesel engines. We are phasing out cars with combustion engines. On the way to full electrification, petrol hybrid versions will be our offering in the transformation phase. The new Volvo S60 marks the next step."
Electrification strategy reaffirmed
As early as 2025, 50 percent of all vehicles sold by the Swedish premium brand worldwide are to have a purely electric drive. This announcement was made at Auto China in Beijing and positions Volvo as a strong car manufacturer in one of the world's leading markets for electrified vehicles.
The new Volvo S60 is based on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), on which the award-winning 90 series and the rest of the 60 family are also built. The new premium mid-size sports saloon is the counterpart to the Volvo V60 estate, which celebrated its public premiere in Geneva in March.
A range of four-cylinder petrol engines from the Drive-E engine family and two plug-in hybrid versions with a petrol engine are available for the drive system. Mild hybrids will follow next year.
The new S60 will be produced at the new Volvo plant in Charleston, South Carolina, starting in the fall. The newly built plant is the only production facility for the Volvo S60, which is both sold on the US market and exported abroad.
