7- Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid
Hit and Miss. This is a sentimental call. I could not go through such a list without giving a shout-out to a wagon, of which there were many. As with most “real” hybrids, the V60 can be driven in pure electric mode, for up to 50 kilometres. As a real hybrid, gas + batteries, for normal driving conditions. This way, its carbon dioxide emissions are of only 49 g/km (an average compact spews 3 to 4 times as much). Then, there's the Power Mode which propels the station wagon from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds. The powertrain consists of a 215 five-cylinder 2.4-litre D5 turbodiesel and a 70-hp rear electric motor. With the recent demise of the V50 in North America, if we get a Volvo Hybrid, it'll probably be in the shape of an S60. This is why it's a miss as well.
8- Peugeot 3008 Hybrid 4
Hit. For some reason and for some manufacturers, the combination of diesel and hybrid makes sense. And then, there were two, even if Peugeot claims to be the first... Although the wagon is great, and it is, the 3008's tall stature and roomy interior would be a shoe-in in North America. The hybrid powertrain includes a 2.0L 4-cylinder diesel engine, good for 165 hp which moves the front wheels. A 37.5-hp electric motor works the rear. According to Peugeot, the fuel consumption numbers are 3.8 L/100 km on average, and emissions are a low 99 g/km. Now that there are two diesel hybrids, I'm expecting another manufacturer to jump in, like Ford or Volkswagen, and makes this a reality in North America.
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| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com |
Hit and Miss. This is a sentimental call. I could not go through such a list without giving a shout-out to a wagon, of which there were many. As with most “real” hybrids, the V60 can be driven in pure electric mode, for up to 50 kilometres. As a real hybrid, gas + batteries, for normal driving conditions. This way, its carbon dioxide emissions are of only 49 g/km (an average compact spews 3 to 4 times as much). Then, there's the Power Mode which propels the station wagon from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds. The powertrain consists of a 215 five-cylinder 2.4-litre D5 turbodiesel and a 70-hp rear electric motor. With the recent demise of the V50 in North America, if we get a Volvo Hybrid, it'll probably be in the shape of an S60. This is why it's a miss as well.
8- Peugeot 3008 Hybrid 4
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| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com |
Hit. For some reason and for some manufacturers, the combination of diesel and hybrid makes sense. And then, there were two, even if Peugeot claims to be the first... Although the wagon is great, and it is, the 3008's tall stature and roomy interior would be a shoe-in in North America. The hybrid powertrain includes a 2.0L 4-cylinder diesel engine, good for 165 hp which moves the front wheels. A 37.5-hp electric motor works the rear. According to Peugeot, the fuel consumption numbers are 3.8 L/100 km on average, and emissions are a low 99 g/km. Now that there are two diesel hybrids, I'm expecting another manufacturer to jump in, like Ford or Volkswagen, and makes this a reality in North America.