Very appealing tax and efficiency figures are the big sweetener for this near-£50,000 upper medium Volvo estate. Acting more like a super-hybrid than a range-extender in the form of the Vauxhall Ampera, the V60 has a range of around 30 miles on pure electric before switching to hybrid mode where it will use brake regeneration to recharge the battery for more silent electric vehicle running later on.
It's also very rapid when it wants to be, toting more than 300hp for a 0-62mph time of a shade over six seconds. It works well, and bodes even better for the future of Volvo developments, but a cost per mile of 90.3p, 8.6p more than a top-spec BMW 330d Touring with four-wheel drive, is currently prohibitive for most fleets, which is a shame, because cost apart, it's an impressive piece of kit.
Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid
P11D price
£49,220
Model price range
£21,945-£49,220
Fuel consumption
155.2mpg
CO2 (tax)
48g/km (5%)
BIK 20/40% per month
£41/£82
Service interval
18,000miles
Insurance (1-50)
group 22
Warranty
3yrs/60,000mls
Boot space min/max
305/1126 litres
Engine size/power
2953cc/304hp
Top speed/0-62mph
143mph/6.1secs
On sale
May 2013
Verdict
Massive cost, but an otherwise successful plug-in diesel hybrid.
