Swedish automaker Volvo is developing a hybrid drive system for its all-new C30 hatchback. The system is a series hybrid, meaning the combustion engine never powers the wheels directly, but instead turns a generator to power an electric motor.
Rather than a gasoline engine, the car will use a diesel powerplant, according to Germany’s Autobild. The car will be capable of traveling about 45 miles on batteries alone. It will also feature plug-in capability, meaning owners can charge their vehicle at home.
A concept version of the car will debut at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Shanghai later this year, allow Vovlo engineers to put the car through its paces in a demanding situation.
It’s not known when a production version will debut, but the report indicates Volvo is serious about bringing a hybrid C30 to showrooms.



01/30, 2:16 PM
posted by:
bousbous55
No GM#0 ..SHHHHH LOL
01/30, 2:16 PM
posted by:
edgarp
This would be great for those people that have charging stations at their work that no one ever uses.
01/30, 2:18 PM
posted by:
aratsu
Its a good thing, but C30 is ugly as hell.
01/30, 2:20 PM
posted by:
1966_GTO_
I’ve said before that I think the C30 is one of the, if not the, most attractive hatches on the road. It doesn’t surprise me that they are going to make a hybrid version.
01/30, 2:21 PM
posted by:
A4
thank god its a diesel
01/30, 2:22 PM
posted by:
A4
still ugly, still not a GTI though
01/30, 2:34 PM
posted by:
meanpants555
Am I the only guy out there that has no interest in hybrids? I recycle, conserve water, commute to work, but damn I love gasoline.
.
01/30, 2:38 PM
posted by:
rey323
Wow, so this hybrid is the same concept as the Volt. I wonder what Volvo’s estimates in getting this available to market.
01/30, 2:40 PM
posted by:
GMnumberone4ever
Wow, GM’s got everyone chasing them in the hybrid race.
01/30, 2:57 PM
posted by:
MC
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/MostDependableCar.aspx
Hey check out this list of most dependable cars. And yes GMnumberone4ever Ford is more dependable than GMC and Chevy.
01/30, 3:07 PM
posted by:
GMNumber14ever
Yeah, this hybrid race is all sewn up. Can you imagine Toyota bringing any successful hybrids to the global market?
01/30, 3:24 PM
posted by:
NOS2006
MC… Big Three Averages:
GM: 245.7 (10 companies)
DCX: 248.5 (4 companies)
Ford: 251.1 (7 companies)
01/30, 3:52 PM
posted by:
dthx1138
This sounds awesome. I’ve been waiting for somebody to make a diesel hybrid. 45 miles per charge, hot damn that’d be like an electric car for me. I almost never drive more than that in a day.
01/30, 3:53 PM
posted by:
Kyle
seriously …
01/30, 4:21 PM
posted by:
roadmaster96
Whats the point of making a hybrid out of a car that already gets 30 mpg? Why not make a XC90 or S80 hybrid?
01/30, 4:31 PM
posted by:
British_Rover
^^^^ Err cause the 30 mpg car might be able to get 60 plus mpg in diesel/electric form while a XC90 or S80 probably won’t break 30 mpg.
01/30, 4:51 PM
posted by:
A4
how about nobody acknowledges him ever again
let him say what he wants he probably works for GM
nobody cares
01/30, 4:52 PM
posted by:
motorheader
MFnumberone4ever, Please grow up! It’s OK to be a GM-fanatic, but any CAR-fanatic has a minimum of knowledge of what is going on in the car world. You are just full of ****! Of course many comments here is not objective, but at least bring some facts behind your claims, that would be an a advantage.
Anyway this article is old news for real car-fanatics!
But it looks pretty sweet for a hybrid. (Not realy my cup of tea)
01/30, 4:56 PM
posted by:
British_Rover
Hmhh question where do you get 10 brands for GM now?
At least 10 that are sold in the US.
I count…
1. Buick 153
2. Cadillac 163
3. Pontiac 232
4. GMC 239
5. Chevy 241
6. Saturn 289
7. Hummer 307
8. Saab 326
Oldmobile is dead you can’t count it anymore
GM sold off their stakes in both Subaru and Izuzu. I guess you could count Suzuki as part of GM as they are partners but I don’t think any Suzukis sold in the US use GM components. I might be wrong about that though so lets count Suzuki.
So Suzuki is number 9 and has 318 problems.
That equals 252 problems per 100 vehicles
01/30, 5:04 PM
posted by:
NOS2006
Buick: 153
Cadillac: 163
Oldsmobile: 224
Pontiac: 232
GMC: 239
Chevrolet: 241
Isuzu: 283
Saturn: 289
Hummer: 307
Saab: 326
I counted Isuzu because I forgot GM sold off their stakes and I counted Oldsmobile because that was still in the Industry Average, so why not.
Remove Isuzu, and the average I found goes down to 241.6
01/30, 5:09 PM
posted by:
ironpony42
Am I the only guy out there that has no interest in hybrids? I recycle, conserve water, commute to work, but damn I love gasoline.
.
Comment by meanpants555, posted on January30 at 2:34 pm
Dude, I hear ya, I’m a petrol head too. However I’m seeing the light when it comes to hybrids and other ULEV’s. When it comes to just getting to and from work, I don’t need a Hemi. I think a little Deisel Hybrid from Volvo would be way cool. But come Saturday, I want to play with my big noisy and nasty 440ci mopar gurgling its way down the road at 7mpg. And I don’t appologize to anyone for it. Sure it’s in a rusty and ugly old satillite, and not some show car, but it’s fun. I will always love the smell of Gasoline and Tires on the weekend.
I think this is the first Deisel Hybrid I’ve read about. And it’s a series hybrid to boot. Pretty damn cool, way to go Volvo!
01/30, 5:24 PM
posted by:
suthuna
To echo ironpony42, this is an awesome announcement. Leave the weekends for my gas-guzzlin’, stick with something RATIONAL during the week, something that makes sense depending on your particular driving habits. Living in the city, I drive maybe 9-20 miles a day, if that. My old FJ40 got around 9mpg with 33″ mud-terrains. Where’s Toyota with a diesel series hybrid for trucks?
Funny meanpants555 said “commute to work,” I think he meant something else, since most of us commute to work. Nothing green or eco about that, just commuting. Walk? Ride a bike? Bus or train? Carpool? What are you saying?
01/30, 5:24 PM
posted by:
Brendino
No mention of Ford. I wonder if this is an independent hybrid project, or if Volvo dipped into Ford’s hybrid bin?
01/30, 5:29 PM
posted by:
bb_454
I hate hybrids, and have no interest in ever owning one. But its good to have options for those people that like them.
01/30, 5:43 PM
posted by:
Jazz
Diesel hybrid! Yay! I like the inovation that is coming out of the auto industry now.
Not a hybrid or diesel lover but I am a lover of my money working harder for me. My money getting used up on higher gas prices for the same amount of gas as a month ago is not cool to me. That extra 30-50 bucks a month could be used for entertainment,investments, bills, etc. So ya, I’d love a rip roaring Viper at 10mpg but If they had a rip roaring hybrid Viper at 25mpg now I’m really interested.
Basically if gas engines could get 35-40mpg for a normal mid-sized car then I’d be all for them.
(i-4 camry’s/accord’s don’t count) Unfortunately they never have so… next.
01/30, 5:48 PM
posted by:
fixitfixitstop
Hating hybrids is really dumb. Also, it’s 2007 and only Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are making hybrid CARS. If Ford and GM are bread-and-butter brands, they NEED to have hybrid cars more than they do SUVs.
01/30, 6:21 PM
posted by:
chuckles
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha(breath)hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha(breath,tear)
gm#1-4never, you are hilarious…If you’re referring to someone copying the crap that GM calls hybrid, don’t worry, there is absolutely no chance…it would be a move backwards…
01/30, 6:30 PM
posted by:
British_Rover
You really shouldn’t count oldsmobile anymore but you should probably count Suzuk.
01/30, 6:39 PM
posted by:
Volvoman
Brendino, perhaps this is the first fruits of Volvo’s $1 Billion+ research center that Ford will be able to take advantage of.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/06/30/volvo-invests-billions-in-alternative-power/
I have heard that Ford’s current Hybrid technology came from Toyota’s 1st generation Synergy system. If the C30 can go for 45 miles on battery alone, that is several steps ahead of that system – and even GM’s oversided alternators!
01/30, 10:12 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
No source for this news? Is it a deep undercover LLN mole risking his life infiltrating FoMoCo?
01/30, 11:58 PM
posted by:
GMnumberone4ever
I eat donkeys.
01/31, 12:06 AM
posted by:
niallpolley
GMnumberone4ever,
So you’re a cannibal?
01/31, 9:22 AM
posted by:
GarbageMotorsCo
lol, sounds like the curse of the attacked accounts again…
01/31, 9:36 AM
posted by:
55amg
LOL. its good his account got jacked.
01/31, 11:52 AM
posted by:
GarbageMotorsCo
I’d say there are a few others here at LLN who are no less extreme. GM#1… was just easy pickins…
01/31, 12:53 PM
posted by:
Syrax
stolen nickname saga all over again…
02/04, 12:16 PM
posted by:
chevy490
yea but u have to remember chevy salls way more vechicles than ford theree for they have a wider verity of problems commen sence!
02/05, 10:03 PM
posted by:
CarExpert
This is a nice car. It looks powerful. Moreover, I think there would be better ones like this. But, I’m sure Volvo would find a way to produce a concept that would lead them straight up ahead from them. Volvo still has several advantages that I’m amused of. They produce safe cars and tough parts. Volvo fan clutch is one of the proof.