Top Positions And A Design Award For Volvo Car Corporation At Michelin Challenge Bibendum

BERLIN – May 24, 2011: Volvo Car Corporation's three cars achieved top results in the 11th Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Berlin.

The Volvo C30 Electric came in shared first place in the 130-kilometre rally plus received awards for handling, well to wheel CO2 emissions and local emissions. All in all, 13 cars took part in the rally.

The Volvo V50 DRIVe came third in the 300-kilometre rally and also received an award for fuel efficiency.

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid came fifth among the 16 cars in the long rally and was awarded for its acceleration. The car can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid also won the Challenge Bibendum 2011 Design Contest award in the category for vehicles with internal combustion engines.

"We are very happy with the results,'' says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Car Corporation.

``They reflect Volvo Car Corporation's uncompromising attitude to green motoring. Performing well both in the energy efficiency rallies and in acceleration and handling tests prove that we have the ability to combine environmental technology with a full luxury car experience.''

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid - three cars in one
The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid made its official road test debut at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum. The all-new model integrates the very best properties from three different car types. The driver chooses the preferred driving mode via three buttons on the instrument panel: Pure, Hybrid and Power. The car's front wheels are driven by a five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbo diesel producing 160kW/440Nm. The rear axle has a 52kW electric motor, which receives power from a 12kWh lithium-ion battery.

Volvo C30 Electric - 150km with almost zero emissions
The Volvo C30 Electric is as well-equipped, comfortable, sporty and safe as the standard C30 - while at the same time offering the driver a range of up to 150 kilometres per charge with almost zero carbon dioxide emissions. The car has an 83kW electric motor delivering 220Nm of torque.

Volvo V50 DRIVe - 99g/km
The Volvo V50 DRIVe is equipped with a 1.6-litre common rail turbo diesel featuring start/stop technology and several other refinements that bring CO2 emissions down to 99g/km. The engine produces 86kW/270Nm and fuel consumption (EU Combined) is 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres.