SWEDISH car maker Volvo has taken the wraps off its new V60 medium sized estate car which for the first time will be available as a plug-in hybrid.
The new estate was unveiled in Stockholm and sits on the same platform design Volvo has used on the larger V90 estate and the XC60 and XC90 SUVs.
Measuring 15ft 7ins in length the new model is some five inches longer than the previous V60 but sits lower and is slightly narrower and offers 529 litres of cargo space - significantly more than before.
Maximum capacity is also up from 1,241 to 1,364 litres, not far short of that offered by the XC60.
Prices are also up and although Volvo has yet to reveal full UK specification for the new V60 line up, the range will start from £31,810 when the first models arrive later in the year.
The new V60 will be available with Volvo's D3 and D4 diesel powertrains as well as T5 and T6 petrol engines and will also mark the introduction of the new T6 Twin Engine AWD petrol plug-in hybrid that generates a combined 340hp.
Volvo's T8 Twin Engine AWD petrol plug-in hybrid that delivers 390hp will also be available and both plug-ins offer the potential of great economy with emissions of 47g/km which equates to a theoretical 135 miles per gallon.
The two plug-ins are the quickest with 0 to 60 acceleration times of 4.8 seconds and 155mph top speeds while the T6 petrol with its 0 to 60 time of 5,8 seconds is rated at 38mpg with a CO2 figure of 171g/km.
The front wheel drive D3 diesel has an official fuel return of 66mpg with emissions of 114g/km and the D4 is rated at 64mpg (117g/km).
"The family estate driver is an important customer for our business and has been for generations," said Hakan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars. "The new V60 honours that tradition, but also takes it much further."
The new V60 inherits much of Volvo's high level safety equipment including advanced driver-support systems from the 90 series and XC60, making the new V60 one of the safest cars on the road.
Safety devices include City Safety with Autobrake technology which uses automatic braking and detection systems to assist the driver in avoiding potential collisions and is the only system on the market to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. In a world first, City Safety now also engages autobraking to mitigate oncoming collisions.
The Pilot Assist system - which supports the driver with steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 80 mph - has been upgraded with improved cornering performance.
The V60 also includes Run-off Road Mitigation, Oncoming Lane Mitigation and other steering-assistance systems. Cross Traffic Alert with autobrake which further improves safety for people inside and outside the car, is an option.
As with all other new generation Volvos, the V60 is fitted with the company's Sensus infotainment system which is fully compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4G, and keeps drivers connected at all times. The system is controlled via an intuitive tablet-style touch screen that combines car functions, navigation, connected services and entertainment apps.
The new V60 will also be available via Volvo Cars' new premium subscription service, Care by Volvo, which offers a monthly flat-fee subscription rather than outright ownership.