Recently, Volvo presented a prototype of the future XC40 crossover with a hybrid powertrain that includes a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine and an electric motor. Samuelsson stated that in the future, such units will be used not only in the junior "fortieth" series but also in the middle "sixtieth" series – models that will replace the current S60, V60, and XC60.
According to the head of Volvo, hybrids are a good alternative to diesel engines: they can provide the same power and torque, but with significantly lower fuel consumption and harmful emissions.
In the US, diesel Volvos are already absent, and in Europe they may completely disappear due to tightening legislation and the overall decline in demand for cars that consume heavy fuel, caused by the "diesel scandal." As Samuelsson explained, to make diesels comply with future emission standards, their design and maintenance would have to be complicated, making them more expensive.
Hybrid models, on the contrary, will only become cheaper and more efficient. However, the decisive vote will still remain with consumers, and no one is going to forcibly deprive them of diesels. Volvo has no problem with this: gasoline and diesel engines of the Drive-E family can be assembled on the same production line.
