Volvo Takes Top Positions at Michelin Challenge Bibendum

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Wins Michelin Challenge Bibendum Design Contest

All three Volvos participating in the 11th Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Berlin in May 2011 achieved top results in the international sustainability event.

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

The Volvo C30 Electric took joint first place in the 130-kilometer rally plus awards for handling, well to wheel CO2 emissions and local emissions. 13 cars took part in the rally.

The Volvo V50 DRIVe came in third in the 300-kilometer rally and received awards 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 cV60 Plug-in Hybrid can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.

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

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid - three cars in one
The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, which made its official road test debut at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, 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-liter turbodiesel producing 215 hp/440 Nm. The rear axel has a 70 hp electric motor, which receives power from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery.

Volvo C30 Electric - 150 km 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 kilometers per charge with almost zero carbon dioxide emissions. The C30 Electric has a 111 hp electric motor delivering 220 Nm of torque.

Volvo V50 DRIVe - 99 g/100 km
The Volvo V50 DRIVe is equipped with a 1.6-liter common rail turbo diesel featuring start/stop and several other refinements that bring CO2 emissions down to 99 g/km. The engine produces 115 hp/270 Nm and fuel consumption (EU Combined) is 3.8 liters per 100 km.

Michelin Challenge Bibendum
Michelin Challenge Bibendum is an international event that combines technical tests and evaluations, demonstrations and test drives to gauge the progress of vehicles, energies and technologies. Technologies and trends are debated in forums and conferences. Private and public sector opinion leaders and decision-makers gauge the advances and future sustainable energy paths for a better mobility