Volvo C30 DRIVe
Credit: Auto Week (www.autoweek.com)
By WES RAYNAL
What is it?
The Volvo C30 DRIVe is a pure-electric version of Volvo's little C30 sport hatch, and it is Volvo's first pure EV. It is powered by an 84-kilowatt (110-hp) electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries. Volvo claims a 100-mile range, but the company says drivers will see closer to 75 to 80 miles in real-world driving. The car can be charged on a 110-volt or 220-volt standard electric outlet, and Volvo says a full charge could easily be done overnight.
The car will hit 60 mph in about 10 seconds and has an 80-mph top speed. The first 10 C30 DRIVe electrics are right now going to the Swedish-based energy company Goteborg Energi. The company hopes to have a test fleet in the United States in about a year, with cars on sale in two years.
How's it drive?
It drives like a C30, only really quiet. It's eerily quiet in fact--there is little of the whirring sound you often hear from an electric-car's motors. We drove the car on L.A.'s streets and the ride was fine and the steering was firm and direct. Acceleration is brisk, but keep in mind the car weighs 264 pounds more than a standard C30, so it does drive a bit heavier. There's regen braking when coasting. All was normal inside, with Volvo levels of fit and finish and comfort. There's a large speedometer with a battery charge meter and the tach is replaced with a dial showing how much energy is coming in and going out of the battery.
Do I want one?
Volvo North America boss Doug Speck figures the car would be perfect in cities such as Los Angeles, where the average commuting distance is 30 to 35 miles per day. If you're a commuter in large urban areas, the car will certainly be worth a look when the time comes.
2012 Volvo C30 DRIVe
Price: N/A
Available: Fall 2012
Layout: Four-passenger, front-engine, front-drive hatchback
Drivetrain: 110-hp electric motor, lithium-ion batteries, front-wheel drive
Weight: 3,500 lb
Performance: 0-60 mph: 10 sec; top speed: 80 mph; 75-80 mile range
Credit: Auto Week (www.autoweek.com)
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