What makes this report different than “yet another automaker is working on a hybrid” is that it reportedly will be a diesel engine that will be recharging the battery pack that drives the electric motor in this car.
And that's all the diesel engine will be doing—recharging the battery pack. The only propulsion source on the vehicle will be the electric motor. This is what is known as a “serial hybrid,” and is the same sort of powertrain that was featured in the Chevrolet Volt concept car unveiled by GM at January's Detroit Auto Show.
It seems likely, based on Autobild's report, that plug-in capability will also be a feature of this hybrid, allowing for the car's batttery to be recharged from an electrical outlet. This could give as much as 45 miles of travel on just the battery alone, before the diesel cranks up to recharge the battery pack.
One advantage of using a diesel engine in a serial hybrid vehicle such as this proposed C30, is that the fuel efficiency of the engine—already greater than that of an equivalent gas engine—is heightened because all the engine has to do is act as an electric generator. This means that it is operating in a narrow RPM band, which lends itself to being tuned for a maximum amount of efficiency, as opposed to a regular diesel (or gas) engine that actually drives the wheels, which has to operate at many RPM levels, and hence is not as efficient.
Volvo is set to premiere this hybrid concept at Michelin's Challenge Bibendum in Shanghai sometime this year. They appear to be serious about bringing this car to the showrooms at some point in the future.
Via: HTLounge