The virtually production-ready car offers CO2 emissions below 50g/km, which translates into fuel consumption of 150 miles per gallon.

The front wheels of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be driven by a five-cylinder 2.4-litre D5 turbodiesel, which produces 215PS and maximum torque of 440Nm. The rear axle features ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) in the form of an electric motor producing 70PS, which receives its power from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The car features a six-speed automatic transmission.

'In order to get true car enthusiasts to think green, you have to offer them the opportunity to drive with low carbon dioxide emissions without taking away the adrenaline rush that promotes genuine driving pleasure. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid has all the traditional properties of a genuine sports wagon. What we've done is to spice it up with spearhead technology,' said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volvo Cars.

The model has been developed in close cooperation with Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall and is expected to go on sale in 2012.