Available to order now, priced from £51,675 (excl the £5000 Plug-In Car Grant), the new model gains features from teh brand's R-Design specification – which is equivalent to the BMW M Sport and Audi S Line trim levels – including front bumper and grille, rear diffuser and 18-inch Ixion wheels.

The model also gains full R-Design detailing inside, including sports seats as standard with a blend of black nubuck textile and perforated leather, as well as sports pedals, sports floor mats and charcoal headlining. The car retains the special plug-in hybrid instrumentation and information.

Also fitted as standard on all PHEVs is Volvo's telematic system, Volvo On Call. This system allows users to use a free mobile app to access a number of functions and keeps the driver in constant contact with the vehicle, no matter where he/she is.

Under the bonnet is Volvo’s familiar 215bhp D5 diesel engine, powering the front wheels. The rear wheels are driven using a 70bhp motor, supplied by a lithium-ion battery under the boot floor.

Drivers are offered a choice of three modes – Pure, Hybrid or Power – with the Pure mode offering up 31 miles on pure electric power.

‘We sold almost 8,000 plug-in hybrids in 2013. Adding the R-Design dynamic attributes to the V60 Plug-in Hybrid – the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid – will further broaden its appeal. The customer gets segment-topping performance combined with outstanding efficiency,’ said Alain Visser, senior vice president marketing, sales and customer service at Volvo Car Group.

The Volvo V60 D6 AWD R-Design Lux Nav can be ordered now, with expected deliveries from August 2014.