Volvo sells almost exclusively plug-in hybrid or electric models in the Netherlands. The plug-in adventure began in 2013 with plug-in pioneer Volvo V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrid. A tiny, unique series of 1,000 cars ‘with the old nose’ came to the Netherlands. This silver-gray example is one of them.
Anyone currently walking into a Volvo showroom will only find two models available without a plug: the XC40 and – for as long as it lasts – the V60. The Volvo menu also includes the plug-in hybrid XC60, XC90, the plug-in hybrid V60, and the fully electric EX30, EC40, EX40, EX60, EX90, and ES90. For Volvo’s first plug-in hybrid, we set the time machine to 2011, the year the Volvo V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrid debuted. It is interesting not only because it was the first Volvo with a plug.
The V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrid had a 2.4-liter five-cylinder diesel engine, a 215 hp strong machine that worked together with a 70 hp strong electric motor. This gave the plug-in station wagon a system output of 285 hp. It also meant: all-wheel drive and, thanks to an 11.2 kWh battery, an electric range of approximately 50 kilometers. The Volvo V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrid was a huge success in the Netherlands. The Dutch tax climate at the time made it possible for business drivers of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid (delivered before 2014) not to pay any additional tax. On paper, the V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrid emitted only 49 grams of CO2 per kilometer. On December 13, 2011, Volvo released the Dutch prices. A few days later, it became clear that the entire first series of Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrids for 2012 was sold out.
You saw the Volvo V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrid much more often with this front. The facelift version, that is.
Something remarkable happened, especially with the very first series of Volvo V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrids. The first 1,000 units Volvo delivered in Europe were all painted Electric Silver and still had the nose of the Volvo V60 as it was presented in 2010. These first 1,000 units were V60s from model year 2013. From model year 2014, the plug-in hybrid V60 would also get the front of the refreshed V60. Ultimately, thousands of Volvo V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrids were registered in the Netherlands, but only a small portion of them are from the very beginning.
This particular example is one of those super-early Volvo V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrids. It costs over €65,000 new and can now be taken home for less than €5,000. For that, you get a fully loaded used Volvo V60, but also one with 338,269 kilometers on the odometer. Quite a lot of experience, but there are second-hand Volvo V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrids for sale with more kilometers on the odometer, although those are models with the new front. For example, we found this used Volvo V60 with 410,000 kilometers on the odometer. There are no fewer than seven other examples for sale that have driven more than the silver-colored example that plays the main role in this article.
This Volvo V60 D6 Plug-in Hybrid is number 64 of the 1,000 from this pre-facelift series.
Fun fact: the V60’s production number can be seen on the steering wheel. In this case, for €4,900, you park number 64 of the 1,000 units in front of your door. Very exclusive, though hardly anyone will realize it.