Volvo Penta Trim Pump 3819847 on 2040-parts.com

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid: Production underway

The world’s first production plug-in diesel hybrid – the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid – has gone in to production ahead of customer deliveries. Volvo are producing just 1,000 2013 V60 plug-ins, but are aiming to up production to between 4-6,000 a year from the 2014 model year and, despite the problems of integrating the V60′s complicated electric stuff in to a production car, the V60 plug-in is rolling down the same production line as the regular V60, V70, S80 and XC90. That complicated stuff includes two different powertrains and a battery pack – enough for up to 32 miles as an EV only – and a total of 300 additional parts compared to a regular ICE V60.

Color Conscious: Hues show off new technology, segments

Henry Ford was quite content to offer one color on the Model T--black. Take it or leave it, as the legend goes. But that was in the days when horses were still considered primary transportation for many Americans.

MINI Clubvan AXED in the US after just 50 sales

The MINI Clubvan (pictured) has been axed in the US after just 50 sales The MINi Clubvan – a van version of the Clubman – arrived in 2012 as a concept and instantly evoked fond memories of the original Mini van that used to roam UK roads with the black and yellow livery of the AA. By the time the new MINi Clubvan arrived as a production model last summer – and debuted at the 2012 Goodwood FoS – it had changed little from the concept, but looked set for success as a funky little local delivery vehicle. And it does seem as though the Clubvan is selling quite well, with florists and posh food delivery firms jumping on the Clubvan as a great way to move their product to customers, and look just that bit different in the process.