The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid was revealed to European audiences at last year's Geneva Motor Show. Powered by a 2.4-litre D4 diesel engine and a 69bhp electric motor the load lugging estate is capable of 150mpg and emissions as low as 49g/km, it would appear to be the ideal solution for those who wish to care for the environment yet still drive a car that actually looks like a car rather than a cast off from the latest Star Wars.

However, while the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is ideally suited to the European market, it appears that our American cousins don't much fancy diesel power and will instead get a 345bhp, petrol powered XC60 hybrid.

Set to debut at the Detroit Auto Show next week the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept will be able to run in one of three modes depending on conditions. In Pure mode the vehicle is powered entirely by the 69bhp electric motor for up to 35 miles. This, Volvo says, should be enough to fill the needs of more than half of American motorists who cover less than 30 miles a day.

Hybrid mode will see both the petrol engine and electric motor work together to boost range, alternating or working together much like a conventional hybrid. In stop-go traffic the electric motor will whisk the XC60 along silently with the petrol engine kicking in under hard acceleration.

Power mode will see the two engines work in tandem to deliver the full 345bhp and 428lb.ft torque. This will see the XC60 sprint from 0-62 mph in just 5.8 seconds with the added benefit of the 'through-the-road' hybrid all-wheel drive setup.

The total driving range with a fully charged battery and a full tank of petrol should be around 600 miles with the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid taking 7.5 hours to charge from a household plug.

There are no plans to introduce this car in the UK as yet.

Paul Healy - 5 Jan 2012