As soon as next year (2012) you'll be able buy a Volvo V60 that returns a staggering 150mpg - or 1.88 litres/100km.
Volvo has revealed the V60 plug-in diesel hybrid estate ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The car can drive on electricity alone for 51 kilometres and puffs out a mere 49g/km on the combined EU test cycle. That means it will be the lowest emitting car on sale in Ireland (electric cars aside).
Obviously this car easily sits in tax Band A.
Peugeot will get the first diesel hybrid to market later this year in the 3008 crossover (with 99g/km), but this plug-in car means that, in theory, drivers need never tap into the diesel tank.
Volvo claims that "the majority of all European drivers cover less than 32 miles a day." The V60 takes five hours to charge from a regular three-pin socket.
The tank range is around 1,200 kilometres - enough to get from London to Munich - yet it will hit 100km/h in 6.9 seconds.
No prices have been announced as yet, but Volvo has already conceded that it will cost more than a conventionally engined V60. No word either on Irish market sales plans.