2012 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Video

Good news, nature fanboys. Volvo's uber-frugal, 150mpg V60 Plug-in Hybrid just took a step closer to reality. A limited production run of 1,000 vehicles will go on sale in November 2012.

Volvo has confirmed the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will sell for between £45,000 and £50,000 in the UK. Assuming the government's plug-in car grant is still available and the car qualifies for it, that price will reduce by a further £5,000.

No, you're quite right, £50,000 is a lot of money for a car, but we reckon the V60 Plug-in Hybrid's unique propulsion gubbins probably justifies that spend. It uses a 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine to throw 215hp and 440Nm of torque through the front wheels. Powering the rear, meanwhile, is a 70hp electric motor, which draws power from an 11.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack installed under the floor.

This arrangement allows the V60 Plug-in Hybrid to run in a number of modes. In ordinary hybrid mode, it switches efficiently between the internal combustion engine and electric motor to deliver a claimed 150mpg, CO2 emissions of 49g/km and a total driving range of 621 miles.

If you fancy turning your nose up at petrol altogether, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will run for an impressive 32 miles after a semi-tolerable 4.5-hour recharge using a 10A electrical outlet.

Despite its solid eco credentials, the car is no slouch. It'll do 0-60mph in a Boxster-baiting 6.2 seconds. It'll handle itself well in slippery conditions too, thanks to four-wheel drive, which can be activated on demand at the press of a button.

Just 1,000 limited edition V60 Plug-in Hybrids will go on sale in November 2012. After this initial batch has been sold, production will increase to 4,000-6,000 cars. Thirty per cent will go to Sweden and other Nordic nations, while the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France and the Netherlands will have a share of between 5 and 15 per cent each.