Gaining the R-Design’s front and rear bumpers, grille and 18-inch alloy wheels, leather sports seats and pedals and charcoal headlining, the new trim level is priced at £51,975 excluding the £5,000 plug-in car grant – a £1,700 premium over the existing SE Lux Nav specification which will still be available.

The drivetrain is unchanged, combining a 215bhp five-cylinder electric motor powering the front wheels with a 70bhp electric motor driving the rear axle. With a 31-mile electric range, the V60 Plug-in hybrid emits 48g/km CO2 and returns 155.2mpg on the NEDC test.  

Volvo said it sold almost 8,000 of its diesel-electric plug-in hybrid during 2013, but initial volume has been focused on markets with suitable incentives – particularly the Netherlands. But as those incentives have ended, the carmaker is chasing a wider customer base than the predominantly environmentally-focused fleets it has found homes on to date.

Selwyn Cooper, head of business sales, at Volvo Car UK, said: ‘Rather than limited supply that we’ve had, from next model year will have the supply which means we’ll be actively selling that product across a broader range of clients, and a broader range of acceptability. We’re in the stages of ordering a demo fleet for the new model year, to get into the mainstream.’

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid R-Design is available to order now.