Make no mistake, the Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid is a very impressive vehicle.
How could a well-equipped and beautifully finished estate car that can crack six seconds to 60mph yet still average better than 60mpg when driven with no great regard to fuel economy be anything but?
Volvo claims a purely electric range of up to 31 miles and that means the V60 Plug-In Hybrid can deliver zero-emissions motoring for the 75 per cent of Europeans who drive less than this distance.
Range anxiety isn't an issue because when the batteries are largely depleted you just move onto diesel power while reserving enough energy for another 12 miles on battery power.
Emissions are rated at 48g/km and overall economy at 155.2mpg on the largely nugatory NEDC cycle measure.
The problem is that in achieving these seemingly contradictory achievements, it imposes a number of compromises that many won't be prepared to countenance.
It weighs a handful of kilos off two tonnes and you'll notice that through corners.
It rides very firmly. It's no more spacious than a Ford Focus. And it costs nearly £44,000.
These are not trifling concerns and while Volvo should be applauded for bringing what is undeniably a very special car to market, it's one that will only really work for the smallest of customer niches.
Volvo's supremely modest sales target of 150 sales per year recognises this fact, but should this vehicle fit your specific requirements, you'll probably love it for its other-wordly abilities.
For the rest of us, it's merely a briefly diverting curiosity.
