Driving an F1-inspired hybrid, the Volvo S60 KERS

Conventional wisdom tells us that speed requires more power, and more power typically means burning more fuel. Volvo recently allowed us to take a peek into the future of its take on a kinetic energy recovery system, a “power boost” of sorts used in Formula 1 racing that Volvo says could make its way into a Volvo within a few years.

The idea behind a KERS setup and a typical hybrid is the same: recovering energy from braking and storing it later for reuse. But in a KERS, the energy is stored in spinning discs rather than a heavy set of batteries. For Volvo, its KERS system uses a carbon-fiber composite flywheel, spinning at about 60,000 revolutions per minute in a vacuum-sealed case to reduce drag. It weighs only about 13 lbs., and is installed on a S60 T5 experimental vehicle driving the rear wheels.