Geneva Show: Volvo “Ocean Race Edition” Models

Volvo has launched a series of specially designed cars dedicated to the sailing competition, “Volvo Ocean Race”. The new “Ocean Race Edition” range encompasses three models the V70, XC70 and XC90. Available in two exterior colors, Ocean Blue and Electric Silver, the special edition models feature full leather upholstery in Soft Beige or Offblack, with the centre console and other details in a silk matt aluminium finish. Additionally, the stitching on the upholstery traces its roots to sail making while the aluminium detailing on the mats resembles clews. -Continued

When Volvo organised the Volvo Ocean Race the very first time in 2001-02, the company sold 4,500 special edition Volvo V70s and X70s. In conjunction with the 2005-06 race, the Ocean Blue family was extended with the Volvo XC90 and sales increased to 8,600 cars. The most recent Volvo Ocean Race Edition will reach dealers in June 2008 and Volvo expects to sell about 9,000 cars. The five largest markets are Germany, Sweden, Finland, Great Britain and Japan.

HEICO HS7: Essen Show Premiere For HEICO Prepped Volvo V70 T6

HEICO SPORTIV and Volvo Car Germany will be hosting their first common trade fair appearance at the 40th Essen Motor Show which opens its portals from Dec. 1 to Dec.9. There joint stand will host the world premier of the Volvo V70 T6 AWD based, “HEICO HS7”. With HEICO SPORTIV tuning, Volvo's newly developed 3.0 liter 6-cylinder in-line turbo engine develops 330 bhp at 5600 rpm and accelerates the station wagon to 100 km/h (62.5 mph) in 6.2 sec while top speed is limited to 250 km/h (156 mph). -Continued

In terms of appearance, the HEICO HS7 has a re-designed front grill, a front skirt with more prominent spoiler flaps, enlarged air vents and a better dimensioned charge air cooling system. At the rear, the modified skirt surrounds the four round tailpipes while the car also sits on new alloy wheels. Finally, HEICO has adorned the V70’s cabin with pedals, foot rest and door pins finished in aluminium along with stainless steel HEICO SPORTIV entry-strip logos which are illuminated in an exquisite blue tone when the doors are opened.

Volvo UK Announces Prices On New 2.0-Litre V70 & S80

Volvo has revealed pricing on its new entry-level 2.0-litre engines in the V70 estate and S80 sedan. The 2.0-litre common rail diesel generates 136PS and 320Nm of torque and is equipped with a Diesel Particulate Filter as standard while its gasoline equivalent produces 145PS and 190Nm of torque.

Prices for the petrol derivative will start from £24,995 in the Volvo V70 and £23,495 in the S80, while the diesel powerplant is priced at £25,495 and £23,995 in the Volvo V70 and S80 respectively. Available to order now ready for January delivery, both four cylinder engines have been introduced to widen the appeal of both cars and are expected to account for up to 60% of all Volvo V70 and S80 UK sales.

Volvo Releases Private Car Accident Images

Normally, a picture like the one you’re seeing above would have been found in a car forum posted by a driver wanting to share his (horror) story with online readers. But that’s not the case here. These images were actually released by Volvo in order promote the safety of their cars.

According to the Swedes, the driver of this 2000 V70, Patrick Englund, was involved in a head-on collision with a car that strayed on the wrong side of the highway near Hyssna, east of Gothenburg, back in March, 2007. Luckily, Patrick, his wife and his two-month old son who were also on board managed to escape this accident with minor injuries. And that’s what counts. -Press release and images after the jump

Press Release: Patrik's Volvo V70 saved the entire family

Every driver's nightmare occurred on the way home from viewing a house. The oncoming car on the straight highway strayed onto the wrong side and Patrik Englund had no chance of swerving. The collision was violent but Patrik and his family escaped without serious injury. "Our Volvo V70 kept its promise. I drive the same car model today," says Patrik.

The accident occurred at about 3 in the afternoon on Sunday, 4 March 2007.

Patrik Englund, his partner Emilie and two-month old son Lucas were driving along the highway near Hyssna, some way inland east of Gothenburg, on the way home from viewing a house.

The sun was shining, the road was straight, and the traffic quiet and undramatic. The speed limit was 70 km/h and the road was monitored by cameras.

Patrik noticed that the oncoming car, a small SUV a couple of hundred metres away, started to move closer to the centre of the road.

"I didn't think too much about it initially. Oncoming cars usually adjust their course quite quickly. But when it crossed the centre marking and drove straight at us I realised that things were going very wrong", remembered Patrik.

Patrik slammed on the brakes and almost managed to stop his Volvo V70 before the oncoming car drove straight into the front of his car.

Violent collision - minimum damage to the Volvo

The collision was violent. But the front of Patrik's V70 was deformed and absorbed most of the collision forces - the passenger compartment remained intact.

Patrik in the driver's seat was protected by the pre-tensioned safety belt and the airbag.

He suffered a crack to his twelfth vertebra but was otherwise uninjured. After three months with support for his chest and back he had recuperated.

His partner Emelie was wearing the three-point safety belt in the middle of the rear seat. She suffered a fracture to one of her knees, which hit the centre console between the front seats. Emilie was on crutches for six weeks and has now recuperated.

Little Lucas, then two months old, sat facing backwards in his baby seat that the family had borrowed from the child welfare centre. He survived unharmed apart from a bruise on his arm. Today Lucas crawls around just as quickly and enthusiastically as his little friends.

Patrik Englund's Volvo V70, a 2000 model, ended up on the scrapheap however ... "But I still drive a Volvo V70. You don't take any risks after having suffered such a violent reminder of the importance of choosing a really safe family car," says Patrik.

New systems can avoid similar accidents

Volvo Car Corporation works intensively on developing systems that can help prevent this type of accidents.

During the course of 2007, Volvo will be introducing two systems which, if they had been installed in the car that collided with Patrik and his family, could have prevented the car from straying onto the wrong side of the road.

Driver Alert Control monitors the car's movements on the road and warns tired drivers who lose concentration whereas Lane Departure Warning warns the driver when the car strays across the centre or side markers for no apparent reason.

2008 Volvo V70 Gets In Police Uniform

True, if you’re a tourist in Sweden, you could easily take this Volvo as a “Harlequin” version of the V70 (remember the atrocious VW Golf Harlequin?). Then of course you’d probably find yourself in the arms of a 6.5’ ft tall blonde chump named Hans, so we advise to pay attention to this post if you’re planning a trip to Sweden.

Now that we’ve grabbed your attention (…), Volvo Special Vehicles unveiled the new V70 in "police uniform" for the Swedish police. According to the Swedes, the cop version of the V70 is considerably modified compared to the standard car with features such as a reinforced and specially adapted chassis, brakes and wheels, an enhanced electrical system and an ergonomic working environment for the police (cup holders, donut boxes, video-game players etc –just kidding). –Continued after the jump

The Swedish police specified the V70 with Volvo's D5 diesel engine that delivers 185 hp. Next year will see the introduction of the new 200 hp 2.5 FT Flexi-fuel (E85) version. The first of the new Volvo V70 police cars will be delivered in January next year while later in 2008 Volvo's four-wheel-drive XC70 will also be produced in a police version.

2008 Volvo V70 & XC70 by Heico Sportiv

A little after the market introduction of the all-new V70 and XC70 models, Volvo tuning specialist “Heico Sportiv” came out with a complete program for the two Swedish estates. Apart from the exterior and interior upgrades that include a subtle bodykit, bi-color leather seats and aluminum pedals, Heico offers an engine kit for the V70 / XC70 2.4D and D5 models which increases output in both cases to 210 Hp (from 163 and 185 Hp respectively). For the 2.4D, D5, 2.5T, 3.2 and 3.2 AWD models Heico offers a twin-outlet exhaust system while specifically for the V70 T6 there’s a four pipe exhaust system. As for the chassis, Heico’s program includes suspension and brake upgrades that can be combined with a wide variety of 18, 19 or 20-inch alloy wheels. -More pics after the jump

Via: Heico

Volvo Introducing New 4-Cylinder Engines For S80 & V70

Starting from January 2008, Volvo will offer two new four-cylinder engines to the S80 sedan and the all-new V70 estate ranges -a 2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol and a 2-litre turbodiesel engine. The 2.0L petrol unit delivers 145 Hp and 185 Nm of torque offering an avg. fuel consumption of 8.3 l/100 km (28.4 mpg) in the V70 and 8.1 l/100 km (29 mpg) in the S80. The 2.0L turbodiesel unit delivers 136 Hp and 320 Nm of torque providing an avg. fuel consumption of 6.0 l/100 km (39.2 mpg) in the V70 and 5.9 l/100 km (39.9) in the S80. No word on performance figures, but you don’t have to be rocket scientist to gather that a 136 or 145 Hp engine in an S80 / V70 aint going to give any performance at all. -Click “Read More…” below for the press release

Volvo V70 and S80 available with four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines

The Volvo Car Corporation is extending the engine range in the Volvo V70 and Volvo S80.

Both models will be available with four-cylinder engines later this year - either a 2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with 145 hp or a 2-litre turbodiesel with 136 hp.

"More and more buyers focus on fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. It is highly important for us to give them more choices by making our competitive four-cylinder engines available in the new V70 and S80 models too. The 2-litre alternatives offer a very attractive combination of fuel economy and driving pleasure," says Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Brand, Business and Product Strategy at Volvo Cars.

The 2.0 petrol engine has 145 hp (107 kW) and 185 Nm of torque. It is a four-cylinder, normally aspirated unit - a modern, lightweight aluminium engine featuring four-valve technology and a modern fuel injection system. The engine offers the same efficient combustion technology and exhaust gas treatment as other Volvo engines, offering good fuel economy and minimises exhaust emissions.

Fuel consumption in the V70 is 8.3 l/100 km (EU combined, preliminary figure) and 8.1 l/100 km (EU combined, preliminary figure) in the S80.

Diesel with second-generation common rail

The 2.0D is a four-cylinder turbodiesel with 136 hp (100kW) and 320 Nm of torque. It delivers rapid throttle response and a well-balanced sensitivity to the accelerator to offer the driver good control and driving pleasure.

The engine has second-generation common rail technology - the same as in Volvo's larger diesel models. The cylinder head is made of aluminium.

Fuel consumption in the V70 is 6.0 l/100 km (EU combined, preliminary figure) and 5.9 l/100 km (EU combined, preliminary figure) in the S80.

A Diesel Particulate Filter is fitted as standard. The filter significantly reduces unburned soot particles in the emissions, thereby reducing the negative environmental impact. The system is cleaned (regenerated) automatically as the contents of the filter are burnt off at regular intervals.