Volvo cars

2009 Volvo XC60

Volvo revealed today the first official images and informations about the all-new 2009 XC60 that will make its world debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show. Sales of the car will start in Europe during the second half of 2008, while sales in North America will get under way in early 2009.

The new XC60 is being launched with a choice of three engines: the turbocharged T6 which produces 285 hp, and two variants of the D5 turbodiesel, producing 185 and 163 hp respectively. All Wheel Drive (AWD) is fitted as standard. In 2009 Volvo will add a new 2.4-litre version powered by a Euro 5 diesel engine producing 163 hp and with a CO2 rating of around 170 g/km.

A variety of intelligent safety systems are another important part of the XC60 model’s special character. The big news is City Safety - a unique feature that can help the driver avoid or reduce the effects of the type of low-speed impacts that are common in city traffic and traffic tailbacks. If the car is about to drive into the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the car brakes itself.

Press release after the jump.

Volvo C30, S40 and V50 DRIVe R-Design

Trying to be safe, sporty and a little stylish? Volvo wants to remind that there is more to Swedish style than what’s found in an Ikea store. It’s showing a conservative wild side with the R-Design line of appearance packaging.

Press release after the jump.

Volvo C70 Ice White

Volvo UK has launched a new special edition C70. Called C70 Ice White, the new special edition is priced at £24,495 OTR and is available to order now; it features £2,350 worth of extra equipment over the standard 2.0D S model on which it is based which retails at £24,995.

Externally, the Volvo C70 Ice White sports the head-turning Ice White finish. The interior boasts sumptuous Calcite leather upholstery with black interior trim and aluminum inlays. The exterior appeal is also boosted with 18” Midir diamond cut alloy wheels.

The Ice White is powered by a four-cylinder 2.0D diesel engine (136PS), which emits 161g/km CO2 and returns up to 46.3mpg fuel economy on the combined cycle. Options include Volvo’s Powershift gearbox for £1,400 – a six-speed twin-clutch transmission which provides the comfort of a full automatic mode with the performance of a manual. Powershift versions return up to 44.8mpg and 167g/km CO2.

Press release after the jump.

2010 Volvo S80

Volvo will unveil at the Geneva Motor Show the refreshed S80. Sales will begin in spring 2009.

The S80 will be powered by an entirely new twin-turbo five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbodiesel. The new D5 engine offers 205 hp, 420 Nm of torque over a very wide range of engine revs. Fuel consumption (EU combined) is only 6.2 l/100 km (164g/km) - a record-low figure for a car of this size and performance level. This state-of-the-art engine delivers all the fun without the headache.

The refreshed S80 is also available with an upgraded Euro 4-compliant 2.4-litre diesel engine with 175 hp, 420 Nm of torque, fuel consumption (EU Combined) at 5.8 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 154 g/km (preliminary figures).

Press release after the jump.

2010 Volvo S60

If the car was going to look like this, why did Volvo tease us with only the dash design back in October? Volvo released today the first details on the S60 Concept that will debut at the Detroit Auto Show. This is definitely a good look for Volvo, and should be a good preview for the 2010 S60 model.Taking some obvious design cues from the XC60, this sedan has a streamline looks that is distinctly Volvo, but also suggests some fun as well.

Another part that should make it into production is the engine. The S60 Concept is powered by a four-cylinder 1.6-liter unit using high-efficiency GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) technology and producing 180 horsepower. Volvo says GTDi technology combined with turbocharging makes it possible to reduce engine displacement with maintained performance, but with about 20 percent lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Press release after the jump.

2009 Volvo S80L

Volvo presented in China the S80L, the long wheelbase version of the popular S80 sedan. The S80L has been specially designed and will be locally produced in China.

The S80L is specially designed for Chinese consumers, with larger and more comfortable rear seat space. In addition, the S80L boasts top-level features and equipment. Volvo’s world-leading innovative technology, guarantees premium appointments, a comfortable driving experience and unsurpassed safety. The S80L targets successful mature achievers who have a strong sense of responsibility for their families and the society.

The S80L shares all the features and qualities of the S80 sedan and it exceeds its sibling by being 14 cm longer and all this extra length appears in the rear seat creating an outstanding comfort for the passengers. The popularity of the S80 sedan has set a solid foundation for the introduction of the S80L in China. Volvo believe S80L’s world leading safety technology, premium quality, and luxurious design will give it powerful market competitiveness and win the S80L a significant share of the luxury car segment in China.

Press release after the jump.

Volvo S60 Concept

Uh oh, it’s usually a pretty good sign that a company is running out of ideas for the exterior of its cars when its big preview is of the interior’s center console. Then again, the concept for the new Volvo S60 features a custom piece of Orrefors crystal. This shimmering radio-holder should make its debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

While the pure expense of this crystal center stack will likely eliminate it from the production car’s option list, it is also unlikely that the company known for outright safety will let you drive away with a interior full of untempered glass.

Press release after the jump

2008 Volvo XC70

The Volvo XC70 is another installment in Volvo’s history of offering alternative cars. In the 60s, the PV 444 was the alternative to the straight lined cars from Detroit; the 700 series of the 80s and 90s was the alternative to the yuppie BMWs; and now the XC70 is the alternative to a SUV.

Although 2008 is only the second model year for the XC70, the concept has been around for almost a decade more as the Volvo Cross Country. The original Cross Country took Volvo’s reputation for safety and built an off-road image (thanks to Swedish winters) that is now enjoyed by our XC70 as well as its big brother, the XC90 SUV.

Volvo C30, S40 and V50 1.6D DRIVe

Volvo will unveil at the Paris Auto Show diesel versions for the C30, S40 and V50 for its European customers. Fuel consumption for thses Euro-only cars are rated at 4.4 litres/100 km (C30) or 4.5 litres/100 km (S40 and V50) and C02 emissions of 115 and 118 g/km. These figures give the C30 and V50 the best-in-class CO2 emissions for its segments.

The DRIVe models are based on the Volvo C30 Efficiency concept car that was shown at the Frankfurt motor show in October 2007. The measures adopted to reduce CO2 emissions that were presented then will be in production before the end of the year in the C30, S40 and the V50.

Press release after the jump.

Volvo C30 Green Racer

Volvo will enter the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) with an ethanol powered Volvo C30 racer.

The car, which is in its first year on track, races in the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) as the only ethanol E85 powered car in that series. In STCC, the car has so far secured three out of seven pole positions and has lead close to half of all laps driven.

The car will be operated by Volvo official motorsport partner Polestar Racing AB, who is also both developing and running the same car in STCC. Volvo will race with Ethanol E85 in the tank and will not be eligible to race for points.