Category: Volvo

Volvo has announced pricing for the long-awaited new XC 60 SUV set to compete with the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the Mercedes GLK outside the UK.

The Volvo XC60 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March and has already won a UK technology award for its innovative City Safety system, an autobrake collision avoidance system which is a standard feature on this new car. Starting at £24,7501, the Volvo XC60 will be available in three trim levels: S, SE and SE Lux and will have the choice of three engines: the turbocharged T6 producing 285bhp, and two variants of the D5 turbodiesel generating 185bhp and 16bhp, respectively.

The S model features 17" Segin alloy wheels, front fog lights, roof rails and rear spoiler, the advanced safety systems, City Safety and RSC, short for Roll Stability Control. Equipment includes climate control, information centre, cruise control, leather steering wheel with remote audio controls, aluminium trim and performance sound audio system with aux input and CD player. 

The SE trim level adds Hill Descent Control, power driver’s seat with memory and auto-folding power door mirrors with ground lights, Eriksberg T-Tec/Textile upholstery, auto-dimming rear view mirror with compass and chrome window trim.

In addition to the SE, the SE Lux comes with chronographic instrument dials, leather upholstery and Nordic Light Oak natural wood trim, while both front seats will be powered and heated. Other equipments include floor mats and chrome detailing, 18" Merac alloy wheels, active bending headlamps, power tailgate and rear park assist.

Pricing

2.4D AWD S:  £24,750

D5 AWD S: £25,750

2.4D AWD SE: £26,250

D5 AWD SE: £27,250

T6 AWD Geartronic SE: £31,995

2.4D AWD SE Lux: £28,750

D5 AWD SE LUX: £29,750

T6 AWD Geartronic SE Lux: £34,495

The in-house dual clutch gearbox will be available on the smaller Volvo models form now on.

The Swedish carmaker has announced that the dual clutch gearbox called Powershift will be available with the 134bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine. The Powershift transmission has been developed by Volvo in cooperation with Getrag. According to the carmaker, the Powershift gearbox cuts fuel consumption by 8 percent in the Volvo C30, S40 and V50.

The Powershift is built in Koping, Sweden at Volvo’s transmission plant. The Powershift gearbox will be introduced on the second generation Volvo S60.

M Pack for BMW, s Line for Audi… Premium carmakers feature visual sporty kits, less expensive than developing a real sporty version, while the model still keeps its appealing to the customers. Last year, Volvo launched the R line which is an attempt to revive the famous R moniker. The V70 becomes the fifth Volvo model to be offered with the R-Design pack.

The R-Design pack for the Volvo V70 comes with a wide range of glitchy features like door mirror housings, foglamp décor at the front and grille detailing in silk metal finish, chrome exhaust tailpipe and exclusive 18in aluminium wheels. On the inside the seats get a leather-clad upholstery in black and Nordic Ceramic Light, while various aluminium details are fitted on the dashboards.

In addition to the eye-catching features, Volvo engineers got the cheek to lower the chassis by 20 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear.

Volvo recalls 65,000 V70 and XC70 models due to a faulty software that delays the triggering of the side airbags.

The recall affects 2008 models such as the V70 and XC70 and they were sold primarily in Europe, Volvo Cars spokeswoman Maria Bohlin said in a statement.

Volvo will recall the affected vehicles to fine-tune the software that triggers the release of the inflatable curtain.

"Now we will send letters to all the owners of the affected cars and tell them to take the car to a mechanic to get this upgrade," said Volvo Cars spokeswoman Maria Bohlin.

If you know little about the Swedish carmaker’s history, take the opportunity to update your car expertise thanks to this video.

Volvo has taken the wraps off its new crossover XC 60 set to compete with the BMW X3, the new Mercedes GLK and the upcoming Audi A5.

As predicted, the XC 60 is close to the concept car seen as Detroit and the result is rather appealing thanks to a new dynamic design an engine range able to compete with the German clique. Volvo takes the opportunity to launch its new design direction with the XC60. The overall shape is more dynamic, more animal and it’s hard to believe that ten years ago, Volvo models were merely boxes on wheels.

Like any new Volvo, the XC60 comes with a new safety device, called City Safety, which reduces collision risks. The XC 60 will be powered by a petrol engine or by two diesel engine. The petrol unit is the 285bhp inline 6 unit and the diesel is the 2.4-litre 5 cylinder D5 unit in either 164bhp or 184bhp.

Nearly 81 years after its first car, the OV4, rolled off the production line, the Swedish carmaker built today its 15 millionth vehicle, a Volvo C70.

In the first year, production proceeded at a modest pace, with 297 cars being sold in 1927. It took Volvo 23 years to build its first 100,000 cars which corresponds today to about three months of production for the brand or less than four days of production for Toyota. Volvo is certainly not a high-volume manufacturer.

The best selling Volvo model ever is the 200 Series that goes forever. Between 1974 and 1993, no less than 2,862,573 were built. The P1800 coupé is probably the best-known of all Volvo models. Personally, my favourite Volvo is the 850 with a R badge but I also have a crunch for the iconic 240 estate.

New pictures of the XC60 have leaked on the Internet and more details about the engine have also emerged.

The new pictures confirm that the appealing design of the new XC60. It is certain that it represents a new milestone for the Swedish carmaker.

The new crossover will be available with a choice of one petrol engine and two diesel units at first. The petrol engine will be the 285bhp 3.0-litre inline six unit seen on the S80. The diesel offer will be the turbocharged 2.4-litre 4 cylinder engine with 163 and 185bhp. It isn’t confirmed whether Volvo will feature a smaller petrol engine in the future. After all, the volume maker will likely be the diesel versions in Europe. In the US, the 3.0-litre engine offers enough power and attraction at a time when American consumers buy less V8 powered vehicles. However, a V6 diesel engine might be necessary in Europe in terms of brand image.

Volvo planned to unveil the first official pictures of the new XC60 on wednesday, but once again an image gallery of all-new Swedish compact crossover was leaked into the Internet yesterday.

As expected the XC 60 exterior styling is very close to the concept car unveiled a last year’s Detroit Auto Show. The new XC60 features the new corporate design that will appear on all new future models. The boxy design is still present but the flat lines are replaced by long flatten curves.

On the inside, there is also a revolution as Volvo’s typical dashboard evolves by adopting a larger central console. The multimedia/navigation screen is integrated. The interior mixes beige leather and dark plastic panels in a way that only Swedish knows. The wood panels and aluminum trims achieve to convince that Volvo has nothing to learn from the German clique.

The final spec of the XC60 remains unknown. although it is almost certain that it will share its engines with the S40/V50 models. The entry level will be powered by a 1.8-litre petrol engine, likely to be followed by the excellent five cylinder unit. The topping range might be the 3.2-litre V6 engine seen on the Freelander as both vehicles share the same platform.