New Volvo S60 revealed ahead of Geneva

February 10, 2010 at 3:12 am by Danny Tan · 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Cars, Volvo

Used to seeing concepts watered down for production, we’re happy to see Volvo sticking to their guns for the new S60. The production version of Volvo’s mid-sized exec, revealed here ahead of its Geneva debut, looks remarkably similar to the S60 Concept the Swedish brand wheeled out at the 2009 Detroit show.

Among the distinctive cues carried over is the XC60 style front end, the wavy signature line on its profile and those inverted L-shaped taillamps, but the basic shape is recognisable as an S60. Volvo says that “the sculpted hood and the short overhangs front and rear also emphasize the sports-car feel.” We’re not sure about the “sports-car feel” but this S60 does have presence. It has grown is size too; longer, wider and with a longer wheelbase, but is less than 45kg heavier than the current car.

Engine choices include a twin-scroll turbo 3.0-litre inline-six with 300 bhp and 440 Nm. Paired to a new six-speed auto (faster shifts) and Haldex AWD, this S60 T6 does 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 6.5 seconds. Of course following the common trend of ‘engine downsizing’, there will be a new 2.0-litre GDTi engine, which is good for 203 bhp and 300 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm.

Three suspension setups will be available: Base, Dynamic and Four-C Adaptive. The optional Dynamic uses stiffer springs and bushings, retuned dampers and thicker piston rods, while Four-C adaptive damping aims to provide the best of all worlds.

On the safety front, Advanced Stability Control employs a new roll angle sensor to identify any skidding tendency at a very early stage. Also debuting is Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake, which can detect pedestrians who walk into the road in front of the S60, warn the driver, before automatically apply full braking power if he/she does not respond in time. This system works at speeds up to 35 km/h. This is a development of City Safety, which works the same way, but for vehicles.

Top Luxury Cars - The Volvo XC90

As a midsize luxury crossover vehicle, the Volvo XC90 is in a competitive segment which includes some of the top models produced by Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Acura and Volkswagen. But what the XC90 has going for it is its renowned Volvo quality, reliability and safety, features the crossover has in abundance.

First introduced in 2002, the Volvo XC90 has recently completed an important makeover, incorporating important changes to keep the crossover relevant as well as appealing to buyers. Should you consider the Volvo XC90? I'll let you decide that after we take a closer look at this important model.

Plenty To Like About This Crossover
So what does the Volvo XC90 have going for it? First of all, it is Volvo's top-selling vehicle in the United States. The crossover is based on the same platform underpinning the S80 sedan, the flagship Volvo model. Second of all, the crossover offers seven passenger seating and has a very competitive starting price of about $37,000. Lastly, the XC90 features a design that is attractive inside and out.

In the cabin, the XC90 offers good looks plus all of the amenities expected to be found in a luxury crossover model. Easy to read displays, an uncluttered dash, premium sound system, dual zone air-conditioning, bolstered seating and a sensible center stack are just a few of the XC90's attractions. Offering a smooth ride, good handling and a safety cage environment, the XC90 performs well in all road conditions thanks to its all wheel drive technology.

Sleek Exterior Styling
On the outside, the unmistakable Volvo grille emblem is placed just above an attractive skid plate that gives the crossover its unique look. Sweeping lines from the nose to the A-Pillar suggest the crossover's sporty flair while rounded styling from the B- C- and D-Pillars give the crossover a constant "in motion" look. A generous sized hatch moves up and out of the way, giving easy access to the storage compartment.
The latest XC90 model incorporates quite a few standard features that were at one time offered optionally. Leather seating surfaces, rear park assist, power glass moonroof, third row seat with climate control, and upgraded multimedia package are now included. Blind Spot Information System and Dual Xenon Active Bending Lights are now stand alone options, which means that either one can be offered separated from an expensive add on package. Thus, the latest edition of the Volvo XC90 offers more features and better value than ever before.

Lots of Safety Features
Like all Volvo models, safety is what the XC90 is all about as it offers dual-stage frontal airbags, side impact airbags and air curtain bags for passengers, roll-over protection system, whiplash protection, energy absorbing interior and much more. Clearly, when a car is defined by it safety, the Volvo XC90 meets that definition.

Fully loaded, a Volvo XC90 can be had for under $50,000 with well equipped models retailing for just over $40,000. Priced right and offering the amenities customers want, this Volvo is sure to please especially with people needing seven passenger seating at an affordable price.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including Acura Integra intake and Nissan 240SX Intake
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan

Top Luxury Cars - The New Volvo C30

This week I officially turned into a grumpy old man. Walking through town on my lunch break I was constantly surrounded by over excitable children, getting more rambunctious by the second thanks to an inordinate amount of e colorings in their bags of sweets. "Why aren't you in school?" I screamed to myself, before the realization that it was summer holiday time again hit me like a punch in the face. Then I remembered that if it was summer holiday time, it meant school reports had just been issued by their teachers who most probably drive used beige Volvos and wear corduroy trousers.

Therefore they had good reason to go crazy. If they are anything like I was, the lead up to the end of year school report was so nerve wracking I'd swear every year I'd developed Parkinson's disease overnight. I'd often stare in the mirror and vow to try harder next year. I'd even beg the teachers to go easy, promising all manner of riches I could never really lay claim to. The fear and anticipation was often far worse than the reality, but as a chatty child who was constantly being sent out of class for distracting others, there was always mention that "if Mark applied himself he could be a high achiever".

Obviously it could have been far worse: "Mark really should stop beating his teachers around the face" or, "Mark claims not to have burnt down the school, but the can of petrol in his bag says otherwise", but being an only child, anything less than perfect wasn't worth reading by my parents. My defense is that in many subjects I really wasn't interested in learning information I knew I'd never use in later life and therefore not learning the subject seemed a far more attractive proposition.

I think everyone is guilty of this. If you don't have a natural flair for something, or fail to enjoy an activity immensely, you'll spend as little time on the subject as possible. That is why I spent roughly two months on my art project and five minutes revising French. I can think of no better example of the correlation of being interested in something and therefore being good at it than driving.


I am yet to see a man who chats about the torque steer at 4,000rpm in his Lancer Evolution X reverse into a shopping trolley. Nor have I seen a girl racer in a heavily modified and much loved Honda Civic plow through the central reservation on a motorway. The reason is that these drivers love being behind the wheel, take great pride in choosing what car gets them from a to b, and throw boring things like fuel economy and practicality out the window.

Compare this to drivers of cheap and/or unstylish cars. How often do you see Kias, Protons and Chevrolets (formally Daewoo of course) in hedges, with gears crunching and more dents than a boxer's forehead? Often is my answer and it's because the drivers have no interest in cars and are therefore rubbish at driving, just like me and the French language.

Historically, Volvos have always been driven by the inept. Despite no styling whatsoever, old Volvos were so safe in a crash that all the rubbish drivers bought one so they knew they'd be OK when the inevitable happened. Yet something has happened in Stockholm. They've made a Volvo that is quite simply stunning to look at - the C30.

The Swedish firm have somehow managed to combine traditional traits like the rectangular front grill and long bonnet with a bonkers rear end that oozes Italian flair and a side profile that looks aggressive and unlike anything Volvo has done previously. It's not all show and no go however. To drive the C30 holds the road ably and provides plenty of feedback through the steering wheel. Engine choices vary, with the top-of-the-range one being the six-speed, 2.5 liter 220 PS turbo T5, which will propel you from standing to 60mph in just 6.3 seconds. It'll roar onto 150mph too.

Where Volvo has been sensible however is their pricing of the C30. The headlining T5 mentioned above is £21,495, however the most popular is likely to be the 1.6 litre petrol version which starts from just £14,750. The car has been on sale for nearly two years so used Volvos should start to appear on forecourts. It's too early to tell the rate of depreciation, but I reckon and will be mouth-wateringly tempting to give the Swede a chance.

Buying the New Volvo C30 will scream to the world one thing - you're not a rubbish driver.
PJ Ridgard is a writer and a car enthusiast. Here he talks about the New Volvo range.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=P_J_Ridgard

Top Luxury Cars - Best Volvo Car Maintenance

What you must do, once in a month, is to check up you car yourself! Fluids are an important part of your Volvo car. Make sure that all the fluids are up to the top line and that the oil is lubricating the car system properly. Take care of the radiator coolant, the brake fluid, the oil levels, the windshield washer fluid, your power steering fluid, your Hydraulic Clutch fluid, and your Automatic Transmission fluid. The last three may not apply to most cars, but for those who do have it, it is important to maintain them properly.

Coolant leaks are common in cars which have weak or old radiator hoses. Locate the radiator hose in your car and make sure that there are no fissures, tears or tattered ends. If there are, you need to change them immediately. Squeeze the hoses, when the engine is cold and see whether they are brittle. Also, check the clamps and make sure the hoses cannot be turned. The hoses should not be wet or damp there either. If they are, either tighten the clamps or replace them.

Check your Volvo belts as well. They are very important, and loose or broken belts are very hard to manage. The belts are generally located at the front of the engine. Usually, the number of belts depends on the car itself. They operate the fan, air conditioner, alternator, water pump and the smog pump. Press down on the longest part of the belt, between the pulleys with your thumb. Check the manual that comes along with the car, to check the tension of the belts. Make sure that the tension is the same. Otherwise, replace them.

Your engine is the most important part of the car and it is equally important to take proper care of it. Every now and then, open the hood of your car, and take a look at your engine. It is possible to find leaks simply by looking over. Make sure that none of the fluids are leaking and if they are repair them. Look under the engine and under the car as well with the help of a flashlight. Make sure that there is no dampness sticking to an area.
There are other things you can do to keep your Volvo in tip-top condition. Examine the battery of the car for cable end for corrosion, make sure that all the lights are in perfect condition and occasionally start your car with the hood up and making sure it sounds all right. Regularly check the windshield wipers, and the tire pressure. Make sure the tires don't have glass, nails or lesions in them.

For info concerning Volvo Cars go to our site at Volvo Cars to locate a bunch more of my articles concerning the evolving car of future generations - the evolvo car.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neil_J_Baulch

Volvo V70 R Design Power with Efficiency

Photos of Volvo's R-design

Volvo V70 T6 R-Design

V70 3 Volvo V70 R-Design

2009 Sporty Volvo V70

2010 Volvo XC60

Volvo’s new mid-size crossover, based on its recent S80 sedan. Family values: Tons of safety equipment including the cutting-edge City Safety feature; sophisticated styling inside and out; standard all-wheel drive. Price range: $38,000-$45,000.


The 2010 Volvo XC60 gives fans of the Swedish brand a great way to step down from the more expensive seven-seat XC90 sport-ute. The XC60 crossover seats five and is stylish inside and out, with a classic Scandinavian theme inside. Safety technology abounds, including a City Safety system that helps brake the car under 20 mph if an accident looms. A turbo in-line six is standard for now; less expensive, non-turbo versions are in the works, as is a front-drive version. TheCarConnection.com rates the XC60 at 8.2 out of 10, with high marks in safety and features.

Likes:
* Attractive styling
* Well-trimmed interior
* Good handling and acceleration
Dislikes
* Poor fuel economy
* Lots of techno buttons

2010 Volvo XC60

2010 Volvo XC60 Photo

2010 Volvo XC60 Picture

2010 Volvo XC60 Interior

2010 Volvo S80L

2010 Volvo S80L Picture

2010 Volvo S80L Interior

2010 Volvo S80L 3.0 T6 AWD is equipped with the classic 3.0-liter six-cylinder in-line turbocharged engine, with a maximum power rating of 210 kilowatts (285 hp) and a maximum output of 400 Nm torque at 1,500rpm. It needs only 7.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, so it doesn't seem to be overstated if "extremely fast" is used to describe the speed. The T6 engine uses Twin Scroll technology, inhaling exhaust in two stages and dividing it into two scrolls, which then flow into three cylinders. Twin Scroll Technology uses a more compact and simple turbocharger with quick response, giving equivalent performance to dual turbochargers.

Volvo C30 EV Electric Concept

Volvo C30 EV Electric Concept

A few days after the Frankfurt Motor Show, Volvo showed a prototype of a C30 powered by an electric motor. If at that time was a mere vehicle for research, Volvo continues to develop and present a more accomplished version of the show in Detroit.

Long, Volvo said he did not believe in electric vehicle. But given the increasing interest in this technology (the public, media and politicians), the Swedish manufacturer is interested in closer, so as not to be too late.

Unlike the prototype presented in September, this new version presented in Detroit the same features of the latest stylistic development of the C30. It features an opportunity for the pearl white shade of light blue pointed to the various accessories bodywork. The box is visibly reduced, and it takes very flat rims of the C30 1.6D DRIVe.

We find the white and blue interior, which has a specific command instead of the lever gear shift, and an instrumentation too specific, and enhanced navigation functions related to the mode of propulsion (charging time of batteries, autonomy, graphical user ...).

The architecture remains the same with the batteries housed in the central tunnel and up the tank. Autonomy announced goes hand from 130 to 150 km. The top speed is 130 kph and the cooldown from 8am.

2010 Volvo C30 Facelift HEICO SPORTIV

2010 Volvo C30 Facelift HEICO SPORTIV

The new Volvo C30 stands for individualism and ecologi-cally friendly driving. Volvo tuner HEICO SPORTIV is sharpening this profile… in every respect.

“The future of our business model lies in the intelligent combination of performance-oriented products and ecological sustainability,” explains HEICO SPORTIV general manager, Holger Hedtke.

A philosophy that accompanies every step of the new Volvo C30 product development process. With the Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe, HEICO SPORTIV will be launching the economy model as the basis for the extensive individualization program.

2010 Volvo C30 Facelift HEICO SPORTIV

The standard factory specifications of the Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe already offer a wide range of innovative technologies such as start/stop driving with brake-energy recovery, reducing fuel consumption to 3.9 liters/100 km* (* Combined, in accordance with prescribed measurement technique (RL80/1268/EWG)). The Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe covers the classic zero to 100 km/h sprint in just 9.2 seconds, beating its series-produced counterpart by 2.1 seconds! A maximum speed of 200 km/h is also attainable, 10 km/h faster than the series version.

“This is our basic starting point for proving that ecologically friendly action and the pleasure of driving don’t need to be mutually exclusive,” says Holger Hedtke. “In doing so, aerodynamically optimized components such as the radiator grille or under-floor intentionally remain untouched.”

2010 Volvo C30 Facelift HEICO SPORTIV

The HEICO SPORTIV Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe features a remodeled design elements at the front and rear. The HEICO SPORTIV front spoiler – which replaces the original lower base section of the bumper – consists of fiber-strengthened polyurethane and is fixed using the existing anchorage points. The same applies to the rear valence which mimics the front spoiler’s laterally arranged air vents and has a centrally placed diffuser element. The rear valence serves to accommodate the HEICO SPORTIV four pipe stainless steel exhaust system.

The Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe is available from HEICO SPORTIV with a starting price tag of ca. EUR 29,900; the parts will naturally also be deliverable individually from spring 2010.