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Volvo does things a little differently from other premium brands in the automotive world. For this Swedish manufacturer, safety and kid-friendliness are just as important as luxury amenities and driving performance, and in no vehicle is this more apparent than the Volvo XC90, a mid size seven-passenger SUV.



Innovative safety features aside, the 2010 XC90 is merely adequate relative to the premium mid size SUV competition. Zestier performance is available elsewhere, as are more cavernous cargo holds. With more and more modern competitors measuring up to Volvo's high safety standards, the aging XC90 isn't the slam dunk for families that Volvo products used to be. It remains capable, though, and arguably safer than ever thanks to some new tricks.



The Volvo XC90 is available in two versions: 3.2 and V8. Available with front- or all-wheel drive, the 3.2 is the entry-level model and carries a 3.2-liter in line six-cylinder engine rated for 235 horsepower. Mileage suffers a bit on the XC90 V8, but the 311-hp 4.4-liter V8 provides strong acceleration, moving this 4,600-pound SUV to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. All-wheel drive is standard with the V8.



The 3.2 comes with five-passenger seating (with the third-row seat optional), while the V8 comes with seven-passenger seating. As this is a premium SUV, almost all major safety and convenience features are included, even on the base model. Major options include a rear entertainment system with dual screens, a DVD-based navigation system, a Dolby Pro Logic II surround-sound audio system and an interior air quality system, as well as an ultra-luxurious executive package for the V8 model.



Easily one of the safest SUVs on the market, the 2010 Volvo XC90 pioneered Roll Stability Control. This bit of technology uses a gyro sensor to identify every SUV owner's greatest fear, a potential rollover, and activates the stability control system to try to avert it. Another interesting feature is the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), which monitors images from a pair of cameras mounted in the side mirrors and warns the driver via an indicator light when another vehicle moves into the XC90's blind spot. Of course, the XC90 also provides staples like side curtain airbag protection for all three rows, anti-whiplash seats and an emergency communications system. Volvo crash safety is legendary, and indeed, this mid size SUV has scored well in NHTSA and IIHS testing.



we've found that the 2010 XC90 drives just as you'd expect a safe, heavy 2010 Volvo SUV to drive. Ride quality is smooth and the cabin stays quiet, while handling is competent but not particularly sporty. Equipped with AWD, the XC90 makes an excellent snow vehicle but isn't intended for serious off-road romps. V8-powered models are considerably more satisfying to drive than six-cylinder XC90s.Despite its advancing age, the seven-passenger



Volvo XC90 is one of our top recommendations for families shopping for an SUV. Although its on-road performance is merely average as luxury SUVs go, the XC90 still offers a winning combination of safety, solidity and style.

At the Shanghai Auto Show 2011 presents the Volvo Car Corporation, the extravagant vehicle study, Concept Universe. It is an impressive luxury sedan, which shows a new design language, but also the elegant lines of classic Volvo models considered.



The study Universe Concept was developed under the proviso to meet the highest standards of design, comfort and luxury. She glances into the future with a coupe-like roof line, while classical elements which reflect the history of Volvo.



The interior of the study is designed in a modern and comfortable ambience, everything is user friendly and easily interpreted in a refreshing way.

Volvo has announced it will take sole ownership of its joint manufacturing facility with Pininfarina. The Pininfarinia Sverige AB plant in Uddevalla, Sweden, only builds the Volvo C70 convertible. According to Volvo, the changeover will take place in 2013, and the automaker will continue to build C70s at the plant.

Volvo and Pininfarina have been bedfellows at the plant since Volvo began building C70s in 2003. The car moved just over 4,000 units in 2010, down nearly two percent from the 2009 total.

[Source: Autoweek]

K-PAX Racing to Campaign New Volvo S60 in World Challenge GT in 2011



Englewood, Colo. (Feb. 14, 2011) - K-PAX Racing, the World Challenge GT Manufacturers' and Drivers' champion in 2010, will return to defend its titles in 2011 with two new Volvo S60s that reflect the car's recent redesign.



The new all-wheel-drive Volvo S60s will be introduced at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, in late April for the fourth round of the World Challenge schedule.



"For the first three races, we'll run the body style that took us to last year's championships," said Jim Haughey, Team Owner of K-PAX Racing. "Once fans see the new cars, I think they'll be very impressed."



The 2011 World Challenge season begins with two races in St. Petersburg, Fla., the weekend of March 25-27. The World Challenge is North America's top production car-based racing series. Divided into three classes (World Challenge GT, World Challenge GTS, and World Challenge Touring Car), each race features a thrilling standing start, adrenaline-filled, door-to-door action and world-class drivers.



World Challenge features cars from the world's most popular manufacturers - race-prepped versions of the cars driven on the streets. Sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing, World Challenge races at North America's premier road and temporary street courses.



For more information about World Challenge, visit http://www.world-challenge.com/.



For more information on K-PAX Racing, visit http://www.kpaxracing.com/ and follow the team on Twitter @kpaxracing.

Due to its continued success, Volvo will be retaining the XC90 in its production program. HEICO SPORTIV is revitalizing the SUV's design and is now presenting an entirely new bodykit.



"There's life in the old dog yet!" could be the caption beneath the current Volvo XC90, considering the model has been on the market since 2003. Given the constant level of demand for this vehicle, however, Volvo has chosen to continue producing the Sweden SUV until model year 2014.





HEICO SPORTIV saw this as an advantageous opening and seized the opportunity to take an extremely novel step: the development of an entirely new bodykit. "Our new bodykit intends to give dealerships an attractive opportunity to offer additional buying incentives," explains HEICO SPORTIV CEO, Holger Hedtke, adding: "Around the globe, the Volvo XC90 has an unwavering fan club that will certainly applaud the modern, self-assured design from HEICO SPORTIV."



Complete and perfectly integrated.

The Volvo XC90 by HEICO SPORTIV has a perfectly integrated design. The six-part bodykit picks up on the current Volvo XC60's dynamic use of forms, fitting like a custom-made suit. The one-piece front skirt replaces the series-produced central and side panels and has a stainless steel stay located in front of the cooling air outlet. The side skirts are mounted on top of the original parts, with the rear skirt fully replacing the standard one. And - typical for HEICO SPORTIV - the rear skirt accommodates the four-pipe exhaust system with oval chrome end tips which can be extended optionally with a stainless steel inlay.



All plastic parts are produced from high quality PUR-R-RIM and are easy to fit. The HEICO SPORTIV Bodykit will be available from May 2011 for the XC90 from model year 2007 onwards and can be delivered for all engine versions.

Come the early part of the following year, 2007, New Zealanders would now be able to glance at and personally view the new Volvo C30.

What's the Volvo C30, you may ask?

Well, according to the chief executive officer and president of Volvo Cars, Fredrik Arp, "The new Volvo C30 is a cool car that aims for young singles, or couples with busy urban lives. These people prioritize excitement in design and driving characteristics, and this car is designed to suit their taste and lifestyle."

Sure enough, many customers in the auto market would be clamoring to take a first hand experience with this vehicle. Many have already seen it during its concept stage for the concept version of the Volvo C30 has been shown off a couple of months back. And it has already captured the minds and the attention of those who have seen it. According to auto experts, the Volvo C30 holds a good resemblance to the Volvo Design Concept which holds three doors and has been first shown during the Detroit Motor Show just this January.

Volvo is celebrating the start of its fourth Ocean Race by releasing special edition models of its V60, XC60 and XC70 in the UK. The cars will be available to order starting in April, with the first deliveries expected to take place in July.

Engine options are yet to be determined, but the cars will have special interiors in sail-reminiscent off-black or beige, and the seatbacks come embossed with the Volvo Ocean Race logo. There will also be two special exterior colors available, dubbed “Volvo Ocean Blue II” and “Electric Silver.”

Along with the seats, the door panels and cargo covers get the Ocean Race treatment, with special script and stitching. If that isn’t enough Nautical madness for you, you can rest your Sperrys on a set of textile sail-inspired floor mats to cap it all off.

Volvo is expecting to move about 7,500 of the special editions per year, targeting England, Germany and Italy in particular. No word yet on pricing or whether the cars come with a stuffed parrot for full-on pirate effect.

[Source: Volvo]

PRESS RELEASE:

VOLVO OCEAN RACE LIMITED EDITIONS - THREE MODELS INSPIRED BY THE WORLD’S MOST CHALLENGING SAILING RACE

The Volvo Ocean Race is the world’s most grueling sailing adventure, testing the sailing prowess and human endeavour of its participants and competing in all four corners of the globe. To celebrate the start of the fourth Volvo Ocean Race, Volvo Cars have launched three limited edition models specifically designed with the sailing adventure in mind. Design details inspired by life on board a boat help distinguish these models from their standard counterparts with unique interior and exterior refinements.

Launched at the Geneva Motorshow, three of Volvo’s models will be available in the UK with this special Ocean Race inspired specification, allowing customers to own a piece of Volvo’s involvement in the world’s most challenging of sailing events.

The Volvo Ocean Race Editions will be available to order in the new Volvo V60, XC60 and XC70 from April 2011 with customer cars expected to be delivered in July 2011. Engine availability and pricing have yet to be confirmed in the UK.

Customers can choose between two luxurious exterior colours, Volvo Ocean Blue II or Electric Silver, in conjunction with the sail-inspired leather upholstery in off-black and soft beige with embossed Volvo Ocean Race Logo on the backrest of the front seats.

Other features are the uniquely designed aluminium wheels, chromed detailing and the Volvo Ocean Race emblem on the front wings.

Inside the car, the seats and door panels feature an added level of craftsmanship. The load cover displays the Volvo Ocean Race logo in print with stitching and sheet detailing, there are textile floor mats with clew-inspired (lower corner of a sail) details in aluminium and the tread plate in aluminium is embossed with the text “Volvo Ocean Race”. In addition, the Human Machine Interface start-up display shows the Volvo Ocean Race logo and text.

Volvo Cars estimates to sell about 7,500 cars globally. The four largest markets are expected to be Germany, Sweden, Great Britain and Italy. Other markets outside Europe that will be involved in the race will also sell the Ocean Race Editions.

Facts about the race:

The Volvo Ocean Race is the world’s most gruelling ocean adventure. An extreme race that consists of 9 legs. The Volvo Ocean Race starts in Alicante on October 29 and finishes in Galway, Ireland, on July 7, 2012. The Volvo Ocean Race will also stop in Cape Town (South Africa,Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Sanya (China), Auckland (New Zealand), Itajaí (Brazil), Miami (the USA), Lisbon (Portugal) and Lorient (France). The event also includes exciting inshore races in all the ports.

For more detailed information about the Volvo Ocean Race, visit http://www.volvooceanrace.com/

• Volvo S60 Diesel D5 Kinetic with Manual Transmission – Rs. 27 Lakh
• Volvo S60 Diesel D5 Summum with Automatic Transmission – Rs. 32 Lakh
• Volvo S60 Petrol T6 Summum with Automatic Transmission – Rs. 34 Lakh

Features of Volvo S60 Sedan in India

• Radar and camera based pedestrian detection technology
• Laser assisted auto braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Traction and advanced stability control
• Airbags including side curtain airbags
• Emergency brake assist
• Front parking camera with 178 degree assist
• Cornering torque control
• 7inch DVD screen up front with Bluetooth audio streaming
• USB and iPod connectivity
• Satellite navigation system

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show will host the world premiere of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, a near production-ready model that is said to return a very impressive 125 mpg US (1.9 lt/100 km), with CO2 emissions under 50 g/km. In order to achieve this, engineers entered a new variable into the plug-in hybrid equation: a diesel engine.

The V60’s front wheels are driven by a 2.4-liter 5-cylinder turbo diesel powerplant capable of 215HP and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. At the back, there's a 70HP electric motor that powers the rear wheels and a 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

2011 the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid

Off-road tuning specialist 'Cobra Technology & Lifestyle' has presented its latest line of aftermarket bling for the new Volvo XC60 SUV. The range includes the 'oh so useful for your typical, city-dwelling XC60 owner' stainless-steel front guards and rocker panels with integrated steps. Ironically, all that shiny protective armor can be complemented with a set of 18, 19 or 20-inch alloy wheels that are available in four different designs.

Sleek, elegant, chic and sporty are not words you might normally associate with a 4x4 - and you'd be extremely unlikely to use them all at once to describe the same 4x4. That is until the advent of Volvo's XC60.

Volvo XC 60 is offered with both diesel and petrol variant. The main variants that are launched in Indian auto market are Volvo XC 60 3.2 AWD Petrol, 60 T6 AWD Petrol, Diesel, Drive Diesel and Volvo XC 60 D 5 AWD Diesel. All the five variants of this model generate awesome power and they are going to be one of the best performers on Indian roads as well as Indian market. Depending upon its variant Volvo XC 60 will be priced between RS 30 to RS 50 Lakhs. XC 60 has become on of the best selling sedan in Global Auto Market. Volvo XC 60 is mainly targeted to give tough competition for BMW X3 and Audi Q5. 60 will be built on company's Y20 platform and this sedan was created at company's car factory in Ghent Belgium. XC 60 is a premium SUV modeled sedan launched in Indian market by Volvo with cross over body with advanced featur

XC70 Interior - 8.4 (Very Good):Auto writers note that the 2010 Volvo XC70's cabin is functional, comfortable and practical. "Inside is the Swedish Modern design that has also been a Volvo hallmark in recent years, with a free-standing center stack and excellent seat comfort," writes The Auto Channel. Additionally, the XC70 features a vast amount of cargo room.


Volvo rates the base XC70's 3.2-liter engine at 235 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. Although it is smooth and very quiet, many critics find its power and torque unimpressive in the heavy XC70, providing only average acceleration. Fuel economy is not outstanding, either. The EPA rates the 3.2 AWD at 16/22 city/highway, and Volvo recommends premium fuel.

(Very Good)

The 2010 Volvo XC70's safety technology, comfortable seats and large cargo hold make it a practical choice among luxury wagons. However, its lack of power and poor fuel economy are liabilities. In fact, the Orlando Sentinel describes the Volvo XC70 as "the automotive equivalent of a Swiss Army knife: Capable of handling most any task, excelling at none, perhaps, but more than competent at all of them."

Both engines are part of Volvo's SI6 (short-inline 6) family, launched in 2006. Thanks to its unusual accessory drive layout, which mounts the power steering pump and air conditioning compressor behind the engine, the SI6 is one of the world's most compact inline sixes; its overall length is within a few millimeters of Volvo's earlier inline five. Both SI6 engines have a variable-length intake manifold, 24 valves, and dual overhead camshafts, with variable lift and timing for the intake cam.

The 2010 Volvo XC70's safety technology

The V6 engine manages to do it's job, coupled to a 6 speed engine with a short shift in the first gear to guarantee a better take off from a full stop, but some reviewers felt that this engine just didn't cut it and Car and Driver commented that "at speeds above 50 mph the engine struggles to motivate the XC90's 4786-pounds and all-wheel drive system." That's not the only problem with the smaller standard engine. Consumer Guide commented that "some testers complained of slow downshifts with the 3.2." These may seem like small and finicky complaints, but the overall driving experience depends on having an engine that will step out with plenty of horsepower. The V6 in the Volvo XC90 only puts out 235 horsepower, as compared to the 311 horsepower generated by the larger V8 option.



For 2010 there have been a few changes to the Volvo XC90. The five-passenger seating has been discontinued and is now offered as a seven-passenger only. The trims lines have been changed slightly as well, with three available models and an available R-Design package.
Volvo XC90 is known for it's safety

The XC90 is an affordable family hauler with great seating and excellent crash test scores. While other SUVs may have nice interiors and better performance, the Volvo XC90 has a very low starting price for the class.


When it comes to picking the right engine for the 2010 Volvo XC90, experts agree that the 4.4 Liter V8 engine option is the way to go. Unfortunately, the 3.2 liter inline six cylinder engine comes standard, so customers will have to ask for the better engine option and be willing to take a small hit in gas economy. We promise that the payoff in take-off power, mid-range acceleration, and driver satisfaction is well worth both the immediate price increase the extra gas.
2011 The Volvo XC90

We recently drove the 2011 Volvo S60 in the wilds of Oregon and came away rather impressed with both its performance and in-person aesthetics. That said, we generally don't begrudge a bit more visual aggression, and to that end, Volvo has obliged with a pair of new R-Design models here at the Paris Motor Show that includes the S60 sedan and its not-for-North-America V60, a wagon so attractive that we couldn't help but lead off our live coverage with it.

In either case, the well-integrated R-Design package consists of a distinct front fascia, rear bumper cutout with diffuser and bespoke 18-inch alloys in a fetching smoked finish. While there isn't any more power under the hood, the 300-horsepower 3.0-liter inline turbo six should fit the bill rather nicely, especially with its generous 325 pound-feet of torque. No word on any shift-map changes for the six-speed automatic gearbox, but what we'd really like to see for this sportier S60 is a set of paddle shifters.

That aside, R-Design models ought to handle a bit better than their more common brethren, as they hug the ground a bit more closely thanks to shorter, stiffer coils and monotube shocks. The rest of the suspension gets beefed up, too, with firmer bushings and a front strut-tower brace.