Tuesday, May 22, 2012

2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD - A Fond Farewell


The Volvo S60 arrived in our fleet a little more than twelve months ago, in April 2011, just before the start of the summer vacation season. Right out of the gate, the Volvo went on road trips to Tennessee, Chicago, and northern Michigan and racked up more than 3000 miles on the odometer. Over those largely highway miles, the S60 showed itself to be a comfortable long-distance cruiser with an impressive powertrain, capable handling, and a high level of refinement.

We were piling on the miles so fast that, four months into the S60's tenure, it was on pace to reach the 35,000-mile mark over the course of the year. That it ended up with a little less than 29,000 miles on the odometer should not be taken as a sign that it had fallen out of favor. The drop in accumulated mileage can be explained by the fact that, at the same time the S60 was in our fleet, we were also testing a family-friendly minivan and a full-size SUV (Honda Odyssey and Infiniti QX56, respectively), vehicles whose overall utility trumped the refinement of the S60 when it came time for long-distance travel with family and lots of cargo in tow. What the S60 was most in demand for were middle-distance, weekend getaways. Here in Michigan, especially in the summer, those weekend getaways mean driving "up north" to places like Traverse City, Ludington, and Houghton Lake, and the S60 was a willing partner in a number of such adventures. It also made several trips to Chicago and various other destinations in the Great Lakes region.
The S60 was a highly sought weekend companion, but even better was the fact that it cost so little to maintain. Not only was the Volvo completely trouble-free - that's right, not a single mechanical issue required service during its twelve-month stay -- but scheduled maintenance is free for the first 50,000 miles. Our only expenditures were for a set of winter tires and some WeatherTech floor mats to keep the carpets from getting a coat of winter grime on them.

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1205_2012_volvo_s60_t6_awd_april_update/#ixzz1vcs4jbmH

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

2013 Volvo XC90 Photos and Info: Minor changes for the Long-Serving Crossover

Volvo’s XC90 SUV is old and nearing retirement—it’s expected to finally get a replacement sometime in 2014—so we’ll consider this mild 2013 refresh something of a 60th birthday party. Of course, the XC90 isn’t 60 years old, but keep in mind it debuted at the 2002 Detroit auto show just months after the first-generation Apple iPod hit the market. Yeah, the one with a scroll-y wheel thing and a black-and-white LCD screen. We’ll pause while you describe to your kids how handheld devices used to be operated via physical buttons. Unlike the iPod, the XC90 is still in its first-gen shell, but Volvo did give its soon-to-be-retiree a shot of botox to keep it fresh-ish for 2013.

Too Old for Skinny Jeans and LEDs

The biggest change for the 2013 XC90 is the application of more paint. Specifically, most everything that was previously black plastic on the exterior—the lower bumper trim, rocker panels, and fender flares—is now painted body color. Volvo also threw some LED daytime running lights at the XC90’s front end and added LED taillights, but the effect is about as successful as your dad squeezing into a pair of skinny jeans. Just as he’s probably not going to be mistaken for Justin Bieber, the LEDs do little to bring Volvo’s large SUV into this decade. Non-R-Design XC90 3.2 models also get some new silver and chrome exterior trim.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2013-volvo-xc90-photos-and-info-car-news

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Volvo’s Gift to the Industry

While the C30 Electric is not a major threat to anyone, Volvo’s new V40 has disgusted industry executives with its “pedestrian airbag” that covers the hood and parts of the windshield and A-pillars when it deploys. The fact that “ped pro” has been allowed into regulation to the current extent is an epic failure of the automotive industry. Cost is outrageous, the cars grow in size, styling suffers—and the life-saving effect, according to industry studies, is virtually zero. The airbag that turns the road into a mattress has yet to be invented. A German executive shares this: “We hoped we could avoid this thing, but thanks to Volvo, it seems as if we have to offer it as well.” Congratulations, everyone.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/the-continental-vw-and-suzuki%E2%80%99s-spat-extends-to-the-gti-euro-beetle-engines-and-volvo

Chicago Used Volvo

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Volvo C30 Electric: Winter Drive Report

Over the past few days, we've told you about our trip to Kiruna, Sweden, where Volvo allowed us to put its C30 electric car through its paces in a series of cold-weather tests designed to push the car to its limit.

Now it's time to tell you about our real-world test drive, along 40 miles of snow and ice-covered Swedish roads.

Immediately following on from the cold-weather test that we told you about yesterday, our test drive took us from the small mining town of Kiruna, some 90 miles north of the Arctic circle, to the Esrange Space Centre, known for being one of the most active rocket and satellite test facilities in Europe.

While our test route started on the mainly snow-free main roads of Kiruna, within five minutes or so we had turned onto less well-traveled roads, covered by a healthy layer of snow and ice.

Despite it being just below freezing, we found the Volvo C30 performed well, without any hint of temperature-induced performance lag. Thanks to a combination of all-weather tires -- without studs -- and a revised traction control system developed especially for the C30 Electric, we found it had impressive road manners on both cold blacktop and icy roads.

In fact, aside from the occasional slip when accelerating onto faster roads, loss of traction was minimal.

Handling too, was precise, with the extra weight of the batteries enabling the C30 to feel very centred on the road.

As we pointed out yesterday, the C30's triple mode heating system kept the cabin warm, despite the outside temperature and significant wind chill. With the heating system also keeping battery pack and drivetrain warm, there was no noticeable drop in range.

But perhaps the element from our driving experience which most impressed us was Volvo's drive modes.

Alongside the usual Drive mode, the Volvo C30 has what Volvo calls a Highway mode. When selected, the Highway mode enables coasting, allowing the driver to maximize range without worrying about simulated engine braking when removing his or her foot from the accelerator.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1074295_volvo-c30-electric-winter-drive-report

Monday, March 12, 2012

The All-New Volvo V40 - Business news report



Volvo Car Corporation presents the all-new Volvo V40:
Scandinavian luxury look and feel with class-leading safety and driving dynamics

The all-new V40 is ready to overtake the competition in the Premium Hatchback class with sharpened features and characteristics from larger Volvos wrapped in a sleek, compact package.

Monday, February 27, 2012

GreenCarReports.com - ELVIIS Keeps Your Volvo Electric Car Rocking...

The King may be dead, but your electric Volvo won't be, thanks to the ELVIIS research project.

Swedish automaker Volvo has announced its participation in the Electric Vehicle Intelligent Infra Structure (ELVIIS) project, to improve the electric car charging process.

Together with Ericsson, Swedish utility company Göteborg Energi, and the Viktoria Institute, Volvo Car Corporation is helping to develop the future of smart charging.

What is smart charging?

Essentially, smart charging is a means of taking the charging process beyond simply plugging in and forgetting about it.

While one of the benefits of electric cars is being able to do other things while you're "filling it up", smart charging reassures drivers by keeping them updated on the state of charge.

The system uses GPS to verify the charging location. Then, the driver pre-sets timing and charging amount on a touch screen inside the car, or remotely - via a smartphone, for example.

The car communicates with the grid via the mobile network, which can even time the charge to ensure low energy prices are used. If the charging is interrupted for any reason, the driver can be informed.

Conveniently, rather than having to pay at a particular charging station, the cost of any charge can be added to your own utility bill.

Volvo is currently testing the system with its 2012 Volvo C30 Electric cars, equipped with a 7-inch touch screen from which to control the charging.

The idea behind the technology is that running an electric car is made no more difficult than running an internal combustion vehicle. The driver can enjoy all the usual electric car benefits, with as little hassle as possible when it comes to charging.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1073329_elviis-keeps-your-volvo-electric-car-rocking

Friday, February 10, 2012

Volvo’s next safety frontier -- animals

CHICAGO -- Having long ago made a name for itself in vehicle safety, Volvo is turning its attention to protecting animals.

Or more correctly, protecting animals and drivers from each other.

The automaker is working on a new-generation safety system that detects animals --ranging from Swedish moose to family pets -- in the road.

“It’s active safety,” Volvo Cars of North America CEO John Maloney said today, speaking on the sidelines of the Chicago Auto Show.

“There are plenty of ways that people get into accidents. They hit objects. At the last moment, if they don’t see something, they’ll try to swerve when it’s too late. That will damage the car. And if it’s a pet, people don’t want their pets killed.”

Maloney declined to say when the animal system will begin appearing on Volvo vehicles, other than saying “it’s a couple of years out.”

“It’s a radar and camera-based system that’s looking for images in front of the car,” Maloney said. “If you’re not doing anything, it will intervene and either slow the car, depending on how close it is, or completely stop the car if it has enough time.”

Friday, January 27, 2012

Volvo to Split S60 Lineup with T5 AWD Model

Volvo has added a new, lineup-splitting T5 AWD version of its S60 sedan, one of the brand’s few successful U.S. offerings. John Maloney, Volvo’s new U.S. president, revealed the information during an interview at the Detroit auto show. The T5 AWD announcement is hardly exciting stuff, but in light of recent subtractions from its U.S. lineup, any news that involves the addition of new models is potentially good for Volvo.

The new S60 T5 AWD will occupy the space—and find a home somewhere within the rather sizable $7150 price gap—between the $32,175 base FWD T5 model and the $39,325 AWD T6 variant. The T5 AWD will be powered by the same 250-hp turbocharged inline-five as the front-driver. (The T6—a very finicky example of which we have in our long-term stable—is powered by a smooth turbocharged 300-hp inline-six.) This new T5 will allow Volvo to counter competitors’ base-engine all-wheel-drive models, which include the BMW 328i xDrive and Audi A4 Quattro. The S60 T5 AWD goes on sale this summer, and exact pricing information will be available closer to its release.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/volvo-to-split-s60-lineup-with-t5-awd-model/

Friday, January 20, 2012

Volvo Boss: Five-Door V40 Hatch “Probably Not” Coming to the U.S., New XC90 Again Confirmed for 2014

Volvo’s upcoming V40 hatchback is set to debut at the 2012 Geneva auto show, but it will “probably not” come to the U.S., the company’s CEO, Stefan Jacoby, told us recently.

The hatchback, which is based on architecture evolved from the jointly used platform underpinning the S40 sedan, Ford Focus, and Mazda 3, doesn’t fit into the company’s product plans in the States. Volvo said in the past year that it would delete both the S40 sedan and the V50 wagon from its U.S. product lineup; the C70 convertible, meanwhile, has been given an expiration date of January 1, 2014, and no replacement has been confirmed. We’ve even heard that the C30 hatchback, a three-door car that’s not terribly practical, may bite the bullet globally.

Jacoby explained that Volvo is paring its U.S. lineup to focus on its volume products: the S60 sedan, the XC70 wagon, and the XC60 and XC90 crossovers. In relative terms, Volvo is a small company—it sold roughly 67,000 cars in the U.S. in 2011, compared to about 306,000 by BMW—and can’t support marketing, sales, and service for a broad range of products.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/volvo-boss-five-door-v40-hatch-probably-not-coming-to-the-u-s-new-xc90-again-confirmed-for-2014

Friday, December 16, 2011

2012 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Wagon: A Hint Of Things To Come?

After nearly a year of waiting, Volvo has announced the full specifications and pricing of its first plug-in hybrid car, the 2012 Volvo V60 Diesel Plug-in Hybrid Wagon.

Last February, we were invited to Sweden to get an exclusive sneak peak of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid Wagon concept. Then in June we were given the chance to get behind the wheel of one of Volvo’s early prototype cars at the 2012 Challenge Bibendum

Now we can tell you about our pre-launch visit to Gothenburg, where Volvo executives displayed the production V60 Plug-in Hybrid wagon for the first time, strongly hinting that the V60 Plug-in Hybrid isn’t going to be the only plug-in hybrid we’ll see from those Swedish chefs of safety in the coming months. 


A Series Of Firsts, With No Compromise

Volvo is visibly proud of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid Wagon. While it might not be the first plug-in car to the market, Volvo executives are keen to point out that the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is a first in several other key areas.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1070543_volvo-v60-plug-in-hybrid-wagon-a-hint-of-things-to-come

Volvo Dealers in Chicago

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Volvo Shows Four Possible Design Directions for Next-Gen XC90

While Volvo’s stand at the 2011 Los Angeles auto show didn’t house anything we haven’t seen before (save a sassy version of the doomed C70 convertible), we did see some interesting stuff at the company’s slick Camarillo, California, design studio just prior to the show. There we got a peek at these four sketches, which show possible design directions for next-generation XC90 crossover. On first glance, they all look roughly the same, but closer inspection reveals variations in everything from the size and shape of the signature taillamps to the C-pillar treatment to the varying degrees of angularity in the overall shapes. All, however, look far more modern than today’s XC90, which has been on the market since 2002.

Volvo didn’t so much as hint about which of the four is most likely to get the green light, but it did say that the XC90 will be the first vehicle built on Volvo’s upcoming Scalable Platform Architecture. Also, in accordance with its previously announced future powertrain strategy, the next XC90 will feature only four-cylinder engines. Given the XC90’s size, you can expect direct injection and copious amounts of turbocharging, and possibly even some version of the kinetic energy recovery system that the firm is currently testing. Volvo wouldn’t comment on a hybrid version, but since the SPA platform is designed to handle all extents of electrification, you can bet your last Swedish fish there will be one. We were told that the next-gen XC90 will bow sometime in 2014.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/volvo-shows-four-possible-design-directions-for-next-gen-xc90/

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Limited-Edition 2012 Volvo C70 Inscription to Debut at L.A.; 500 Examples Coming to U.S.

Volvo’s C70 folding hardtop convertible may soon go the way of the dodo, but at least it’s going out in style: This limited-edition 2012 C70 Inscription will debut at the upcoming L.A. auto show before going on sale next year. Volvo describes the Inscription as “perhaps the ultimate expression of [our] iconic hardtop convertible.” Iconic? Probably not. Ultimate expression? We’ll play along: The car bundles not only the typical special-model styling upgrades, but a healthy power boost as well.

Cosmetically, the Inscription gets a gloss-black grille, black 18-inch wheels, and a rear spoiler, and is available only in Ice White or Black Sapphire Metallic. LED daytime running lights and xenon active headlamps are standard. It’s the interior, however, that really sets the C70 Inscription apart. The seats are upholstered in “Sovereign Hide,” and the dash is wrapped in leather and features contrasting stitching. In case the fancy interior trappings fail to remind of the Inscription’s specialness, Volvo embroidered “Inscription” onto the headrests and also throws in special floor mats and a unique handbrake lever.

The Volvo C70 may be a looker—even more so after its recent refresh for 2011—but the folding hard top and structural bracing mean it’s not exactly light or lithe. Reinforcing the standard car’s relaxed attitude is its 227-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels through a five-speed automatic. For the Inscription, Volvo squeezed out an additional 23 hp and 37 lb-ft of torque from the turbo five (for new sums of 250 hp and 273 lb-ft). The power bump comes courtesy of some ECU tuning by Volvo’s racing partner, Polestar.

Volvo has yet to announce pricing for the C70 Inscription, but it will undoubtedly carry a nice premium over the C70’s $40,825 base price. The company is planning a 2000-car global production run, with 500 of those units slated for the U.S. The limited production numbers and unique features ensure exclusivity, and make the Inscription an enticing swan song for Volvo’s attractive boulevardier.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/limited-edition-2012-volvo-c70-inscription-to-debut-at-l-a-500-examples-coming-to-u-s/

Friday, November 4, 2011

REVIEWS: 2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD - Four Seasons Update - October 2011


Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1110_2012_volvo_s60_t6_awd_october_update/index.html#ixzz1ckew9Jsz

Friday, October 28, 2011

Plan On Crashing Your Plug-In Car? Volvo Will Keep You Safe

Cars of today are immeasurably safer than those even a decade ago, and manufacturers have been working very carefully to ensure that the different requirements of electric car construction don't mean taking a step back in safety.

Volvo has always been known for safety and its plug-in cars are no different. They've already proven the safety of the C30 electric car and now it's the turn of the V60 plug-in hybrid to hit the wall.

In fact, it's the wall that hits the car in this latest test.

As with many electric vehicles, the battery pack is mounted below the trunk floor. This is great for practicality as it ensures space is retained in the cabin, but it does make the pack vulnerable in a rear impact.

As a result, Volvo has been carefully working for years now on making sure the batteries aren't compromised in a rear impact. And as you can see in the video below, the pack manages to keep its structure despite being hit hard at 50mph by a non-deformable sled. Controlled deformation protects the pack and other areas are reinforced. Sensors monitor the impact's severity and immediately shut off power supply, and even if the battery is breached and gas escapes, it's directed away from the occupants inside the car.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1067723_plan-on-crashing-your-plug-in-car-volvo-will-keep-you-safe

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

GreenCarReports: 2012 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Confirmed For Europe, U.S. Will Have To Wait

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Volvo has just confirmed that its first ever plug-in hybrid electric car -- and the world’s first plug-in hybrid station wagon -- will go on sale in early 2012. 

But the Swedish automaker has reiterated that while Europeans will get the Diesel-electric through-the-road plug-in hybrid, there are no plans to introduce it to the U.S. market in its current form.

We were among the first to get a sneak peak of Volvo’s compact plug-in station wagon at an exclusive pre-Geneva Motor Show preview event, and you told us that you wanted to know more about its high fuel economy figures, towing capability and electronic all-wheel-drive capabilities.

But the news from Volvo wasn’t good. It didn’t think the U.S. was ready for a diesel plug-in hybrid, executives said.

You told us otherwise, so the next time we saw the Volvo executives responsible for the V60 Plug-in hybrid -- this time for an exclusive fist-ride report of one of its pre-production prototypes  -- we asked them to reconsider the U.S. market.

Then in June Volvo CEO hinted that the V60 Plug-in Hybrid would be getting a gasoline make-over for the U.S. market, with the first cars due some time in 2013, making us think that Volvo had listened to its fans.

Now we’re not so sure. In a conversation with Volvo representatives in Europe, we were told that there’s no firm plans yet to bring the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid to the U.S.

“It was speculated a few months ago when the CEO was in the U.S. on a trip,” said a Volvo spokesperson. “But never confirmed.”

With Volvo representatives remaining tight-lipped about the future for the V60 Plug-in Hybrid outside of Europe, we’re afraid you may be in for a wait if you want a station wagon that can tow, gets good gas mileage and plugs in too.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1067401_2012-volvo-v60-plug-in-hybrid-confirmed-for-europe-u-s-will-have-to-wait

Friday, October 7, 2011

Current Volvo C70 Convertible Likely Dead in 2013, Status of Replacement Uncertain

Volvo’s compact S40 and V50 have already been canceled, and the long-term future of the C70 convertible—which shares a platform with those two cars—was put into jeopardy today: The company announced that the factory producing it will close at the end of 2013. The Uddavella factory is owned jointly by Pininfarina and Volvo, but Volvo takes sole ownership when the cooperative agreement expires in two years. In a statement released today, CEO Stefan Jacoby said “The low volumes in the Uddevalla plant do not justify continued production.”

Company sources have told us that it is possible for Volvo to continue building the C70 at another facility, but a decision about its survival hasn’t yet been made. But Jacoby’s own remark in today’s press release seems to seal the current car’s fate. “We will now look into when a next-generation Volvo convertible can be on the market and where it should be manufactured,” he said, leading us to believe that production of the current car will end when the factory is shuttered.

When the cancellation of the S40 was announced in June, a spokesperson told us that the C70 and the compact C30 hatchback had never been intended to be much more than niche products. But the C70′s sales weren’t sufficient to justify an entire factory, and indeed the sales numbers may be too slim to justify even “niche” status for Volvo and its Chinese parent Geely.

While it will probably be many years until a new Volvo convertible arrives—if one does at all—we expect that it would use the automaker’s upcoming Scalable Platform Architecture. This new platform underpinned Volvo’s Concept You, which debuted at this year’s Frankfurt auto show.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD - Long-Term Road Test Intro

Date: September 2011
Months in Fleet: 3 months
Current Mileage: 6306 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 23 mpg
Average Range: 410 miles
Service: $0
Normal Wear: $0
Repair: $0

Last year’s purchase of Volvo by the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Limited can be summed up in two words, which also happen to be one translation of Geely’s Mandarin name: good luck. The double whammy of a global recession and anxiety over the transaction prompted a near-death experience for the venerable Swedish brand. Only 21,423 Volvos were delivered in the U.S. in 2010, down by more than 100,000 units from the decade’s highest mark.

Now that customers have begun returning to the fold, bumping up sales by a factor of three, we deemed it safe to spend some quality time with the newest and possibly best Volvo on the market. The S60 is as close as Volvo has ever dared venture in the BMW direction. It’s conveniently sized, nicely designed, and endowed with ample power and traction. So we added an Ice White 2012 model to our long-term fleet, conducted the usual welcome-aboard performance assessment, and started scribbling insightful observations into its logbook. We have our fingers crossed in hopes of a pleasant long-term relationship.

Passing on the Five, but Not Much Else

For 2012, the S60’s engine choices grew from one to two. A turbocharged five-cylinder now sits at the bottom of the lineup, but we opted for the T6, powered by a 300-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged-and-intercooled inline-six. The R-Design, a late arrival for the 2012 model year, adds another 25 hp to the six’s chart. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission offered. It and the inline-six are bolted end to end and crammed sideways under the S60’s hood. Two ill effects resulting from this arrangement are an unwieldy 39-foot turning circle and front wheels that are burdened with nearly two-thirds of the total curb weight. To help avoid the crippling understeer that’s inevitable with 325 lb-ft of torque routed through the front axle, all T6 S60s are all-wheel drive.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q3/2012_volvo_s60_t6_awd-long-term_road_test_intro

Chicago Volvo S60 Dealers