Volvo C70 2007 News

With fellow Swedish brand Saab tettering on the edge locally, Volvo Car Australia managing director, Alan Desselss, reckons the Volvo name could lure them across to the new C70 convertible.  "There is a good opportunity for us to go after ex-Saab convertible owners," Desselss says."Clearly there is a market that is open."  Local Saab sales have tanked with only one car sold so far this year as the product pipeline from Europe froze.Despite the company being saved from extinction by Dutch sportscar maker, Spyker, local dealers have watched buyers desert showrooms.  With the newest C70 S and T5 convertibles now arriving at Volvo dealers, Desselss is keen to snare sales from anywhere.The opener starts at $59,950 S with the range topper turbo T5 at $69,950.  Both the normally aspirated and turbo C70's use Volvo's five-cylinder petrol engines in 2.4 and 2.5-litre capacities.  The S develops 125kW/230Nm and the T5 169kW/320Nm.Although there are no plans for a four cylinder C70, Desselss says he would not rule it out in the future, saying such a model could help lower the entry price into the C70.  Volvo has already previewed a new-generation 149kW/300Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection four cylinder that will be rolled out in Europe in the S80, V70 and XC60.The engine is also destined for the new S60, which arrives in local showrooms later this year.  With the Saab 9-3 convertible effectively out of the picture, the C70 counts as its direct Euro rivals the Volkswagen Eos, BMW 1 Series convertible and Audi A3 convertible.

Volvo is destined to use a version of the 2011 Falcon's 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo-charged EcoBoost four cylinder engine in some of its own cars late next year. The global Ford engine is rolling out across Ford, Volvo and Mazda cars around the world.A powerful 2.0-litre version of the Volvo engine, called GTDi and developing more than 150kW, is due to appear in the XC60 in the Netherlands. A smaller 1.6-litre version is also planned for other models.Volvo Cars Australia spokesperson, Laurissa Mirabelli, says the first GTDi engines, mated to a Powershift six-speed dual clutch gearbox, will roll out in Europe later this year but are not scheduled to arrive here until 2010. "We are still to look at positioning though and which specific models will get the engine," she says.Volvo is joining Volkswagen and Audi as newer hi-tech engines allow carmakers to downsize capacity to increase fuel economy and pass tougher European tax regimes on emissions. Direct-injection technology, combined with turbocharging, helps reduce engine displacement without any performance loss, but with about 20 per cent lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.First seen on the S60 concept with 1.6-litre capacity, the GTDi produces 134kW yet returns an average fuel economy figure of 5.0l/100km and C02 emissions of 119 g/km in the concept sedan. Mirabelli says the face-lifted C70 cabrio, which arrives next March, will be too early for the GTDi powerplants.Visually, the C70 will receive Volvo's new family face, as previewed in the S60 concept earlier this year. The refreshed tin-top convertible will be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in two weeks with the C30, S40 and V50 following later.As the C70 shows, the range will get more angular headlights, a low-set grille, larger air intakes and repositioned foglights. The front mudguards have been redesigned to accommodate the more aggressive, wedged-shaped nose. At the back the convertible gets high-tech LED tail-lights, shared with the XC60.Although most of the changes are external, the cabin has come in for a makeover too. The instrument panel has been redesigned, giving it a wider, sleeker look and the materials are improved to lift quality against its key German rivals.The C70's already strong safety credentials carry over with the rollover protection system, side curtain airbags that inflate in the door, side airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners for all seats.In Europe the C70 is available with three petrol and two turbo-diesel engines but Australia will carry over the 169kW/320Nm T5 and 125kW/230Nm 2.4i five-cylinder engines only. 

The C70 convertible is the first to get the new look, which is based on the S60 concept sedan released earlier this year.The newest Volvo convertible will be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in two weeks with the C30, S40 and V50 following later. The C70 will share its design cues with the S60 concept.As the C70 shows, the range will get more angular headlights, a low-set grille, larger air intakes and repositioned foglights. The front mudguards have been redesigned to accommodate the more aggressive, wedged-shaped nose. At the back the convertible gets high-tech LED tail-lights, shared with the XC60.Although most of the changes are external, the cabin has come in for a makeover too. The instrument panel has been redesigned, giving it a wider, sleeker look and the materials are improved to lift quality against its key German rivals.The C70's already strong safety credentials carry over with the rollover protection system, side curtain airbags that inflate in the door, side airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners for all seats.In Europe the C70 is available with three petrol and two turbo-diesel engines but Australia will carry over the 169kW/320Nm T5 and 125kW/230Nm 2.4i five-cylinder engines only. 

The car brand trumpeted as the world's safest will catch up with the pack next month. Volvo is at last making sure every car it sells in Australia is equipped with ESP and traction control as standard. It has yet to confirm details of the ESP upgrade, including prices, though all Australian cars coming off the production line this month – which means deliveries in June once they are shipped from Sweden – will have the system. “We can confirm that dynamic stability control and traction control will be standard on all Volvo models from May production,” says Laurissa Mirabelli of Volvo Cars Australia. While Volvo is talking up its ESP upgrade, it is also working to finalise details of next year's model line-up after an upgrade last week in Europe. They should be here by October, and the all-new XC60 all-wheel-drive wagon will be the headliner. The most obvious change, on everything from the baby C30 to the C70, is a larger Volvo badge on the boot. It picks up the prominence of the badge on the XC60 and the latest mid-sized wagons. The only other change across the range, though not confirmed for Australia, is exterior mirrors that fold flat for parking. “There will be some minor changes to Volvo's MY09 line-up this year, as there is with its models every year,” Mirabelli says. “The MY09s won't be here until much later this year and we're not in a position to confirm the extent of the changes yet, given we're still going through the business case process.” She says there are only minor tweaks to the range, apart from the XC60, and nothing big on the technical front. In Europe, there are minor tweaks to nine models and one of the best is an optional system called Homelink. It uses buttons integrated into the sun visor to operate remote-controlled home appliances such as garage doors, house alarms and lighting. There is an upgrade of the optional satellite navigation on the S40 and V50, a hard load cover is now standard on all C30s and the climate control is upgraded in the C70 with the addition of the Powershift gearbox already fitted to the C30, S40 and V50. The S80 flagship gets heated washer nozzles and chronograph-style dials in the dash.  

The biggest recall has hit Toyota, which wants to check 144,500 Camrys for headlights, and nearly 8000 Honda Civics also have light problems.The federal Department of Transport says eight imported cars have been recalled since June 1, even Volvo, which makes safety a key selling point, hasn't escaped, recalling cars to check on a faulty door assembly.The latest recalls are;Audi: A6 built between March 2004 and March 2005 may have a software fault which, in exceptional circumstances, could delay release of both front air bags in an accident. Number of cars, 464.Toyota: Camrys built from June 2002 to May 2006; faulty headlight switch which may cause headlights to flicker or temporarily fail. Number involved, 144,589.Honda: Civic sedan and somes hatches built between 2001 and 2002; problem with plastic terminal connector melting, causing low beam lights to fail. Number, 7979.Volvo: Current model C70 may have incorrect left hand door assembly, so it doesn't meet legal requirements in an accident. Number, 173.Mazda: The Mazda3 MPS built from May 2006 to May 2007 may have a loose bolt securing the engine and transmission to its mounting. If it falls out, the engine may drop, detaching the drive shaft. Number of recalls, 1160. Recall will start next week. 

Reports that Ford has added Volvo to its Premium Automotive Group sell-off, has sent flutters through the Swedish manufacturer's Australian operation.“Officially, it's no comment because we haven't heard anything or received any instruction from Ford or Volvo,” Volvo Australia spokesman Todd Hallenbeck says.“All we know is what has been floated in European media.”Reports from Europe claim Volvo is joining Land Rover and Jaguar on the sale block, as Ford overhauls its business to stem record losses.As the flagship of Ford's Premier Automotive Group (PAG) business, and the most likely to turn a profit, Volvo is considered unlikely to be sold but reports have priced the company at $US8 billion ($9.73 billion).“The worrying thing about these reports, even if they are speculation, is that it doesn't do a lot for brand confidence,” Hallenbeck says.The disappointing aspect of the reports is that they come when Volvo internationally and in Australia is on an upward curve, he says.“The relationship between Volvo and Ford has always been very strong. It has always been a money earner for them ... Ford has invested the money for us to develop the C30, the new C70, the S80. They have given us the real foothold to develop a new model range."“There is a lot of speculation and a lot of people are saying that Volvo may be the only brand (within PAG) that has a value ... but it is all just speculation.”Hallenbeck points to global sales and a local operation that is fast putting the dark days of 2002-03 behind.“We couldn't be more happy with the way things are going,” Hallenbeck says. “To the end of June we were up 24 per cent on the previous year and that was up 37 per cent over '05.“To last week we have sold more than 2900 cars, more than for the entire year in 2003. We have a lot of momentum, the dealers are incredibly happy and everybody is smiling.”One of the driving forces behind Volvo's resurgence has been the refreshing of its entire model range.“When the XC70 launches there will not be a model in the range that is more than three years old,” Hallenbeck says.Ford, which sold Aston Martin for $US450 million ($516 million)last year, has valued Volvo at 25 per cent more than the $US6.5 billion ($7.45 billion) it paid in 1999.The official line from Ford is that it is not in discussion with any companies regarding a sale of Volvo, but added that it is continuing to assess all of its options for the business.Jaguar and Land Rover have already attracted interest from a range of potential buyers, with Ford confirming it has received approaches from a number of parties.The group says it is “aggressively evaluating that level of interest” and is thought to have set a deadline for initial bids this week, although it is still to officially announce its decision to sell the brands.Private equity group 3i is one of those considering bidding for Jaguar and for Land Rover, according to the Mail On Sunday. Other private equity firms understood to be in the running include Cerberus and One Equity Partners.Ford launched a review of the PAG business after the overall Ford group posted losses of $US12.7 billion ($14.56 billion) last year, the largest deficit in its 103-year history.PAG almost trebled its pre-tax losses last year, from $US89 million ($102 million) in 2005 to $US327 million ($375 million).Pre-tax profits at the division improved in the first three months of this year, at $US191 million ($219 million) against $US129 million ($148 million) for first quarter in 2006. 

The company now has MP3 CD compatibility standard across its range, plus auxiliary inputs for MP3 players and even USB connection in some models.The first company in Australia to offer MP3-compatible CD players throughout their range was Hyundai in 2004. That means users have to burn MP3s on to CDs.However, most people now use portable MP3 players, rather than CDs.Some models in some brands offer full compatibility for iPod with track and volume selection through the car's sound system, but this means that users with other brands of MP3 players are not included.Rather than isolating some users, the easiest option is an auxiliary input jack or USB port for MP3 player connection.Users still have to select tracks on the player, but the volume is adjustable through the car's sound system and you don't have to burn CDs.Volvo Car Australia public affairs manager Todd Hallenbeck said Volvo had MP3 CD compatibility right across its range as a standard feature, but now had auxiliary ports with their high performance and premium sound systems.These are standard on all models, except S40 S, S40 D5, V50 S, V50 D5 and the coming C30 S.All XC90 models now have an auxiliary input in the centre console. Plus the XC90 has the rear audio jacks for second and third-row passengers which allows them to listen to radio, CD or MP3 independent of the front seats.All S80 models have a centre console input standard and a USB port available as an accessory.V50, C30, S40 and C70 models have the input discreetly located behind the elegant floating console with a rubber-bottomed tray so the iPod or MP3 player won't get scratched or slide around as the car is driven.However, it makes it a bit difficult for the driver to change tracks on the player.The next XC70 model will have an aux port for MP3 with a USB port as an accessory.

Nine stars of the Melbourne International Motor Show took a quick spin from City Hall to Federation Square to rev the city up for tomorrow evening's big opening at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.Led by a beefy Chrysler 300C police car, about $2 million worth of auto exotica cruised down Swanston St.Lord Mayor John So rode James Bond-style in a $360,000 Aston Martin DB9 Volante convertible.Immediately behind him was a Bentley Continental GTC convertible worth $400,000, but even that was trumped moments later by a Ferrari 599 GTB, costing $600,000.Others in the column included a Maserati Quattroporte, the new convertibles from Volkswagen and Volvo, and a top-of-the-range Lexus LS460.Most unusual was the Bonning B3 three-wheeler, the personal project of designer and artist Brad Bonning.But there would be plenty more to see at the show itself, said the extravaganza's director, Russ Tyrie."That's just to give people a taste of what they will see on Friday," Mr Tyrie said."The parade is a great way to bring the show to Melbourne and to give people an idea of what an exciting and dynamic thing the car industry is."The covers will come off quite a few new cars at the show."With some of them it's going to be as much a surprise to us as it will to everyone else."

The 2006 Australian International Motor Show heralded the opening of open-top motoring season, and summer could not then have been celebrated in a better way than with a hefty V10-engined super-cabrio, a stylish sultry Italian, some topless European flair and some ‘home-grown’ hotties.Many flocked to the BMW stand to spend what will be a rare moment with the new BMW M6 Convertible.The wild Chris Bangle styling of the 6 Convertible is matched to the German marque’s phenomenal five-litre V10 engine.With 373kW and a sprint time of 4.8 seconds from 0-100km/h (just 0.2 behind the more aerodynamically-friendly Coupe), there is nothing soft about this soft-top.Unfortunately for those interested parties with a spare $295,000 to spend, the global allocation of the M6 Convertible for 2006 was completely sold out.Fifty additional Limited Edition M6 models made for the infamous Nieman Marcus Christmas Catalogue in the USA recently sold out in 1.5 seconds of the magazine’s online release. Another eagerly-anticipated convertible is the new Alfa Romeo Spider.Born of the beautiful new Brera coupe, the Spider misses out on the Coupe’s sublime behind and its two (compromised) rear seats, but strikes an equally imposing, aggressive stance with the roof down.The Spider was launched at the show in two engine and drive layouts - but for the moment transmission choice is manual only.This is a move that has proved disastrous for convertibles in the past (most recently, the Holden Tigra), but automatic transmissions should follow in 2007.The 2.2-litre petrol will set you back $76,950, but the flagship 3.2-litre V6 AWD strikes six figures at $100,950.The Eos is the next big thing from Volkswagen, and while it may be based on an old favourite, the trick folding roof is a completely new concept, it looks hot, and comes with a choice of two-litre turbo petrol or diesel drivetrains. It almost makes up for the Beetle convertible. Almost…Sharing much of the platform and DNA of VWs biggest seller, the Golf, it actually commandeers the suspension of the larger Passat sedan and wagon to carry the weight of the five-piece retractable hardtop.The first cutaway section acts as a sunroof when only a hint of UV is required, but folds a further four times into the boot like a deftly dealt deck of cards in a decent 25 seconds.The innovative roof, called a CSC or ‘convertible sliding coupe’ roof, still leaves room for luggage, while the design is resolved and solid with or without the roof down in coupe or convertible guise.The retractable hard top (RHT) is the emerging trend in the burgeoning convertible market. Even the second-gen Volvo C70 Convertible drops its traditional cloth roof in preference of the retractable hard top; the new version of Holden’s best selling Astra Convertible, the Astra TwinTop, does the same.Both the new TwinTop and opposition Ford’s new cabrio, the Ford Focus RHT (due here mid-2007), are designed and built in Europe where the trend obviously fired up – in a region of vastly fluctuating weather through the seasons, it makes sense to take the top off or completely shut out the cold.But for now, with these exciting new models coming to or on the Aussie market, we can all take the chance to enjoy a little ray of sunshine. And with a RHT, it seems that style does not go out with the seasons…

Read related storyPatrick Loved the yellow Hummer, I just want one !Grant The Subaru Tribeca seems an awesome car. Look at its list of standard features for $53000 - leaves an X5 or Territory for dead. OK, the front grille takes a bit of getting used to, power could be up a bit for its weight, but you do get all the usual Subie delights, 5 star safety and quality. Definitely worth a test drive on November 25!Mark Mercedes e280cdei definatly the bestDan The absolute standout was the new BMW 3 series coupe. Can't believe no one else has mentioned it. What a sexy car! Looks much better in the metal than in photos...David Rome The Mazda CX7 is very fresh and the new BT-50 ute looks the goods to take some salesMichael Volvo C70 What a Glamour!!the engineer Mitsubishi TRM 380- bring it on in AWD! Would sell double current! Should have been the original 380 GT.Audi R8 ;-)Captiva <8>-(French Body Art 8-)Bob Rona Gotta Be the Lexus RX 350 Sports Luxury!!Jay The Saab Aero X concept car looks extraordinary. I was pretty impressed with the XR5 Turbo Ford Focus - hopefully if they bring it out in diesel, there would be a lot more interest and salesDavid Lunn Mazda CX7John The Mitsui 380 supercharged - grabbed allot of attention (so did the girls in the red dresses); I also like the new Outlander V6 & Astra convertible (or at least my wife did).Lex Biggar Audi R8william yates dark 4 door mitsi I believe it's a Tommy Mac serise and also shannon's stand the rest well............Kim I must agree with Bob MX-S ROADSTER COUPE The best by far!Jim Until I hit the Mitsubishi stand the show was a let down for me. Thank you to the Mitsubishi Girls for making the show worthwhile.Julie Definetely the Honda Legend & the Audi RX8.aaron need this so i could have this to have it better then i wont be a laughting stockNick Definitely the Mitsubishi TRM 380 - because I might be able to afford it and it looks great. Can't wait to test drive it.David Lyons Peugeot 207Stephen HSV GTS is my current realistic dream carROBERT DAWSON MX-S ROADSTER COUPEKris Audi R8 looked absolutely brilliant, that will be a real winner when it lands here. The Audi TT also looked really neat.Other cars to impress were the Volvo C30 and Suzuki SX4 WRC prototype.wazza smith nonesasha The Convertible Ford Focus. I simply love it. The new Fairmont Ghia was nice too.I did not like the Camry V6 sorry Avalon, sorry again, Aurion.Now I have gone and twisted my tongue. Anyone know a good tongue doctor <8>-). .... At least I can still type.The Volvo C30 was nice too as was the Land Rover Discovery.The Holden Commodores looked pretty decent although the Captiva did not captivate.Its too tall and skinny. I saw one in a shopping centre car park right next to a Territory and boy did it look like it needed some widening.I was also quite impressed with the Audi R8.The Hummer reminded me too much of the war in Iraq (I am against senseless wars). I also thought the Citroens were cool.Sean Hickey HSV GTS a true sports car at third of the price.I enjoyed the show,love to dream but quite a few people could get a GTS