Volvo XC70 2007 News

With images of the heaving seas and elegant, minimalist ocean-going yachts, Volvo is launching two special versions of the XC70 and XC90 models to celebrate the staging of the 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean Race. Honouring a race that will take competitors on an eight-month extreme adventure covering 37,025 nautical miles and visiting ports including Cochin in India, Galway in Ireland and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, the limited edition Volvo Ocean Race XC70 and XC90 models capture the spirit with materials that echo those used in the magnificent vessels that compete in the event. The stitching on the upholstery traces its roots to sail making. The aluminium detailing on the mats resemble clews, and the design of the unique wheels has been inspired by the movement of the ocean's waves, says Lennart Stegland, president of the special vehicles division at Volvo Cars. The Volvo Ocean Race XC70 embraces 3.2 and 3.2 LE models, as well as D5 and D5 LE, while the XC90 Volvo Ocean Race includes 3.2, D5 and V8 models. Both models will be offered in a choice of two exclusive Volvo Ocean Race colours: Ocean Blue or Electric Silver. The Volvo Ocean Race XC90 model uses unique-design, six-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels in Silver stone/Diamond cut with Ocean Blue body finish, or Light grey/Diamond cut with Electric Silver finish. The XC90s bright chrome outer air intake, side window trims and tailgate mouldings are compli-mented by silver-painted aluminium roof rails, while alloy-look front and rear skid plates emphasize the adventurous nature of the car. Inside, the XC90 Ocean Race model's leather seats, in Soft Beige or Off Black, utilise special cross-stitching and are complimented by unique door panels, along with brushed aluminium inlays in the glove compartment, rear tunnel and centre console. The XC70 Ocean Race features unique 17-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, colour-matched like the XC90 Ocean Race with Ocean Blue or Electric Silver external finish. Exterior highlights on the XC70 include bright chrome side window trims, silver painted aluminium roof rails and front and rear skid plates. The XC70 Ocean Race interior also features cross-stitched leather upholstery in Soft Beige or Off Black, unique Ocean Race door panels and tread plate, and a cross-stitched luggage area cover with a brushed-aluminium cassette bearing the VOR emblem. Both XC90 and XC70 Ocean Race models also feature special VOR badging on the front guards. Pricing XC70 3.2 VOR - $61,200 XC70 D5 VOR - $63,200 XC90 3.2 VOR - $73,200 XC90 D5 VOR - $76,200 XC90 V8 VOR - $89,200  

Volvo has revealed its new look and pricing for its ultimate SUV alternative, the wagon-based XC70.All-new with a more forceful face and streamlined body, the cross-country capable wagon-on-stilts has again cut in to Audi’s Allroad territory with not only a 3.2-litre straight-six petrol, but with its first diesel in this segment.The D5 engine familiar from the larger XC90 4WD should propel the smaller XC70 at a greater rate of knots, and also offers leaner fuel consumption figures of around 9L/100km compared to the petrol’s consumption of close to 12L/100km (in XC90).The six-speed automatic diesel sits atop the range at $60,950, only slightly above the automatic petrol variant at $58,950. The latter has risen in price by roughly 3.5 per cent over the previous base SE trim.However, Volvo has merged the SE and the luxury LE trim (for now), and the price hike is justified with standard stability and traction control, rear parking sensors, power driver’s seat, an upgraded sound system, and a brand new two-stage inbuilt child booster seat. These seats are standard on all but the C range of Volvo cars, and convert one or even two rear spaces into a child booster seat. The two-stage version allows larger children to continue using the seats, and decrease the risk of injury through an ill-filling seat belt.The Allroad went diesel-only for its last major facelift earlier this year, and the 3.0-litre TDI AWD sells for $106,000. Not surprisingly, Volvo predict the D5 diesel will make up more than 60 per cent of its XC70 sales.Also revealed were minor exterior and trim changes to a refreshed 2008 S40 and V50 range, and the still-new C30 hatch and C70 convertible are cleaned out with a mild interior detox.

Volvo was first to give us laminated windscreens in 1944, the lap-sash seatbelt in 1959 and the driver's airbag in 1987.It has made safety a priority for many years, often ahead of any legislative requirements to do so.Keeping up its safety push are several innovations making their way into the latest Volvos.Among them are a driver alert control (DAC) system to alert tired and inattentive drivers, a lane departure warning (LDW) system and collision warning system with automatic brake function to help prevent front-to-rear impacts.The new S80 has a collision warning system with brake support, but the auto brake system is the next step.LDW is separate to the blind-spot camera system available as an option on local Volvos.Volvo Cars Australia spokesman Todd Hallenbeck says the company has recently “become extremely focused on safety in the sense of preventive safety."Research figures show 90 per cent of all crashes are the result of drivers being distracted.The DAC system alerts the driver when concentration levels are affected, for example during long journeys. LDW and DAC are part of the same option package, called driver alert system, that was introduced in Europe on the Volvo S80, V70 and XC70 late last year.Volvo Cars Safety Centre director Ingrid Skogsmo says safety is a key philosophy for the company.“When it comes to preventive safety, we have the same approach as when we develop protective systems,” she says.“In other words, Volvo's safety research and technical development focuses on areas where new technology can create significant positive results in real-life traffic.”DAC was developed after studies showed driver fatigue was a major safety issue globally.In 1998, the Monash University Accident Research Centre found between 25 per cent and 35 per cent of fatal crashes in Australia were the result of fatigue. It says the figure could be higher in particular types of crashes, such as fatal single-vehicle semi-trailer crashes.DAC is activated at 65km/h and remains active above 60km/h. A camera, sensors and a control unit monitor driver behaviour, the camera continuously measures the distance between the car and the road lane markings. If for some reason the driver veers off the road, they are alerted via an audible signal.A text message also appears in the car's information display, where a coffee cup symbol alerts the driver to take a break.DAC works in conjunction with LDW, which Volvo believes can prevent between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of single-vehicle crashes between 70km/h and 100km/h.LDW will sound a warning chime if a driver crosses the road markings without a reason.The collision warning with auto-brake function senses an imminent impact and brakes to slow the car when the driver fails to react. 

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. 

A family favourite, it was noted for its reliability and longevity, especially the 200 series.Many Volvo 245 wagons can still be seen on the road even though it is years since they ceased production.“A squirt of oil, some water, a hammer to beat out rust and lots of gas that's all you need to keep a Volvo 240 going forever,” wrote Staffan Borglund, in Swedish motor magazine Teknikens Varld in 1999.The Volvo wagon celebrated its golden anniversary in 2003, marking 50 years since the launch of the first fully Volvo-built PV445 in July, 1953.But a cloud now hangs over the future of the ubiquitous family wagon, aptly nicknamed 'the brick' especially in Australia.Rumour has it that as far as we're concerned, the wagon might just have a space waiting for it in the big car park in the sky.Volvo Australia reveals it is yet to make a decision on whether to include a wagon in the new 70 series line-up.In fact, the fate of the wagon has become the subject of debate at weekly marketing meetings.The reason is that the Volvo wagon may have finally outlived its usefulness with the advent of off-roaders such as the XC90 and XC70 models.These vehicles offer the same utility as a wagon but greater versatility at the same time.Volvo Australia's Todd Hallenbeck said the debate over the wagon's future was an interesting one.He said the wagon shared the same position in Swedish culture as the Aussie ute did in ours.From this point of view alone, Mr Hallenbeck said there was a school of thought that the wagon should continue because of its historical relevance.Of course, Volvo still offers the smaller V50 wagon but it doesn't offer the kind of load-carrying capacity for which Volvo wagons are renowned.“We're still undecided on the new V70,” Mr Hallenbeck said.“It comes down to volume and the traditional V70 buyer has migrated over the past few years into the XC70.“We realise that the V70 is the stereotypical Volvo and it does have a following, but the brand and the product has moved on to the point that the V70 may not be on our model list for 2008.”To put this in context, the current V70 wagon is priced from $52,950 while its off-road sibling the XC70 costs $4000 more.Mr Hallenbeck said the price difference is not extreme.A decision to can the V70 would bring down the curtain on a significant chapter in Aussie motoring history, one that dates back to the early 1960s with the first Volvo wagon sold here, the P220 Amazon.The remarkable Amazon could carry 490kg, with a load area that measured a remarkable 1830mm in length and 1260mm across, sufficient to accommodate most standard-size wall panels. It was followed by the 145 in 1967 (series 1, 4-cylinder engine, 5 doors) and then the phenomenally successful 245 in March, 1975.It was the 245 that really cemented Volvo's reputation for building rock solid wagons. It was no looker, with its square brick-like styling, but it was safer than just about anything else on the road and, true to form, could swallow prodigious loads. In Sweden, where it was at one time the most common car on the road, it is perceived as simple, reliable, and “built like a tank”. Abroad, however, it frequently became the butt of jokes. Its owners were pigeon-holed as large middle-class families, antique dealers (to whom the huge trunk was very useful) and those with a nervous disposition about driving (due to the car's very high levels of safety).The 200 series was so successful that the arrival of the Volvo 700 series in 1982 did not see the 240 cease production, but continue to be sold alongside it until 1993. In fact, even as late in its life as 1991, just two years before the model was superseded, the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety noted that the Volvo 240 was the safest car on the US market. 

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November. 

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.

Volvo Australia is vigorously debating whether the local arm will take the next generation of the V70, which was revealed this week in Europe. However, the basic body shape will come to Australia regardless, as the underpinnings for the new XC70 crossover. Ironically it's the XC70's popularity that could kill off the V70 station wagon here, where it outsells the V70 five to one. "We are very sure what we're going to do with the XC70 in Australia, but about the V70 we're not so sure," Volvo Australia spokesman Todd Hallenbeck says. "The decision on the V70 is about 50/50 at the moment. We're looking at it from a very practical point of view. If we aren't going to sell enough of them we won't bring it here at all, because bringing the car means we'll also have to stock spare parts, do its advertising, and all those other costs. "The V70 is the most popular car sold in Sweden, so the Swedes are wondering why we're considering not having a car they regard as the heart of the Volvo brand. "To counter that we are one of the strongest countries for the XC70 and XC90, and they understand that the XC has been the key to Volvo's success here. That (station wagon) buyer has moved into the XC70 and XC90." "But we're not saying that traditional Volvo buyer no longer exists. That's what we're debating at the moment. A decision is expected within two months. The debate is between those who have seen the new V70 and think it could do well here and those who look at sales data for the present model. "The traditional argument is Volvo was always the family-oriented station wagon brand. We still are, but that family is seeing the practicality of XC rather than V70. "We are also aware that the smaller V50 is continuing to grow each year. Now we need to find out if the market still exists for a larger station wagon." The new V70 is 15 per cent stronger than the current model. It has slightly more room inside, particularly for rear passengers, and, according to Volvo, is safer than the older model. New safety measures include a dual-height, integrated child booster seat at the rear, and electronic stability control as standard. Styling cues borrow heavily from other new-generation Volvos, the front bearing a resemblance to the C70 coupe convertible and the tail lights modelled on the C30 hatch. If Australia chooses to take the V70 it will be available in front-wheel-drive only, so it won't cannibalise sales from the more expensive XC70 all-wheel-drive. Volvo is yet to reveal the XC70 cross-country version, but Hallenbeck says there will be greater differentiation between the basic wagon and the crossover version than with the existing model. "The XC70 won't just look like a V70 with extra plastic cladding and a higher ride height," he says. There will probably be a choice of two petrol engines for the new XC70. The entry-level model will probably be powered by a 3.2-litre inline six with 177kW and 320Nm, a step up from the current 2.5-litre inline five. The top-of-the-range model will have a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six with 212kW and 400Nm.