Volvo News

If you've ever wanted your all-wheel-drive Volvo to feel just a little more sporty, the folks at Polestar have just the answer.

To sit atop the XC90 large SUV range, Volvo Car Australia will release a new high-spec T8 Excellence four-seater that favours second-row passenger luxury.The Swedish high-rider will check in at $174,200 plus on-road costs, which is $49,300 more than the previous range-topping T8 R-Design, making it the most expensive Volvo model yet be sold in Australia.According to Volvo Car Australia director of corporate and PR Greg Bosnich, the addition of the new top-spec XC90 variant is more about promoting the pinnacle of its product portfolio, rather than to gain extra sales volume.The T8 Excellence is based on the Inscription grade XC90, and adds an array of features aimed towards chauffeur-driven rear-seat passengers including two electrically adjustable individual rear seats.Those seats are upholstered in high-quality perforated nappa leather and are equipped with heating, ventilation and massage functions.Furthermore, the second row features unique headrests, increased legroom, foot rests, extra noise insulation, folding tray tables, heated and cooled cupholders and the ability to adjust the front passenger seat from the rear.Separating the two rear seats is a tunnel console that houses two handcrafted Orrefors crystal drinking glasses and an accompanying refrigerator.Technology-wise, the rear passengers can access the car's climate control and entertainment features via  a touchscreen on the centre console, and also gain two USB connections, a 12-volt port and a 230/110-volt power outlet.Other distinguishing features to the T8 Excellence include leather sun visors and grab handles, an ionic air cleaner, and an extra mid-range speaker.Externally, the range-topping XC90 gains chrome B- and C-pillars, unique logos and 21-inch wheels wrapped in low-noise tyres.Mechanically, the car remains the same as its T8 Inscription donor, sporting a plug-in hybrid system that uses a turbo-petrol four-cylinder with an electric motor and a 9.2kWh lithium-ion battery for a total output of 294kW/640Nm.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has issued its latest safety ratings, awarding top marks to both the Mazda CX-8 seven seater and the Volvo XC40 crossover.

Volvo has launched a new mobility company, with the brand's Bond-sounding 'M' to offer on-demand vehicle subscription services in Sweden and the USA next year before expanding to other markets.

It has been teased to within an inch of its life, but Volvo's all-new S60 sedan has at last been revealed in the USA - including a fire-breathing plug-in hybrid good for 305kW.

The NSW state government is in the process of trialling autonomous vehicle technology in order to better understand operating procedures in live traffic.

Half of Australia’s top 10 best-selling brands recorded a dip in monthly new car sales in May, ahead of what is expected to be a record-setting June stimulated by aggressive end-of-financial-year deals.A total of 100,754 sales were recorded for May 2018, a drop of 2.1 per cent over the same month in 2017. SUVs did most of the heavy lifting with 42,973 registrations (up 8.4 per cent), ahead of passenger cars with 32,789 (-15.6 per cent) and light commercial vehicles with 21,082 (-0.5 per cent).With the exception of micro cars, every passenger car sub-segment recorded a dip in sales, with the Kia Picanto, Fiat 500 and runout versions of the Holden Spark (which will soon be pulled from sale in Australia) helping deliver a 46.2 per cent rise for Australia’s smallest vehicle segment.All SUV segments recorded growth except for large SUVs, which fell by 7.1 per cent. Small SUVs registered the largest spike with a 36.1 per cent climb.Australia’s most popular brand, Toyota, dipped by 1.5 per cent to 19,571 sales, with the Camry mid-sizer (-35.0 per cent) and Yaris (-20.7 per cent) falling the hardest. It was not all doom and gloom however, with the Fortuner (+41.2 per cent), Land Cruiser 70 Series (+24.8 per cent) and C-HR crossover (+65.6 per cent) all stepping up.With 4385 combined sales and a 5.5 per cent increase, the HiLux was again Australia’s favourite vehicle last month, with Ford’s Ranger bringing up second (3674) ahead of Toyota’s Corolla small car (3120).Hyundai’s i30 beat the Mazda3 for fourth spot overall with 2779 sales (+3.6 per cent), and the brand recorded a 6.0 per cent increase with 8807 sales, however some of its usual strong performers recorded sales declines, including the Tucson (-13.9 per cent) and soon-to-be-replaced Santa Fe (-34.6 per cent).Mazda sales dropped 5.0 per cent, but the brand but still finished second behind Toyota on 9403 sales, with the CX-5 the most popular SUV in the country (2382 units sold), just pipping the Toyota RAV4 (2063).With 6916 sales, Mitsubishi climbed by 6.1 per cent, even though the Lancer, Pajero, Pajero Sport and 4x2 Triton all registered double-digit drops.Ford sales dipped 24.7 per cent on the back of slower returns from big-selling nameplates like the Ranger (-9.7 per cent) and Mustang (-80.2 per cent), the latter of which is set to see a facelifted model go on sale in June.Kia took sixth spot with a 9.9 per cent jump, thanks largely to the Cerato and Sportage, while Volkswagen snared seventh spot with a 6.9 per cent lift thanks to the Amarok, Tiguan, Golf and Caddy van.Holden sales dropped 25.8 per cent with all models bar the Barina light car and Spark dropping, with the Astra dropping 48.9 per cent to fall behind the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra.Nissan and Honda rounded out the top 10 with 4334 and 4142 sales respectively, with the latter climbing 8.4 per cent thanks to the barnstorming CR-V (+162.1 per cent).Mercedes-Benz continues to lead the way for premium manufacturers with 2898 sales, with BMW (2101) and Audi (1851) following.The addition of the XC40 small SUV (129 sales) has seen Volvo sales climb by 41 per cent in May, while the XC60 SUV recorded a 42.8 per cent lift (237 sales).

A Jeep subscription service could be launched in Australia as soon as 2020.

Volvo Cars has turned up the volume on its luxurious S90 large sedan, with the new three-seat Ambience Concept that broke cover at the Beijing motor show this week.

Volvo has outlined pricing details for its 2018 XC40 range, with the luxury small SUV to kick off at $47,990 before on-road costs when it launches locally next month.