Posts Tagged ‘Volvo’
Test Drive: 2011 Volvo XC70 Wagon
June 10th, 2011 | 
Author: “Volvo XC stands for Adventure”
Journalist Group treks from Los Angeles to Gateway, CO.
Volvo Cars of North America recently put together a challenging XC “Cross Country” race (really more of a rally of sorts, with the emphasis on fun) that was designed to test the mettle of both man and machine, featuring their XC Series vehicles: the XC60; XC70 and XC90 – 16 vehicles in all, with journalists from across the country paired up in a lighthearted, yet intense competition. Team members converged on Los Angeles, CA on a Sunday to prepare for the adventurous trek that would begin on Monday to Las Vegas, NV, and on across the state of Utah and into Gateway, CO.
Volvo’s New Flywheel Technology
This fall Volvo will start real-world tests of a new flywheel technology that makes a four-cylinder engine feel like a six-cylinder, while simultaneously cutting fuel consumption by up to 20 percent.
The Volvo Kinetic Energy Recovery System is fitted to the rear axle and starts to spin up to 60,000 rpms during braking. At the same time, the combustion engine that drives the front wheels is switched off. When the car starts moving again, the flywheel’s rotation is transferred to the rear wheels via a specially designed transmission. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in News, Technology, Volvo | 
Tags: flywheel, Iveho, kinetic energy, News, Schaffer, Technology, Volvo | 
152 Comments »
Win Sweden & a Volvo for a Week
To show off their Overseas Delivery program and to promote tourism in Sweden, Volvo and VisitSweden, Tourism in Skåne and the West Swedish Tourist Board are bringing back their http://www.carplusvacation.com/ sweepstakes with a chance to win a dream vacation in West Sweden and Skåne.
The Volvo Cars of North America’s Overseas Delivery Program has become the number one European overseas delivery service by offering car buyers an opportunity to save money and spending time in Europe after picking up a new Volvo at the factory. Read the rest of this entry »
More power, better handling for Volvo R-Design models
 Volvo is taking two high acclaimed models to the next step with significant improvements to the R-Design models for 2012 when they go on sale late this summer.
The S60 and XC60 R-Design models are both powered by Volvo’s T6 engine, a turbocharged, inline six-cylinder that will now produce 325 horsepower and 354 lb.ft. of torque. The standard T6 engine in both models produces 300 horsepower and 325 lb.ft. of torque. The S60 R-Design will have a starting price of $42,275* and the XC60 R-Design will start at $43,150*. “The jump in performance will re-define these two R-Design models,” said Doug Speck, president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. “Along with styling and suspension features that set them apart from other versions, our two newest R-Design models will have a higher ‘fun-to-drive’ quotient. I see that as a positive thing, and so will car buyers.” Read the rest of this entry » |
Rumors: A Smaller Volvo Crossover in the Works?
Volvo is expected to add another XC to its crossover/SUV lineup by the end of 2013. According to Auto Week magazine, new Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby wants the smaller car to compete with the upcoming BMW X1, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque and Audi Q3. In addition, Mercedes-Benz is expected to add a vehicle to the mix, likely called the GLC. The Volvo would probably be called the XC30 and be derived from the all-wheel-drive platform of the current C30 coupe. The magazine speculates there may be two versions, too, a longer wheelbase version for the U.S. and China markets and a shorter one for Europe.
Test Drive: 2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD
It Rolls
In Latin Volvo means, “I roll.” Geno Effler, Volvo’s Vice President of Public Affairs, reminded me.
We were standing around a large banquet table in Newberg, Oregon at the national press launch event for the 2011 S60. Geno looked me in the eye, rather boastfully and said, “I know Nick will use that in his article, won’t you Nick?” “Well I sort of have to now,” I replied with a chuckle.
“Volvo means ‘I roll’ and the new S60 rolls. Sounds good, doesn’t it?” Geno beams. I smile in return. Not because the line’s cheesy, which it is, but because he’s right. Volvo has made one hell of a car. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Automotive Reviews, Cars, Volvo |
Tags: AWD, nick jaynes, Oregon, pedestrian detection, S60, T6, Volvo |
225 Comments »
Volvo Shows Electric C30 After Crash
Electric Vehicle Safety
Amidst the glamor and shine of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, Volvo was showing an “after” concept…the results of a 40 mph crash in an electric powered Volvo C30.
“We are the first car maker in the world to show what a truly safe electric car looks like after a crash,” says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.
Volvo Demonstrates Vehicle Platooning
A European Program that Could End up on U.S. Freeways
It’s called SARTRE or Safe Road Trains for the Environment and it involves grouping cars into virtual road trains.
Vehicle platooning, as envisaged by the SARTRE project, is a convoy of vehicles where a professional driver in a lead vehicle drives a line of other vehicles. Each car measures the distance, speed and direction and adjusts to the car in front. All vehicles are totally detached and can leave the procession at any time. But once in the platoon, drivers can relax and do other things while the platoon proceeds towards its long haul destination. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in News, Technology, Volvo |
Tags: platooning, SARTRE, Schaffer, vehicle trains, Volvo |
609 Comments »
Test Drive: 2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD
“Volvo bows with sportier, safer S60”
Volvo has long been recognized for manufacturing vehicles noted for their innovative safety technology, and their latest iteration S60 sedan continues and expands that tradition. First introduced in 2000, the S60 model Volvo has become the best selling vehicle in the Swedish icon’s lineup. According to internal spokespersons, Volvos will continue to be manufactured in Sweden as a Swedish vehicle and the company will operate autonomously, despite its recent purchase by Chinese car manufacturer, the Geely Car Company. Volvo will be overseen and managed by Geely’s Zhejiang Holding Company.
She Said/He Said: Volvo S60
Newberg, Oregon
She – I slipped behind the wheel of the Vibrant Copper Metallic Volvo S60, buckled up and started driving down the parking lot directly toward the 10-year-old boy standing in the middle of the lane.
I was driving at just over 20 mph; he failed to move out of my way and the distance narrowed quickly. I did not touch the brakes, nor did I swerve. Suddenly, without any action from me, the S60 slammed hard to a stop, coming to rest about four feet from the child.
Ok, the child was just a dummy, but it could have easily been a child running out between parked cars and I may have been distracted, settling into the drive.
The Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake sensors and camera saw the person, and when I didn’t react…it did. Pedestrian Detection is one of six safety elements in the $1,800 Technology Package available on the all-new Volvo S60. Read the rest of this entry »