Stadel Volvo

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 2, 2009) - The Volvo XC60 was named 2010 International Truck of the Year today by the International Car of the Year (ICOTY) jury. The award was given to Doug Speck, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, LLC at the Volvo display at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The XC60 was chosen over 10 new crossovers, SUVs and trucks by a distinguished panel of top automotive journalists. "This ties a very pretty bow around what's been a truly amazing year for Volvo," commented Speck. "The XC60 has not only been recognized by the media but it's been extremely well received by our customers." The 2010 XC60 has helped VCNA earn six consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases since June. The XC60 was chosen the winner from a panel of 19 automotive media from around the U.S. and Canada representing top newspapers, magazines and websites. The jurors must consider the ICOTY mission of "honoring vehicles that reflect an emotional connection between car and consumer lifestyles" when making their nominations. "The ICOTY awards are not centered on power and performance," said Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY's creator and executive producer. "It's about how cars reflect our personalities, lifestyles and self image, an attitude most consumers identify with." Once approved by the ICOTY nominating committee, the awards jury then bases their decision on a number of important criteria: The vehicle must be new or substantially revised, it must be offered for sale to the general public by the judging deadline of November 16, 2009, and may not have been previously considered for the ICOTY Awards. The International Truck of the Year award marks the 20th accolade the Volvo XC60 has received since sales began in Europe in late 2008. The XC60 is the first vehicle to offer City Safety as standard equipment. This unique Volvo technology can help the driver avoid frontal collisions at low speed. If the driver is about to drive into the rear of a vehicle and does not react in time, the XC60 will apply the brakes by itself.

2010 Volvo S80 Makes U.S. Debut at New York Auto Show Elegant Refinements Enhance Appeal of Flagship Luxury Sedan 

 

New York, NY (April 8, 2009) - What does Volvo do for an encore when it already has a superlative entry in the premium luxury sedan arena? It adds even more elegance and luxury to the flagship S80 for 2010. The enhancements are designed to make the S80 an even stronger contender in an increasingly competitive class.

 

"Customers in this segment are often very brand loyal," says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell. "In order to appear on the radar of customers currently driving competitor cars we have to offer something that is truly extra. We do this by offering exclusiveness, comfort and driving properties of absolute top level."

 

Volvo Cars design director, Steve Mattin, and his team, have enhanced the exterior's charisma with a number of modifications that give the S80 greater road presence. Up front, a new grille wears a larger Volvo iron mark, part of the elevated Volvo design DNA that graces the newest members of the family, including the recently introduced XC60 small premium crossover. Bright trim has been applied to the S80's lower front air intakes, side skirts and beneath the rear combination lamps for increased radiance.

 

Inside the sumptuously appointed cabin the emphasis is on rewarding the driver and passengers with advanced levels of comfort and luxury. The soft, leather-trimmed seats with matching stitching are accompanied by door panels echoing the same motif. Volvo's signature super-slim floating center stack is upgraded on the S80 with a silk metal frame finish that enhances its exclusive appeal.

 

Instrumentation includes standard aluminum dials surrounding the gauges. A new steering wheel gains décor trim with silk metal finish on its four spokes, matching the newly added trim on the gear selector and around the starter button.

 

Volvo engineers have enhanced the S80's ride and handling dynamics to deliver greater driving pleasure. Models equipped with the new sports chassis offer crisper response via shorter and firmer springs, enhanced shock damping ability, firmer anti-roll bars and stiffer subframe bushings. Those fitted with the standard chassis now offer a smoother ride via somewhat softer springs and less damping. Thus long-distance ride comfort comes closer to limousine quality, especially apparent to those riding in the back seat.

 

The S80's model lineup continues unchanged with the normally aspirated S80 3.2, the turbocharged S80 T6 AWD fitted with Volvo's renowned all-wheel drive with Instant Traction^TM and the top-flight S80 V8 AWD - the first and only Volvo sedan equipped with a powerful yet remarkable and highly efficient V8 engine.

 

Based on the S80's compact 3.2-liter 235-horsepower inline-6 cylinder engine, the T6 version has a displacement of 3.0 liters, producing 281 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Maximum torque is on tap from just 1,500 rpm and remains available all the way up the rev range, resulting in remarkably quick acceleration and smooth drivability. Volvo's first V8-powered sedan continues to put out a normally aspirated 311 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of toque. All S80s feature a standard six-speed "Geartronic" transmission.

 

Volvo's unswerving commitment to providing the utmost in passenger safety is something else that hasn't changed. The S80 is designed to be one of the safest cars in its class with a sophisticated network of interacting safety systems. Innovations include a side airbag with dual chamber construction for enhanced hip and chest protection. Clever structural design employs four different grades of steel for predictable crash energy absorption. The S80 also features the next generation of WHIPS rear impact protection.

 

"I would like to give those who know about the Volvo S80 but who have never driven one, a sound piece of advice," says Odell. "Take a closer look at this car and take it out for a thorough test drive. You'll be amazed at what we have achieved." 

• Volvo Cars of North America announces price reduction for 2009 XC90 models
• Buyers can save up to $3,250 on XC90 V8 and V8 R-Design models
• Volvo will only offer XC90 as a seven-passenger vehicle
• Price reduction to take affect April 1, 2009

Rockleigh, NJ (April 2, 2009)- Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA) announced today it will reduce pricing on its 2009 XC90 models by approximately 8 percent. Buyers will save up to $3,250 on V8 models and $3,245 on the 3.2-liter six-cylinder models. The reduced pricing is being strategically launched in an effort to boost sales while more closely aligning customer transaction prices with listed MSRP. Additionally, with the release of the new XC60 five-passenger premium crossover, the XC90 will be offered only as a seven-passenger vehicle. The pricing reduction will take effect April 1, 2009.

"The decision to re-price the XC90 was taken to provide a strong value message to our customers," said Doug Speck, President and CEO of VCNA. "The XC90 has been one of the most successful vehicles for Volvo, and this action will help to continue that success." The new MSRP for the XC90 3.2 seven-seat variant will provide a significant price advantage against the competition including the Acura MDX, Audi Q7 and Mercedes ML.

2009 Volvo XC90 Pricing by Variant

The entire line of 2009 Volvo XC90s represents a tremendous value in the premium SUV segment. With Volvo's recent introduction of the exciting new XC60 premium crossover, the XC90 will be offered solely as a 7-passenger SUV.

Model 2009 MSRP 2009 Revised MSRP* Savings

XC90 3.2 $40,245 $37,000 $3,245

XC90 3.2 R-Design $41,450 $38,205 $3,245

XC90 V8 AWD $49,550 $46,300 $3,250

XC90 V8 AWD R-Design $50,800 $47,550 $3,250

*Prices do not include destination of $850

The Volvo XC90 History

First shown as the Adventure Concept Car (ACC) at the 2001 North American International Auto Show, the XC90 introduced a new design language for the Swedish manufacturer's upcoming SUV. The production XC90 made its debut the following year with sales beginning in 2003. Just two years later, for the 2005 model year, the 4.4-liter, 311-horsepower V8 was introduced. A facelift was introduced in 2006 and 2009 saw the introduction of the exciting R-Design variants of the XC90 3.2 and XC90 V8.

The award-winning XC90 was launched in 2002 to world-wide critical acclaim. Motor Trend magazine named the XC90 its 2003 SUV of the year. It was also awarded the coveted North American Truck of the Year for 2003. The Volvo XC90 was the first SUV to come standard with Roll Stability Control, a revolutionary stability control system that helps prevent the vehicle from rolling over. Automotive Engineering International called the XC90 the Best Engineered Vehicle for 2003.

VCNA, part of Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden, provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada.Volvo has been building cars with safety in mind for more than 80 years.

Volvo donates six vehicles to Champion Rescue Tools' unique training academy

 

Irvine, CA (February 11, 2009) - Why would anyone purposely destroy more than $200,000 in new Volvo vehicles? The obvious answer: To save lives.

 

Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) is proud to announce its sponsorship of the first 5-Star Extrication Training Academy hosted by Champion Rescue Tools February 13 -14, 2009 in Upland, California.  Six 2008 Volvo vehicles will literally be torn apart in the unique single-day hands-on training program designed for emergency first responders. The academy offers a unique opportunity for qualified personnel to experience first-hand the toughest extrication problems posed by improved automobile construction.

 

The six Volvos giving their lives in the pursuit of improved extrication techniques are pairs of XC90 SUVs, S80 luxury sedans and V70 premium wagons worth a combined value of more than $214,000. Volvo will also display a cut-away model of an XC90, illustrating for the academy classes the passenger compartment construction and the locations of the five different grades of steel utilized throughout the vehicle.

 

"With the kinds of metals and structures we employ today, extrication techniques and tools are different than 10 or even 5 years ago," said Bruno DiGennaro, Senior Safety Engineer, VCNA. "We believe Champion's Academy will significantly help first responders and ultimately accident victims during post crash situations."

 

The academy is offered free to qualifying first responders and training officers and is being sponsored by Champion Rescue Tools, the leader in next-generation, hydraulic rescue tools. "No other training program exists for the first responders in the United States that brings together the safest automobile constructions with the best extrication tool technology, free or otherwise," said Carl Haddon, co-director, national vehicle extrication training at Champion Rescue Tools.

Volvo Cars is starting the countdown to the Volvo Ocean Race by launching a series of specially designed cars. The new Volvo Ocean Race Edition encompasses three models: the Volvo V70, Volvo XC70 and Volvo XC90. New is that customers can choose between two exterior colours: Ocean Blue and Electric Silver.

"The Volvo Ocean Race reflects the values that our customers look for when they choose a car. It's all about an active lifestyle, adventure and passion. The cars in the Volvo Ocean Race Edition radiate all this. We are convinced that the marine design connection will make them very attractive," says Lennart Stegland, President of the Special Vehicles division at Volvo Cars.

When Volvo organised the Volvo Ocean Race the very first time in 2001-02, the company sold 4,500 special edition Volvo V70s and X70s. In conjunction with the 2005-06 race, the Ocean Blue family was extended with the Volvo XC90 and sales increased to 8,600 cars.

The most recent Volvo Ocean Race Edition will reach dealers in June 2008 and Volvo Cars expects to sell about 9,000 cars. The five largest markets are Germany, Sweden, Finland, Great Britain and Japan.

Exciting new interiors

"This time we've sharpened our offer with a stronger link to sailing. More interior details echoes the materials used in masts and rigs. The stitching on the upholstery traces its roots to sail making. The aluminium detailing on the mats resembles clews. What is more, the design of the unique wheels has been inspired by the movement of the ocean's waves," says Lennart Stegland.

The Volvo Ocean Race emblem has a new, more exclusive design and the cars' marine aura is enhanced by the Ocean Blue livery in combination with exterior details in chrome. The Volvo Ocean Race Edition cars are also available in Electric Silver.

All the cars feature full leather upholstery in exclusive soft leather and the interior is available in Soft Beige or Offblack, with the centre console and other details in a silk matt aluminium finish. The cars in the Volvo Ocean Race Edition series can be specified with the full range of engine alternatives available for each respective model and market.

Volvo Ocean Race

The Volvo Ocean Race is the world's most gruelling ocean adventure. An extreme race that consists of 10 legs. The vessels start off on 4 October from Alicante in Spain. The finishing line is in St Petersburg, Russia, on June 27, 2009 after stops in Cape Town (South Africa), Kochi (India), Singapore, Qingdao (China), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Boston (USA), Galway (Ireland), Göteborg (Sweden) and Stockholm (Sweden). The 2008-09 event also includes an inshore race in most of the ports.

(IRVINE, Calif.), November 15, 2007. For the past two years, Volvo's XC90 SUV, C70 Convertible, and S80 Sedan have all earned IIHS's top honors for vehicle safety in front, side, and rear impact crash protection. Each model presented unique challenges towards achieving top ratings.

"Volvo safety has been over 80 years in the making. Our cars are born from a culture that believes in protecting those in and around everything we make," states Anne Belec, President and CEO, Volvo Cars of North America. "Safety is a matter of cultural pride. Safety is not added on; it comes with the first kernel of thought when designing a new Volvo." Belec continues, "With today's engineering infrastructure, many can build cars to pass tests as witnessed by 34 vehicles being acknowledged as Top Safety Picks while last year there were only 11. What separates Volvo from others is factoring in real world accident research to build, what we believe is the safest SUV, Convertible, and Sedan, real world cars that go beyond standardized tests."

Volvo's For Real World Safety
Volvo's holistic, 'Circle of Development' approach to safety starts from real world accident research, moving through to engineering, testing, manufacturing and coming back to real world accident research. Volvo safety is about Protective and Preventive safety - to help people during one of their worst life experiences: an automobile accident.

While each vehicle achieved top safety acknowledgements for IIHS's standard bevy of crash testing, Volvo went even further to help offer protection that might be needed in real world situations. Acing crash test criteria is but one way to protect occupants. At Volvo, there is the belief that standard tests help to predict vehicle behavior but real world accident research adds another layer of safety engineering to those in and around Volvo cars.

XC90
When launched in 2002, the XC90 was fitted with the world's first Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) that helped driver maintain vehicle control during rapid lane changes associated with accident avoidance maneuvers. However, not all accidents are created equally. Volvo has used different grades of steel including Ultra High Strength Steel in order to enhance the structural integrity of the vehicle.

C70
The all new C70 carries safety engineering from the preceding C70 by increasing use of Ultra High Strength Steel for side and rear energy absorption protection. Also featured is the world's first side impact air bag from convertibles. Also standard are pop-up roll bars.

S80
Protective Exterior Safety
Protective safety in the new Volvo S80 is structured in the form of a network of exterior and interior safety systems that interact to reduce the risk of occupant injury in the event of a collision. The exterior systems have the task of distributing and absorbing incoming collision forces so that the passenger space is preserved as intact as possible. The body is therefore built in the form of a box-section structure using varying grades of steel, with all the components interacting to provide controlled deformation that reduces impacting energy to the human body.

Transverse Mounted Engines
Like the rest of Volvo's offerings, the S80 features a transversely installed engine and front-wheel drive. Transverse engine installation provides a controlled deformation zone in the engine compartment and helps reduce the risk of engine intrusion into the passenger compartment in a frontal collision. Even the new V8 is transversely installed thanks to its extremely compact dimensions and effective packaging.


Interior Safety
Interior safety systems assist in keeping the passengers securely in place to help maximize seat belt/airbag effectiveness and minimize the risk of serious injuries. In order to provide the most effective protection possible Volvo Cars has developed a number of unique systems.

? A new type of side-impact airbag makes Volvo's patented SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) even more effective. The new side impact airbags feature two separate inflation chambers - one at hip height and one at chest height. Since the hips can withstand greater impact than the chest, the lower chamber is inflated at five time's higher pressure than the upper section. The side impact airbags interact with the inflatable curtains (IC) and the body's network of beams to reduce acceleration loads on the human body.

? Volvo's WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System) - is one of the most effective on the market. In the event of a severe impact from the rear, the front seat backrest and head restraint move together with the occupant's body, thus damping its movement in much the same way the arms move rearward when catching a ball. In the latest generation of WHIPS, the system's function has been further developed to provide an even smoother "catching" motion.

? A three-piece steering column designed to pivot up and collapse away from the driver through the use of a pyrotechnically charged separation bolt. This helps to better position the air bag deployment process for pending contact with the driver.

All five seats are equipped with three-point inertia-reel safety belts, belt pre-tensioners and head restraints. The highest possible safety requires that all occupants always use their safety belts (which Volvo made standard equipment in 1959 - a world's first).

Preventive safety - the avoidance of accidents - was one of the most important starting points when the new S80 was being developed. Preventative safety has lead to an entirely new generation of advanced driving and support systems and, of course, included Volvo's legendary Protective safety.

Accident avoidance is the next step in Preventive protection. Combining multiplexed electronics with advanced software and hardware designs have created a new level of driver assisted technologies. Preventive safety systems transform surrounding environmental activities into usable data to help the S80 driver avoid dangerous situations.

Collision Avoidance Package - New for 2008 S80, V70 and XC70 ($1695 MSRP) *

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses a radar sensor to help the driver maintain the distance to the vehicle in front. ACC should primarily be seen as a comfort-enhancing function, but it contributes at the same time to more controlled driving when the traffic rhythm is uneven.

Collision Warning with Auto Brake Function (CW) helps reduce the risk of frontal impact. If the Volvo approaches another vehicle from behind and the driver does not react, the system alerts the driver with audible and visual signals. If the risk of a collision nonetheless continues to increase despite the warning, the brake support system is activated. Thereafter, if the system senses that a collision is likely to occur, then the brakes are applied up to 50%.

Distance Alert helps keep the time gap to the vehicle in front, also functions when the ACC is disengaged. If the gap becomes shorter than selected, a heads-up display is illuminated to warn driver.

Driver Alert this unique system uses a camera to monitor the cars movements between the lane markings. The system calculates whether you risk losing control of the vehicle. An audible and test message warning are used if the risk is assessed as "high".

Lane Departure Warning is activated if the car should cross one of the road markings without an obvious reason. This system helps to prevent road departure accidents and head-on collisions due to temporary distractions.



Blind Spot Identification System (BLIS) registers if another vehicle is in the offset rear blind spot along either side of the car and the driver is alerted via a visual signal.

Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS) helps stop the driver being distracted by non-essential information in pressing situations, for instance by delaying incoming phone calls or SMS.

Active Bi-Xenon Light - moving headlight beams that follow the curvature of the road - help maintain the best possible visibility in the dark on twisting roads.

Personal Car Communicator (PCC) is an advanced control center in pocket format. At the touch of a button, the car owner can instantly find out whether ?
? the car is locked or unlocked ?
? the alarm has been activated ?
? the alarm has been set off and someone is inside the car.
The information is stored so that it is possible to check if the car really was locked when it was parked, at any time and from anywhere.

* For S80, V70 and SC70 production from mid-November 2008 - on

• Driver Alert Control - unique technology that alerts tired and distracted drivers
• Lane Departure Warning - alerts the driver if the car crosses one of the road markings without an obvious reason

Studies show that up to 90 percent of all traffic accidents are caused by driver distraction.

Now Volvo Cars introduces Driver Alert Control - with a technology solution that is a world-first in passenger cars. The system aims to alert the driver when his or her concentration level is affected, for instance during long journeys.

Another new system, Lane Departure Warning, alerts the driver if the car crosses one of the road markings without an obvious reason.

Lane Departure Warning and Driver Alert Control will be part of the same option package, called Driver Alert System. It will be available in the Volvo S80, V70 and XC70 at the end of 2007.

"Real life safety is the key to our safety philosophy. When it comes to preventive safety, we have the same approach as when we develop protective systems. In other words that our research and technical development focus on areas where new technology can create significant results in real-life-traffic," says Ingrid Skogsmo, Director of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre.

Based on the accident statistics above, Volvo Cars is focusing on developing efficient technology to help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of accidents caused by distraction and driver fatigue.

Driver Alert Control (DAC) - a unique innovation

As a result of extensive studies on how drivers operate behind the wheel, Volvo has developed Driver Alert Control - a world-first innovation that registers the car's progress on the road and alerts unconcentrated drivers.

Driver fatigue is a major traffic-safety problem the world over. According to the U.S. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), drivers who fall asleep at the wheel cause about 100,000 accidents annually in the United States alone, resulting in 1,500 fatalities and more than 70,000 injured drivers and passengers.

The situation is similar in Europe. The German Insurance Association GDV estimates that about 25 percent of all fatal accidents on the German Autobahn are caused by driver fatigue.

Volvo's Driver Alert Control is an important innovation. It is primarily intended for situations where the risk of losing concentration is the greatest and where an accident would have severe consequences. For example a straight, smooth road that lulls the driver into a sense of relaxation and where the risk of distracting activities or falling asleep is higher. The system steps in at 65 km/h and stays active as long as the speed exceeds 60 km/h.

Registers what's happening on the road

Driver Alert Control monitors the car's movements and assesses whether the vehicle is being driven in a controlled or uncontrolled way. This method is unique among vehicle manufacturers and is very reliable.

"We do not monitor human behaviour - which varies from one person to another - but instead the effect that fatigue or decreased concentration has on driving behaviour. Our system is based on the car's progress on the road. It gives a reliable indication if something is likely to go wrong and alerts the driver before it is too late," explains Daniel Levin, project manager for Driver Alert Control at Volvo Cars. He adds:

"We often get questions about why we have chosen this concept instead of monitoring the driver's eyes. The answer is that we don't think that the technology of monitoring the driver's eyes is mature enough yet."

Driver Alert Control can also cover situations where the driver is focusing too much on his/her cell phone or children in the car, thereby not having full control of the vehicle.

"This is a positive side-effect of our concept, and this is possible since the system evaluates driving behaviour rather than human behaviour," says Daniel Levin.

Text messages and audible signals

From a technical viewpoint, Driver Alert Control consists of a camera, a number of sensors and a control unit.

The camera, which is installed between the windscreen and the interior rear-view mirror, continuously measures the distance between the car and the road lane markings. The sensors register the car's movements. The control unit stores the information and calculates whether the driver risks losing control of the vehicle.

If the risk is assessed as high, the driver is alerted via an audible signal. In addition, a text message appears in the car's information display, alerting him or her with a coffee cup symbol to take a break.

What is more, the driver can continuously retrieve driving information from the car's trip computer. The starting-point is five bars. The less consistent the driving, the fewer bars remain.

"It is, of course, always the driver's responsibility to take a break when necessary, but sometimes you might not realise that you're not alert enough to drive. In such situations, Driver Alert Control can help the driver make the right decision, like taking a refreshing break or a nap, before the concentration level becomes too low," Daniel Levin concludes.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

On US Highways, single-vehicle road departures account for approximately one fourth of all accidents and one third of all fatalities, statistics that emphasize the risk of losing concentration in smooth driving conditions.

Volvo Cars addresses this by introducing Lane Departure Warning. The system helps prevent single-vehicle road departure accidents as well as head-on collisions due to temporary distraction.

Volvo Cars' researchers estimate that the LDW system can help prevent 30-40 percent of these types of accidents at speeds between 70 and 100 km/h.

LDW is activated via a button on the centre stack and it alerts the driver with a gentle warning sound if the car crosses one of the road markings without an obvious reason such as use of the turn indicator.

The system also uses a camera to monitor the car's position between the road markings. LDW steps in at 65 km/h and stays active as long as the speed exceeds 60 km/h.

System limitations

Some of the described systems' availability depends on the number and quality of visible road markings. The lane markings must be clearly visible for the camera Poor light, fog, snow and extreme weather conditions can make the system unavailable.

CUSTOM BUILDING MY INDIVIDUALITY, ONE VOLVO C30 AT A TIME   Who said wearing a red dress to a black-tie ball was wrong, and is there really a problem with wearing sneakers to a business meeting? Well, with the new Volvo C30, taking a step forward from the crowd feels just as good. The unique Custom Build program of the Volvo C30 capitalizes on individuality and is sure to set an example of one's self expression. After a one-time $300 fee, the Custom Build program options become readily available to the buyer, and from that point on, creativity is a must.   Whether you're cruising on a smooth country road or barreling down the concrete canyons of the city, standing out in a sea of generic silvers, blacks and blues has never been easier than with the new Volvo C30. The Volvo C30 Custom Build program offers a total of 17 exterior and 12 interior color combinations. With the Custom Build program, it will be nearly impossible to find any two C30s that are exactly alike, especially when an additional list of over 30 individual options is considered. For the standard offer alone there are more than 440 build combinations. This number skyrockets when a customer dips into the Custom Build program to over 5 million combinations! Say goodbye to grandma's matte-brown jalopy and hello to a brand new kaleidoscope of eye-popping colors and textures. The new Volvo C30 will breakthrough the gray area of automobiles in its class and establishes a new position in the world of personalization. There isn't just a black and white area with the C30, but rather countless options ranging from Black Sapphire to Chameleon Blue with all shades of the modern rainbow in between. In addition to this spectrum, the C30's Cosmic White/Java Pearl combination is visible as a fresh face in the Volvo family portrait.   "We think this comprehensive list of options, coupled with a list of accessory items never before offered by Volvo is just what this customer will be looking for," noted C30 Product Manager Art Battaglia. "On the list you'll find items not available for some cars that might be cross-shopped against C30. A special order car is just that, special."   Volvo's Custom Build program with the C30 is all about "free will," and the perks to being the red dress at the black-tie ball are apparent. Maybe it's not just a vibrant Gecko Green on your C30, or two-toned interiors that get you fired up, but rather a sporty steering wheel and aluminum pedals. And for the rhythm nation, an I-pod input is standard in the center console, while and adapter for control through the radio is available as a retailer installed accessory.   Additional options to the Volvo C30 Custom Build program include the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) which alerts of passing drivers in the blind spot by the illumination of a tiny lamp at the base of the A-pillar. In addition to uncompromising safety, dazzling exterior and interior shades, there are several alternative wheel choices and fresh accessories that become available through this unique program. Note: Summary of Custom Build program options follows:   C30 T5 Special Order Options Suggested Retail Price     - Custom Build* $300 - Bi-Xenon Gas Discharge Headlamps (Requires Headlamp Washers 000065) $700 - Park Assist, Rear $400 - Dynaudio (Version 1.0 only, Standard on Version 2.0 Car) $800 - 6-CD, In-Dash Player $475 - Fog Lights In Front Spoiler $295 - Cruise Control $185 - Trip Computer $100 - Power Driver's Seat (already included when ordering op code 000009) $450 - Soft Load Cover $80 - Hard Load Cover (Requires Rear Armrest 000113) $180 - Heated Front Seats $450 - Rainsensor $175 - Headlamp Washers $400 - Load Protection Net $145 - P. Driver/Pass Seat $900 - Tailgate Spoiler (Version 1.0 only, Standard on Version 2.0 Car) $200 - Keyless Drive $450 - Interior Air Quality System (IAQS - requiresElectronic Climate Control - 000007) $200 - Navigation (Version 1.0 only, Standard on Version 2.0 Car) $2,120 - Ash Tray and Cigarette Lighter $25 - Blind Spot Information System (BLIS - requires retractable mirrors - 000167) $695 - Dynamic Chassis (Version 1.0 only, Standard on Version 2.0 Car) $275 - Laminated Front Glass $300 - Virtual White Inlay $100 - Wood Décor inlay $210 - Electronic Climate Control $250 - Homelink $225 - Auto Dimming In Rear View Mirror $150 - Bottle/Waste bin Holder $25 - Auto Dimming & Compass In Rear View Mirror $250 - Alarm $200 - Tire Repair Kit $150 - Aluminum Inlays (Version 1.0 only, Standard on Version 2.0 Car) $150 - Sport Steering Wheel with Aluminum Inlay (requiures Cruise Control 000033) $150 - Sport Gearshift Knob with Aluminum Inlay $100 - Leather Handbrake $25 - Rear Armrest $40 - Power Retractable Rearview Mirrors with puddle lights $250 - 17" Alloy Wheel ZAURAK Silver Bright 205/50 R17 (Version 1.0 only, "Regular" option on Version 2.0 Car) $300 - 17" Alloy Wheel SCOTIA 205/50 R17 (Pricing for Version 1.0 only) $300 - 17" Alloy Wheel SCOTIA 205/50 R17 (Pricing for Version 2.0 only) $25 - 17" Alloy Wheel ZAURAK Chrome 205/50 R17 (Pricing for Version 1.0 only) $995 - 17" Alloy Wheel ZAURAK Chrome 205/50 R17 (Pricing for Version 2.0 only) $25 - 17" Alloy Wheel MESTRA 205/50 R17 (Version 2.0 only, Standard on Version 1.0 Car) $25 - Special Order Solid Paint $25 - Special Order Metallic (see below for paint codes that apply) $475 - Special Order Premium Paint (Version 1.0 only - 477 Electric Silver, option for Version 2.0) $625 - Special Order Kalix Upholstery (Applies to: Version 1.0 - 5A7C, Version 2.0 - 5AE2, 5AC7, 5AFC, 5AB7) $100 - Special Order Leather Upholstery (Applies to: Version 1.0 - 5D71, 5DB7, Version 2.0 - 5DE1, 5DC4, 5DE4) $1,200 * There is a one-time charge applied to any vehicle which includes any special order feature. This one-time charge is applied whether the car includes one special order feature or several.

Volvo ReCharge Concept:

Plug-in hybrid with battery-only range of 100 km - and Flexifuel engine for backup power

Volvo Cars is introducing the Volvo ReCharge Concept, a plug-in hybrid with individual electric wheel motors and batteries that can be recharged via a regular electrical outlet for maximum environmental benefit.

Recharging allows the car to be driven about 100 kilometres on battery power alone before the car's four-cylinder Flexifuel engine is needed to power the car and recharge the battery.

Volvo ReCharge Concept makes its debut in a specially designed Volvo C30 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

"A certain proportion of electrical vehicles will be necessary to meet the CO2 emission demands of the future. Since the Volvo ReCharge Concept combines an excellent battery range with a backup combustion engine, it is a very interesting concept," says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Cars.

The ReCharge Concept has been developed at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center (VMCC), the Volvo Car Corporation's think-tank in Camarillo, California.

"This is a ground-breaking innovation for sustainable transportation. A person driving less than 100 kilometres a day will rarely need to visit a filling station. In the USA, this may apply to almost 80 percent of drivers," says Magnus Jonsson.

Thanks to the excellent electrical range from a fuel consumption angle, the Volvo ReCharge Concept is exceptionally kind to the car owner's wallet.

When driving on electric power only, operating costs are expected to be about 80 percent lower than that of a comparable petrol-powered car. When driving beyond the 100 km battery range, fuel consumption may vary from 0 to 5.5 litres per 100 km depending on the distance driven using the engine.

"This plug-in hybrid car, when used as intended, should have about 66 percent lower emissions of carbon dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available on the market today. Emissions may be even lower if most of the electricity in intended markets comes from CO2-friendly sources such as biogas, hydropower and nuclear power," says Magnus Jonsson.

An electric motor at each wheel

The Volvo ReCharge Concept combines a number of the latest technological innovations into a so-called "series hybrid" where there is no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels.

* The battery pack integrated into the luggage compartment uses lithium-polymer battery technology. The batteries are intended to have a useful life beyond that of the car itself.
* Four electric motors, one at each wheel, provide independent traction power.
* Four-cylinder 1.6-litre Flexifuel engine drives an advanced generator that efficiently powers the wheel motors when the battery is depleted.

Electric car with a combustion engine as backup

In principle, the Volvo ReCharge Concept is a battery electric car with an efficient generator, an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), that steps in when battery charge becomes insufficient for adequate driving performance.

The APU is designed to distribute electrical power to the individual motors at each wheel. Since the combustion engine only powers the APU, it can operate in an optimal fashion, both for regulated emissions and CO2.

The APU is sufficiently powerful to supply an entire villa with electricity. For example it could with minor modifications in principle give the car owner an electricity generator right at his front door in the event of a power failure.

The driver can choose the power source

The combustion engine starts up automatically when 70 percent of the battery power has been used up. However, the driver also has the option of controlling the four-cylinder Flexifuel engine manually via a button in the instrument panel.

This allows the driver to start the engine earlier in order to maximize battery charge, for instance when out on the highway in order to save battery capacity for driving through the next town.

"There is a considerable difference between our plug-in hybrid and today's hybrids. Today's hybrids use the battery only for short periods to assist the combustion engine. Our solution is designed for most people to run on electric power all the time, while providing the extra security that comes with having a combustion engine as a secondary source of electrical power," says Ichiro Sugioka, project manager for the Volvo ReCharge Concept. He adds: "What is more, our C30 with plug-in hybrid technology retains its lively and sporty driving properties. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes 9 seconds and top speed is 160 km/h."

Specially developed electric motors

The central electrical components in the Volvo ReCharge Concept demonstrator - the generator for the APU and the wheel motors - were developed together with British electromagnetic specialists PML Flightlink.

With an individual electric motor at each wheel, weight distribution as well as mechanical efficiency and traction are maximized. The friction in mechanical gears is eliminated. Since the car does not have the transmission found in ordinary cars, there is no need for a gear lever.

To help maximize the environmental benefits, the Volvo ReCharge Concept has high-efficiency tyres developed by Michelin. They are specially designed to accommodate the wheelmotors.

Further more, the car has All Wheel Drive in the truest sense of the term. Power to each wheel is controlled individually.

The energy that is generated during braking is transmitted to the battery pack. When the system is ultimately developed, traditional wheel brakes will be completely replaced by electrical brakes with minimal energy wasted through friction.

To ensure reliable operation of the drivetrain and braking system, driver inputs are fed into a quadruple-redundant electronic control system.

Ecologically sound solution for commuters

The Volvo ReCharge Concept is best suited to car drivers who cover moderate distances every day. For example, a commuter who has less than 100 kilometres (62 miles) to drive between home and workplace can cover the entire round trip on electric power alone and the equivalent daily fuel economy will be zero litres per 100 km.

Even drivers who cover more than the battery-only range will benefit from the ReCharge Concept. For a 150 km (93 mile) drive starting with a full charge, the car will require less than 2.8 litres of fuel, giving the car an effective fuel economy of 1.9 l/100km (124 mpg).

"The only requirement is that the car owner has access to electrical outlets at convenient places, such as at home or at the workplace. A full recharge takes 3 hours. However, even a one-hour quick charge should provide enough charge to drive about 50 kilometres," says Magnus Jonsson.

VOLVO C70 is a top performer in crash tests
	ARLINGTON, VA -The Volvo C70 earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's TOP SAFETY PICK award for superior crash protection in the first tests the Institute has conducted of 10 midsize convertible models. The Volvo C70 earned the top rating of good for protection in front, side, and rear crashes. The C70 included standard electronic stability control (ESC), which research shows can help drivers avoid crashes. The lowest rated convertible model overall is the Pontiac G6 (see attached ratings). It is acceptable for frontal crash protection but only marginal for protection in side and rear impacts. While the Audi A4 and BMW 3 series earn good ratings in frontal offset tests, both are rated marginal for side impact protection and poor for protection in rear crashes.
	The TOP SAFETY PICK designation is intended to make it easier for consumers to find top-rated vehicles without sorting through reams of crash test results. To earn this award, a vehicle must have good ratings in all 3 Institute crash tests. It also must have ESC. The Institute adds a requirement for convertibles, which must be equipped with rollbars designed to preserve occupants' headroom if a convertible rolls over. The C70 is equipped with standard pop-up rollbars behind the rear head restraints that deploy if sensors detect a serious crash. "The performance of the C70 is impressive," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "It combines what convertible buyers should look for if they're shopping with safety in mind. The Volvo C70 not only provides good protection in high-speed front and side crashes but it also has good seat and head restraint designs for protecting against whiplash in rear crashes." "We wanted to test convertibles because sales are increasing," Lund says. "We also wanted to evaluate a group of vehicles that automakers wouldn't expect us to test to see if crashworthiness improvements in mainstream cars also are being built into convertibles. For the most part we found that this is happening." Five models earn the highest rating of good for front and side crash protection. Seven of the 10 convertibles have standard side airbags designed to protect the heads of occupants in the front seats, and 8 have ESC as standard or optional equipment. Absence of roof is inherent disadvantage: High-speed crashes are violent events, and the roof of a hardtop helps to keep people's heads and arms from flailing outside the vehicle. Roofs also provide protection if a vehicle rolls over. Data from real-world crashes indicate that the overall risk of death isn't higher in a convertible, but this doesn't mean there aren't any safety disadvantages. The absence of a roof makes it a challenge to design a convertible for safety. The roof helps to maintain the rigidity of the structure around the occupant compartment and keep the compartment intact in a serious crash. The main structures of convertibles have to be strengthened to compensate for the support that's lost in removing the roof. The Institute's crash test results show that many modern convertibles compensate well.

World Traffic Safety Symposium Awards Volvo Cars For Innovative Child Booster Cushion System
	New York, NY - April 13, 2007. Volvo Cars new booster seat helps protect children who have outgrown their toddler seat. In combination with an extended Inflatable Curtain and new, stronger side body structure, and load limiting seat belts this world's first two-step integrated booster cushion recently received international acknowledgement as a unique engineering solution to give children a safe and comfortable travel experience.
	At this year's World Traffic Safety Symposium a panel of judges from Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Automobile Association of America Foundation for Traffic Safety, National Road Safety Foundation, and New York Police Department Traffic Safety Division awarded Volvo first prize in the Automotive Manufacturer category for this innovative safety feature. The award stands among three other safety acknowledgements: Public Service, Media Activity and Aftermarket Product Design. "Our goal is to help protect occupants. This award acknowledges our efforts to help protect our smallest passengers, our children," commented Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor, Volvo Car Corporation, Sweden. "This new seat, in conjunction with our refinements in side body structure and the inflatable curtain will have a significant reduction in child injuries." Safety Potential Prediction Seat belt positioning for children of different heights is important for better placement and protection. Several studies have shown that proper positioning with the use of a booster cushion helps reduce abdominal injuries caused by the child slipping under the seat belt. Field data in several studies supports these findings and emphasizes the importance of booster seats, and that the booster be designed to hold the belt firmly across the pelvis or thighs during a frontal impact. The overall effectiveness (Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale) of booster seats is estimated as 31 percent as compared to using only a seat belt and as high as 75 percent as compared to no restraint at all. Getting all children of appropriate age and size to use booster cushion offers a potentially significant safety benefit. Booster Cushion Usage For children using a booster cushion different types of misuse varies depending on which study is analyzed, but the share is significant. According to a study carried out by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, 2004), 39.5 percent of the 664 children inspected in belt-positioning booster cushion were considered as critical misuse. The most common occurring misuse was improper fitment of the shoulder belt followed by loose belt, improper fit of the lap belt and inappropriate age/fit. In Germany, the misuse rate was reported to be 46.8 percent. A Spanish study identified that nearly 50 percent of the children aged 6 to 12 restrained with a child restraint had some type of misuse, the most common being the seat belt placed behind the child. Children's Attitudes Toward Booster Cushion A questionnaire-based study[1] on 4 to 11 year old Australian children reported that one of the reasons for moving the child from a booster to the adult seat belt only (69 percent) was primarily that the child was too big for the booster. Another major reason was the child disliked sitting in a booster and would be more comfortable using only the seat belt and, not surprisingly, the child thought they were too 'grown-up' for a booster cushion. The study concluded that the design of booster cushions should have the capacity to seat larger children as well as being more appealing to children. By offering the integrated two-stage booster cushions, Volvo believes the level of acceptance will increase among this age group. Combined Safety System "We took into account the child's physical size and weight, seat belt misuse, child physiology, along with redesigning our vehicle side body structure and side impact inflatable curtain to come up with this new integrated two-step booster seat," noted Broberg. "There will be better fitment of our three-point seat belt, a wider age and weight range, and better attitude for the child who can now easily see outside with the added benefit of reducing driver distraction. Hopefully we will hear less often: 'Are we there yet?'" [1] Charlton J, Koppel S, Fitzharris M, Congiu M, Fildes B. Appropriate Use of Booster Seats and Seatbelts by Australian children Aged 4-11 Years. 4th Int. Conf. Protection of Children in Cars, München, Germany, 2006

The Allianz Centre for Technology has been testing cars for traffic safety purposes since 1971. And the "Genius" award was given to Volvo Cars for the development and implementation of the Volvo City Safety system.

"This award is a great honour because it singles out our great commitment to the development of innovative safety systems," said Thomas Viehweg, Managing Director of Volvo Car Germany, at the award ceremony on Wednesday during the Auto Mobil International (AMI) in Leipzig.

"The strong point of this system is that it automatically intervenes when it is too late for the driver to prevent an accident," said Dr Christoph Lauterwasser, managing director of the Allianz Centre for Automotive Technology (AZT).

AZT has been researching vehicle damages and ways to prevent traffic accidents since 1971.

The Allianz "Genius" was awarded for the fifth time this year. The award honours a technological development which has already been implemented and contributes to greater safety in road traffic. Moreover, the innovation must be proven to have a permanent effect in reducing claims frequency and the severity of accidents.

The Genius award was the third major award Volvo City Safety has received in Germany in 2009. Last week the City Safety System was named "All-Wheel Drive Innovation of the Year" by Auto Bild Allrad and at the beginning of the year Volvo received the "Paul Pietsch Award 2009" by the automotive magazine "Auto Motor und Sport".

Rockleigh, NJ (January 11, 2010) - Offering the best of both worlds: open air freedom or beautifully sculpted coupe, the 2011 Volvo C70 is offered at a starting price of just $39,950*. The price is inclusive of several standard features that were previously optional and represent an approximate $4,000 savings from a similarly equipped 2010 C70. For 2011, the Volvo C70 comes standard with an automatic 5-speed transmission, SIRIUS satellite radio and luxurious Sovereign Hide leather upholstery.  

First seen in the U.S. at the South Florida International Auto Show, the 2011 Volvo C70 receives a bold new look and a number of interior enhancements. With its new front appearance, the 2011 Volvo C70 reveals traces of the S60 Concept Car that was unveiled in early 2009. The C70 now relates more closely to the design language of the larger cars in the Volvo model range. Bodywork details such as the front fender have also been redesigned, contributing to the decidedly altered appearance. The nose is more wedge-shaped and has been given added three-dimensional depth by moving some elements of the front both longitudinally and vertically. The new headlights and the décor around the foglights, for instance, have been angled offset up and to the rear, at the same time as the detailing of the lower grille has been enhanced. From head-on, the front forms an open, inviting "V." The enlarged iron mark and the new, larger air intake reinforce the self-assured stance.

The exclusive high-tech LED lights, similar to what's found on the Volvo XC60, are the most noticeable update at the rear. The entire taillight unit is clearly integrated with the oval that frames the new C70's rear panel, making the rear appear wider and lower. Like the front end, new lines and details in the bumper and elsewhere have been integrated to emphasise the depth and dynamism of the design language.

The interior has been updated in several respects to create a unique ambience in the Volvo C70. The instrument panel has been redesigned, giving it a wider, sleeker look and the surface of the panel has a new texture that enhances the feeling of quality. The exclusive new instruments, with gauges and graphics specific to the C70, are yet another example of how the car's premium feel has been enhanced.

Complimenting the enhanced interior are the gorgeous Sovereign hide soft leather seats. This ultra-soft leather covers the entire seat, not simply the seat cushions, owing to a very premium look and feel throughout the interior.

Also new inside, the Cranberry leather seating surfaces (these are not Sovereign hides) is a no-cost option. Taking a cue from these seats is the new-for-2011 Flamenco Red Pearl exterior paint. Combined, they create a truly unique and eye-catching appearance.

One important part of the side-impact and rollover protection is the Inflatable Curtain, IC, which is installed in the door since there is no roof rail to utilize. The curtain has an extra-stiff design featuring twin rows of offset panels. As a result, the curtain can remain upright longer and help protect the head even if the window is open. Additionally, the curtain deflates slowly, helping to provide added protection in the event of a roll over situation.

In addition to the inflatable curtains on either side, the front seat occupants also have side-impact airbags. The size of these bags shield the chest and hips. What is more, the inflatable curtain interacts with the belt pre-tensioners to contribute to the best possible protection for front seat occupants in a side impact or rollover situation. All four seats come with safety belt pre-tensioners.

The Volvo C70 transforms smoothly from a stylish coupe into an open convertible in about 30 seconds. Just press a button and the three-piece steel roof folds quickly and silently away, disappearing neatly into the trunk.

But the Volvo C70 is about more than safety and an innovative roof. In the U.S., the 2011 C70 is offered with a powerful 227 horsepower turbocharged five-cylinder engine that's mated to a standard five-speed automatic transmission with driver selectable Geartronic shifting. Power is seamlessly distributed to the front wheels with Volvo's standard Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system.