Volvo Recharge Concept Photos
Filed under: 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, Auto Show Pictures, Concept Cars, Green Hybrids/Alternative Fuels, Hatchbacks, Volvo
Tags: Recharge
Volvo is making electric cars cool. Their Recharge Concept was on display at the 2007 LA Auto Show and has looks that make going green the next hip/trendy thing to do. The Volvo Recharge Concept is a plug-in hybird that can be plugged in at any regular outlet for maximum convenience.
2008 Volvo XC70 Video
Filed under: Auto Show Videos, New York International Auto Show, Volvo, Wagons/Estates
“The all-new Volvo XC70 has been developed for people who want to live out their dreams,” says Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Brand, Business and Product Strategy at Volvo Cars. “It has the right attitude, capacity and equipment for enjoyable trips to and from your adventures.” Lex is definatly on to something, which you can see, as you watch the unveiling from the 2007 International Auto Show of the 2008 Volvo XC70.
Video: 2008 Volvo XC70
Volvo XC70 Comes To The NYIAS
Filed under: New York International Auto Show, Volvo, Wagons/Estates
* Improved child safety with a world innovation
* Advanced drive systems contribute to increased safety margins
* Six-cylinder engine for the first time in the Volvo XC70
* All Wheel Drive and advanced drive systems
* First-class comfort and versatile function
* World class audio system
The all-new Volvo XC70 is the third generation of Volvo’s capable cross-country model.
Just like the all-new V70 model, it offers everything that implies of luxury and a spacious interior, sporty driving properties and high comfort. In addition, the all-nefw Volvo XC70 has a number of smart solutions for increased flexibility and practical function.
Safety is naturally at the highest level and the car also includes Volvo’s world breakthrough: integrated child booster cushions with a choice of two seating heights.
“The all-new Volvo XC70 has been developed for people who want to live out their dreams,” says Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Brand, Business and Product Strategy at Volvo Cars. “It has the right attitude, capacity and equipment for enjoyable trips to and from your adventures. And just like the all-new V70 model, it clearly marks Volvo’s increasingly strong position in the premium segment. It is therefore logical that the all-new Volvo XC70 should inherit much of the same character and properties. We recognize the design, the comfort and the high safety level. The fact that the all-new Volvo XC70 is now even more versatile and capable than its predecessor is a direct response to our customers’ expressed wishes and needs.”
To improve safety for children in the rear seat of the all-new XC70 model, Volvo has further developed the Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) with a stronger body structure, extended inflatable curtains and a height-adjustable integrated child booster cushion - the latter a world innovation.
The booster cushion, which is integrated in the rear seat, can be set at two heights, allowing children of different sizes to sit sufficiently high to see out through the windows yet at the same time get the most effective protection possible. The lower setting is intended for children between 115 and 140 cm in height and weighing between 22 and 36 kg, while the upper setting is designed for children measuring 95-120 cm and weighing between 15 and 25 kg. The all-new Volvo XC70 can be equipped with integrated child booster cushions in both outer rear seats.
The adjustable booster cushion means the seat belt geometry is optimum irrespective of the child’s height. The integrated booster cushion is also accompanied by safety belts with specially adjusted force limiters. They contribute to the best possible protective effect by restraining the child with just the right amount of tensioning force in a collision.
The inflatable curtains in the all-new Volvo XC70 have been extended by 60 mm, which in combination with the height-adjustable booster cushions and the strong body side structure provide more children of different sizes with effective protection in a side impact.
To optimise side-impact protection in the all-new XC70 model, not only for children but for all occupants, the body’s entire side structure is both stronger and lighter thanks to a well-balanced combination of high-tensile steel of different grades (High Strength Steel, Extra High Strength Steel and the extremely strong Ultra High Strength Steel). The various components and grades of steel interact to minimise penetration into the passenger compartment. The aim is instead to get the entire car to move sideways - away from the colliding vehicle.
The new type of side-impact airbag which was launched together with the all-new S80 model makes Volvo’s patented SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) into an even more effective safety system. The new side impact airbags have two separate chambers - one for the hip section and one for the chest. Since the hips can withstand greater force than the chest can, the lower chamber inflates with up to five times more pressure than the upper section. The side-impact airbags interact with the inflatable curtains and the body’s network of safety beams to provide the most effective.
“We can now for the first time ever offer a six-cylinder engine in the Volvo XC70,” says Tomas Ahlborg, Project Director for the all-new XC70. “It is the extremely compact transverse in-line unit made of aluminium that was launched in conjunction with the all-new Volvo S80. With six cylinders and a displacement of 3.2 litres, the XC70 gets the power and driveability that a true adventurer needs. With this new powerplant, we can give discerning customers an entirely new and longed-for driving experience.”
* Six-cylinder normally aspirated engine with dual cam profiles
* Extremely compact design
* Energy-efficient turbodiesel from second-generation D5 range
* Petrol and diesel engines at the launch of the all-new Volvo XC70
For more on the XC70, take a look at the Volvo website
Photo Gallery: Volvo XC70 Pictures
Video: Volvo unveils the Volvo XC60 Concept Car Crossover at NAIAS
Filed under: Auto Show Videos, Concept Cars, Crossovers, Detroit Auto Show, Volvo
One of the hottest concept cars unveiled in Detroit this year was this stylish crossover from Volvo. The Volvo XC60 Concept. With sporty characteristics this crossover/suv concept shows off some of Volvo’s design cues. This concept is distinctly Volvo… in a good way!
Watch the video of the Volvo XC60 unveiling at NAIAS
Volvo XC60 Concept Debuts at NAIAS
Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Volvo
Volvo unveiled its XC60 concept at NAIAS 2007. The Swedish automaker further released the first official images of the concept.
Integrating both the unmistakable, muscular XC-versatility and the sporty charisma of a coupe, the XC60 Concept is a preview of the new production Volvo XC60 that is planned to reach showrooms at the beginning of 2009, Volvo said.
“One might say that this could be the C30-owner’s next car; equally sporty and exciting, but with more cargo capacity. The XC60 Concept offers a good indication of how the “real” XC60 will look,” said Fredrik Arp, President and CEO at Volvo Cars, in the company’s press release. The concept car shows that Volvo Cars’ XC60 project is ready to challenge the competition in what is currently the toughest and fastest-growing segment in the automotive world – the Small Premium Utility segment.
Today there are only a handful of models in this segment, but within the next few years, buyers will have at least 10 competitors to choose from. Between 2007 and 2009, the segment’s sales volume is expected to expand by 75 percent to 443,000 cars. “There is considerable potential in this segment and the XC60 Concept exemplifies Volvo’s sporty and dynamic intentions while retaining our firm lead when it comes to safety. The technological solutions for avoiding low-speed collisions represent a major breakthrough. We call this system City Safety,” explained Arp.
If the vehicle in front suddenly brakes and City Safety senses that a collision is likely to occur it will pre-charge the brakes to assist the driver in avoiding an accident. However, when the system senses that a collision is imminent, the car will brake automatically.
City Safety is active at up to 18.6 mph (30 km/h). If the relative speed difference between the two vehicles is below 9.3 mph (15 km/h), the system can help the driver avoid the collision entirely. Between 9.3 and 18.6 mph, the system attempts to reduce the Volvo’s speed as much as possible before the impact.
As with the recently introduced Volvo C30, Volvo’s XC60 project is aimed at a specific target group with high demands on design, brand value and high-tech solutions in their choice of lifestyle products. This generation is very tech savvy, is becoming increasingly influential and is building up immense purchasing power. When it comes to their choice of car, these consumers adopt the same approach as they apply to other products; it should preferably cater to all their needs in one attractive, smart package.
From the design viewpoint the XC60 Concept is a daring creation, a fusion of the very best elements from two distinctive, yet dynamic vehicle types. Below the beltline, the unmistakable and capable XC styling cues give it a distinctive stance with high ground clearance on large wheels. Above the waistline, the sleek lines trace the profile and sporty charisma of an elegant coupe.
The XC60 Concept has an interior design that is as daring as the exterior. This is most evident in the instrument panel and center stack and the slim, visually floating front and rear seats. “The concept car not only provides a good indication of what the production XC60 will look like, it also offers a glimpse into the future of Volvo’s design language. With a more sculptured look, our cars will be more extroverted in their visual appeal,” says Steve Mattin, Design Director at Volvo Cars.
With the XC60 Concept, Volvo Cars is announcing that the XC family, which presently consists of the XC70 and XC90, will be expanded in the beginning of 2009. Just like the two present vehicles in the XC range, the Volvo XC60 is based on passenger-car technology, which makes it possible to combine its rugged capability with a dynamic and entertaining driving experience.
“I would like to emphasize that with the XC60 project, as with the C30, we are aiming primarily at lifestyle rather than age. We are broadening our model range to attract more customers with an active, urban lifestyle. The XC60 will be equally important as the C30 in our planned sales volume expansion,” concludes Arp.
