Archive for Volvo

Being known as one of the pioneers in vehicle safety, Volvo has been constantly researching new ways to make motoring safer. Volvo has brought us technologies like the Blind Spot Information System that we have in the fully imported second generation 3.2 liter Volvo S80. Here are a few new vehicle safety technologies that Volvo is showcasing:

Volvo Collision Warning with Auto Brake

The Collision Warning with Auto Brake system helps the driver “see” people. It uses radar with a wide angel search area to detect objects in front of and around the car. If an object – say, a pedestrian – is detected, a red warning light will first come up on the car’s HUD, and a warning system will sound.

If the driver does not react to this, assisted panic braking is activated to help the driver when he slams on the brakes. If the driver somehow does not brake, the car activates the brakes automatically as a last resort – but only by 24km/h.

Volvo Collision Avoidance by Auto Steering

Collision Avoidance by Auto Steering is an advanced version of Lane Departure Warning, in which the latter uses a camera to monitor the position of the car in relative to lane markers.

This new system takes it further by using both a camera and radar to monitor the position of the car itself and oncoming traffic. If the car moves into a wrong lane and there is an oncoming object detected, the car automatically steers itself back into the original lane,

Vehicle to Vehicle Communication

Volvo is also testing out inter-vehicle communication – for example one car can receive information from another car further down the road and inform them of an obstacle in the middle of the road that has caused the driver to slam on the brakes and come to a halt. With this information, the other cars coming up the road can be warned before hand.

“With communication between vehicles, and between vehicles and the traffic environment, a large number of todays accidents could be avoided. The major challenges are to find a standard “language” and the particular applications that are most urgent and effective,” says Jonas Ekmark, Manager for Preventive Safety at Volvo Cars Safety Centre.

The new second generation Volvo S80 is now available in the Malaysian market. The new S80 is based on the Ford/Volvo EUCD platform, while the first generation was based on the Volvo P2 platform. Two models are available in Malaysia, the locally assembled S80 2.5T which is powered by an inline-5 turbocharged 2.5 liter engine producing 200 horsepower at at an amazingly almost diesel-like low 4,800rpm. 300Nm of torque peaks at a low 1,500rpm up to 4,500rpm. It will cost you RM268,500.

The top of the range model is the Volvo S80 3.2, fully imported from Sweden. This model goes for RM398,000. This model is powered by a 3.2 liter inline-6 engine that makes 238 horsepower at 6,200rpm and 320Nm of torque at 3,200rpm.

In terms of power, many will be tempted to just go for the 2.5T as even though it makes less peak horsepower and torque, the power delivery is across a broader rev range, likely making the S80 driving experience a more relaxed one that will be expected by a buyer of this car. There are also road tax savings to be gained from the smaller engine.

However, the S80 3.2 is not just a car with a larger engine. It has a few cool features over the 2.5T variant. It has Adaptive Cruise Control, which uses radar technology to monitor traffic ahead. This means the car slows down automatically to maintain a distance to the car in front. This distance is measured using time intervals – from one to three seconds at current speeds. There is also Collision Warning (CW) which estimates the time necessary to avoid collision, taking reaction time into consideration. An audible and visible warning is then used to alert the driver. Another feature is Brake Support (BS) which works hand in hand with Collision Warning. It pre-applies brakes if a collision is imminent, helping reduce driver reaction time.

Another cool feature found in the S80 3.2 is the Blind Spot Illumination System. BLIS uses rear-facing digital cameras installed in the door mirrors to monitor the traffic on either side of the car. As an object enters your blind spot, the system alerts you with a lamp built in to the A-pillar on the approaching side of the car. Together with the door mirrors, this helps enable you to quickly assess the feasibility of a lane change maneuver. The system is activated once the car exceeds 10 km/h.

Despite differences in trim levels, both the 2.5T and the 3.2 are more than sufficiently equipped with safety features to keep it’s occupants safe – something expected as safety is not something you’d want to see made optional with a Volvo. Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) is your run of mill traction control system that helps you regain control of you car in emergency situations. The Active Bi-Xenon headlamps feature turn the headlamps 15 degrees in either direction when you are turning into a corner to help with your vision. All S80 models offer a full range of airbag protection – dual-stage driver and front passenger airbags, side-impact airbags for driver and passenger as well as inflatable curtain airbags for the sides of the car.

Both models come with the Volvo Personal Car Communicator, an advanced version of the plain old keyless entry fob that we’ve started seeing with some cars. The Volvo PCC offers keyless entry and ignition, but that is not what’s impressive about it. Within a radius of 60 to 100 meters, the PCC can provide a current report that shows if the car is still locked, if the alarm has been triggered and if somebody is inside your car, thanks to a heartbeat sensor in the car’s interior. The PCC also controls central locking, the alarm system, security lighting and can be used to activate the panic alarm.

The two models also have different interiors, with the 3.2 liter model having perforated leather instead of the 2.5T’s soft leather and various other differences. Both cars come with a Sandstone Beige interior, but the 3.2 liter model has the option of an Anthracite black interior. The S80 3.2 also has a higher grade 12-speaker Dynaudio in-car entertainment system with Dolby® Surround Pro Logic® II surround sound, though both cars have 6-CD in-dash changers with MP3/WMA support as well as aux input.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Second generation Volvo S80 launched in Malaysia

Volvo will be repositioning it’s Volvo S60 model to go against the likes of the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes Benz C-Class with it’s younger sibling the Volvo S40 to be transformed into a 5-door hatchback (think of the Ford Focus 5-door hatch). The S40 will go against the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3.

Autocar reports that there is a little tussle internally at Volvo with the engineers battling the accountants in an effort to get funds to engineer a chassis for the new S60 that is up to the mark in terms of driving dynamics with the 3-Series. The new chassis is said to have a slightly longer wheelbase than the current S60.

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The latest company rumoured to be interested in buying Volvo and Land Rover from Ford is Magna. Well, not exactly the two brands, but they’re more interested in the plants that belong to the two brands.

Auto Motor und Sport reports that Magna wants to use the plants of the two marques to build models from other companies, which will help achieve full capacity. All that unused plant capacity lying around is a wasted investment anyway. Magna does contract assembly – it’s subsidiary Magna Steyr manufactures the current generation BMW X3 in Austria but lost the job to assemble the next gen X3.

While Ford has hired Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and HSBC to evaluate the future of it’s Jaguar and Land Rover brands, effectively putting them on the table for possible sale, it hasn’t said anything about possibly selling Volvo. Volvo seems to be doing well recently, reporting that it is heading for a record amount of cars sold globally, despite a slowdown in major markets like Germany and the US. Sales are expected to surpass the previous 456,000 unit record in 2004.

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Volvo fans were disappointed when Volvo announced earlier that it would drop it’s R performance car series, with cars like the 850R and the recent S60 R being the latest of it’s kind. It recently announced the R alphabet would be brought back again, but not as a line of performance cars, but instead a line of sporty aesthetics-focused bodykits.

Not particularly exciting, but here are the first in a line of R-DESIGN parts. They are for the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 platform sharing trio and include R-DESIGN badges on the grille and steering wheel, as well as a full bodykit with rear roof spoiler, five-spoke alloy wheels in both 17 and 18 inch sizes and an R-DESIGN interior.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Volvo R-DESIGN bodykits for C30, S40, V50

Volvo has added a new variant to it’s line-up of the Volvo S80 – the Volvo S80 T6 Turbo AWD. The T6 Turbo engine variant is slotted in between the normally aspirated 3.2 liter inline-6 aluminium engine and the 4.4 liter normally aspirated Yamaha V8 engine.

With a displacement of 3.0 liters, it makes 285 horsepower and 400Nm of torque from as low as 1,500rpm, remaining constant throughout the rev range. This is thanks to a twin-scroll turbo, fed by two streams of exhaust gas from two banks of 3-cylinders each. It is less complicated than a twin turbo setup but offers similar benefits.

All Wheel Drive comes standard with this new S80 variant, using an electronically controlled hydraulic clutch to distribute drive between the front and rear wheels. The AWD system features something Volvo calls Instant Traction, which shifts power at lightning speed from the front to the rear wheels when starting on a slippery or loose surface.

Click here to read the rest of New Volvo S80 T6 AWD

Volvo has launched the new facelifted versions of it’s Volvo S40 sedan and the Volvo V50 stationwagon. The styling cues have been updated to reflect Volvo’s new design cues that started with the new latest model S80 sedan and V70 stationwagon.

There is increased differentiation with the front ends of the two cars. Both cars use different bumper designs, and the V50 grille is now sportier with a black egg-crate design and a larger Volvo iron mark. Tail lamps for both cars are slimmer by 30mm, have a new graphic layout and now use LEDs to light up. The exhaust tailpipes have also had their shape and position altered.

As for the interior, there is now extra space on the front door inside panels thanks to reshaped speakers. There is now a new large compartment that can fit an A4 book, an upright drinks can or a water bottle lying down. The iconic slim center console that has been copied by other manufacturers now feature an optional real wood trim called Nordic Light Oak, which can be seen in the photos after the jump. It looks really weird, I prefer the normal brushed aluminium. Some safety enhancements include hazard lights that automatically come on when airbags are activated, and all three brake lights flashing five times a second during emergency braking or ABS function activation. Also, ISOFIX points in the rear seats are now standard.

Two models have engine enhancements – the 2.5 liter turbocharged T5 model’s horsepower is up by 10 to 23 horsepower, while the Euro V-compliant 400Nm D5 turbodiesel engine now comes with a 6-speed manual.

More photos after the jump, or read my road test report on the Volvo V50 T5.

Click here to read the rest of Volvo S40 and V50 facelifted

Volvo’s R badge was originally intended to change the public’s perception on Volvo. While being known for safety is a great branding achivement by itself, it wanted people to know that Volvo is just not all about boring old safety. Thus the R badge was born, first born by the 850 T5 R and later continuing on the new S60 R and V70 R.

The new generation R duo featured turbocharged engines making 300 horsepower, and went from 0 to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds, putting all those 300 horses to the ground through a Haldex all-wheel-drive system.

While Volvo’s R badged vehicles were delicious beasts to begin with, sales figures did not meet expectations. Annual sales targets were set at 3,800 for the S60 R and V70 R, but only managed to hit 1,098 S60 R and 528 V70 R in 2006. Thus the R badge will be dropped beginning 2008 onwards, but Volvo intends to cook up more performance versions in the future, just without the R badge.

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Volvo shares something in common with Audi, the fact that their stationwagon models usually garner more excitement than the sedan models, or at least that was the norm sometime in the past. Things might have changed somewhat now.

The Volvo V50, like other stationwagons in it’s class (3 Touring?) is a somewhat peculiar offering. A stationwagon usually means utility and lots of space, however C-segment vehicles are usually too compact to have the word spacious associated with them.

Read my report on the Volvo V50 T5, courtesy of Volvo Malaysia, after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Volvo V50 T5 Test Drive Report

Aston Martin will be procuring Volvo’s help to develop the Aston Martin Rapide 4-door sedan’s safety system. Volvo’s safety engineering expertise was also used previously on the DB9 and V8 Vantage models. Volvo will develop a stiff aluminium structure for the Aston Martin Rapide. This includes designing the B-pillar and side-members to optimise occupant safety during side impact collisions.

Aston Martin hopes the new Rapide will add on about 1,000 to 2,000 units to the niche carmaker’s current production levels, helping with economies of scale as well as sales. It intends to launch the new Aston Martin Rapide in late 2008, hopefully before Porsche launches it’s competitors the Porsche Panamera.

Click here for more details on the Aston Martin Rapide concept.