Archive for Volvo

Volvo will debut it’s new hydraulically controlled dual-clutch gearbox in diesel variants of it’s Volvo S40 sedan and Volvo V50 stationwagon models, coinciding with a mid-life facelift of the two cars. Parent company Ford also plans to introduce the dual-clutch gearbox to other models like the Ford Focus and the Ford Focus C-MAX, which currently also offer CVT gearboxes, as well as the Land Rover Freelander and some Mazda models. Ford Focus ST or MazdaSpeed 3 with a dual-clutch gearbox, anyone?

While Volkswagen’s extremely good Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) is supplied by BorgWarner, Ford gets it’s units from Getrag, and the system is called Powershift.

A concept for the Volvo XC60, Volvo’s competitor for the future Audi Q5, Merc GLK, Volkswagen Tiguan and other small crossover SUVs like the BMW X3 will be shown to the public next month at Detroit 2006. As part of the Ford group, the Volvo XC60 will be based off the Ford EUCD platform (Land Rover LR2/Freelander, Volvo S80, future Volvo S40/V50), which is in turn loosely based on Ford’s C1 platform (current Volvo C30/S40/V50/C70, Mazda3).

While remaining mostly Volvo-like on the exterior, the interior features a futuristic look including a floating center console which looks like all data is displayed using OLEDs, and controls are touch sensitive. Even shifting the automatic gearbox is via touch sensitive buttons on the floating center console, as you can see from photos.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Volvo XC60 Concept Photos

For a limited time only, Volvo Car Malaysia is having a one month promotion from now until the 31st of December 2006 where you’ll be able to buy the Volvo S80 2.0T Classic for only RM199,000 excluding insurance, alot cheaper than the original price without insurance of RM250,927.42! That’s a savings of over RM50,000.

Some specs of the Volvo S80 2.0T Classic - it’s powered by a 5 cylinder light pressure turbocharged engine making 180hp at 5,500rpm and 250Nm of torque between 1,850rpm to 5,000rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed auto. Top speed is 210km/h, and 0-100km/h acceleration time is 9.8 seconds. Of course, this is the current S80 that’s on sale here, not the recently launched new Volvo S80.

For more info, visit any Federal Auto Cars or Swedish Marque showroom.

Volvo has consolidated it’s two non-industrial operations in Malaysia - Volvo Car Malaysia Sdn Bhd (VCM) and Volvo Car Asia (VCA) into a single unit. Previously VCM handled the national sales for Malaysia, while VCA handled regional management for China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei.

Source

Volvo and Ford are developing their own version of a dual clutch gearbox, following the footsteps of Porsche and Mitsubishi who are executing similiar plans. Mitsubishi’s upcoming successor to the Evolution line of rally turned tarmac monsters - the Evolution X, will feature a twin clutch automated gearbox, and Porsche has recently filed patents for their 7-speed dual clutch gearbox design.

If all goes through, we’ll see versions of the Ford Focus ST and high performance Volvo C30 hatches with 2.5 liter inline-5 turbocharged engines and dual clutch gearboxes. Click here for a video on DSG gearboxes, where a Volkswagen Golf GTI 6-speed manual goes against it’s DSG brother. DSG has worked so well for Volkswagen that they are going to phase out conventional torque converter automatics for a pure DSG automatic line-up across the range.

Related Posts:
Volkswagen DSG - Direct Shift Gearbox
Porsche patents dual clutch gearbox design
Volkswagen phases out automatics; makes way for DSG

The annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) auto show is here, and this means Volvo fans finally get to see the modified C30 trio that was promised to be shown. Actual photos and details of the three cars from Evolve, Heico Sportive and ipd are after the jump. Enjoy!

Click here to read the rest of Modified Volvo C30 concept cars at SEMA

Volvo Cars has just released the Volvo XC90 V8 Sport in the US market, responding to customer requests for a sportier Volvo XC90. Going head to head with the likes of the BMW X5 4.4i (or the upcoming 4.8si), the Volvo XC90 V8 Sport has a 311hp V8 engine, and comes in two unique colour options - Passion Red and Electric Silver.

The chassis has had some enhancements to improve it’s driveability - stiffer antiroll bars and shock absorbers, quicker steering response, and the Nivomat self-levelling system is installed standard. On the exterior, you have twin chromed exhaust pipes and large 19 inch alloy sport wheels. The wheel arches come with color-matched extenders, which puts emphasis on the presence of the huge wheels. Chrome details such as the roof rails have been replaced with a matte silver finish, and the skid plate is lower.

As for the interior, you have sports seats and a sport steering wheel as well as gear shift done up in perforated leather. Instrument dials light up with a shimmering blue luster.

The Volvo XC90 V8 Sport is a limited edition vehicle, and will be on sale in Q4 2006 at US$49,300,00. That’s RM 181,281.00, but of course you know the deal with our tax brackets, oh well. More photos after the jump, with enlarged versions too!

Click here to read the rest of 2007 Volvo XC90 V8 Sport

Volvo exhibited the Volvo C30 SportsCoupe at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. The Volvo C30 will be available in 5 trim levels - the S, SE, SE Sport and SE Lux. This set of photos show the Volvo C30 in SE Sport trim level, which includes 18 inch alloy wheels and a full bodykit with the body painted in a two tone finish.

More photos after the jump, courtesy of Volvo Media. Click here for more details and specifications related to the Volvo C30 SportsCoupe.

Click here to read the rest of 2006 Paris Motor Show Gallery: Volvo C30 SE Sport

Volvo’s new smaller-sized SUV (above is an artist’s impression) will join it’s bigger brother the Volvo XC90 first as a concept version displayed at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and will subsequently debut as a production model in the second quarter of 2008. Despite previous reports calling the new SUV the XC50, Volvo insiders have informed the motoring world that it will be called the Volvo XC60 instead.

Being slightly larger than the current third generation Toyota RAV4, the XC60’s styling will be similiar to other Volvo cars especially their current SUV the XC90, and will share the current V70’s EUCD platform.

More Volvo tuning goodness for you! This is Heico’s Volvo C70 II, one of the two Volvo C70 convertibles that Heico has kitted up. The Heico kit is a full tune-up kit, not just interior and exterior enhancements but also performance enhancements that affect the engine, suspension and brakes.

There are a few performance parts which you can opt to install from Heico. Let me break down the options one by one. Engine upgrades include a Heico Sportiv ECU upgrade T5 which boosts power from 220hp to 250hp and torque from 320Nm to 360Nm. 0-100km/h acceleration goes from 7.6 seconds to 7.2 seconds.

Other upgrades include performance air filters, and a special Heico LSD differential. Exhaust system upgrades come in either twin tailpipe or 4 tailpipe versions. Sports springs are available for suspension upgrades. Brakes can be upgraded to 4-piston caliper brakes. There are a few wheel choices available, but in this photo set the car adorns Heico Sportiv Volution V wheels. Don’t ask me why it’s spelled Volution instead of Evolution.

As for exterior bodykits, you have front lips and a special cornering light upgrade. This cornering light upgrade swivels your fog lamps to the left or right when you are making a turn. Then of course, to get the full Heico experience on the inside, you have Heico gear knobs, hand brake handles, aluminium foot pedals and leather interior trim.

Two more photos and ECU upgrade power/torque curve after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Heico Volvo C70