The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid and is Volvo Car Corporation’s most technically advanced model ever – an electric car, hybrid car and muscle-car all rolled into one. At the touch of a button, the driver can choose which of the three cars they want to drive at any given moment.

The indicative price of the world’s first plug-in hybrid with diesel engine is starting at between £45,000 and £50,000 in the UK, minus any government subsidy for electric cars (Plug-in Car Grant).

Sales get under way at the start of 2012 with a limited model year production run of 1,000 cars starting in November 2012. They will be offered with Pure Limited specification, which includes the highest SE Lux trim level.

“Our plug-in hybrid has received considerable attention since it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011. Now we’re taking the next step by presenting the production model, which is graced with a distinctive profile featuring a spectacular silver colour, an exclusive interior and generous standard equipment,” says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.

The production version of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be launched in just one colour – Electric Silver. The car is also distinguished by aero-designed 17-inch wheels, integrated exhaust tailpipes and a number of bodywork features in glossy black, such as the grille and the aerodynamic front spoiler. The chromed “Plug-in Hybrid” emblem is found both on the lower part of the tailgate and in a smaller version on the front wings.

Nordic region the biggest market

After the initial batch of 1,000 cars for model year 2013, production of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will increase to 4,000-6,000 cars as of model year 2014.

About 30 per cent of total volume will go to Sweden and the other Nordic countries. Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK will have a share of between 5 and 15 per cent each.

“We expect the order books to fill very quickly. The most discerning customers have many exclusive cars to choose between. But for anyone who truly wants to be in a league of their own behind the wheel of the most ingenious car in the world, there’s only our V60 Plug-in Hybrid,” concludes Stefan Jacoby.

Electrifying temporary presence

In addition to other venues, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be launched through “electrifying” temporary presence in high profile venues. They will appear in places such as Stockholm, Berlin and London. The idea is that customers should meet the car where they feel most at home.

Surveys reveal that the main target group for the V60 Plug-in Hybrid includes customers that are eager to adopt unique new technology. The car is ideal for customers who want superior environmental performance without compromising any of the established qualities in a contemporary luxury car.

Volvo Car Corporation expects that 80 per cent of total sales will be in the form of company cars.

Exclusive interior

The interior of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid has black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and inlays of blue-grey wood. Other distinctive interior details include a leather-covered steering wheel, specially designed floor mats and a gear lever knob with integrated indicator.

The list of standard equipment includes features such as speed-dependent power steering, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, parking sensors front and rear, Bluetooth phone link and Volvo on Call.

Standard specification includes the High Performance Multimedia DVD audio system with its 4x40W amplifier, eight loudspeakers and seven-inch screen.

The first Volvo with the D6 badge

On the car’s tailgate there is a D6 badge. The reason is that the combined performance of the five-cylinder turbo diesel and electric motor puts the car firmly within the same horsepower range as the petrol powered T6.

The front wheels of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid are powered by a five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbo diesel producing 215 hp and maximum torque is 440 Nm. The car has a six-speed automatic transmission.

The rear axle is powered by an electric motor producing 70 horsepower. The electric motor is supplied with power from an 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack installed under the floor of the load compartment.

The sophisticated and exceptionally compact battery pack consists of 10 modules each containing 20 cells. An integrated computer monitors the system and compares temperature and charge level in each of the 200 cells. The battery pack also has an integrated water-cooling system driven by the car’s climate unit.

Three driving modes – three cars in one

The driver selects the required driving mode via three buttons that give the car three entirely different temperaments: Pure, Hybrid or Power.

• In Pure mode the car is powered solely by its electric motor as much as possible. If the battery pack has been recharged with electricity from renewable sources, its range is up to 32 miles with no carbon dioxide emissions from the tailpipe. The electric range varies with terrain, climate and driving style.
• Hybrid is the standard setting whenever the car is started. The diesel engine and electric motor cooperate to ensure optimal balance between driving pleasure and environmental footprint. CO₂ emission (NEDC, mixed driving cycle for certification) is just 49g/km and it has a total range of up to 621 miles.
• In Power mode the technology is optimised to give the car the maximum possible power. The diesel engine and electric motor have a total power output of 215+70 horsepower and maximum torque of 440+200Nm. The electric motor’s lightning-quick torque delivery contributes to the car’s acceleration from 0 to 62mph in 6.2 seconds.

Save battery power for later

The driver can choose to save battery power in order to drive on pure electricity later on, for instance in an urban green zone or in the heart of a city.

When Save is activated, the on-board system ensures that there is always sufficient charge for driving later in Pure mode. If necessary, the high-tension alternator will charge the battery pack so there is sufficient capacity for driving in Pure mode.

The aim is that the Save mode should ensure there is sufficient battery power for about 12.5 miles of driving on electricity alone.

Charge at home – cooling or heating in advance

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be recharged from a regular power outlet (230V/6A, 10A or 16A) at home or in a car park. Recharging time varies with amperage. A full charge with 10A takes 4.5 hours. This is cut to 3.5 hours with 16A, while a 6A charge takes 7.5 hours.

It is also possible while recharging the car to heat or cool the passenger compartment to provide a more comfortable start of your journey. This also means that more battery power is used for actually propelling the car.

The pre-conditioning function can also cool the batteries. The ideal operating temperature for the battery pack is 20-30°C. This means that cooling prior to driving is very important in order to maximise battery charge and thus also range.

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid has two heating systems. In electric mode the car uses a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) air heater. The car also has a diesel-powered heater.

Better pulling power with four-wheel drive (AWD)

Pressing the AWD button activates the electrical four-wheel drive. Instead of the mechanical power transfer of conventional four-wheel drive, the central control unit distributes power between the diesel-driven front wheels and the electrically-driven rear axle. The electric four-wheel drive system has been designed to provide better grip when starting and when driving on slippery roads, for instance in snow or mud.

However, owing to the electric motor’s lower power, torque to the rear wheels is limited and four-wheel drive is active up to 75mph.

When four-wheel drive is activated, the diesel engine operates continuously and the generator ensures that the charge level in the battery pack is sufficient to supply the rear axle with the necessary power.

Since electric four-wheel drive is only activated by the driver when necessary, it is more economical than conventional permanent four-wheel drive.

Two-stage braking system

A two-stage braking system is yet another smart feature of the Volvo Plug-in Hybrid. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the system starts braking the rear axle’s electric motor. This braking energy is then used to recharge the car’s battery pack.

The mechanical brakes are activated only when the situation requires more braking power than the rear axle can provide.

Smartphone app

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the first Volvo to be launched with an entirely digital Driver Information Monitor (DIM). The conventional analogue gauges have been replaced by a one-piece LED screen offering a large number of display options. The driver can choose which information to show via the car’s menu setup.

It is also possible to communicate with the car via a mobile app. This gives the owner access to a number of smart functions such as air conditioning, pre-cooling and after-cooling, and a reminder to connect the charge cable if this has not been done by a predetermined time.

• DRIVe now available with an automatic gearbox in S60, V60, V70 and S80
• Petrol T3 engine now below 140g/km of CO₂

Volvo Car Corporation has announced the latest step in its ‘DRIVe towards Zero’ emissions strategy with the launch of an automatic gearbox option in four Volvo DRIVe models – the S60 DRIVE, V60 DRIVe, V70 DRIVe and the S80 DRIVe. For the first time, these DRIVe models can now be ordered with Volvo’s Powershift dual-clutch automatic gearbox. And buyers of these cars won’t compromise on environmental care or economy as the automatic gearboxed cars deliver exactly the same fuel economy and emissions as the class-leading manual ‘boxed variants.

“For the first time ever, we have managed to bring the fuel consumption in variants with an automatic gearbox down to the same level as in the manual versions. An impressive achievement by our powertrain experts,” says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at the Volvo Car Corporation.

Fuel consumption (combined cycle) and CO₂ figures are as follows:

Volvo S60 DRIVe Automatic – 65.7mpg & 114g/km

Volvo V60 DRIVe Automatic – 62.8mpg & 119g/km

Volvo V70 DRIVe Automatic – 62.8mpg & 119g/km

Volvo S80 DRIVe Automatic – 62.8mpg & 119g/km

Customers will be able to order a DRIVe Powershift in early 2012 with production starting mid-February.  On the road prices start at £25,230 for the S60 DRIVe, £26,405 for the V60 DRIVe, £27,730 for the V70 DRIVe and £26,980 for the S80 DRIVe.

The low consumption and emission levels are the result of a number of technological improvements:

• Friction between gearbox components has been reduced.
• The engine and gearbox software have been modified.
• The start/stop system cuts off the diesel engine when the car is still rolling (below 3mph).
• All electrical systems have been optimised to create lower energy consumption.
• The S60, V60, V70 and S80 DRIVe is fitted with Volvo’s latest 4 cylinder 8 valve 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine, delivering low CO₂ while still delivering a healthy 115hp and 270 Nm of torque.

DRIVe details:

• Now available with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed Powershift automatic gearbox
• Brake energy regeneration
• Turbo with variable turbine geometry
• Common rail fuel supply fitted with Piezo injectors
• Combined catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter
• Start/Stop technology with intelligent climate monitoring
• Low rolling resistance tyres (dependant on specification)

Details of the Powershift gearbox:

• Wet double clutch
• Split input shaft (outer hollow shaft encloses the inner shaft)
• Manual gear selection available via the gear selector
• Hydraulically controlled

Petrol powered T3 under 140 g/km

Volvo Car Corporation’s ‘DRIVe Towards Zero’ also includes improvements on the petrol engines.

By optimising the four-cylinder, 1.6-litre T3 engine (150 hp), which is available in the Volvo S60 and V60, Volvo’s engineering experts have managed to bring fuel consumption down to 49.0mpg in the S60 (previously 42.8mpg).  This corresponds to CO₂ emissions of just 135 g/km, a reduction of 17g/km.

The Powershift transmission can now be specified with the T3 engine, reducing an entry level price of an automatic S60 to £24,270.  The figures for the direct-injected T3 engine combined with automatic Powershift in an S60 are 39.8mpg and 164 g/km.

The S60 and V60 T3 Powershift will be available to order early 2012 with first deliveries taking place in April.

“Keeping the CO₂ emissions below 140 grams is essential since this is a level used by many fleet customers. We have managed to do this in the T3 version through a number of small, significant improvements. We have also optimised the gearbox gearing for maximum fuel efficiency without losing the engine characteristics,” says Peter Mertens.

European leader in CO₂ reduction

Volvo Car Corporation’s leading position among European carmakers in terms of reducing carbon dioxide emissions is shown in the annual analysis presented by the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E).

Volvo Car Corporation outperformed Europe’s eight largest car manufacturers in 2010 by cutting overall CO₂emissions by no less than nine percent.

“This excellent result is the outcome of a dedicated environmental focus under our “DRIVe Towards Zero” banner. One third of our research budget is earmarked for reducing CO₂ emissions. Our new, upcoming Volvo Environmental Architecture engine range, which consists solely of four-cylinder engines, will ensure that we continue to beat our toughest competitors when it comes to fuel economy,” says Peter Mertens.

Volvo Car UK has announced the arrival of the new Inscription edition of the C70 – at launch, the world’s first four-seater convertible car with a three-piece folding hard top as standard. The new Inscription edition blends distinctive exterior details such as the painted grille and black 18-inch wheels with exclusive interior features, including Sovereign Hide upholstery and a leather-covered dashboard.

The Volvo C70 Inscription is available from £33,855 on the road for the D3 SE Inscription and can be ordered from mid-November with first deliveries in February 2012. Worldwide production volume is limited to 2,000 units a year.

“The Inscription is based on our human-centric Designed Around You philosophy, offering those customers who love convertibles and coupés a beautifully detailed version with a lot of kerb appeal,” says Doug Speck, Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Car Corporation.

The Inscription can be combined with both five-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engines offered in the UK: the D4 (177 hp/400 Nm) and D3 (150 hp/350 Nm). It is available in three colours: Black Stone (Solid), Black Sapphire (Metallic) and Ice White (Solid) and also benefits from exclusive 18-inch black Midir alloy wheels with black detailing and polished spokes and outer rim.

At the front of the Inscription edition, the high-gloss paint on the grille and the LED Daytime Running Lights are both surrounded by contrasting chrome, giving this C70 a distinctive “face”.

Exclusive interior
The interior also features a distinctive new look that echoes the unique exterior, including:

• An exclusive leather-covered dashboard with contrasting stitching
• Sovereign Hide upholstery in Off Black or Calcite with the same contrasting stitching as on the dashboard, handbrake lever and carpets
• “Inscription” embroidered on the front headrests
• Special Inscription carpets and handbrake lever
• Steering wheel and gear shift knob with aluminium inlays
• Sports pedals with aluminium inlay
• Aluminium inlay in the iconic ultra-slim centre stack is standard, Black or Nordic Light Oak as an option

Tristar Worldwide has renewed a solus three-year car supply deal with Volvo for 2,100 cars to service its Virgin Atlantic Airways’ Upper Class chauffeur contract.

Volvo will supply 700 cars per year to Tristar to chauffeur Virgin Upper Class passengers to and from their UK airport of choice. This will be the 15^th consecutive year the three companies have worked together.

The Tristar/Virgin fleet will comprise a mix of S80 and V70 163hp D3 SE models, while other Volvo models will be specified as and when they are needed. In a bid to further reduce their CO₂ emissions, Tristar will later also introduce Volvo’s Geartronic models, complete with the new fuel and CO₂ emission saving start/stop technology into the fleet.

To ensure the highest levels of passenger safety, all models chosen will feature Volvo’s City Safety technology – which can lessen the severity of, or entirely avoid, low-speed rear-end collisions at speeds of up to 18mph.

City Safety keeps watch on vehicles in front with the help of a laser sensor built into the windscreen at the height of the rear-view mirror. The car automatically brakes if the driver does not respond in time when the car in front slows down or stops – or if the driver is driving too fast towards a stationary object. City Safety is fitted as standard to all Volvo S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80s.

John McKee, Tristar’s UK commercial director said: “Volvo continually brings new things to this contract and City Safety is an exciting advancement for all concerned. It should further improve customer safety by reducing the number of incidents and knock-on repair costs across the Virgin chauffeur fleet.

“Volvo’s range continues to provide the right combination of safety features, comfort for both passengers and chauffeurs, and a continued reduction in emissions and an increase in fuel economy,” he added.

Selwyn Cooper, Volvo Car UK’s national corporate operations manager, said: “This partnership between Tristar, Volvo and Virgin has been very successful for over a decade. We are proud to supply cars to Tristar as it provides an excellent opportunity to get some very high profile business men and women into the Volvo brand, some for the first time.”

Volvo Car Corporation tops the tables among European carmakers when it comes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. This is shown in the sixth annual analysis conducted by T&E, the European Federation for Transport and Environment.

“We are delighted and very proud of this result. We are following our ambitious plan which puts the spotlight on cutting carbon dioxide emissions,” says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.

Europe’s eight largest carmakers cut their CO₂ emissions by an average of two to six percent in 2010. Volvo Car Corporation is the exception that stands out, with a CO₂ reduction of no less than nine percent. This is the result of a concerted environmental focus under the “DRIVe towards zero” banner. Sales of fuel-efficient diesel engines from the DRIVe range have been highly successful and is one of the explanations behind the major reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Examples of popular models are the V50 DRIVe with emissions of 99 g/km and the V70 DRIVe with 119 g/km. Volvo Car Corporation’s CO₂ strategy also includes electrified cars with varying degrees of hybridisation, even more efficient diesel and petrol engines, and alternative fuels.

“The aim is to come down to an average of 95 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre across our total car sales in 2020. In theory that is entirely feasible, but a lot depends on developments in legislation, incentives, energy availability and of course customer demand. In addition, the EU intends to introduce a new method for calculating carbon dioxide, and this too will impact our plan,” says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Car Corporation.

The analysis by the European Federation for Transport and Environment shows how well European car manufacturers have succeeded in cutting CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption in new cars. All told, carbon dioxide emissions from new cars sold in the EU dropped by 3.7 percent in 2010, and today the average figure for new cars sold in Europe is 140 grams per kilometre.

In its ninth year of production, Volvo have announced further refinements to the both the exterior and interior of its premium SUV, the Volvo XC90.  The XC90 continues to be a great sales success, having its most successful year ever in 2010.  The new refinements to this still class-leading SUV include more sophisticated lines and materials to give an even more rewarding driving experience.

The XC90 was launched in 2002 and offered a unique blend of attractive styling, practicality and seven-seat versatility that saw it become an overnight hit.  Since then, the XC range has grown with the XC70 and the introduction of the award winning XC60.  In 2010, sales figures for the XC90 grew close to 7,000 units – its best year ever in the UK, and over 37,000 globally.  This year sees it continue to be a strong sales success by being in the top three in its segment in the UK.

The XC90 with the latest refinements will be available to order from late October 2011.

“The XC90 still boasts all the virtues that have made it one of our most successful models ever. The spacious and flexible crossover combines excellent handling and comfort with superior get-you-there ability and flexibility. Now we have upgraded the XC90 with a number of features that emphasise the large SUV’s unique blend of sophisticated elegance and capable ruggedness,” says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at the Volvo Car Corporation.

Exterior Enhancements
The XC90 is designed to give an elegant, muscular and robust impression, which has been reinforced through a number of refined details.

A new day running light configuration using LEDs in the lower bumper gives the front more character. The redesigned silver metallic bumper bar as well as silver roof rails are now standard on all variants. There is also a new lower door moulding and all XC90 specifications are now fully colour-coordinated.

The new tail lamps have dual light guides, LED brake lights and a silver turn indicator bulb (still with orange light). The latest new features also include a new six-spoke 18-inch wheel in a silver matt finish.

More Luxurious Interior
A number of refinements have been made to give the XC90 interior an even more luxurious feel, including the three-spoke steering wheel, aluminium décor as standard and the watch dial-inspired instrument design with white lighting.

The tailgate, which is divided into an upper and a lower section, now comes with a new, colour-coordinated leather grab handle. The load cover has also been redesigned.

Exclusive Executive version and sporty R-Design
The XC90 is also available in an Executive specification which features a number of exclusive options such as soft leather seats with ventilation and massage, as well as a number of details with a more exclusive finish.

The R-Design version boosts the XC90′s sports appeal and gives the car a more driver-focused character. On top of the special chassis, the new R-design version also features redesigned upholstery, inlays, door panels and new Ixion 19-inch wheels.

Bluetooth music streaming and new mobile application
The Volvo On Call system can now be combined with Bluetooth mobile phone connection. The system has been upgraded with music streaming from a preferred Bluetooth enabled portable music player. Volvo is the only car brand to offer Bluetooth music streaming throughout the entire vehicle range.

New too is a mobile application that makes sure that the driver can stay in touch with the parked car via an iPhone or Android smart phone. The mobile application is an extension of Volvo On Call.

Owners of all new Volvos from Model Year 2012 with Volvo On Call can download the mobile application that opens up a range of possibilities, such as:

• Car locator. The location of the car is shown on a map. There is also a digital compass that points the driver in the right direction.
• Vehicle dashboard. This feature gives the driver access to a wide range of information: fuel level, remaining range to empty tank, average fuel consumption, average speed, odometer reading and trip meter reading.
• Car check. The mobile app performs a “health” check of the car, displaying information about bulbs, brake fluid level, coolant level, engine oil level and engine oil pressure.

Volvo Car Corporation is taking the next step towards zero emissions and climate impact through a new, downsized engine range consisting solely of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

“It’s time to stop counting cylinders. At the Frankfurt Motor Show we will reveal a new concept car. It proves that downsized engines can go hand in hand with our customers’ expectations on luxury and driving pleasure,” says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Car Corporation.

Volvo Car Corporation’s upcoming four-cylinder VEA (Volvo Environmental Architecture) engine range includes common rail diesels and direct injected petrol engines. It covers the whole range from high power and torque variants to fuel-efficient derivatives.

“Our four-cylinder focus is the perfect way for us to quickly reduce CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption. We will develop four-cylinder engines with higher performance than today’s six-cylinder units and lower fuel consumption than the current four-cylinder generation,” continues Peter Mertens.

The new VEA engines reduce the number of unique parts by 60 percent. The new powertrains are also up to 90 kg lighter than the present ones and fuel economy is improved by up to 35 percent.

Pioneering flywheel technology

Modularity and compact transverse design are also ideal for future electrification developments. To cover all customer requirements, certain engines will gain added performance via hybrid or other spearhead technology, such as flywheel drive.

Later this autumn, for instance, Volvo Car Corporation will become one of the first car makers in the world to test the potential of flywheel drive on public roads. The so-called KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) captures braking energy in a flywheel that spins at up to 60,000 revs a minute. Once released, this stored energy can either accelerate the car or propel the vehicle once it reaches cruising speed.

“The flywheel system offers the driver an additional 80 horsepower while reducing fuel consumption by up to 20 percent,” says Peter Mertens.

Competing with the best

Volvo Car Corporation will promote economies of scale within the company’s own model range via a new vehicle architecture: SPA (Scalable Platform Architecture). SPA allows most Volvo models to be built on the same production line irrespective of vehicle size and complexity. “We’re taking our technological future into our own hands. Both our new architecture and the new engine range will enable us to be on par or even beat our toughest competitors in crucial areas such as driving dynamics and fuel economy,” says Peter Mertens.

Volvo takes the lead in lightweight design

In addition to the industrial benefits of common vehicle architecture, there are also significant product-related advantages. Volvo Car Corporation will take the lead in automotive lightweight design with upcoming SPA models being 100-150 kg lighter than current models of the same size. The new architecture enables electrification at all levels – and new chassis technologies combined with the lower weight and improved weight distribution will boost driving dynamics. The electrical architecture is the backbone of the company’s drive to reinforce its leading position in active safety.

Promoting exciting design

The new concept car unveiled next week in Frankfurt also shows that SPA offers Volvo Car Corporation’s design team greater freedom to give forthcoming Volvo models more exciting looks. “The new architecture means we can sharpen our design language, carving out just the right athletic and dynamic aura that is so important to the most demanding prestige car buyers. The Frankfurt concept car is a great example of what we can achieve with the new architecture,” relates Peter Horbury, Vice President Design at the Volvo Car Corporation.

Planned in Sweden, designed in Italy, unveiled at the car show in Brussels, built in Britain and a huge success in the USA. The Volvo P1800 is perhaps Volvo’s most internationally renowned model ever and the one that arouses most emotions. In 2011 this remarkable people’s favourite turns 50. It was in 1961 that it entered production and reached showrooms after four years of careful planning and development, remaining in production for the next twelve years. From the sales perspective it played perhaps a marginal role for the company, but from the image viewpoint it played a far bigger role than any previous Volvo model.

Design Coup
The Volvo P1800 was born for that very reason – to attract the attention of passersby to Volvo’s display windows and to increase what today is known as ‘floor traffic’ so that people who entered the showroom left it in a new Volvo.

Volvo had tried its hand at a sports car back in the early 1950s – the open two-seater plastic-bodied Volvo Sport which was built from 1955 to 1957 with a total production run of just 67 cars. “Not a bad car, but a bad Volvo” was the way Volvo President Gunnar Engellau put it when he retired the model. However, he did recognise the importance of having a prestigious and exciting model to boost overall sales, and Volvo dealers were desperate for just such a car.

Design proposals were ordered from Italy, where Volvo consultant Helmer Petterson – who was deeply involved in the planning of the new car – had got his son Pelle a job at Pietro Frua thanks to Pelle’s fresh degree in industrial design from the Pratt Institute in New York. When the time came to unveil the four proposals to Volvo’s board in 1957, Helmer sneaked in his son Pelle’s fifth design – and that was the one that everyone picked. Engellau in particular liked it since he had very definite views about wanting an Italian-designed car. That of course is precisely what he did get, but it was penned by a 25 year old native of Göteborg who would later make his mark as a boat designer and win Olympic medals in yacht racing. Eventually, however, the truth behind the winning design proposal emerged. The choleric Engellau blew his top, felt he had been hoodwinked and promised that Pelle would never be acknowledged as the car’s designer. And indeed many years went by before the truth was made known and Pelle Petterson received the credit he was due for penning one of the world’s most attractive sports coupes.

The new sports car – which is how Volvo presented the model – had a fixed roof, a steel body, a lot of the mechanical components lifted straight from the Amazon and the newly developed B18 engine in its 100 hp sports version when it eventually arrived in the showrooms.

Three prototypes were built by Frua in Turin in 1957-1958 on Amazon underpinnings and these cars were used for a variety of purposes, for instances as templates for the production of press tools, in a range of tests, at shows, for press work and advertising photo-shoots and much else. All three have survived and are still on the road.

Production Overseas
At this time, Volvo found itself in a hugely expansive phase and the company realised from the outset that it did not have sufficient in-house capacity to manufacture the new model – not for pressing of body panels, nor for painting or assembly, not even on a small scale. The hunt for a suitable partner got under way, led by Helmer Petterson, and after much deliberation a decision was taken to use two British companies to build the car: Pressed Steel would build the bodies and Jensen Motors would paint and assemble the cars. Production got under way but this was a far from friction-free method. Constant problems with personnel, working methods, quality, suppliers and logistics along with an unwillingness to deal with these issues meant that as soon as it was possible, Volvo transferred production home to Sweden.

As of spring 1963 – after 6000 Jensen-built cars – production of the 1800 started up in Volvo’s Lundby factory but it was not until 1969 that body pressings were transferred from Pressed Steel in Scotland to Volvo’s press shop in Olofström. The move home also coincided with a change of name for the P1800. First it was badged the P1800 S, later in 1963 it was known simply as the 1800 S, S standing for Sweden.

During the coupe’s long life, no radical changes were made to the successful exterior lines. Only details such as the grille, trim mouldings, wheels and colours differentiate the various model years. From the technical viewpoint the 1800 shadowed the development of Volvo’s other models and was continuously upgraded. Disc brakes all round, more powerful engines and electronic fuel injection were the most noticeable changes.

Cult Car for The Saint and a World Record-Holder
In 1971, however, a new body variant was presented, the 1800 ES. A sporting hatchback with an extended roofline and an estate car rear featuring a large glass tailgate. A GT and estate car combined. The ES was designed in Göteborg and attracted considerable attention, but it also divided opinion into two camps. It has nonetheless achieved cult status along with its coupe sister and many have survived to this day. Volvo’s 1800 models are very sought-after by enthusiasts – there are several clubs serving the model – and they were for many years relatively inexpensive to buy, although in recent years their prices have started to rise on the classic-car market. Renovating an 1800 is neither easy nor cheap. Many parts are no longer available, particularly for the Jensen-built cars, but owners who have taken the trouble can expect many miles behind the wheel of an exceptionally pleasant, agile and robust car whose value to Volvo in terms of image can never really be fully quantified.

Just ask Roger Moore, who was fortunate enough to drive a P1800 in his role as debonair crime-fighter Simon Templar, a sort of modern-day Robin Hood, in the British TV drama series based on Leslie Charteris’s “The Saint”. The TV production company was looking for an attractive sports car that would suit a gentleman of independent means, and after being turned down by Jaguar approached Volvo to ask for the P1800. Volvo was quick to oblige. It was a brilliant PR move for the new Volvo model and the car became etched firmly in the minds of everyone at the time. To this day the P1800 is still often referred to as The Saint’s car.

Another person who can testify to the car’s excellence is New Yorker Irv Gordon, who has covered more than 4,500,000 kilometres in the 1800 S he purchased in 1966, making him the holder of a Guinness world record that will probably never be able to be beaten. Irv Gordon has spent a total of almost 12 years behind the wheel of his car and he is now aiming for 3,000,000 miles, that is to say about 4,800,000 kilometres. On the same engine!

Timeless 50 Year Old
The Volvo P1800, this alert 50 year old, was never intended to be a mass-produced car. It was and still is a niche product, the top of the model range, yet at the same time viable enough to be within the reach of ordinary people who wanted a car that looked like a Ferrari but cost and functioned like a Volvo: pleasant, reliable and economical. It appealed to people even before it arrived in the showrooms in 1961 and its design has been shown to stand the test of time: it is timeless, classic and sporty in a well-balanced way. Congratulations to Gunnar Engellau and Helmer Petterson who pushed for Volvo to build the car, to Pelle Petterson who designed it, to Volvo who kept the model going in good times and bad over a period of twelve years, and to all those people who today own and value an 1800 – a truly living piece of Volvo history.

Euro NCAP has awarded the Volvo V60 an overall five-star crash test rating, together with a maximum 100% score for Safety Assist.

The announcement follows the latest round of crash tests carried out by the European New Car Assessment Programme, which aims to provide car buyers with an independent assessment of a vehicle’s crash safety performance.

Standard safety systems on all Volvo V60 (and S60 saloon) models include DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control), dual stage driver and passenger airbags, SIPS (Side Impact Protection System), IC (Inflatable Curtain) and ABS brakes with Emergency Brake Assist. All models in the range also feature City Safety as standard – award-winning technology that can reduce or entirely avoid a rear end impact up to 19mph by automatically applying the brakes to bring the vehicle to a standstill if it senses a collision with the car in front and the driver hasn’t reacted.

In addition, the Volvo V60 and S60 are available with world-first Pedestrian Detection technology. The system uses radar and a camera mounted in the front of the car to check for pedestrians moving in front of the car on the move and automatically applies the brakes if the driver doesn’t respond to stop the car if it detects an imminent collision.

The full Euro NCAP crash test results for the Volvo V60 are:

Peter Rask, Regional President of Volvo Car UK, said: “This latest round of crash test results is great news for Volvo and demonstrates our continued commitment to optimising the safety of our cars.”

“Ultimately, Volvo’s are designed around the people who drive or ride in them which is why we do everything we can in our research, development and testing to ensure that people are as well protected as possible when travelling in our cars. This is the latest step in our Vision 2020 which looks towards a future when nobody will be killed or seriously injured in a Volvo by 2020.”

The Volvo C30 Electric has been exposed to rough winter conditions in order to ensure that the battery-powered car runs smoothly in temperatures as low as -20° Celsius.

Volvo Cars’ requirements on the C30 Electric are just as stringent as on all other Volvo models and the battery-powered car is exposed to the same test regime. On top of this, several new test methods have been developed for the electric vehicles. All in all, over 200 different tests have been performed.

“We must ensure that the C30 Electric performs as intended when driving, parking and charging in a variety of conditions, from normal to very cold or hot. Northern Sweden is the perfect place to do sub-zero temperature testing,” says Lennart Stegland, director of Volvo Cars’ Special Vehicles.

The Volvo C30 Electric is equipped with three climate systems:

• One supplies the passengers with heating or cooling.
• One cools or warms the battery pack as necessary.
• The electric motor and power electronics are water-cooled.

Bio-ethanol powered heater
The C30 Electric has a innovative solution that makes it possible to get comfortable heating in cold winter conditions without compromising the battery driving range.

Climate control in the passenger compartment takes place via a bio-ethanol powered heater fitted in all cars. The car’s ethanol tank can carry 14.5 litres of bio-ethanol.

It is also possible to run the climate unit on electricity from the batteries. In electric mode an immersion heater warms up the coolant in the climate unit.

“The driver can program and control the climate unit to suit the trip. Ethanol is the default mode that is used when the battery capacity is needed for driving, extending mobility to its maximum. However, on shorter distances electricity can be used to power the climate system,” explains Lennart Stegland.

Volvo Car UK has announced that the C30 sports-coupe, with its iconic design and generous levels of standard specification, will start from just £14,995 on the road.  This allows car buyers to benefit from a cost-effective yet appealing and distinctive model with numerous opportunities to create their own individual car.

The Volvo C30 ES 2.0 petrol (145PS) comes with a multitude of standard features, including electronic climate control, 16″ alloys, leather steering wheel and gearlever, Volvo’s stability system (DSTC), power windows, information centre, floor mats, CD player with auxiliary input and passenger airbag cut-off switch.

There are a range of options and accessories available to specify a C30 to meet the exact needs of the buyer, from styling kits¹ and tow bars to portable navigation systems and engine performance upgrades via Volvo’s partnership with Polestar².

The C30 is now offered with a choice of petrol and diesel engines ranging from the 2.0 petrol to the T5 (230PS) and D2 (115PS) to the D4 (177PS).  The C30 also comes with varying levels of specification from the ES to the SE Lux, including the sports derived R-Design trim and Congestion Charge beating DRIVe fuel economy range producing just 99g/km of CO₂.

Drivers wanting the highest levels of driving dynamics and class-leading safety as well as the lowest levels of emissions now have yet another choice in the Volvo range. The new Volvo S60 and V60 offer sub-120 g/km emissions from their 1.6 litre turbo diesel engines.

Fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox and start/stop technology, the S60 and V60 DRIVe models produce just 114 g/km and 119 g/km respectively. These low CO2 producing models also achieve low fuel consumption figures of 65.7 mpg for the S60 and 62.8 mpg for the V60 (EU combined cycle).

The low CO2 emissions and a starting price of £23,495 on the road for the S60 DRIVe ES offers good news for company car buyers looking at their Benefit In Kind payments. The V60 tops its’ segment while the S60 beats its’ German rivals. For the S60 DRIVe ES, drivers will pay just £52 a month for 20% tax payers and £58 a month for the V60 DRIVe ES. Leasing rates for both the S60 DRIVe and V60 DRIVe start at £279 a month.
The new 1.6 litre DRIVe engine ensures both models fall below the 120 g/km threshold meaning that there is no first year road tax and thereafter, only a £30 a year road tax bill meaning it is good news for both retail and business users.
Production of the S60 DRIVe and V60 DRIVe will begin at the end of February with customer vehicles expecting to be delivered in April 2011.
The Volvo S60 and V60 were launched in 2010 and became Volvo’s most dynamic cars ever, both cars featuring ground breaking safety technology along with distinctive Scandinavian design. Both models have recently benefited from the R-Design treatment with restyled bumpers, chassis dynamics and interior enhancements. All engines, including the new DRIVe 1.6 litre diesel are available in R-Design specification. The S60 and V60 are available from £22,495 and £23,670 on the road, respectively, with a wide range of diesels and petrol engines, including the newly launched T3 with start/stop, T4 with start/stop and the T5.
Volvo’s DRIVe badge is fitted to those models that offer the best environmental performance in their respective size segments. Volvo’s belief is that economy should come without any detriment to the driving and usability of the vehicle, therefore the interior and versatility of each DRIVe vehicle does not differ from its’ other variants.
Those models already offering DRIVe versions include the London Congestion Charge beating C30, S40 and V50, along with the XC60 and XC70, while in spring 2011 the Volvo V70 DRIVe (119 g/km) and Volvo S80 DRIVe (119 g/km) will become available with the further-enhanced Euro V diesel engine.
This means that drivers will have a choice of nine DRIVe models, of which seven produce CO2 emissions of under 120 g/km and three below 100 g/km.

At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Volvo Cars will be unveiling the V60 Plug-in Hybrid – a virtually production-ready car with carbon dioxide emissions below 50 g/km, which translates into fuel consumption of 150 miles per gallon.

In 2012 Volvo Cars will be the first manufacturer on the market with this new breed of hybrid – which is the result of close cooperation with the Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall.

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid features the very best properties from three different car types in one sports wagon. This includes a possibility for the driver to drive up to 32 miles on pure electricity.

“This second-generation hybrid is the perfect choice for the uncompromising buyer who wants a carbon dioxide-lean car packed with driving pleasure,” says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

D5 engine and Electric Rear Axle Drive
The front wheels of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be driven by a five-cylinder 2.4-litre D5 turbodiesel, which produces 215 horsepower and maximum torque of 440 Nm. The rear axle features ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) in the form of an electric motor producing 70 horsepower, which receives its power from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The car features a six-speed automatic transmission.

“In order to get true car enthusiasts to think green, you have to offer them the opportunity to drive with low carbon dioxide emissions without taking away the adrenaline rush that promotes genuine driving pleasure. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid has all the traditional properties of a genuine sports wagon. What we’ve done is to spice it up with spearhead technology,” says Stefan Jacoby.

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be revealed at a press conference in Geneva on March 1st 2011.

A vehicle lighter than a Formula 1 racing car… Experiencing the adrenaline rush of carving through the canyons with up to 3 friends… Not using a drop of gasoline… Now just imagine if these dreams could be brought together in a single vehicle. During Los Angeles Auto Show a scale model of this car – Volvo Air Motion – will be on display and participates in the Design Challenge Competition.

Tipping the scales at under 1,000lbs the Volvo Air Motion Concept makes these dreams a reality and delivers this in a beautiful Scandinavian body. Designed like a clam shell and sculptured from ultra light carbon fiber.

Minimizing weight and complexity, while maximizing driving enjoyment, is the philosophy behind this vehicle. Thousands fewer components are employed than in a traditional car thanks to the powerful yet simple compressed air motors that replace a heavy internal combustion engine. The motors cool down under load rather than heat up, thus removing the need for heavy cooling systems. An integrated approach to designing the chassis, interior and suspension also contribute significantly.

To compress the air needed for the centrally mounted air tank, Air Replenishment Sites are used. Powered by air turbines floating 1,000ft in the air they harness the power of the wind and convert it to electricity to provide the compression.

Aimed at the driving enthusiast, by a company synonymous with safety and environmental care, the Volvo Air Motion demonstrates the beauty and purity of Scandinavian design and delivers a guilt free, raw driving experience.

Introducing a new form of exhilaration. The Volvo Air Motion Canyon Carver.

Even at a glance, it becomes immediately apparent that HEICO SPORTIV has just the right ingre-dients to stimulate all the observer’s senses! The front view already indulges the onlooker with clear contours thanks to a two-part front spoiler. “We’ve given the Volvo S60 and V60 the expressiveness which potential owners of such a dynamic vehicle crave for,” explains HEICO SPORTIV General Manager, Holger Hedtke.

Uncompromising in functionality and design.
The front spoiler is mounted on the original bumper and melts seamlessly into the entirety of the Volvo S60 and V60’s contours. The design element made of low-weight, flexible polyurethane plastic (PUR-R-RIM) fulfills the latest pedestrian protection guidelines.

At the back, the PUR-R-RIM rear skirt in diffusor look cites the form of a diffusor, faithfully enfolding the left and right oval end-pipes of the quad outlet exhaust system. As an optional add-on, HEICO SPORTIV also offers a matching carbon or alternative an inlay in stainless steel optic. For vehicles with the original rear skirt, a dual-pipe exhaust variant is available in the familiar “left-right arrangement”.

Manifold innovation under the hood.
The essential ingredients, however, are the ECU upgrades offered by HEICO SPORTIV. With the D3, D5 and D5 AWD diesel engines, these are implemented by reprogramming the engine control unit, with gasoline engines by means of e.motion.

HEICO SPORTIV e.motion stands for “efficiency in motion” and describes an additional engine control unit that, thanks to straightforward “plug & play technology”, can be quickly installed and enabled by any authorized HEICO SPORTIV partner – worldwide!

Thanks to e.motion, the Volvo S60 2.0T generates a colossal 47 bhp more than its series-produced counterpart (currently 250 bhp/184 kW) and a maximum torque of 350 Nm (additional 50 Nm). In the 4-wheel drive version of the Volvo S60 T6, the engine power is boosted to 330 bhp (243 kW) and 460 Nm, allowing the top-of-the-range model to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds (series version: 6.5 seconds) and reach a maximum speed of 250 km/h (limited). Naturally, all HEICO SPORTIV ECU upgrades fulfill the rigorous Euro 5 emissions classification standard. Further tuning programs for the T3, T4 and T5 engine variants are under development.

For those with an attentiveness to craftsmanship and timeless design.
HEICO SPORTIV also sets new highlights when it comes to the interior. With perfect craftsmanship, finest quality leather was set and worked with a sure taste for style on the dashboard, door trims and the center console. Supplemented with aluminum add-ons like pedal set, footrest and gear shift knob.

Diversified menu to choose from.
HEICO SPORTIV sees itself as a fully integrated supplier able to fulfill the customer’s every wish. The menu is finished off with sport springs and the 18”-20” VOLUTION® sport wheel program.

The world premiere of the Volvo V60 by HEICO SPORTIV will be on display at the booth of Continental at the Essen Motor Show (26th November – 5th December 2010).

Volvo’s all-new S60 saloon has won the prestigious ‘Scottish Executive Car of the Year’ award at the Scottish Car of The Year Awards 2010, judged and hosted by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers and held at the Fairmont St Andrews hotel on Friday 5th November 2010.

The all-new S60 offers a blend of distinctive Scandinavian style and dynamic driving characteristics with its UK developed chassis. Available with a range of four petrol and two diesel engines, it is priced from £21,995 on the road.

The all-new Volvo S60 is also one of the safest cars on the road and can be fitted with Volvo’s pioneering Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake as a cost option to complement City Safety which is fitted as standard. Using a mixture of laser, radar and camera technology, the vehicle can recognise a human being above 80cm tall or a vehicle ahead and will brake the vehicle automatically if it calculates an impending impact.

Duncan Forrester, Head of Public Affairs, Events and Sponsorship, who accepted the award on behalf of Volvo Car UK, said: “It’s been a fantastic week for the Volvo S60, being nominated for European Car of the Year at the start of the week and then winning Scottish Executive Car of the Year at the end of the week. The all-new S60 is an important car for the UK and especially our dealers in Scotland who sold significant volumes of the previous model. The signs look positive that the new car will outperform the previous levels of success.”

Volvo Car UK has announced the launch of the all-new S60 and V60 R-Design models – created to deliver a dynamic driving experience in a coupe;-style saloon or versatile Sportswagon. Featuring a specially developed chassis, the new R-Design models ensure that the driving experience matches the car’s sporting appearance.

With R-Design models accounting for up to 60 per cent of some model lines, and 25 per cent overall, the UK is expected to be one of the largest markets for Volvo’s new S60 and V60 R-Design models and they are set to appeal to those British buyers who appreciate the sporting driving characteristics and enhanced styling offered.

Wide range of engines, with new petrol and diesel engines

R-Design is available across the S60 and V60 range – not just the higher-spec variants. Customers can opt for an economical, efficient 2.0-litre D3 all the way through to the high-performance T6, with all cars benefiting from the sportier looks of the R-Design variant. In total, customers can choose from a total of four petrol and two diesel units, with all engines designed to meet high expectations of driving pleasure combined with competitive fuel consumption.

Sports seat with new seat cushion

On the inside, the driver and front passenger sit in sports seats in which the backrest from the S60 and V60 is matched by an all-new seat cushion with even closer side support than before.

Redesigned nose

The all-new Volvo S60 and V60 R-Design come with a range of specially-developed design details both outside and in.

On the outside, the cars have an imposing redesigned front valance while a distinctive diffuser houses twin exhaust tailpipes. To finish, unique five-spoke 18-inch Diamond cut wheels emphasise the sporty overall appeal.

The special leather/textile upholstery is available trimmed in off-black and ceramic light, or in an all-black variant, both with contrasting stitching. The interior also features an R-Design steering wheel, gear selector, sports pedals and floor-mats.

Strut brace gives more direct steering feel

The chassis team has fitted a strut brace under the bonnet to stiffen up the body structure and at the rear, the S60 and V60 R-Design feature monotube dampers.  Unlike the twin-tube dampers previously used, the monotube system features compression and return damping via the same valve. This gives shorter, faster fluid flow, which in turn means the damper responds more quickly.

“This higher operating speed takes care of the initial roll tendency which can be felt just as you turn the steering-wheel. It’s an effective way to improve the response and the connected feel,” says Stefan Sallqvist, manager of vehicle dynamics at Volvo Cars.

Shorter, stiffer springs

The front and rear springs have been shortened by 15 mm and spring stiffness is 15 per cent higher compared to the standard-fit dynamic chassis in the S60 and V60.

“This makes the car easier to control and reduces any tendency to lurch. This is an area that requires true fingertip sensitivity in order to find the right blend of dynamics and comfort. If you go too far the car feels bumpy even on smooth surfaces. We’ve invested a lot of time and effort in finding the ideal balance,” confirmed Sallqvist.

Even firmer bushings

The bushings with which the rear dampers are attached to the body are 20 per cent stiffer compared with the dynamic chassis in the S60 and V60. The front tie-blade bushing, attaching the rear sub-frame to the car, is a massive 400 per cent stiffer than before to counteract wheel bouncing and shaking.

“The stiffer the bushing, the less oscillation and roll. Movements are more controlled. This is clearly noticeable inside the car,” concluded Sallqvist.

The new Corner Traction Control system provides even smoother progress in curves

Just like in the ‘standard’ car, the chassis in the S60 and V60 R-Design is backed up by a range of electronic systems that sharpen the driving experience still further.

Corner Traction Control is a new feature that uses torque vectoring to make for smoother cornering. The technology is a further refinement of the DSTC traction control system.

When cornering, the car’s inner wheel is braked so more power is transferred to the outer wheel. This gives the driver a tighter line in the curve, with reduced understeering tendency.

The DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) system has several functions that improve driving and safety properties, such as:

• Advanced Stability Control. With a new gyroscopic roll-angle sensor it is possible to identify any skidding tendency at a very early stage. This means that the anti-spin system can deploy faster and with greater precision. Advanced Stability Control provides a huge improvement in driving properties and in emergency avoidance manoeuvres during dynamic driving involving considerable lateral forces.
• Engine Drag Control. Prevents the wheels from losing their grip during engine braking on a slippery surface.
• The DSTC system also has a sports setting that makes it possible for the driver to drive more actively. By disabling the anti-spin function, the car allows more pronounced oversteer.

Engine range: 

Performance tuning specialists, Heico Sportiv, have turned their attention to the all-new Volvo S60 and developed a storming 330 PS version of the T6. Just 100 versions of the Black Sapphire metallic special edition will be available at a price of €63,968, equivalent to just over £53,000.

The hot Volvo S60 T6 Design by Heico Sportiv is based on the standard model and has received an upgrade to the six-cylinder turbo petrol engine, offering a 26 PS power improvement – from 304 PS to 330 PS. The power increase is a result of Heico Sportiv e.motion technology, which stands for “efficiency in motion” and features an additional engine control unit and a revised engine management system.  Torque has also been improved to 460 Nm over 2100-4500rpm and to support the extra power, new sports springs have been fitted to the Four C chassis which lower the car’s ride height by 30mm. For perfect traction, the high-performance saloon is fitted with standard permanent All Wheel Drive.

The engine is mated to Volvo’s Geartronic transmission and, as a result, the car sprints from 0-62 mph in 5.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph (electronically controlled). Average fuel consumption is 27.4 mpg, corresponding to CO₂ emissions of 239 g/km (provisional figures).

To compliment the sporting ability under the bonnet, the Black Sapphire metallic Volvo S60 T6 Design by Heico Sportiv is equipped with 19-inch Diamond cut alloys with Pirelli tyres and a two-part front spoiler and rear diffuser bumper made of superlight plastic and carbon fibre.

On the inside, Heico has developed the interior by fitting aluminium trimmed gearknob and pedals and a limited edition plate which identifies the specific production number of the car. The car also features a comprehensive range of specifications alongside all the familiar Volvo safety technology, including Driver Alert, BLIS (Blind Sport Information System) and Pedestrian Detection.

Heico has more than 20 years experience in the refinement and performance of Volvo models, and has been an official partner of Volvo Car Germany GmbH since 2008. Currently there are no plans by to introduce the car into the S60 line-up in the UK.

“The typical sports wagon customer is an S60 buyer who would like some extra space and flexibility, but without the slightest compromise on sporty design and exciting driving properties,” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell.

During its first year of production, the all-new Volvo V60 will be available with a variety of diesel and petrol engines spanning an economical 115 horsepower DRIVe version to an eager high-performance turbocharged T6 model producing 304 horsepower.

DESIGN: COUPÉ RATHER THAN ESTATE CAR STYLE

The pronounced wedge shape and the slim coupe-like roof line of the new Volvo V60 are accompanied by the high shoulder profile along the car’s sides, creating a gentle yet powerful double wave from the headlamps at the front to the tail lamps at the rear.

“From the design viewpoint, the focus was on making the car as close to a coupé as possible, while retaining that handy extra space at the rear. Our sports wagon does not aim to compete with the traditional estate car. For the customer who wants a lot of load space, there is our V70 or XC70,” says Örjan Sterner, head of exterior design for the new Volvo V60. He adds: “The dip in the middle of the double wave visually pushes the car down. This enhances the stance and makes the car look sleeker and lower. The sculpted bonnet and the short overhangs front and rear also emphasise the sports car feel.”

Dynamism is further enhanced by what Volvo’s design team calls the “racetrack” design. The car’s lines do not end abruptly but instead continue to flow organically, continually, echoing the smooth shapes of the racetrack.

Volvo’s designers have integrated LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology to create distinctive light patterns both front and rear. The vertical position lights at the front, the side-marker lights, the turn indicators integrated into the door mirrors and the tail lamps at the rear all give the new V60 an unmistakable profile even in the dark.

Exciting styling pack

A styling pack gives the V60 buyer the opportunity to boost the sporty attitude. The styling pack includes front and rear skid plates, a front decor trim, side scuff plates, special exhaust tailpipes and 18-inch wheels.

CHASSIS AND DRIVING DYNAMICS

Volvo Cars’ chassis experts worked on the driving experience in the new Volvo V60 with the same passion given to the development of the all-new S60. The result is a sports wagon with driving properties that do the sporting appearance full justice.

During the development process, the chassis team worked on the new Volvo V60 in parallel with the all-new Volvo S60. The result is a solution that features changes and refinements to virtually every single detail that effects the car’s load carrying capabilities.

Volvo’s new sports wagon is available with a choice of two chassis. In the European market, the newly developed dynamic chassis is standard, while other markets will have the touring chassis as standard with the dynamic variant available as an option. The difference between the two chassis alternatives is to be found in the dampers and the front and rear subframes. Here the touring variant has softer settings to give a smooth ride on poorer road surfaces.

In addition to the two standard chassis, all variants of the V60 can be specified with the optional FOUR-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) active chassis, which has been modified and refined for better control and comfort compared with previous Volvos.

The first sports wagon with Advanced Stability Control

The dynamic chassis is backed up by a range of electronic systems that sharpen the sporty driving experience further. Like the all-new S60, the new V60 is fitted with Advanced Stability Control. With a new roll angle sensor, it is possible to identify any skidding tendency at a very early stage. This means that the stability control system can step in earlier and with greater precision.

New Corner Traction Control for smoother cornering

Corner Traction Control is a new feature that uses torque vectoring so the car corners more smoothly. This technology is a further refinement of the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system. When cornering, the car’s inner driven wheel is braked, causing more power to be transmitted to the outer driven wheel. This allows the driver to corner more tightly while reducing any tendency to understeer.

ENGINES

During its first year of production, the new Volvo V60 will be available with a variety of diesel and petrol engines spanning an economical 115 horsepower DRIVe version to an eager high-performance turbocharged T6 model producing 304 horsepower. The focused drive to cut CO2 emissions has lowered fuel consumption throughout the engine range.

More powerful T6 version

The T6 petrol engine has a displacement of 3.0 litres and now pumps out 304 bhp and 440 Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0-62 mph takes 6.6 seconds and top speed is limited to 155 mph.

At the same time, Volvo Cars’ engine specialists have succeeded in cutting fuel consumption by about 10 per cent to 27.7 mpg (EU Combined). The engine’s power is delivered to the wheels via Volvo’s second-generation six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission. New valves and lower friction mean faster gearchanges than before. AWD (All Wheel Drive) is standard on the T6.

Two new 1.6-litre GTDi petrol engines

In addition there is a new 1.6-litre GTDi engine which is available in two versions: 1.6 GTDi (T3) with 150 horsepower and T4 with 180 horsepower

The 180 bhp engine offers maximum torque of 240 Nm from just 1500 rpm all the way up to 5000 rpm. During short-term overboost, it provides an impressive 270 Nm of torque. This gives excellent flexibility throughout the speed range. The 150 horsepower engine offers 240 Nm of torque.

The T4 is available in combination with Volvo’s automatic six-speed Powershift transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox, while the T3 comes with a manual gearbox only. 

Two five-cylinder turbodiesels

The engine range also includes two five-cylinder turbodiesels. The D5 high-performance engine with twin turbos produces 205 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0-62 mph takes 7.9 seconds (manual and automatic). Top speed is 143 mph (limited) with the manual and automatic gearbox.

In the most recent D5 version, which was introduced in spring 2009, performance and driveability requirements have been met by fitting two turbochargers of different sizes, one taking over from the other and providing added power across a broader rev range. The complementary properties of the two turbos are utilised optimally for a combination of high performance and low fuel consumption of 52.5 mpg (EU Combined).

In addition there is the newly developed two-litre D3 producing 163 bhp and 400 Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0-62 mph takes 9.4 seconds (manual and automatic). Top speed is 136 mph (manual) and 133 mph (automatic). The new five-cylinder 2.0D is, in principle, the same engine as the present 2.4D, but cylinder capacity has been reduced with a shorter stroke to optimise fuel consumption. Both turbodiesels are available with a six-speed Geartronic transmission or six-speed manual gearbox.

DRIVe diesel

During the course of the first year of production, a DRIVe version of the new V60 will also be introduced, featuring a 1.6-litre diesel engine. The engine produces 115 bhp and 270 Nm of torque, and will only be available with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Later during the first year of production, the new V60 will also become available in a T5 petrol variant producing 240 bhp and 320 Nm of torque.

SAFETY: THE INDUSTRY LEADER

The all-new Volvo V60 is packed with high-tech solutions that actively help the driver avoid accidents – and help protect the occupants if an accident is unavoidable.

Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake

Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake can detect if a pedestrian steps out into the road in front of the car. If the driver does not respond in time, the car can automatically activate the brakes. 

In an emergency situation the driver first receives an audible warning combined with a flashing light in the windscreen’s head-up display. In order to prompt an immediate, intuitive reaction, this warning resembles a brake light. At the same time, the car’s brakes are pre-charged. If the driver does not react to the warning and an accident is imminent, full braking power is automatically applied.

Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake can avoid a collision with a pedestrian at speeds up to 21 mph if the driver does not react in time. At higher speeds, the focus is on reducing the car’s speed as much as possible prior to impact. Speed can be reduced by up to 15 mph. Statistics reveal that the car’s speed has considerable importance for the outcome of the accident. A lower speed of impact means that the risk of serious injury is significantly reduced.

City Safety as standard

The new Volvo V60 also features City Safety as standard. With City Safety, the car automatically brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops – or if he or she is driving too fast towards a stationary object. The system can lessen or even entirely avoid low-speed rear-end impacts at speeds up to 18 mph.

Volvo’s new sports wagon can naturally also be equipped with a range of additional solutions that help the driver to drive more safely, such as:

• Driver Alert Control (DAC). A unique technology to alert tired and distracted drivers. This function monitors the car’s progress between the lane markers and warns the driver if his or her driving pattern changes in a random or uncontrolled way.
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW) alerts the driver if the car runs across the lane markers without the turn indicator being used.
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) helps detect vehicles in the offset rear blind spot on both sides of the car. A warning lamp beside the relevant door mirror comes on to alert the driver to the danger.
• Active Xenon Lights are articulated headlights that follow the curve of the road. For best possibility illumination when driving in the dark on twisting roads

Rollover Protection System (ROPS)

The new Volvo V60 is equipped with the Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) as standard.

Advanced sensor technology ensures that the belt pre-tensioners and the inflatable curtains deploy in the event of a rollover. This, combined with the safety cage, helps reduce the risk of occupant injury in such situations.

Collision safety including improved Inflatable Curtains

In a collision situation, the well-balanced combination of high-strength steel of various grades interacts to help prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment. The front body structure of the new V60 is divided into four zones, each of which has a different task in the event of deformation. The transverse engine installation creates more space for deformation and helps reduce the risk of intrusion into the passenger compartment in a frontal collision.

The new V60 has safety belt pre-tensioners in all the seats. The Pre-Prepared Restraints (PRS) regulate the airbags and the safety belt load limiters to optimise protection depending on the force of the impact.

Among its various other safety systems the V60 also has an advanced Side Impact Protection System, seat-mounted side airbags, Inflatable Curtains and the Whiplash Protection System – one of the market’s most effective systems for avoiding neck injuries.

The SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) has been further developed in the new V60 to cover a wider range of collision scenarios, for instance if the car is hit from the side ahead of, or behind, the passenger compartment. This has been made possible through the unique use of a gyro to control activation of the inflatable curtains, side-impact airbags and safety belt pre-tensioners. This is possible by combining information from sensors in the car with data from the gyro that is part of the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system.

“The new Volvo V60 is a worthy representative of our aim to build the world’s safest cars – and it marks yet another step towards our goal of no fatalities or serious injuries in a new Volvo car by the year 2020,” says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Cars.

INSIDE THE ALL-NEW VOLVO V60

The interior of the V60 sports wagon is a clear example of how Volvo Cars’ designers have added excitement and contrast to the Scandinavian design tradition’s rational simplicity and functionality. The V60 is a five-seater car offering comfortable space for all its occupants.

• The 40/20/40-split rear seat and the fold-flat front passenger seat make it possible to combine passengers and load in a very flexible way. Each backrest in the three-piece rear seat is folded with exceptional ease to create an entirely flat load floor. The rear seat headrests can be folded electrically.
• The load area has been designed for maximum utilisation of each available millimetre. The 1095 millimetre wide tailgate in combination with extra space behind the wheel housings and under the load floor is an example of the systematic approach adopted to ensure generous load capacity. The load area has a capacity of 430 litres with the rear seats in place.
• The rear seat can be specified with integrated child booster cushions in the two outer seats. 

“Load-carrying ability is not just about volume. It is equally about the load space’s shape and flexibility. We have worked hard to free-up load-carrying area and to provide capacity that truly makes a difference to the car owner. We have created the extra centimetres you need to bring with you those items that give life that added spice,” says Jonathan Disley, head of interior design in the new V60.

Easily accessible storage space is an important part of interior comfort and convenience. For instance, the new V60 has a storage compartment behind the centre stack and another in the centre console armrest, while in the door pockets there is space for books, maps and soft-drink bottles and cans. Both the front and rear seat occupants have seat pockets within easy reach. 

In the field of comfort, there are features such as the optional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which automatically maintains a set gap to the vehicle in front. What is new is that the Adaptive Cruise Control operates at speeds below 30 km/h, all the way down to standstill in a car with automatic transmission.

The new V60 can be equipped with parking sensors front and rear and a Park Assist camera at the rear. A camera in the front grille with a 180° field of vision is a new Volvo feature that is available as an accessory. The camera is a great asset when manoeuvring in crossings with limited view or when driving out from a tight and narrow exit such as a parking garage. The image from the camera is displayed on the 7-inch screen in the centre stack.  

Entirely new Infotainment system

The new V60, like the all-new S60, gets an all-new Infotainment system where information is presented on a five-inch or seven-inch colour screen in the instrument panel. The screen has a high position to make it easy for the driver to keep his or her eyes on the road.

The Volvo V60 is one of the first car models in the world to use the Audyssey Laboratories MultEQ technology. MultEQ eliminates the distortion caused by the car cabin’s acoustics, providing crisp, clear sound with improved soundstage for everyone in the car.

In addition to the top-of-the line Premium Sound, which comes with a 7-inch screen, there are another three audio systems, all of which have been tailored for the V60 by Volvo Cars’ own experts.

Dolby Digital gives perfect concert quality

The new Volvo V60 can be specified with Dolby Digital which provides a more distinct surround-sound audio experience from Dolby Digital soundtracks. The result is perfect concert quality when listening to live-recorded music. The system also features Dolby Pro Logic II Surround that transforms ordinary stereo content into rich, full-range surround sound.

Clean Zone Interior gives enhanced comfort

The Electronic Climate Control system, ECC, offers automatic control of both temperature and ventilation. The car can be equipped with IAQS (Interior Air Quality System) which prevents particles and unpleasant odours from entering the cabin.

To offer highly sensitive passengers even better climate comfort, the system has also been equipped with Clean Zone Interior, a system based on ECC and IAQS. When the car is unlocked using the remote control, the passenger compartment is automatically ventilated if the outdoor temperature exceeds 10 degrees Celsius.

“The interior of the new V60 is all about innovative design in two areas: form and technology. The design is characterised by sporty freshness down to the smallest detail. The technological aspect includes all those smart solutions that contribute to a driving experience unlike that of any other Volvo – from collision avoidance safety and comfort systems to infotainment and audio excellence of absolute world class,” concluded Tomas Ahlborg.

European target group

The initial annual target for the new Volvo V60 is 50,000 cars, 90 per cent of which will go to European buyers. The five largest markets are Sweden, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy and Germany. The new V60 will be built at the Volvo Cars production plant in Torslanda, Sweden and first cars will be delivered to customers in autumn 2010.

Volvo Cars’ crash-test laboratory in Torslanda, Sweden, celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year and the 3,000 full-scale tests that have been carried out during the high-tech facility’s first decade have helped give Volvo owners even safer cars.

“The risk of being involved in an accident or being injured in one of our latest car models has more than halved compared with a Volvo from the 1970s. We are continuously taking new steps towards our vision that nobody should die or suffer serious injuries in a new Volvo car by the year 2020. The crash-test laboratory is a central part of this development,” says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Cars.

“We can replicate most of the accident scenarios that take place out on the roads. By analysing the results and then testing new safety technology, we can improve the safety level in our cars so that they become even safer in real-life traffic conditions,” commented Thomas Broberg.

When the new safety centre was inaugurated by Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf in early 2000, it was one of the most advanced in the car industry – a position it has retained over the years due to the continuous implementation of new equipment and new test methods. The latest technology addition is a set of digital high-speed cameras that can take 200,000 frames per second.

“The new cameras give us exceptional scope for studying the tiniest detail of a collision. We also have a number of miniature cameras that are installed inside the cars to capture what happens with various key components in the vehicle,” relates Thomas Broberg.

Fixed and movable tracks

The crash-test laboratory has one fixed and one movable test track. The movable track can be adjusted from 0 to 90 degrees. This makes it possible to carry out tests involving a variety of incident and accident scenarios, from frontal impacts to side impacts, between two moving cars approaching at different angles and speeds. More over, avoidance and mitigation of collision can also be tested. The facility can currently handle more than 400 full-scale tests a year.

The two tracks meet above a six metre deep, Plexiglas-covered pit used for filming the collision tests from underneath. Over the years, the Plexiglas shield has witnessed a number of remarkable crash tests.  For instance, in 2003 Volvo Cars demonstrated the side-impact protection of the Volvo S40 to media representatives by allowing the compact sedan model to be struck by a far larger XC90 model travelling at 31 mph.

“The degree of precision in a test in which two moving cars collide at 31 mph is 2.5 centimetres. This corresponds to two thousandths of a second. By way of comparison, a blink of the human eye takes about 60 thousandths of a second. This says a whole lot about the laboratory’s precision,” says Thomas Broberg.

Crash tests in the opposite direction

Crash tests on both tracks can also be carried out in the opposite direction. At the end of the fixed track there is a concrete slab that can be used for various tests including rollovers and tests including avoidance or mitigation of a crash. At the end of the movable track, the surrounding landscape serves as an integrated part of the crash-test laboratory. Here crash tests are carried out against a variety of objects found in the traffic environment.

The lab’s crash block weighs 850 tonnes and is moved around with the help of air cushions. In addition, there are around 20 other fixed and movable barriers covering Volvo Cars’ own, stringent test regime as well as various official test requirements.

In addition to the lab’s full-time employees there is a team of about 100 silent yet efficient staff members in the form of crash-test dummies: men, women and children of different sizes and ages. The dummies are advanced measuring instruments with different designs and configurations for different crash situations.

“In order to offer cars with a world-class safety level, we must ensure that our safety systems are suitable for different occupant sizes at a wide range of speeds and in various traffic situations. It is this ability to replicate incidents and accidents from real-life traffic situations that makes our Safety Centre special. The crash-test laboratory can also help verify the functionality of collision-avoiding technologies,” says Thomas Broberg. He adds: “By analysing these and then testing new safety technology in the crash-test laboratory, we can improve the safety level in our cars so that they become even safer in real-life traffic conditions.”

Crash-test laboratory – Milestones 2000-2010

• 2000– The new crash-test laboratory is inaugurated on 29 March by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. It is one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the world.
• 2000- Tests of central road dividers made by wires.
• 2001- Volvo Cars is appointed Centre of Excellence for safety within the parent corporation, Ford Motor Company. Over the following years, many crash tests are carried out on various models from Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Ford of Europe in Volvo’s high-tech crash-test laboratory. The laboratory is also used by Volvo Trucks.
• 2002- A new test rig for roll-over tests is demonstrated. The media are invited to witness a roll-over test of the new Volvo XC90.
• 2003- Media activity involving a crash test in which the company’s largest model, the XC90, drives into the side of the then-smallest model in the range, the Volvo S40, at 31 mph.
• 2007- The 2000^th crash test was carried out in May.
• 2008- A new set of digital high-speed cameras are installed. They can take 200,000 frames a second and this advanced technology provides enhanced scope for studying in minute detail exactly what happens to the test dummies and the car in a collision.
• 2008- New test rig introduced that creates the unique possibility to film the car from below when it hits a lamppost or tree.
• 2010- The crash-test laboratory – which is still one of the most advanced in the automotive industry – celebrates its 10^th anniversary on 6^th May by performing three different types of complex crash tests in front of 100 invited journalists. Almost 3,000 crash tests have been carried out in the laboratory during its first ten years of operation.

Facts from Volvo Cars Safety Centre

• The Volvo Cars Safety Centre is designed to carry out advanced crash tests that contribute to increased knowledge and the development of safer Volvo cars. The laboratory makes it possible to replicate most of the accident scenarios that occur in real-life traffic.
• The crash-test laboratory was inaugurated in 2000.
• The crash test laboratory has a capacity to carry out more than 400 full-scale tests per year.
• The crash-test laboratory has one fixed (154 metre) and one movable (108 metre) test track. The movable test track can be moved from 0 to 90 degrees to perform crashes such as frontal impacts, rear end collisions, side impacts, and collisions between two moving cars at different angles and speeds.
• On the fixed test track, the maximum speed for a passenger car is 75 mph. On the movable test track, maximum speed is 50 mph. The speeds on each test track can be regulated independently of one another.
• Point of impact precision in a test in which two moving cars hit at 31 mph is 2.5 centimetres, corresponding to two thousandths of a second. By comparison, the blink of a human eye takes about 60 thousandths of a second.
• On the fixed track it is also possible to crash-test trucks at speeds of up to 50 mph.
• Crash tests on both test tracks can also be carried out in the opposite direction. At the other end of the fixed test track there is a 15×70 metre concrete slab that is used for various tests such as rollovers. At the other end of the movable test track, the surrounding landscape is an integrated part of the crash-test laboratory. Here crash tests are carried out against a variety of objects found in the traffic environment.
• At the point where the two test tracks meet, there is a 6 metre deep, Plexiglas-covered pit for filming crash tests from below. The cameras that film the tests from above are installed in a rig 11 metres above the point of impact.
• There are about 50 high-speed cameras. The fastest can take 200,000 frames per second. The smallest cameras can be used to study the way in which small components inside the cars are affected by the collision forces.
• The laboratory’s crash block weighs 850 tonnes. It is moved with the help of air cushion technique. Different types of crash test barriers can be built on three sides of the block.
• There are around 20 other barriers to support Volvos own extensive testing, based on knowledge from real life situations, as well as the various official test requirements.
• Volvo Cars’ also performs crash tests in a unique crash test simulator using a reinforced car body with the actual interior that is to be tested. The crash simulator can recreate the tipping, or pitch, in real-life collisions without destroying the car body. It can also simulate intrusion into the passenger compartment, using ten pistons representing different parts of the car.
• A new car model that is being crash tested in the lab has already been tested thousands of times in Volvo’s computers. In the computer a crash test can efficiently be simulated a number of times with different parameters without destroying a car.
• Volvo Cars also has 100 different types of crash-test dummy to represent men, women and children of different sizes, weights and ages. There are different dummies used for different situations and different purpose e.g. frontal crash test dummies, side impact dummies and rear end dummies.

The Volvo range has been enhanced with a range of new engine additions and enhancements for the 2011 Model Year update. These new engines include the addition of a new two-litre five cylinder diesel powerplant which is introduced to the XC60 and XC70 models and replaces the familiar four-cylinder 136 PS unit in the C30, S40, V50, C70, V70 and S80. All new engines are available to order now.

The new five-cylinder 2.0D diesel is, in principle, the same engine as the well-established 2.4-litre diesel, but its displacement has been reduced with a shorter stroke to optimise fuel consumption. The injection system also has a different type of piezoelectric fuel injector compared with the D5 engine. These injectors minimize fuel consumption with their exceptionally rapid and precise injection pulses under high pressure to promote extremely efficient combustion. This engine is now available to order in all cars across the range apart from the Volvo XC90 seven-seat SUV.

“This new engine offers greater driving pleasure across the range and our strong drive to reduce carbon dioxide emissions means that fuel consumption has been cut as well,” says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President Product Development at Volvo Cars.

As part of Volvo’s new engine nomenclature and to simplify Volvo’s engine badging, all new engines, including the new five-cylinder 2.0D, will be badged depending on the power output. For example, the 150 PS version of the new 2.0D in the C30, S40, V50 and C70 is named D3 and an uprated 177 PS version of this same engine is labeled D4. In the Volvo S80, V70, XC70 and XC60 the newly developed 2-litre diesel engine produces 163 PS and is badged the D3. This hierarchic naming has been introduced to allow customers to more easily understand which engine is the most powerful and which fuel it is driven by – D for diesel and historically T has been used for Volvo’s petrol cars. Volvo’s naming strategy also follows the principle that the higher the number the more powerful it is – a D5 engine has more power that a D3.

As an example, the award-winning Volvo XC60 range has been enhanced with the addition of the new two-litre diesel 163 PS front-wheel-drive powerplant. The new D3 engine replaces the 2.4D FWD 175 PS variant and will become the new DRIVe engine emitting only 154g/km of CO₂ emissions and 47.9 mpg.

The new frugal D3 DRIVe will also appeal to fleet managers, not only because CO₂ emissions fall below the all-important 160g/km Writing Down Allowance, but it’s also the first time the XC60 is available with a 2.0D engine. With the DRIVe model fitting in neatly below the crucial 160g/km tax band at 154g/km, its Benefit-in-Kind credentials are strong with a 20 per cent tax payer paying £98 per month and 40 per cent tax payer paying £195 for the XC60 D3 DRIVe ES. The new D3 engine is also available with automatic transmission, however, as this variant delivers slightly higher CO₂ levels it will not be badged DRIVe.

New engines in the Volvo C30 SportsCoupe, S40 Saloon, V50 Sportswagon and C70 Coupe/Convertible

The new five-cylinder 2.0D engine is fitted in two guises to the C30, S40, V50 and C70. In its lower state of tune, it produces 150 PS and is badged D3 while an uprated 177 PS version is named D4. Both emit only 134 g/km of CO₂ and offer drivers 55.4 mpg in the C30, S40 and V50 and 47.9 mpg and 154 g/km in the C70. The D3 and D4 are available in both manual and automatic transmission across all four models.

New D2 engine with 114 g/km CO₂ emissions
The C30, S40 and V50 are also available with a new four cylinder 1.6-litre diesel engine – badged D2. Fuel consumption in all three models is 65.7 mpg, which corresponds to CO₂ emissions of only 114 g/km. The engine produces 115 PS and 270 Nm of torque and now comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The previous 1.6D 109 PS DRIVe engine with Start/Stop will remain in the C30, S40 and V50 ranges along with the 1.6, 2.0 and range-topping T5 petrol engines. The 2.4i and D5 are no longer available in the C30, S40, V50 and C70 models.

The D2, D3 and D4 engines all meet the Euro 5 emission standards.

Volvo S80 executive saloon, XC60 crossover, V70 and XC70 premium estates

In the Volvo S80, V70, XC70 and XC60, the newly developed 2-litre diesel engine produces 163 PS and 400 Nm of torque and is badged D3. The D5 twin-turbo diesel and high-performance T6 petrol engine remain in the ranges and have both benefitted from improvements.

The D5 205 PS has seen a drop in CO₂ emissions. For example, the D5 emissions in the XC60 have fallen from 183 g/km to 174 g/km. The T6 powertrain in the V70, XC70 and XC60 has been upgraded to offer a 19 PS boost to a storming 304 PS at 440 Nm thanks to a reduction in internal friction. Maximum torque is achieved between 2100 and 4200 revs. This results in rapid acceleration and smooth driving properties. Emissions have also been reduced – Volvo XC60 T6 emissions, for example, have dropped from 274 g/km to 249 g/km. The D3, D5 and T6 engines are all Euro 5 compliant.

Fuel consumption (EU Combined) and CO₂ emissions:

The S80 and V70 retain the 2.5T petrol engine and the low-CO₂ emitting DRIVe 109 PS variant. The V8 AWD Auto remains available in the Volvo S80.

Generously equipped trim levels

Another facet of Volvo’s 2011 Model Year update is a change in the specification hierarchy with the introduction of the ES trim level. The ES replaces the S specification and includes all the features and safety systems you would expect from Volvo.

Volvo XC60 specifications

The XC60 ES specification includes 17″ alloy wheels, City Safety, ECC (Electric Climate Control), Information Centre, Cruise Control, Performance Sound Audio System, Aux input for MP3 Players and CD player, leather steering wheel remote controls and rear spoiler.

The XC60 SE is further enhanced with autofolding power door mirrors, rain sensor, High Performance Audio System, Bluetooth, Rear Park Assist, Air Quality System, power tailgate, leather steering wheel, height adjustable passenger seat, roof rails and autodimming rear view mirror.

The top of the range, XC60 SE Lux, is the ultimate in luxury. Above and beyond SE specification, the SE Lux has Active Bending Lights, headlight cleaning system, power drivers seat with memory, leather-faced upholstery, silver roof rails and 18″ alloy wheels.

The sports-inspired R-DESIGN adds all the sporty visual features to the ES specification including a specially tuned sports chassis and sharper driving characteristics, enabling customers to enjoy the XC60′s practicality together with more dynamic handling and distinctive styling.

To enhance the R-DESIGN specification, a selection of options have been packaged together to form the R-DESIGN Convenience Pack. This cost-effective new pack is priced at £1,500 and is only available R-DESIGN models and includes Autodimming Rear View Mirror, Autofolding Power Mirrors with Ground Lights, rain sensor, rear park assist, power operated tailgate, High Performance Sound Audio System and Bluetooth.

The Premium upgrade remains available on XC60 SE, SE Lux and R-DESIGN models. The combination of leather-faced upholstery, satellite navigation, DAB radio and High Performance Audio System are all designed to compliment the existing high level of specification and is priced at £2,000 extra on SE, £1,250 on SE Lux and £1,500 on R-DESIGN.

Polestar Performance, the team behind Volvo’s championship-winning Swedish Touring Car Team, announce further technical details on the 400 PS AWD Volvo C30 Performance Concept Prototype.

This weekend Volvo Cars and Polestar enter their fifteenth consecutive motorsport season in the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) and as reining champions. But prior to the new racing season, Polestar engineers have turned their attention to the road car version of their Volvo C30 racer.

Developing 400 PS and transferring the power to the road via an all-wheel-drive system, the C30 Performance Concept Prototype was designed to evaluate what happens when a Championship-winning team of race engineers and designers get free-rein to design and engineer a car rather than developing it to fit very specific race regulations. With the Volvo C30 Concept, Polestar aimed to build further on the strong driving characteristics of the standard C30 and at the same time illustrate the link between the racing cars and the Polestar Performance products.

The car is based on Polestar’s unique experience from developing the Volvo C30 into a winning race car. The interior and exterior design reflects Polestar’s know-how on the C30′s aerodynamic and driving properties derived through several years of development and testing – from computer simulations, to wind tunnel and race track testing.

Polestar C30 Performance Concept Prototype Technical Specification

Engine:

Volvo T5: 2.5L Turbo with larger intercooler and KKK 26 turbo

Modified pistons, conrods and inlet camshaft

Power Output: 405 hp. Torque: 510 Nm

Drivetrain:

Quaife mechanical differential brake front and rear

Haldex AWD

Chassis:

Öhlins shock absorbers and springs

More responsive steering rack with 2,25 ratio

Brakes:

Front: Brembo 380mm discs with six piston calipers

Rear: Brembo 330mm discs with four piston calipers

Rims and Tyres:

BBS FI 19×8,75″

Pirelli  P Zero 235/35 ZR 19

Interior:

Racing seats with Ternsjö leather and four point harness

Exterior:

Aerodynamics derived from the STCC race car

For more information, please log on to www.polestar.se

Prices and full specification details have been announced for the all-new Volvo S60 models. Prices range from £23,295 for the D3 ES (163PS) up to £36,745 for the top-of-the-range T6 AWD SE Lux Geartronic Premium. Orders can be placed now ahead of the car’s arrival in dealer showrooms in July, with first customer deliveries in August.

The all-new S60 is a four-door coupé; sportier and more distinct than any previous Volvo and it promises excellent driving dynamics in its design. To deliver on this visual promise, and to give the highest levels of driving enjoyment, the chassis team have refined every single detail that influences a car’s driving properties and fine-tuned the driving experience to offer the most dynamic driving characteristics ever seen before on a Volvo.

The all-new S60 range will be available with a choice of two diesels and one petrol engine. The newly- developed five-cylinder 2.0-litre D3 engine produces 163hp and 400Nm of torque. With a manual gearbox, fuel consumption is up to 54.3mpg (EU Combined, preliminary figure). The now-familiar twin-turbo D5 powerplant produces 205hp and 420Nm of torque and accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds. In the guise of the new S60, the D5 engine delivers fuel consumption of 53.3mpg (EU Combined).

The high-performance derivative in the S60 range is the T6 which benefits from the newly-enhanced 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine that generates 304hp and 440 Nm of torque. This engine powers the car from zero to 62mph in just 6.5 seconds and onto a top speed of 155 mph, while still offering fuel consumption of 28.5mpg (EU Combined).

Ground-breaking Pedestrian Detection technology with Full Auto Brake

The all-new Volvo S60 features the ground-breaking Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake system. Pedestrian Detection consists of a newly developed radar unit integrated into the car’s grille, a camera fitted in front of the interior rear-view mirror, and a central control unit. The radar’s task is to detect any object in front of the car and to determine the distance to it. The camera’s role is to determine what type of object it is. The full auto brake part of the technology also responds to vehicles in front of the S60 that are at a standstill or moving in the same direction.

The camera has a higher resolution than the previous-generation auto brake unit which now makes it possible to detect the pedestrian’s pattern of movement. In addition, the newly-developed dual-mode radar has a significantly wider field of vision so that even pedestrians who might be about to step into the road can be detected.

In an emergency situation, the driver first receives an audible warning combined with a flashing light in the windscreen’s head-up display. In order to generate an immediate, intuitive reaction, this warning resembles a brake light. At the same time, the car’s brakes are pre-charged. If the driver does not react to the warning and an accident is imminent, full braking power is automatically applied. Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake can avoid a collision with a pedestrian at speeds of up to 21mph. At higher vehicle speeds, the system’s focus is on reducing the car’s speed as much as possible prior to the impact, with the speed falling by up to 21mph.

Pedestrian Detection combined with ACC (adaptive cruise control) with Distance Alert, Queue Assist and Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake is available as an option on the all-new Volvo S60 for £1,350¹.

The highest levels of standard safety technology

Standard features on new S60 models include all the safety systems customers have come to expect from Volvo, including City Safety. First seen on the XC60, City Safety automatically brakes the vehicle from speeds up to 19mph if the car in front stops. In addition, DSTC (dynamic stability and traction control), WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System), SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) and Inflatable Curtain airbags that protect the driver and occupants are all standard.

ES, SE and SE Lux

All new Volvo S60′s benefit from standard features including Electronic Climate Control, Cruise Control, 5″ colour screen as part of the new Infotainment system², Information Centre, floor mats, Passenger Airbag Cut-Off Switch, steering wheel remote audio controls, alloy wheels and leather steering wheel and gear stick.

Customers can specify three equipment levels, including the new entry-level ES trim. Although the entry point into the range, it still benefits from all the standard equipment listed above as well as Performance Sound Audio System, Textile upholstery, 16″ alloy wheels and Charcoal trim.

The SE trim level starts from £25,295 for the D3 engine and maintains all the standard equipment in the ES alongside Tylosand textile/Vinyl upholstery, Shimmer Graphite aluminium trim, watch dials, Auto Dimming rear view mirror, Autofolding Power Door Mirrors with Puddle Lights, rain sensor, High Performance Sound System, Bluetooth, Rear Park Assist and 17″ alloy wheels.

Starting from £27,095 (D3), the top-of-the-range SE Lux combines the ES and SE specifications and incorporates Power Drivers Seat & Memory, leather-faced upholstery, Active Bending Lights and headlamp cleaning.

To further enhance these already comprehensive specifications, a Premium Pack upgrade is available on SE and SE Lux trim levels which adds leather-faced upholstery, satellite navigation system, DAB Digital Radio and High Performance Multimedia audio system to the car.

Options and Accessories

The all-new Volvo S60 is available with a wide variety of options and accessories including Satellite Navigation, heated front seats, 6 x CD Player, sunroof, Rear Seat Entertainment and Geartronic transmission.

Some options have been conveniently grouped together to provide a cost-effective option package. The Driver Support Pack includes Pedestrian Detection combined with ACC (adaptive cruise control) with Distance Alert, Queue Assist and Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake, plus Lane Departure Warning with Driver Alert, Autofolding Power Door Mirrors with Puddle Lights and BLIS (Blind Spot Information System). This pack costs £1,250 on SE and SE Lux and £1,450 on ES.

There is also an exterior styling kit which enhances the sporty appearance of the all-new Volvo S60. The kit incorporates front and rear skid plates, two frames in the lower valence, side scuff plates and exhaust tailpipe finishers and costs £1,150 including dealer fitment and VAT.

Pricing

The all-new Volvo S60 has made its international debut at the Geneva Motor Show. It launches into one of the automotive world’s most competitive segments backed by an elegant new coupé-like design, dynamic driving characteristics and ground-breaking Pedestrian Detection safety technology.

In its overall shape, the all-new S60 is a coupé; sportier and more distinct than any previous Volvo. In its design, it promises excellent driving characteristics, even before you get behind the wheel. To deliver the highest levels of driving enjoyment, the chassis team have refined every single detail that influences a car’s driving properties and fine-tuned the driving experience to offer the most dynamic ride ever seen before on a Volvo.

The all-new S60 range will be available from launch with a choice of two diesels and one petrol engine, including an uprated high-performance 3.0-litre T6 petrol version with 304bhp, a 2.4-litre 205bhp D5 and a 2.0-litre 163bhp D3 powerplant. A DRIVe version powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine with CO2 emissions of approximately 115g/km and fuel economy of up to 65.7mpg (combined cycle, preliminary figure) will join the range later in 2011.

DESIGN
In its overall shape, the all-new S60 is a four-door coupé – sportier and more distinct than any previous Volvo.

The C-pillar of the all-new S60 stretches all the way to the tail lamps – and the slim coupé -like roof line is accompanied by a new contour on the shoulders on either side of the lower body. This creates a gentle double wave in the line from the headlamps at the front to the tail lamps at the rear.

The S60’s athletic stance is accentuated by a sculpted bonnet and short overhangs front and rear, plus what Volvo’s design team calls the “racetrack” design. The car’s lines do not end abruptly but instead continue to flow organically, echoing the smooth shapes of the racetrack.

This sporty appearance can be further enhanced with an exterior styling kit that incorporates front and rear skid plates, two frames in the lower valence, side scuff plates, exhaust tailpipe finishers and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Volvo’s designers have also used LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology to create distinctive, signature lights at the front and rear that make the car clearly identifiable as an S60, even in the dark.

The all-new Volvo S60 is being introduced with a range of exterior colours including two new shades: Vibrant Copper and Electrum Gold.

NEW DYNAMIC CHASSIS
The new Volvo S60 is the most sporting Volvo ever built and during the development process, the chassis team refined every single detail to fine tune the driving experience. The result of their labours is a newly-developed Dynamic chassis, standard on every new Volvo S60.

The steering gear ratio is 10 per cent faster than in previous models to give enhanced steering feel and sharper response. The steering column’s thicker tubing and stiffer bushes have increased torsional rigidity by 100 per cent. This also contributes to the increased feeling of direct contact with the wheels and the road.

The front spring struts have thicker pistons compared with the sports chassis in the Volvo S80. The resultant 47 per cent increase of stiffness means that the body structure is better able to absorb lateral loads. The springs themselves are shorter and stiffer than before and the Eigen frequency has increased by 10 per cent. At the front, spring strut mounting stiffness has increased by 50 per cent. The front and rear subframe bushes are up to twice as stiff compared with previous models. The link arm bushings have also been optimised for sporty driving and full control.

The damper mountings at the rear are made of PUR (polyurethane) instead of rubber to provide better balance between comfort and dynamic control.

Stefan Sällqvist, responsible for the S60 chassis development explained: “We spent many weeks fine-tuning the dampers out in the English countryside. We drove on old Roman roads that have only ever received a few layers of tarmac over the centuries – a perfect environment for finding the right damping qualities.”

Advanced Stability Control
The Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) in the all-new S60 has a number of sophisticated features to improve driving pleasure and safety. The S60 is the first saloon on the market with Volvo’s Advanced Stability Control. With a new roll sensor, it’s possible to identify any skidding tendency at a very early stage. This means that the anti-skid system can step in earlier and with greater precision. Advanced Stability Control is a great asset in dynamic driving that involves considerable lateral forces.

New Corner Traction Control for smoother curves
The dynamic new chassis is backed up by a range of electronic systems that further sharpen the sporty driving experience. Corner Traction Control is a new feature that uses torque vectoring so the car takes corners more smoothly. This technology is a further refinement of the DSTC system. When taking a curve, the car’s inner driven wheel is braked at the same time as more power is transmitted to the outer driven wheel. This allows the driver to take the corner more tightly while reducing any tendency to understeer.

Advanced, integrated braking functions
A highly advanced braking system is an important part of the dynamic driving properties of the all-new S60. A number of features interact to provide the shortest possible stopping distance in all scenarios. Technology includes:

* Ready Alert Brakes can predict when emergency braking is needed. The brake calipers are applied lightly to the brake discs even before the driver presses the brake pedal.
* Hydraulic Brake Assist helps the driver brake in the shortest possible distance. In an emergency situation where the driver does not press the brake pedal fast or hard enough, Hydraulic Brake Assist can help utilise the ABS system optimally and thus shorten the overall braking distance.
* Optimised Hydraulic Brakes is a system that amplifies braking ability during firm braking by using hydraulics to compensate for low vacuum pressure in the brake servo.
* Fading Brake Support uses the hydraulic system to gradually build up brake pressure during long, hard braking. This helps reduce the risk of brake fade and maintains pedal feel.
* The all-new S60 is equipped with an Electronic Parking Brakeas standard.

FOUR-C as an option
All variants of the new S60 can be specified with the FOUR-C active chassis, which has been modified and refined for better control and comfort. This is an advanced, self-adjusting chassis system that uses a number of sensors to continuously monitor the car’s behaviour. In mere fractions of a second, the dampers are adjusted to suit the current driving situation.

With three alternative chassis settings, all it takes is for the driver to press a button to alter the car’s character: Comfort, Sport or Advanced.

ENGINE RANGE
At launch, the S60 range will be available with a choice of two diesels and one petrol engine. All the engines have been developed to meet the highest demands on sporty, dynamic driving with competitive fuel consumption.

All-new Volvo S60 engine programme from start of production:

Two five-cylinder turbo diesels
The high-performance twin turbo D5 produces 205 horsepower and 420Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 7.8 seconds (manual and automatic) and top speed is 146mph (manual) and 143mph (automatic). In the most recent D5 version, introduced in spring 2009, the performance and driveability requirements have been met by fitting two turbochargers of different sizes, one taking over from the other and providing added power within a broader rev range. The result is alert response and rapid acceleration at all speeds, with seamless transfers in the turbo rev range between the two turbochargers. The complementary properties of the two turbos combine high performance with lower fuel consumption of 47.9mpg (EU Combined, preliminary figure).

Advanced fuel injection technology using piezoelectric fuel valves gives exact distribution of fuel in the combustion chamber, with efficient combustion and low emissions as a result.

Smaller displacement lowers fuel consumption
In addition there is the newly-developed 2.0-litre D3 engine producing 163hp and 400Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 9.2 seconds (manual and automatic) and top speed is 137mph (manual) and 134 mph (automatic).

The new five-cylinder 2.0D is, in principle, the same engine as the present 2.4D, but cylinder capacity has been reduced with a shorter stroke to optimise fuel consumption. With a manual gearbox fuel consumption is now up to 54.3mpg (EU Combined, preliminary figure).

The engine has been optimised to offer reduced fuel consumption and the injection system has a different type of piezoelectrical fuel valve compared with the D5 engine. These valves keep fuel consumption to a minimum thanks to exceptionally fast and precise injection pulses under high pressure. This results in far more efficient combustion.

In order to give the car better driving properties, the turbocharger has been fine-tuned for high torque from low revs.

Both turbodiesels are available with six-speed manual gearbox as standard or an optional six-speed automatic transmission. A maintenance-free particulate filter that traps about 95 percent of the soot particles is fitted as standard in both engines.

High-performance T6 petrol engine
The 3.0-litre T6 petrol engine generates 304 hp and 440 Nm of torque, enhancing acceleration and smooth progress on the road. Acceleration from 0-62 mph takes 6.5 seconds and top speed is 155 mph. Volvo Cars’ engine specialists have succeeded in cutting fuel consumption by about 10 per cent to 27.7 mpg (EU Combined, preliminary figure).

The engine’s power is delivered to the wheels via Volvo’s second-generation six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission. New valves and lower friction mean faster gear changes than before. AWD (All Wheel Drive) is standard on the T6.

Engines to be added during first year of production:

DRIVe diesel below 115 g/km
During the first year of production a DRIVe version of the all-new S60 will be introduced, featuring a new 1.6-litre diesel engine. Fuel consumption will be an impressive 65.7mpg (EU Combined, preliminary figure), corresponding to CO2 emissions approximately below 115 g/km. The uprated engine produces 115 hp and 270 Nm of torque, and will only be available with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Later during the first year of production, the all-new S60 will also become available with a 2.0 GTDi variant (T5) producing 240 hp and torque of 320 Nm. Furthermore, there will be a 1.6-litre GTDi engine available in two versions: 180 hp (T4) and 150 hp (T3) with torque of 240 Nm.

All the GTDi engines will be available in combination with Volvo’s optional automatic six-speed Powershift transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The Powershift concept works like two parallel manual gearboxes with separate clutches, giving quick and fuel-saving gearchanges.

Further information on these engines will be communicated at a later date.

PEDESTRIAN DETECTION WITH FULL AUTO BRAKE
The all-new Volvo S60 features the ground breaking Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake system. Pedestrian Detection consists of a newly developed radar unit integrated into the car’s grille, a camera fitted in front of the interior rear-view mirror, and a central control unit. The radar’s task is to detect any object in front of the car and to determine the distance to it. The camera determines what type of object it is.

The full auto brake part of the technology also responds to vehicles in front that are at a standstill or that are moving in the same direction as the car fitted with the system.

The newly developed dual-mode radar’s much wider field of vision ensures that pedestrians about to step into the roadway can be detected early on. The camera has higher resolution than the previous-generation auto brake which makes it possible to detect the pedestrian’s pattern of movement.

“The auto-brake system requires that the object is confirmed by both the radar and the camera. Thanks to the advanced sensor technology used, it is now possible to increase to full braking power,” explains Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Cars.

“Detecting pedestrians with sufficiently high reliability has been a complex challenge. Our innovative technology is programmed to trace a pedestrian’s pattern of movement and also to calculate whether he or she is likely to step into the road in front of the car. The system can detect pedestrians who are 80 cm tall and upwards, that is to say including children.”

New technology permits full braking force
In an emergency situation the driver first receives an audible warning combined with a flashing light in the windscreen’s head-up display. In order to generate an immediate, intuitive reaction, this warning resembles a brake light. At the same time, the car’s brakes are pre-charged. If the driver does not react to the warning and an accident is imminent, full braking power is automatically applied.

This technology has the same limitations as the human eye, and just like us it “sees” less well in the dark and in poor weather.

Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake can avoid a collision with a pedestrian at speeds of up to 21mph if the driver does not react in time. At higher speeds, the focus is on reducing the car’s speed as much as possible prior to the impact. The speed reduction is up to 21mph.

Statistics reveal that the car’s speed has considerable importance for the outcome of the accident. A lower speed of impact means that the risk of serious injury is significantly reduced. For instance, if speed is cut from 30mph to 15mph, Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake is expected to reduce the fatality risk by as much as 20 per cent and in certain cases by up to 85 per cent.

City Safety
The all-new Volvo S60 also features City Safety as standard, as seen on its bigger brother – the XC60. The system can reduce or even entirely avoid low-speed rear-end impacts at speeds up to 18mph.

Additional safety systems available:

* Driver Alert Control (DAC). A unique technology to alert tired and distracted drivers. This function monitors the car’s progress between the lane markers and warns the driver if his or her driving pattern changes in a random or uncontrolled way.
* Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) helps detect vehicles in the rear blind spot on both sides of the car. A warning lamp beside the relevant door mirror comes on to alert the driver to the danger.
* Active Bi-Xenon Lights are articulated headlights that follow the curve of the road. For best possibility illumination when driving in the dark on twisting roads.
* Lane Departure Warning alerts the driver if the car runs across the lane markers without the turn indicator being used.
* Advanced Side Impact Protection System
* Seat-mounted side airbags
* Improved Inflatable Curtains
* Whiplash Protection System

INSIDE THE CABIN
Drivers and passengers can experience the agile new chassis in complete comfort thanks to the spacious and refined cabin. The interior of the new S60 has been designed with driver-oriented details, but is still a five-seater car offering comfortable space for all its occupants. The sculpted outer rear seats give the passenger in the middle welcome side support. Knee space in the rear seat has increased by 30 mm compared with the previous-generation S60.

The designers also took the exterior’s racetrack inspiration into the interior of the car. “Every detail looks like it’s in motion. All the lines ‘embrace’ the driver’s cockpit. The instruments and centre stack are angled towards the driver to create a sensation of focus and control. The new dynamic three-spoke steering wheel and the new sports seats with extra side supports are standard. There isn’t any compromise anywhere in the dynamic approach we adopted from the very beginning,” says Jonathan Disley, head of interior design in the all-new Volvo S60.

Easily accessible storage space is another important part of interior comfort and convenience. The all-new Volvo S60 has a storage compartment behind the centre stack and another in the centre console armrest, while in the door pockets there is space for books, maps, soft-drink bottles and cans. Both the front and rear seat occupants have seat pockets within easy reach. The rear seat splits 40/60 and the boot opening has been made 100 mm wider than in the previous-generation S60.

Beige and black are the main colours of the upholstery range, which is spiced up with the new highlight shade of Beechwood Brown – a tan leather upholstery that traces its proud roots back to classic Volvo models such as the P1800 ES and 164.

Clean Zone Interior gives enhanced comfort
The Electronic Climate Control system, (ECC), offers automatic control of both temperature and ventilation. The all-new Volvo S60 can be equipped with IAQS (Interior Air Quality System) which prevents particles and unpleasant odours from entering the cabin. To offer highly-sensitive passengers even better climate comfort, the system has also been equipped with Clean Zone Interior, a system based on ECC and IAQS. When the car is unlocked using the remote control, the passenger compartment is automatically ventilated if the outdoor temperature exceeds 10 degrees Celsius.

The all-new Volvo S60 also features:

* Optional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Queue Assist, automatically maintains a set gap to the vehicle in front and operates at speeds below 18mph, all the way down to standstill.
* Optional front and rear parking sensors and a rear Park Assist camera.
* Optional camera in the front grille with a 180-degree field of vision that can ‘see around the corner’ to help drivers negotiate blind exits and park with greater safety.

New Infotainment system
The all-new S60 also gets a new Infotainment system that integrates information from the audio unit, navigation system, mobile phone and other functions into a five- or seven-inch colour screen in the upper part of the centre console. The screen is in a high position to make it easy for the driver to keep their eyes on the road.

All the functions can be controlled from the steering wheel or via controls located directly below the colour screen. In addition there is a separate remote control for passengers to use. Integrated navigation with voice control is available as an option, as is the possibility of using Bluetooth to connect the driver’s own mobile phone to the car’s infotainment system.

One of the first cars with MultEQ from Audyssey Laboratories
The all-new Volvo S60 is one of the first cars in the world to use Audyssey Laboratories MultEQ technology, the standard for room equalization in the home and professional theatre markets.

MultEQ removes distortion caused by the cabin’s acoustics enabling crisp, clear sound for everyone in the car.

In addition to the top-of-the line Premium Sound, which comes with a seven-inch screen, the all-new Volvo S60 is available with a choice of three other audio systems:

* Performance – with a 4×20 W amplifier, six loudspeakers and a five-inch screen.
* High Performance – with a 4×40 W amplifier and eight loudspeakers. This system also comes with a five-inch screen.
* High Performance Multimedia – with a 4×40 W amplifier and eight loudspeakers. This level is combined with the optional navigation system and the larger seven-inch screen.

The all-new Volvo S60 makes its international debut at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday 2 March 2010. It launches into one of the automotive world’s most competitive segments backed by an elegant new coupé-like design, dynamic driving characteristics and ground-breaking Pedestrian Detection safety technology.

In its overall shape, the all-new S60 is a coupé; sportier and more distinct than any previous Volvo. In its design, it promises excellent driving characteristics, even before you get behind the wheel. To deliver the highest levels of driving enjoyment, the chassis team have refined every single detail that influences a car’s driving properties and fine-tuned the driving experience to offer the most dynamic ride ever seen before on a Volvo.

The all-new S60 range will be available from launch with a choice of two diesels and one petrol engine, including an uprated high-performance 3.0-litre T6 petrol version with 304bhp, a 2.4-litre 205bhp D5 and a 2.0-litre 163bhp D3 powerplant. A DRIVe version powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine with CO2 emissions of approximately 115g/km and fuel economy of up to 65.7mpg (combined cycle, preliminary figure) will join the range later in 2011.

DESIGN

In its overall shape, the all-new S60 is a four-door coupé – sportier and more distinct than any previous Volvo.

The C-pillar of the all-new S60 stretches all the way to the tail lamps – and the slim coupé -like roof line is accompanied by a new contour on the shoulders on either side of the lower body. This creates a gentle double wave in the line from the headlamps at the front to the tail lamps at the rear.

The S60′s athletic stance is accentuated by a sculpted bonnet and short overhangs front and rear, plus what Volvo’s design team calls the “racetrack” design. The car’s lines do not end abruptly but instead continue to flow organically, echoing the smooth shapes of the racetrack.

This sporty appearance can be further enhanced with an exterior styling kit that incorporates front and rear skid plates, two frames in the lower valence, side scuff plates, exhaust tailpipe finishers and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Volvo’s designers have also used LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology to create distinctive, signature lights at the front and rear that make the car clearly identifiable as an S60, even in the dark.

The all-new Volvo S60 is being introduced with a range of exterior colours including two new shades: Vibrant Copper and Electrum Gold.

NEW DYNAMIC CHASSIS

The new Volvo S60 is the most sporting Volvo ever built and during the development process, the chassis team refined every single detail to fine tune the driving experience. The result of their labours is a newly-developed Dynamic chassis, standard on every new Volvo S60.

The steering gear ratio is 10 per cent faster than in previous models to give enhanced steering feel and sharper response. The steering column’s thicker tubing and stiffer bushes have increased torsional rigidity by 100 per cent. This also contributes to the increased feeling of direct contact with the wheels and the road.

The front spring struts have thicker pistons compared with the sports chassis in the Volvo S80. The resultant 47 per cent increase of stiffness means that the body structure is better able to absorb lateral loads. The springs themselves are shorter and stiffer than before and the Eigen frequency has increased by 10 per cent. At the front, spring strut mounting stiffness has increased by 50 per cent. The front and rear subframe bushes are up to twice as stiff compared with previous models. The link arm bushings have also been optimised for sporty driving and full control.

The damper mountings at the rear are made of PUR (polyurethane) instead of rubber to provide better balance between comfort and dynamic control.

Stefan Sällqvist, responsible for the S60 chassis development explained: “We spent many weeks fine-tuning the dampers out in the English countryside. We drove on old Roman roads that have only ever received a few layers of tarmac over the centuries – a perfect environment for finding the right damping qualities.”

Advanced Stability Control

The Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) in the all-new S60 has a number of sophisticated features to improve driving pleasure and safety. The S60 is the first saloon on the market with Volvo’s Advanced Stability Control. With a new roll sensor, it’s possible to identify any skidding tendency at a very early stage. This means that the anti-skid system can step in earlier and with greater precision. Advanced Stability Control is a great asset in dynamic driving that involves considerable lateral forces.

New Corner Traction Control for smoother curves

The dynamic new chassis is backed up by a range of electronic systems that further sharpen the sporty driving experience. Corner Traction Control is a new feature that uses torque vectoring so the car takes corners more smoothly. This technology is a further refinement of the DSTC system. When taking a curve, the car’s inner driven wheel is braked at the same time as more power is transmitted to the outer driven wheel. This allows the driver to take the corner more tightly while reducing any tendency to understeer.

Advanced, integrated braking functions

A highly advanced braking system is an important part of the dynamic driving properties of the all-new S60. A number of features interact to provide the shortest possible stopping distance in all scenarios. Technology includes:

Ready Alert Brakes can predict when emergency braking is needed. The brake calipers are applied lightly to the brake discs even before the driver presses the brake pedal.
Hydraulic Brake Assist helps the driver brake in the shortest possible distance. In an emergency situation where the driver does not press the brake pedal fast or hard enough, Hydraulic Brake Assist can help utilise the ABS system optimally and thus shorten the overall braking distance.
Optimised Hydraulic Brakes is a system that amplifies braking ability during firm braking by using hydraulics to compensate for low vacuum pressure in the brake servo.
Fading Brake Support uses the hydraulic system to gradually build up brake pressure during long, hard braking. This helps reduce the risk of brake fade and maintains pedal feel.
The all-new S60 is equipped with an Electronic Parking Brake as standard.
FOUR-C as an option

All variants of the new S60 can be specified with the FOUR-C active chassis, which has been modified and refined for better control and comfort. This is an advanced, self-adjusting chassis system that uses a number of sensors to continuously monitor the car’s behaviour. In mere fractions of a second, the dampers are adjusted to suit the current driving situation.

With three alternative chassis settings, all it takes is for the driver to press a button to alter the car’s character: Comfort, Sport or Advanced.

ENGINE RANGE

At launch, the S60 range will be available with a choice of two diesels and one petrol engine. All the engines have been developed to meet the highest demands on sporty, dynamic driving with competitive fuel consumption.

All-new Volvo S60 engine programme from start of production:

Petrol engines Displacement Configuration Output Torque

T6 AWD 3.0 6-cyl in-line 304 bhp 440 Nm

Diesel engines Displacement Configuration Output Torque

D5 2.4 5-cyl in-line 205 bhp 420 Nm

D3 2.0 5-cyl in-line 163 bhp 400 Nm

Two five-cylinder turbo diesels

The high-performance twin turbo D5 produces 205 horsepower and 420Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 7.8 seconds (manual and automatic) and top speed is 146mph (manual) and 143mph (automatic). In the most recent D5 version, introduced in spring 2009, the performance and driveability requirements have been met by fitting two turbochargers of different sizes, one taking over from the other and providing added power within a broader rev range. The result is alert response and rapid acceleration at all speeds, with seamless transfers in the turbo rev range between the two turbochargers. The complementary properties of the two turbos combine high performance with lower fuel consumption of 47.9mpg (EU Combined, preliminary figure).

Advanced fuel injection technology using piezoelectric fuel valves gives exact distribution of fuel in the combustion chamber, with efficient combustion and low emissions as a result.

Smaller displacement lowers fuel consumption

In addition there is the newly-developed 2.0-litre D3 engine producing 163hp and 400Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 9.2 seconds (manual and automatic) and top speed is 137mph (manual) and 134 mph (automatic).

The new five-cylinder 2.0D is, in principle, the same engine as the present 2.4D, but cylinder capacity has been reduced with a shorter stroke to optimise fuel consumption. With a manual gearbox fuel consumption is now up to 54.3mpg (EU Combined, preliminary figure).

The engine has been optimised to offer reduced fuel consumption and the injection system has a different type of piezoelectrical fuel valve compared with the D5 engine. These valves keep fuel consumption to a minimum thanks to exceptionally fast and precise injection pulses under high pressure. This results in far more efficient combustion.

In order to give the car better driving properties, the turbocharger has been fine-tuned for high torque from low revs.

Both turbodiesels are available with six-speed manual gearbox as standard or an optional six-speed automatic transmission. A maintenance-free particulate filter that traps about 95 percent of the soot particles is fitted as standard in both engines.

High-performance T6 petrol engine

The 3.0-litre T6 petrol engine generates 304 hp and 440 Nm of torque, enhancing acceleration and smooth progress on the road. Acceleration from 0-62 mph takes 6.5 seconds and top speed is 155 mph. Volvo Cars’ engine specialists have succeeded in cutting fuel consumption by about 10 per cent to 27.7 mpg (EU Combined, preliminary figure).

The engine’s power is delivered to the wheels via Volvo’s second-generation six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission. New valves and lower friction mean faster gear changes than before. AWD (All Wheel Drive) is standard on the T6.

Engines to be added during first year of production:

Petrol engines Displacement Configuration Output Torque

T5 2.0 4-cyl in-line 240 bhp 320 Nm

T4 1.6 4 cyl in-line 180 bhp 240 Nm

T3 1.6 4-cyl in-line 150 bhp 240 Nm

Diesel engines Displacement Configuration Output Torque

1.6 D DRIVe 1.6 4-cyl in-line 115 bhp 270 Nm

DRIVe diesel below 115 g/km

During the first year of production a DRIVe version of the all-new S60 will be introduced, featuring a new 1.6-litre diesel engine. Fuel consumption will be an impressive 65.7mpg (EU Combined, preliminary figure), corresponding to CO2 emissions approximately below 115 g/km. The uprated engine produces 115 hp and 270 Nm of torque, and will only be available with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Later during the first year of production, the all-new S60 will also become available with a 2.0 GTDi variant (T5) producing 240 hp and torque of 320 Nm. Furthermore, there will be a 1.6-litre GTDi engine available in two versions: 180 hp (T4) and 150 hp (T3) with torque of 240 Nm.

All the GTDi engines will be available in combination with Volvo’s optional automatic six-speed Powershift transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The Powershift concept works like two parallel manual gearboxes with separate clutches, giving quick and fuel-saving gearchanges.

Further information on these engines will be communicated at a later date.

PEDESTRIAN DETECTION WITH FULL AUTO BRAKE

The all-new Volvo S60 features the ground breaking Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake system. Pedestrian Detection consists of a newly developed radar unit integrated into the car’s grille, a camera fitted in front of the interior rear-view mirror, and a central control unit. The radar’s task is to detect any object in front of the car and to determine the distance to it. The camera determines what type of object it is.

The full auto brake part of the technology also responds to vehicles in front that are at a standstill or that are moving in the same direction as the car fitted with the system.

The newly developed dual-mode radar’s much wider field of vision ensures that pedestrians about to step into the roadway can be detected early on. The camera has higher resolution than the previous-generation auto brake which makes it possible to detect the pedestrian’s pattern of movement.

“The auto-brake system requires that the object is confirmed by both the radar and the camera. Thanks to the advanced sensor technology used, it is now possible to increase to full braking power,” explains Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Cars.

“Detecting pedestrians with sufficiently high reliability has been a complex challenge. Our innovative technology is programmed to trace a pedestrian’s pattern of movement and also to calculate whether he or she is likely to step into the road in front of the car. The system can detect pedestrians who are 80 cm tall and upwards, that is to say including children.”

New technology permits full braking force

In an emergency situation the driver first receives an audible warning combined with a flashing light in the windscreen’s head-up display. In order to generate an immediate, intuitive reaction, this warning resembles a brake light. At the same time, the car’s brakes are pre-charged. If the driver does not react to the warning and an accident is imminent, full braking power is automatically applied.

This technology has the same limitations as the human eye, and just like us it “sees” less well in the dark and in poor weather.

Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake can avoid a collision with a pedestrian at speeds of up to 21mph if the driver does not react in time. At higher speeds, the focus is on reducing the car’s speed as much as possible prior to the impact. The speed reduction is up to 21mph.

Statistics reveal that the car’s speed has considerable importance for the outcome of the accident. A lower speed of impact means that the risk of serious injury is significantly reduced. For instance, if speed is cut from 30mph to 15mph, Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake is expected to reduce the fatality risk by as much as 20 per cent and in certain cases by up to 85 per cent.

City Safety

The all-new Volvo S60 also features City Safety as standard, as seen on its bigger brother – the XC60. The system can reduce or even entirely avoid low-speed rear-end impacts at speeds up to 18mph.

Additional safety systems available:

Driver Alert Control (DAC). A unique technology to alert tired and distracted drivers. This function monitors the car’s progress between the lane markers and warns the driver if his or her driving pattern changes in a random or uncontrolled way.
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) helps detect vehicles in the rear blind spot on both sides of the car. A warning lamp beside the relevant door mirror comes on to alert the driver to the danger.
Active Bi-Xenon Lights are articulated headlights that follow the curve of the road. For best possibility illumination when driving in the dark on twisting roads.
Lane Departure Warning alerts the driver if the car runs across the lane markers without the turn indicator being used.
Advanced Side Impact Protection System
Seat-mounted side airbags
Improved Inflatable Curtains
Whiplash Protection System
INSIDE THE CABIN

Drivers and passengers can experience the agile new chassis in complete comfort thanks to the spacious and refined cabin. The interior of the new S60 has been designed with driver-oriented details, but is still a five-seater car offering comfortable space for all its occupants. The sculpted outer rear seats give the passenger in the middle welcome side support. Knee space in the rear seat has increased by 30 mm compared with the previous-generation S60.

The designers also took the exterior’s racetrack inspiration into the interior of the car. “Every detail looks like it’s in motion. All the lines ‘embrace’ the driver’s cockpit. The instruments and centre stack are angled towards the driver to create a sensation of focus and control. The new dynamic three-spoke steering wheel and the new sports seats with extra side supports are standard. There isn’t any compromise anywhere in the dynamic approach we adopted from the very beginning,” says Jonathan Disley, head of interior design in the all-new Volvo S60.

Easily accessible storage space is another important part of interior comfort and convenience. The all-new Volvo S60 has a storage compartment behind the centre stack and another in the centre console armrest, while in the door pockets there is space for books, maps, soft-drink bottles and cans. Both the front and rear seat occupants have seat pockets within easy reach. The rear seat splits 40/60 and the boot opening has been made 100 mm wider than in the previous-generation S60.

Beige and black are the main colours of the upholstery range, which is spiced up with the new highlight shade of Beechwood Brown – a tan leather upholstery that traces its proud roots back to classic Volvo models such as the P1800 ES and 164.

Clean Zone Interior gives enhanced comfort

The Electronic Climate Control system, (ECC), offers automatic control of both temperature and ventilation. The all-new Volvo S60 can be equipped with IAQS (Interior Air Quality System) which prevents particles and unpleasant odours from entering the cabin. To offer highly-sensitive passengers even better climate comfort, the system has also been equipped with Clean Zone Interior, a system based on ECC and IAQS. When the car is unlocked using the remote control, the passenger compartment is automatically ventilated if the outdoor temperature exceeds 10 degrees Celsius.

The all-new Volvo S60 also features:
Optional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Queue Assist, automatically maintains a set gap to the vehicle in front and operates at speeds below 18mph, all the way down to standstill.
Optional front and rear parking sensors and a rear Park Assist camera.
Optional camera in the front grille with a 180-degree field of vision that can ‘see around the corner’ to help drivers negotiate blind exits and park with greater safety.
New Infotainment system

The all-new S60 also gets a new Infotainment system that integrates information from the audio unit, navigation system, mobile phone and other functions into a five- or seven-inch colour screen in the upper part of the centre console. The screen is in a high position to make it easy for the driver to keep their eyes on the road.

All the functions can be controlled from the steering wheel or via controls located directly below the colour screen. In addition there is a separate remote control for passengers to use. Integrated navigation with voice control is available as an option, as is the possibility of using Bluetooth to connect the driver’s own mobile phone to the car’s infotainment system.

One of the first cars with MultEQ from Audyssey Laboratories

The all-new Volvo S60 is one of the first cars in the world to use Audyssey Laboratories MultEQ technology, the standard for room equalization in the home and professional theatre markets.

MultEQ removes distortion caused by the cabin’s acoustics enabling crisp, clear sound for everyone in the car.

In addition to the top-of-the line Premium Sound, which comes with a seven-inch screen, the all-new Volvo S60 is available with a choice of three other audio systems:

Performance – with a 4×20 W amplifier, six loudspeakers and a five-inch screen.
High Performance – with a 4×40 W amplifier and eight loudspeakers. This system also comes with a five-inch screen.
High Performance Multimedia – with a 4×40 W amplifier and eight loudspeakers. This level is combined with the optional navigation system and the larger seven-inch screen.

Volvo Car UK has revealed 119g/km DRIVe versions of its S80 executive saloon and V70 premium estate, the fourth and fifth body style it’s launched delivering CO2 emissions below 120 g/km.

Delivering 109bhp and 240Nm of torque, the modified 1.6 litre turbocharged diesel engine provides improved fuel economy by 5.1mpg to 62.8mpg on the Combined Cycle, increasing both cars’ range to nearly 1100 miles.

Both cars fall into Vehicle Excise Duty Band C – costing motorists just £35 per year – and Volvo estimates the new 119g/km engine reduces annual carbon emissions by 150kg over the S80 and V70 DRIVe’s previous low of 129g/km.

Volvo believes the two new cars offer the best environmental performance in their respective classes. Both cars provide lower Benefit-in-Kind tax bills for company motorists and fuel savings – 60 litres per annum – equivalent to receiving a free tank of fuel each year.

Like all DRIVe models, drivers do not have to compromise on high levels of comfort and specification with both models being available to order in SE, SE Premium, SE Lux and SE Lux Premium trim levels.

Volvo has employed two main techniques to reduce CO2 emissions further on both cars.

Intelligent battery recharging ensures that the car’s control system only allows the alternator to charge the battery when the engine is operating at low load, for instance when driving downhill. In addition the belt that drives the alternator and air conditioning compressor benefits from reduced friction helping lower fuel consumption and emissions.

“There has been a swift pace of development since the launch of our first 119-gramme models in Paris in autumn 2008. Now that we have brought two of the larger models in below the magical 120 g/km limit, few of our competitors can now match us when it comes to offering customers an extensive range of low emission cars,” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell.

At the Detroit Motor Show, Volvo Cars is presenting a complete battery electric Volvo C30 with a range of 150 km (94 miles).
The next step forward is to build a test fleet of at least 50 electric Volvo C30s, which will be used in real-life traffic from 2011.
 
Volvo presented a driveable electric car prototype in September 2009. The C30 now being shown in Detroit takes the company one step further in the development process. It features both a complete interior and full instrumentation, as well as enhanced battery packaging.

‘The first prototype helped us identify the main technological challenges, such as battery packaging and safety issues. We have addressed these challenges without compromising the C30′s cool and fun-to-drive personality. I am very happy with the result. The electric C30 in Detroit is a much more complete product,’ says Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.

The next step in 2010 is a factory-built series of test cars. Selected users will drive the test fleet during a two-year trial period in order to provide Volvo Cars with valuable experience. Not just technical but also behavioural.
The Swedish Energy Agency is supporting the project by contributing SEK 150 million towards its funding.
 
Valuable field data
A pure electric car has different characteristics compared to a car with an internal combustion engine. Now Volvo’s experts will have the opportunity to study how users handle these differences.
‘Our test fleet data will be valuable in Volvo Cars’ development of electric cars. It will also provide crucial input for the infrastructure planners and help define which services are needed to make rechargeable cars the most attractive choice in the future,’ says Lennart Stegland.
 
New instruments and graphics
The electric C30 looks like a regular Volvo C30 and it offers the very same safety, comfort and roominess as the standard car.
The most obvious difference inside the car is the new instruments facing the driver. The gauges and graphics are somewhat different to those in a conventional Volvo. The cool and user-friendly combined instrument shows in principle only road speed and energy consumption. However, it also integrates a number of new symbols such as a gauge for battery charge status and other relevant information for this type of vehicle.
The driving experience is also different to that in a conventional car. The electric C30 has no gears and the motor’s power is delivered seamlessly, with full power available immediately.

‘Sailing along virtually without a sound is a very special experience. The power is there instantaneously. We need to spend a lot of time verifying a transmission system that is both comfortable and safe for the driver to handle and at the same time utilizes the battery’s capacity optimally at different speeds,’ says Lennart Stegland.
 
Like a regular C30 – all the fun but with no emissions
An electric motor uses about one-fourth as much energy as an engine running on fossil fuels. This superior energy efficiency suggests that interest in electric cars will increase as fuel prices rise and demands for low CO2 emissions become increasingly stringent.

The Volvo C30 shown in Detroit is powered by Lithium-Ion batteries that can be recharged via either a regular household power socket or special roadside charging stations. Charging the battery fully takes about eight hours,
If the car is recharged with renewable electricity, CO2 emissions could be almost zero in the well-to-wheel perspective.

Top speed with a fully charged battery pack is about 130 km/h (81 mph). Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes less than 11 seconds. The car’s range is up to 150 km (94 miles). This covers the daily transport needs of more than 90 percent of all motorists in Europe.

Volvo Cars will unveil the next-generation battery electric powered Volvo C30 at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2010. The C30 on display will present a step further in the development process from the driveable electric prototype which was presented in September 2009. The new battery electric C30 features a complete interior and full instrumentation, as well as enhanced battery packaging. The electric C30 looks like a regular Volvo C30 and offers the same safety, comfort, space and four seats as the standard car.

‘The first prototype helped us identify the main technological challenges, such as battery packaging and safety issues. We have addressed these challenges without compromising the C30′s personality. I am very happy with the result. The electric C30 in Detroit is a much more complete product,’ says Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.

The next step in the development process is a factory-built series of test cars. Selected users will drive the test fleet during a two-year trial period beginning in 2011 in order to provide Volvo Cars with valuable experience – not just technical but also behavioral. The Swedish Energy Agency is supporting the project by contributing SEK 150 million towards its funding.

Valuable field data
A pure electric car has different characteristics compared to a car with an internal combustion engine and the test fleet will give Volvo experts the opportunity to study how users handle these differences.

‘Our test fleet data will be valuable in Volvo Cars’ development of electric cars. It will also provide crucial input for the infrastructure planners and help define which services are needed to make rechargeable cars the most attractive choice in the future,’ says Lennart Stegland.

New instruments and graphics
The electric C30 looks like a regular Volvo C30 and offers the same safety, comfort, space and four seats as the standard car. The most obvious difference inside the car is the new instruments – the gauges and graphics are different to those in a conventional Volvo. The user-friendly combined instrument shows only road speed and energy consumption. However, it also integrates a number of new symbols such as a gauge for battery charge status and other relevant information for this type of vehicle.

The driving experience is also different to that in a conventional car. The electric C30 has no gears and the motor’s power is delivered seamlessly, with full power available immediately.

‘Sailing along almost silently is a very special experience. The power is there instantaneously. We need to spend a lot of time verifying a transmission system that is both comfortable and safe for the driver to handle and at the same time utilizes the battery’s capacity optimally at different speeds,’ says Lennart Stegland.

Like a regular C30 – but with no emissions
An electric motor uses about one-quarter as much energy as an engine running on fossil fuels. This superior energy efficiency suggests that interest in electric cars will increase as fuel prices rise and demands for low CO2 emissions become increasingly stringent.

The Volvo C30 shown in Detroit is powered by Lithium-Ion batteries that can be recharged via either a regular household power socket or special roadside charging stations. Charging the battery fully takes about eight hours. If the car is recharged with renewable electricity, CO2 emissions could be almost zero in the well-to-wheel perspective.

Top speed with a fully charged battery pack is about 81 mph. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes less than 11 seconds. The car’s range is up to 150 kilometres. This covers the daily transport needs of more than 90 percent of all motorists in Europe.

Here are the first official pictures of the all-new Volvo S60 – sportier and more dynamic than any previous Volvo car.

‘The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you. It looks and drives like no other Volvo before and the car’s technology will help you to be safer and more confident behind the wheel,’ says Stephen Odell, President and CEO at Volvo Cars.

The Volvo S60 can be equipped with Pedestrian Detection – a groundbreaking safety feature that can detect pedestrians in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver doesn’t react in time.

The all-new Volvo S60 will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March next year. Production of the sporty saloon will start early summer 2010 at Volvo Cars’ plant in Gent, Belgium.

‘The customers in this segment want emotional appeal, sporty design and dynamic driving properties. The S60 has it all. We are convinced that it will be one of the strongest contenders around,’ says Stephen Odell.

The Volvo XC60 DRIVe is ideal for company car drivers who want all the benefits of a comfortable, raised driving position, but like the idea of lower tax and fuel consumption benefits of two-wheel-drive.

CAP recently upgraded its residual value predictions now that it has spent some time behind the wheel of the Volvo XC60 DRIVe estimating the trade price of a 2.4D DRIVe SE at 40% (£10,525) of its cost-new price after three years and 60,000 miles. Add roughly 15% to the trade value and you have a retail value which would be an estimated £14,597.

With the DRIVe model fitting in neatly below the crucial 160g/km tax band at 159g/km, its Benefit in Kind and Vehicle Excise Duty credentials are strong. A 20% tax payer will pay less than £100 per month (£97.83) and a 40% tax payer £195.75 per month. Annual road tax is £150.

The Volvo XC60 joined the DRIVe range in summer 2009 to become the first premium Crossover to fall below the all-important 160g/km Writing Down Allowance threshold for company cars. The introduction of front-wheel drive and the new 2.4D engine to the XC60 saw CO2 figures tumble to 159 g/km and fuel economy improve to 47.1 mpg.

‘When we first discussed the concept of what has become XC60 DRIVe with the residual value guides and larger fleets 18 months ago, about 40% weren’t convinced there was a market for a front-wheel-drive premium Crossover. Since then, you could say the world has changed, and most have changed their minds. Residual value predictions have increased which has led to lower monthly contract hire rentals and more fleets adding it to their company car choice lists,’ explained John Wallace, National Corporate Strategy & Development Manager at Volvo Car UK.

‘No other car offers this combination of equipment, dynamic looks, safety and environmental prowess, at the same time offering great fuel economy and lower CO2 figures. The awareness of DRIVe across all models in the Volvo range has increased enormously and in a recent Fleet News survey regarding familiarity of green car brands, DRIVe jumped up into fourth position – up from eleventh place in 2008,’ he added.

All XC60 models, including DRIVe, come as standard with Volvo’s award-winning City Safety system, which helps drivers to avoid low-speed collisions, reducing the risk of injuries such as whiplash and keeping bodywork repair bills to a minimum.