Volvo to Cut Down its U.S. Lineup, V50 Among the First to go

With its U.S. sales steadily declining for 7 years now, Volvo has no choice but to radically rethink its strategy. The Swedish automaker is currently offering nine models in the States or about as many as Volkswagen does, but it sold almost five times fewer cars than the Germans in 2010.

Consequently, the Swedish brand, which is now owned by China's Geely, has decided to significantly reduce the number of models in its North American lineup and concentrate on best-selling vehicles in an effort to increase sales.

“Five or six is probably a good number”, said Doug Speck, head of Volvo’s operations in the U.S., in a telephone interview for Bloomberg. “We have to focus on the key segments with significant volume potential”.

Mr. Speck confirmed that the V50 estate is sure to go, although didn’t specify exactly when, saying that dealers will be notified first. The manufacturer hasn’t decided yet which other models will be phased out, but it will definitely keep the S60 sedan and the XC60 and XC90 crossovers, he added.

Volvo will also try to boost sales with more advertising and expects “double-digit” percentage growth in the U.S in 2011.

As for the near future, Mr. Speck said that Volvo will introduce hybrids and all-electric cars, but declined to say if it will bring diesels to America.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Bloomberg

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Volvo V60 Diesel-Electric Plug-in Hybrid Returns 125 MPG, will Debut at Geneva Show

* Standard 2011 Volvo V60 shown in photos

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show will host the world premiere of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, a near production-ready model that is said to return a very impressive 125 mpg US (1.9 lt/100 km), with CO2 emissions under 50 g/km. In order to achieve this, engineers entered a new variable into the plug-in hybrid equation: a diesel engine.

The V60’s front wheels are driven by a 2.4-liter 5-cylinder turbo diesel powerplant capable of 215HP and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. At the back, there's a 70HP electric motor that powers the rear wheels and a 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

According to Volvo, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid “features the very best properties from three different car types in one sports wagon”, including an all-electric driving mode with a range of up to 32 miles (52 km).

“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”, said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

Jointly developed by Volvo and Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is scheduled to enter series production in 2012.

By Csaba Daradics

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U.S.-spec 2012 Volvo S60 T5 Gets Lower Base Price, Special Introductory Lease Rate

Volvo's US division has dropped prices for the S60 T5 FWD model, which starts at $30,795, excluding an $875 destination fee. That’s $450 less than the previous base price. The updated offer is also accompanied by a special introductory lease rate plan of $299/month, available until February 28, 2011.

The T5’s standard equipment includes among other things, power driver seat with memory, power folding rear head restraints, front and rear sport seats, leather steering wheel with metal inlays, dual-zone air conditioning, infotainment and 8-speaker sound system, Bluetooth hands-free phone interface, T-Tec textile upholstery and 17-inch alloys.

There’s no shortage of safety systems as well, such as Corner Traction Control by torque vectoring, Advanced Stability Control, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC), Whiplash Protection Seating System (WHIPS) and a host of airbags.

Furthermore, the S60 includes Volvo’s Safe+Secure Coverage Plan, which means owners pay nothing to repair or maintain their vehicles for 5 year or 60,000 miles, minus when replacing the tires.

The coverage plan specifically comprises:

5 years/60,000 miles of New Car Warranty

5 years/60,000 miles of Complimentary Factory Scheduled Maintenance

5 years/60,000 miles of Wear and Tear Coverage

5 years/Unlimited miles of Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance

The S60 T5 is motivated by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine, delivering 250HP and 266 lb-ft (361 Nm) of torque – or 295 lb-ft (401 Nm) in “over boost” mode. Power is sent to the front wheels through Volvo’s second-generation 6-speed automatic Geartronic transmission. The 0-to-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint takes just 6.8 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph (209 km/h).

By Csaba Daradics

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Vehicle Platooning Could be the Future of Commuting [with Video]

Imagine safely enjoying your morning coffee and reading the newspaper behind the steering wheel, while your car is traveling at highway speeds. Well, this could be a reality in as little as ten years time, thanks (or no thanks...) to the European Union-funded SARTRE (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) project, which successfully tested the concept of vehicle platooning at the Volvo Proving Ground close to Gothenburg, Sweden.

The idea was to create intelligent convoys of vehicles with a professional driver in the lead vehicle leading the rest of the cars. Each car measures distance, speed and direction and adjusts to the car in front, while being totally detached. Vehicles can leave the platoon at any time, but once in, drivers can relax and do other things, without having to worry about actually driving their cars.

Tests carried out involved a lead vehicle and single car that was able to steer itself as it was trailing the lead truck around the test track.

According to SARTRE, platooning is designed to improve a number of things, such as road safety and fuel consumption. It also allows drivers to concentrate on other matters than driving and, since vehicles in a platoon travel just a few meters apart, it may relieve traffic congestion.

The program is lead by Ricardo UK with other six companies contributing, including Volvo Car Corporation. The technology development is said to be well underway and could go into production in a few years. However, public acceptance and legislation issues will prolong the process, thus the announced 10-year timeframe.

“We are very pleased to see that the various systems work so well together already the first time”, said Erik Coelingh, engineering specialist at Volvo Cars. “After all, the systems come from seven SARTRE-member companies in four countries. The winter weather provided some extra testing of cameras and communication equipment”.

“This is a major milestone for this important European research program”, said Tom Robinson, SARTRE project coordinator, of Ricardo UK. “Platooning offers the prospect of improved road safety, better road space utilization, improved driver comfort on long journeys and reduced fuel consumption and hence CO2 emissions. With the combined skills of its participating companies, SARTRE is making tangible progress towards the realization of safe and effective road train technology”.

For a more in-depth look at the SARTRE project check out the video below.

By Csaba Daradics

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Volvos Issues Recall on S40, V50, S60 and XC60 Models Over Power Seat Problems

A defective front passenger seat power system on certain Volvo models has prompted a recall of 7,420 cars from the Swedish automaker. Federal officials said that the front seat rail's detection system was manufactured incorrectly and may permit the passenger to forward the seat beyond the intended maximum, putting them at risk of injury in a crash.

The models affected from the recall are the 2009-2011MY S40 sedan, V50 station wagon and S60 sedan, plus the 2010-2011MY XC60 crossover. Volvo said the company's dealers will inspect the front passenger side seat rails for the presence of an "end stop" and repair the vehicles as necessary free of charge.

The Swedish automaker has not yet provided a date for the scheduled recall, but owners can contact the company for more information at 1-800-458-1552.

By Csaba Daradics

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VIDEO: Race Driver Fast Laps NZ Circuit in New Volvo S60 Blindfolded!

And you thought your latest weekend track race was adrenaline-filled... Enter the realm of Jonny Reid, one of New Zealand's top racing drivers. The 27-year-old Kiwi put a brand new 2011 Volvo S60 to the test around Hampton Downs raceway in Auckland. Nothing spectacular there you say? How about if we told you that he did it blindfolded? Yes, that's right; the young racing driver couldn't see a thing.

According to the promo event's organizers, it took Reid more than one try but in the end, he managed to return a lap time of 1:28 with a top speed of 193km/h (119 mph). "He was guided only by the feel of the car, his knowledge of the track, and co-driver Earl Bamber's voice," said Volvo. Pretty neat, though we're not sure who was the bravest of the two; the driver or the co-driver... Scroll down to watch the clips.

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Two Shall Enter, One Shall Leave: Geely and Volvo disagree on Volvo's Future

Li Shufu, president of current Volvo owner, China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., appears to be having some issues with Volvo executives regarding the brand's future plans. According to Auto News Europe, there are two major issues: 1) the types of cars Volvo wants to build, and 2) brand marketing.

Mr. Li thinks Volvo should build larger cars for the Chinese market and go after the premium segment with BMW/Mercedes competitors. Volvo higher-ups, on the other hand, want smaller, more efficient cars that may not necessarily appeal to premium buyers. Li says he's willing to bend a little if the managers running Volvo won't, because "they have brought Volvo to where it is today...They must have good reasons."

Mr. Li hopes to build two new manufacturing plants in China in order to push the brand as a luxury option and meet potential future demand.

By Phil Alex

Via: Autonewseurope

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Heico Sportiv Tricks Out the All-New Volvo V60

Come later this month at the Essen Motor Show (26th November - 5th December 2010) in Germany, Volvo tuning specialist Heico Sportive will unveil its performance and styling bits for the Swedish automaker's all-new V60. The tuning program for the station wagon model carries the same upgrades as the S60 sedan.

On the styling side, the German tuning firm mounts a front spoiler on the original front bumper and a rear skirt with a diffuser that also houses the new tailpipes of the quad outlet exhaust. The menu also contains sport springs that lower the ride height and a choice of 18- or 20-inch multispoke alloy wheels.

Under the hood, there are various options, depending on the type of engine. For now, Heico Sportive offers a power kit for the 2.0 turbocharged gasoline unit, which adds an extra 47bhp and 50Nm of torque, and another one for the T6 engine that boost output to 330bhp and 460Nm. The tuning house said that further programs for the T3, T4 and T5 engine variants are under development.

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Volvo Looking to Claim Title of World’s Fastest Hybrid Truck

After improving a previous world speed record for the standing kilometer in June 2010 with a diesel model, Volvo Trucks is now developing a new diesel-electric hybrid version called "Mean Green" to claim the title of the World's Fastest Hybrid Truck in spring 2011.

A well known Swedish truck racing ace, Boije Ovebrink, is going to be the one to drive the hybrid and he's already very confident of a positive outcome. "I'd go so far as to say that 'Mean Green' is the world's fastest hybrid truck," Mr. Ovebrink said.

"I started building the truck from two half frames that had been earmarked for the scrap yard and the American VN cab came from a crash-tested chassis whose cab was totally intact," explains Volvo engineer Olof Johansson.

Conventional oomph comes from a 16-liter Volvo engine, fitted with Volvo Penta twin turbos that increase peak output to a whopping 1,900 hp (1,417 kW). The electric motor adds another 200 hp (149 kW) and 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque to this explosive cocktail and can interact with the driven wheels through a modified I-Shift automated gearbox.

Weight reduction is crucial when you want to set these kinds of records, so Volvo engineers milled a new, 43 kg (95 lbs) lighter front axle and also removed the gear set for the first gear, as it was rendered useless by the huge amount of torque. That shaved off another 7 kg.

Even Mr. Ovebrink takes part in these weight-saving efforts. " They made me promise to lose 20 kilos and, so far, I'm half-way to my target," said the truck racing driver.

The first test runs will take place this month, so we'll be keeping an eye open for any updates.

By Csaba Daradics

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