Volvo Wants Uncrashable Car by 2020

We've written before about technologies being developed to help cars avoid collisions, but now Volvo wants to build and sell a hyper-safe uncrashable vehicle by 2020.

Known for its long safety record, Volvo was the brand behind such innovations as side-impact air bags, crumple zones, the three-point seat belt and rear-facing child seats, as well as more recent introductions like frontal crash warnings and blind spot sensors. Now the carmaker wants to extend its safety legacy by creating what amounts to an invisible bumper — a sonar shell that surrounds the vehicle and feeds information to a central computer. If the car senses a threat, it can take control of the vehicle and, where human error might cause an accident, pilot the car either to safety or at least a less-devastating impact.

According to Volvo, reducing a car's pre-impact speed by even 9 mph would reduce road deaths by half.

Volvo's 2020 Vision: The Injury-Proof Car (The New York Times)

Best Cash-Back Finds: 4.25.08

Cars.com launched its new, comprehensive rebate and incentives page earlier this month, but just having the raw figures isn’t always enough. Often there are some real gems getting a significant amount of money off that aren’t heavily advertised or thought about. This time out we’ve found some interesting deals on a pair of luxury nameplates, a brand-new model and a fuel-sipping compact. 

2009 Dodge Journey
MSRP: $19,360
Cash back: $1,000
Percent off MSRP: 5.2%    
Expires: 4/30
5-Year Ownership Costs

The new Dodge Journey was just released, and Dodge is hoping that by offering a small incentive, $1,000, folks will be more inclined to give it a shot. That’s because the Journey competes with the popular Ford Edge and Hyundai Santa Fe when equipped with two rows of seats, or the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander when equipped with the optional third row. Still, the Journey’s starting MSRP is significantly less than the competition, even before the $1,000 cash back.

Season Recap: The Best SUVs

We’ve already recapped our favorite efficient cars and hybrids, but what about the SUVs? Even with sky-high gas prices, new SUVs of all sizes are coming to market. This year brought some of the best interiors and fuel efficiency yet in this segment, but what glorified station wagon took our staff’s hearts?

Joe Wiesenfelder: 2009 Volvo XC60
Put simply, there were some impressive redesigns this year, but I have to go with an all-new entry — especially when it's a smaller alternative to an existing SUV: The XC60 is a handsome vehicle with a high-quality interior and all the safety features you could possibly want. It isn't too small in practical terms compared to the XC90, but it is smaller. These days, smaller is better.

Through Ian's Lens: 2008 Volvo C30 R-Design

While reading comments on our blog during the second media day of the New York International Auto Show, our chief blogging officer, David Thomas, spotted something interesting under Joe Wiesenfelder's post on the Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3.

"Off topic, but can you take some pictures of the Volvo C30 R-Design while you're there? Ian takes some of the best auto pictures I've ever seen (way better than Autoblog and Jalopnik), and the pictures at Autoblog just aren't doing a good job of showing me how it's different from that standard C30." - Brian E.

Well Brian E., it's your lucky day. While I can't truly answer your question about the differences between the regular Volvo C30 and the more expensive Volvo C30 R-Design, I can tell you that it is one sweet machine. Design note: Watch for the etchings in the center stack near the radio as they repeat across the entire center console. It's pretty spectacular. A set of photos is below.

Video: 2009 Volvo XC60

Cars.com's resident Suburban Dad, Patrick Olsen, takes a look at Volvo's new SUV, the XC60. It competes with the BMW X3 and Land Rover LR2 but is remarkably large for what's considered a compact segment. Patrick shows off the cargo area and rear seat room, as well as the fancy interior duds.

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More on the 2009 Volvo XC60

Up Close: 2009 Volvo XC60

The XC60 could easily be mistaken for an XC90, as the two have similar front-end and profile styling, though the XC60 does have a sleeker appearance overall. The XC60's rear also features Volvo's characteristic tall-and-thin taillights.

While the aging XC90's cabin is starting to look a little drab, the XC60's interior can be outfitted in a variety of color combinations; leather seats are available in two-tone combinations like tan and brown or black and yellow. Yes, black and yellow. The dash also incorporates a new version of Volvo's slim center control panel.

The XC60 comes at the right time for Volvo and should appeal to shoppers looking for a small luxury crossover — especially if gas prices continue to rise. A fresh photo gallery is below.

Related:
2008 Geneva Motor Show: 2009 Volvo XC60

Cars.com Faceoff: 2008 Mini Cooper S, Saturn Astra, Volvo C30

In one of the toughest Faceoffs in recent memory, Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder matched up three premium hatchbacks. It was a tough fight, with each car having strengths that won us over. The Volvo had the style, the Mini the go-kart goods and the Astra the practicality. Check out the winner and let us know if you think we got it right.

Cars.comparison: Premium Hatchbacks

Play Ball: Boston Red Sox Special Edition Volvo C30

We’ve seen more special editions than we can count here at Cars.com. Usually they’re just gussied-up versions of aging models meant to help them sell better. Volvo’s latest special offering, however, is a whole new ballgame. The company has a partnership with the Boston Red Sox and is building a limited run of its new C30 hatchback to commemorate the team’s championship season in 2007.

Volvo will build 107 of the C30s, in reference to the team’s 107 wins in ‘07. Each will have a plaque telling owners which of the 107 wins the car is commemorating. They’re finished in Passion Red paint with team logos on the fenders and rear glass hatch, as well as on the floormats. There’s also matte-silver finish on the mirrors and grille, plus a hefty array of features, including an alarm, fog lights, heated front seats, sport shifter and pedals, and a beefed-up audio system. 

All the special editions come with a five-speed automatic and 227-hp, turbocharged five-cylinder engine and will cost $29,465, not including a $745 destination charge. That’s compared to the C30 2.0’s MSRP of $25,700. Of course, the special editions will only be sold at select New England Volvo dealers. A few more photos are below.

2008 Geneva Motor Show: 2009 Volvo XC60

• Competes with: BMW X3, Land Rover LR2, Acura RDX
• Looks like: Safe comes to the compact luxury SUV market
• Drivetrain: 281-hp, turbocharged six-cylinder
• Hits dealerships: Early 2009

Volvo is jumping into the small luxury SUV game with the XC60. It joins an ever-growing group of very good vehicles, like the BMW X3, Acura RDX, Land Rover LR2, Infiniti EX35 and Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming GLK. Can Volvo play the safe card and win buyers?

That’s what the company says it isn’t doing, at least with the design. While it certainly isn’t boxy, we’re not sure if the lines are as universally appealing as the Infiniti EX35 or as true to their brand as the Land Rover LR2. At first glance the interior looks similar to other Volvos, but the floating center stack is actually off-center, skewing toward the driver. It’s an odd effect, but it might turn out to be quite practical.

Under the hood is the energetic turbocharged T6 six-cylinder pumping out 281 hp — more than any other SUV in this group — we recently tested in the Volvo S80 sedan. It will be the only available engine in the U.S. when it goes on sale in early 2009. All-wheel drive will be standard, which makes us worry that the entry price might be high. But considering that parts of Volvo’s lineup — like the S80 and XC70 — are priced well below the competition, we’ll have to wait and see.

As for safety, the XC60 comes with a crash-avoidance feature that can tell if you’re about to run into the car in front of you, and it then applies the brakes to avoid the accident. Volvo is calling it “City Safety” in the XC60, but it sounds much like the collision warning system in other vehicles in Volvo’s lineup, sometimes as part of a $1,700 option package. City Safety is standard in the XC60.

Check out more photos below and let us know if the looks work or not.

Recall Alert: Volvo S40 and V50

Volvo issued a recall for S40 and V50 models (23,000 in the U.S.; more overseas) because of a problem with a fuel pump. The pump sits exposed, which can lead to rust and corrosion, which in turn can cause the engine to stall unexpectedly. Who wants that?

The recall is for model years 2004 through 2006 and is concentrated in what Volvo calls “corrosion markets.” Hint: If your city uses salt to clear snow from your streets, or if you live in a rainy locale, you’re likely affected. In drier climates, Volvo has simply extended the car’s warranty.

Volvo Recalls 23,000 Vehicles (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Weekend Athlete: 2008 Volvo XC70

“Friends don’t let friends buy sedans” is how the best bike racer I know sums up his car-shopping approach. He owns a station wagon, so when the 2008 Volvo XC70 came into the fleet, I had to see if he was on to something.

Review: 2008 Volvo XC70

The new Volvo XC70 includes some significant changes and improvements that certainly didn’t escape reviewer David Thomas’ attention. The 2008 model combines the functionality of a family station wagon meant for schlepping the kids from place to place with the upscale aura of the Volvo brand. Even better, it manages to do so without having the price soar into the stratosphere. Still, based on our test vehicle, Volvo may still have some small kinks to work out.

2008 Volvo XC70 Expert Review (Cars.com)

Volvo Is Upscale Enough

Sometimes we sit around the Cars.com office and just scratch our heads when we hear what car companies are doing. In yesterday’s Detroit News came word that Ford is looking to make Volvo — Ford owns the Swedish automaker — more of an upscale luxury brand to better compete with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. If you thought Volvo was already a luxury car company, it’s technically considered a near-premium brand. The differences are hard to explain, but recent Volvos I’ve reviewed were roughly $10,000 less than their BMW and Audi counterparts despite having similar features and engines. Other near-premium brands are Saab, Cadillac, Lexus and Infiniti.

Now, Ford has the best of intentions … for it. The company needs to make more money off Volvo, which continues to be unprofitable despite an improved lineup. However, with Audi already making inroads into BMW and Mercedes-Benz territory, is there room for another company to do the same?

Volvo to Make HD Radio Standard for 2009 Models

In manufacturers’ constant arms race to include better perks for drivers, Volvo will make HD radio receivers standard in almost all of its models beginning in the second half of 2008.

Still in relative infancy, HD radio promises better sound quality than standard radio and offers vastly expanded programming. This includes access to news, weather, school closings and other emergency information right on the display screen.

Far from a monolithic set of stations with the same programming whether you’re driving in Seattle, Kansas City or New York, HD radio varies geographically, offering different stations in different locations that will remind listeners of the quaint ways of old-fashioned AM/FM radio. Across the country, radio stations are making the switch to HD broadcasting. Nearly 2,000 stations either broadcast in HD or offer HD2 multicasts on the FM dial with no subscription fee.

While reception may be spotty in certain areas, that won’t be so different from driving through west Texas trying to find a decent classic rock station.

Interestingly, there are a few exclusions in Volvo’s list of models that will have HD radio. Not listed are the base S40 or V50, nor is the S60. That makes us wonder whether the S60 will be around in 2009.

2008 Volvo V70 Gets Price

When Volvo rolls out the redesigned V70 at the end of this year, the wagon will have a base price of $32,465, Volvo has put a six-cylinder engine under the hood for the first time, specifically a 235-hp, 3.2-liter inline-six.

The 2008 V70 hopes to lure those moms and dads with a bevy of new safety features, including adaptive cruise control, collision warning, driver alert control and lane departure warning, which alerts tired or distracted drivers when the car begins to wander dangerously.

Volvo expects the V70 to hit dealerships by the end of November.

Volvo May Drop S40 Sedan

The automotive market is a tricky one. Trends are constantly changing and models are dropped for various reasons, like slow sales or even a new CEO’s whim. One recent rumor we heard was that Volvo’s introductory sedan, the S40, was heading to the chopping block. That bit of news deserved some investigation.

The S40 sedan will indeed remain in the Volvo lineup for at least three years, but may be dropped from the lineup after that time period. Current plans call for the V50 to remain in the lineup longer than the S40, should the S40 be dropped. Volvo isn't sure it needs a three-sedan lineup — small S40, midsize S60, large S80 — especially because the S60 and S80 are similar in size. One of the scenarios under consideration is to drop the S40 and have a scaled-down version of the current S60 to cover the market where the S40 and S60 now compete, leaving the upper end to the S80. "This is one of many scenarios," a source said. "Don't take it to the bank yet."

"It makes sense to consolidate because everyone else in the auto industry is consolidating," said Joe Phillippi of AutoTrends, an automotive consulting firm.

"Volvo doesn't need three sedans,” Phillippi said. “The new C30 can serve the purpose of attracting younger, less-affluent buyers than the S40 now does. It costs a lot of money to refresh a car like the S40 every five years, though at Volvo it's more like six years, and money is very important to Volvo and any eventual partner." The Swedish automaker is owned by Ford but may be sold to help fund the company’s North American turnaround.

"Any new partner may not want to invest the money it would take to support three sedans, which is a very expensive proposition," Phillippi said.

Related
2008 Volvo S40 Unveiled (KickingTires)
More Volvo News (KickingTires)

The Urban Dink: 2008 Volvo C30

Finally! A car in the fleet that fits the theme of this column perfectly. I’ll admit there were others I could’ve squeezed in from this point of view but in the end, I think the wait was well worth it.

You can’t talk about the Volvo C30 without keeping it in the context of its two main competitors: the Volkswagen GTI and the Mini Cooper S. Neither of those cars has won me over completely, even as The Urban Dink, mainly because they both have harsh rides — to help with performance — that are not the most fun to live with from day to day. For me — and just me here — I need some more compromise on that front. That’s where the C30 wins points, big time.

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Volvo C30

Mike Hanley — that lucky son of a gun — got to put Volvo’s hot new hatch to the test for his latest review. The C30 turns out to be one of the better-handling Volvos we’ve seen in some time, and its standard turbocharged five-cylinder engine is surprisingly sporting. Can it hang with the Mini Cooper S and VW GTI, the current kings of the class? You’ll have to read to find out. Oh, and of course there’s a quick video recap of the glass hatchback, too. 

2008 Volvo C30 Expert Review

Women Like Suzukis, Volvos

According to J.D. Power’s most recent study, it seems women prefer Volvos to any other luxury brand, while men still go for sports cars. The highest female ownership of any luxury model for 2007 through the month of August was the Volvo S40 sedan. For men? The uber-fast Audi RS4. On the non-luxury side, the most popular model for women was the Volkswagen New Beetle, with 58.3% of its buyers being women. The top non-luxury brand for women buyers was Suzuki.

BusinessWeek tries to explore the “whys” of the numbers, but anytime you do that you’re looking for trouble. Meaning: We’re not going there. Keep reading for the top 10 luxury cars bought by women.

The Luxury Cars Women Want (BusinessWeek)

2007 Frankfurt Auto Show: Volvo ReCharge Concept

• Looks like: A Volvo C30 with green wheels
• Defining characteristics: 66% fewer emissions than today’s best hybrid car
• Ridiculous features: Did we mention the green wheels?   
• Chance of being mass-produced: We’d like to see a plug-in hybrid like this as much as the next guy, but there are still lots of issues to be ironed out first. Mainly how much people are willing to spend on very pricey technology.

We can see it now. The horsepower wars that brought us a 300-hp Mustang GT and a new wave of Hemi engines are over. The new battle will be waged in mpg — not hp. We’re probably stating the obvious at this point, but with each auto show that passes we’re seeing more and more attention paid to how technology can increase mileage and decrease emissions. Now that we can go as fast as we can possibly handle anyway, we might as well save some money at the pump.

That’s Volvo’s aim with the ReCharge concept. Based on the C30 hatchback that just went on sale in the U.S., the California-developed ReCharge teams a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with four-electrical motors, one at each wheel. This gives the C30 some gusto: It hits 62 mph in 9 seconds, which puts it about a half-second ahead of a Dodge Caliber R/T. That’s not Hemi speed, but Volvo claims on a full charge, on a 93-mile trip the ReCharge will return 124 mpg.

Video: Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Volvo S80

It seems like just a few months ago that I was testing Volvo’s all-new S80 sedan. It had been redesigned from the ground up for the 2007 model year, and I was testing the V-8-equipped all-wheel-drive model. Wait a second, it was just a few months ago. In that amount of time, the 2008 has now gone on sale with an all-new engine option: a silky smooth turbo six-cylinder that impressed me more than the V-8. You can check out a video review of the 2008 Volvo S80 above and the just-posted full review below.

2008 Volvo S80 Expert Review (Cars.com)

Volvo Tells You When You Need a Break

We’ve tested the latest Volvo safety innovations, like the company’s collision warning and blind-spot detection systems, but the company has a new one on the way for the S80, XC70 and V70 models later this year: Driver Alert Control. The system will monitor driving behavior and suggest when the driver should take a break to either rest or refuel on caffeinated beverages.

Volvo Adding New Safety Features to S80, XC70, and V70 Automobiles (Engadget)

Volvo S80 Tops Luxury Side-Impact Crash Testing

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released its latest side-impact crash-test scores for large sedans. Three of the six models earned the top score of Good, but the BMW 5 Series ended up with a marginal rating, which is just one wrung above poor. Volvo continues to live up to its safety reputation, with the all-new S80 sedan earning Good side-impact scores. Along with its top frontal and rear crash scores, the S80 has now earned IIHS’ highest honor: Top Safety Pick.

The Acura RL and Kia Amanti also earned Good side-impact crash-test scores, while the 2007 Mercedes E-Class and Cadillac STS received Acceptable scores. All of the vehicles were equipped with standard side curtain airbags and front-seat-mounted torso airbags.

Strangely enough, both the STS and E-Class were recently reengineered to earn better crash scores, but the tweaks only resulted in marginal improvements, not enough to move them into the Good category.

Source: IIHS

Volvo Recalling 42,000 XC90 SUVs

Volvo is recalling 42,000 2005-model-year XC90 SUVs due to potential short-circuits in the battery. The company says no reports of short-circuits have been reported, but that it “wants to be extra careful.” The reason there might be an issue is that the battery is in the rear of the vehicle and can come into contact with a spare tire jack, causing a short. Vehicles will be inspected to make sure the battery is safe, and extra warning labels will be added so owners don’t place the jack handle too close to the battery.

Volvo to Recall 42,000 Cars in North America Because of Short Circuit Risk (DelmarvaNow.com)

Friday Fleet Notes: 7.20.07

A lot of folks got behind the wheel of a new Volvo S80 with the base engine. The varying opinions are an interesting read. We also get some seat impressions on Ford’s Fusion sedan, one of the company’s most important offerings. Our resident answerman, Joe Bruzek, also offers his take on the grandpa-like Kia Amanti.

2007 Volvo S80 3.2

I thought the S80 we tested in March, a well-equipped model powered by a V-8, was nice — not a knockout, but nice. This week’s model, modestly equipped and powered by a 3.2-liter inline-six, leaves me a bit flat. My main problem with it is the acceleration, which isn’t lacking so much as lagging. Nowadays people are quick to call practically any vehicle underpowered. I don’t buy it. This one’s 235 hp and six-speed automatic are a decent match, I just experienced too much hesitation when I hit the pedal, especially from a standstill or low speed. In my opinion, the danger of modest power in traffic is overstated, as is the danger of inconsistent, unpredictable hesitation.

Volvo Prices 2008s; No Info on New XC70, V70

We’ve heard from more than one Cars.com user that there’s a lot of interest in the upcoming 2008 Volvo XC70 and V70 wagons. Unfortunately, when the company announced prices for its 2008 lineup, it didn’t include the two redesigned models coming out this fall.

We did learn that the mildly revised S40 sedan and V50 wagon will remain within a few hundred dollars of the 2007s. Those get a few minor upgrades and more space for stowing gear inside the cabin, but little else has changed.

Prices for the 2008 S80, C70 and XC90 remain virtually unchanged. The full pricing list is below.

Volvo C70 and Saab 9-3 Earn First-Ever Top Safety Pick Designation for Convertibles

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released its first crash tests of convertible models. Two of the 10 cars tested earned the organization’s Top Safety Pick designation: the Volvo C70 and the Saab 9-3. What was on the opposite side of the spectrum? The Pontiac G6 convertible scored only an Acceptable grade in frontal crashes and Marginal in side- and rear-impact tests.

Most surprising were the low side-impact scores registered by the all-new BMW 3 Series convertible and the Audi A4 Cabriolet (convertible). Both cars received marginal side-impact scores even though they’re both equipped with seat-mounted head and torso airbags. They also received poor grades in rear crash tests. For a full chart of the results, click below. 

Zombies, Pirates and Volvo, Oh My

We went to see “28 Weeks Later” last weekend, and while cars are not the primary focus of the apocalyptic zombie flick, a previous-generation Volvo V70 wagon played a heroic role. Without giving away too much, this Volvo wagon withstood crackling-fast zombies, poison gas floating through London streets and soldiers using flamethrowers, and it was able to successfully navigate a flight of stairs down into the London Underground. All without popping an airbag.

Volvo doesn’t stop its summer movie march with zombies. The company launched a promotion for the upcoming “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequel last week. Volvo is offering $50,000 in gold and the keys to an XC90 (“the one vehicle safe enough to drive the treasure home”) as reward for solving a puzzle that leads — surprise — to buried treasure. While the XC90 is a fine vehicle, and we’d be plenty happy with $50K in gold, we don’t really see any natural connection between a safe sport-ute and flamboyant pirates. What car would you want as a reward?

Friday Fleet Notes: 05.11.07

This week we get some new blood into the reporting, namely our multimedia producer, Eric Rossi, who drove a Subaru Forester XT up to Wisconsin loaded with gear and some of our staff. He probably wanted to drive the new Nissan 350Z a bit more, but he still gives some interesting insight on the Forester’s long-haul attributes. The rest of us weigh in on the Volvo C70 and Jeep Patriot.

2007 Volvo C70

The C70 has impressed us before (we named it our Play Car of the Year for 2007), and I was thrilled to get the chance to drive it on a long-distance trip. I was a little worried about what it might cost at the pump, because the heavy car moved spiritedly, but those fears were not realized. Driving at highway speeds for more than three hours, I was able to get 29 mpg in the C70.

The C70 had great acceleration, handled the road well and was very comfortable. Perhaps the best thing about it, considering it’s a convertible, was the lack of wind noise with the top up — way better than I expected. Also better than expected was the visibility in the car, especially considering the low, arcing top, I expected to find blind spots on the sides and limited visibility out the back, but I never felt like it was difficult to see. On the downside, the doors are a little heavy, and getting into the backseat was a challenge for the kids. Still, I wouldn’t hesitate to put this on my list of possible next cars.

• Patrick Olsen, managing editor

Volvo Adds Turbo to S80 Lineup

We were mightily impressed with Volvo’s all-new S80 when we tested the V-8 powered AWD version a few months back. At the time, the only other engine offered was a 235-hp six-cylinder, with front-wheel drive. Now, Volvo is adding a turbocharged version of that six-cylinder, which produces an impressive 295 hp and 285 pounds-feet of torque paired to an AWD system. The V-8, for comparison, produces 311 hp and 325 pounds-feet of torque.

No pricing has been announced for the new model, called the S80 T6 AWD, but the current six-cylinder starts at $38,705 and the V-8 AWD starts at $47,350. It’s easy to assume the new T6 will fall somewhere between those two figures. No on-sale date has been announced.

Related
2007 Volvo S80 Expert Review (Cars.com)
The New Volvo S80's Blind Spot Detector (KickingTires)

Volvo Axes Performance Brand

Not many people even know Volvo offers them. They wear an R and have a bit more under their skin than just safety equipment. They’re Volvo’s performance cars, including models like the 2007 S60 R and V70 R. But it seems those two are the last of the breed: Volvo has said it will no longer offer high-performance variants of its models after the 2007 model year.

That means if you’re interested in the 300-hp S60 R or V70 R, you’d better start searching inventories. Both cost around $40,000 and hit 60 mph in 5.4 and 5.6 seconds, respectively, but Volvo feels they don’t speak well enough to the brand identity — safer is better — to warrant keeping them around. Besides, the company couldn’t warrant their cost, either.

Buyers will have to be satisfied with more sedate sport offerings, like the T5 trim level on most models. The recent addition of V-8 engines to the S80 and XC90 might also satiate go-fast Volvo fans. We don’t see the move as a real loss to the brand; Volvo’s time would be better spent adding a little more driving fun to every model.

[Sticking with Safety, AutoWeek]

Don't Forget the Wagon: 2008 Volvo V50

The Volvo S40's utilitarian sibling is the V50 wagon. Like the just-introduced 2008 S40, the V50 sees slight exterior changes and new interior enhancements.

Engine choices remain a 170-hp inline-five-cylinder for the base model and a turbocharged version in the T5 that makes 230 hp, which is 10 more hp than the engine in the previous T5 generated. 

Make sure to check the S40 post for more details on both vehicles. More photos of the V50, including a comparison between the 2007 and 2008 models, are below.

2008 Volvo S40 Unveiled

It's really hard to tell the difference between the just-introduced 2008 Volvo S40 and the current model. There are very slight changes to the front and rear ends, headlights and taillights, plus a lower stance; all are supposed to make the vehicle look like the new S80. OK, if you say so, Volvo. It looks the same to us.

There is supposedly more interior storage space in the doors and center stack. The redesigned doors even add space for additional speakers for the optional high-end audio system. There are also new optional interior touchups, like light oak panel covering and new upholstery colors. An auxiliary audio input is now standard, and USB and iPod connectors can be added as accessories.

Engine choices remain a 170-hp inline-five-cylinder for the base model and a turbocharged version in the T5 that makes 230 hp, which is 10 more hp than the engine in the previous T5 generated.

Volvo's new blind spot information system will also be available as an option.

Prices and a U.S. on-sale date have not been announced. More photos, including a comparison between the 2007 and 2008 models, are below.

Volvo C30 Prices Announced

There is news going on at the New York Auto Show. This morning Volvo announced the pricing of its upcoming C30 two-door hatchback. Prices for the C30 Version 1.0 will be $22,700. The C30 Version 2.0 starts at $25,700. Prices do not include a destination charge of $695. Both models feature the same 227 horsepower turbocharged five-cylinder engine, but come equipped with different levels of equipment.

The 1.0 comes standard with 17-inch wheels and that’s about it outside the standard Volvo safety equipment like whiplash protection, side airbags and curtain airbags. The new blindspot warning system will also be an available option. Moving up to the 2.0 adds a 650-watt stereo, 18-inch wheels, larger spoiler and a body kit.

Fans of compact sports hatchbacks will be able to get their hands on the new C30 in October.   

Related:
The New Volvo S80's Blind Spot Detector
All-New Volvo C30 Hatch Coming to U.S.

Cars.com Reviews the New 2007 Volvo S80

A few weeks back, we showed you how the new Volvo S80’s blind spot information system worked. Today I present you my full report on the all-new flagship sedan from Sweden. Interestingly enough, our friend Jim Mateja published his take on the S80 in this weekend’s Chicago Tribune, and while he liked the car almost as much as I did, we differed on the annoyance factor of the blind spot system.

2007 Volvo S80 Review

2007 Geneva Motor Show: 2008 Volvo XC70 Debuts

A month after we got our first glimpse of the all-new V70 wagon, Volvo delivers the first batch of information and images about the cross-country version of its family-hauler. It shares most of its design with the V70, and all of the same safety features are found here as well, including integrated child booster seats, extended side curtain airbags to protect smaller passengers, stronger side structure and new side-impact airbags that protect the hips as well as the torso.

Only one gasoline engine is offered, a 238-hp inline-six, along with a six-speed automatic with a manual shift mode. Of course, you can’t call a wagon a cross-country without standard all-wheel drive. There’s also standard hill descent control and stability control. We’re still waiting on word about when the 2008 XC70 and V70 will be available and how much they’ll cost, but for now check out the photo gallery below.

Related:
All-New 2008 Volvo V70
The New Volvo S80's Blind Spot Detector

The New Volvo S80's Blind Spot Detector

I commuted into the Cars.com office today in the new 2007 Volvo S80. This is an important redesign for Volvo, and because it’s the company’s flagship, it’s loaded with some fancy safety equipment. This morning’s short jaunt on Interstate 90/94 in Chicago proved that one of them, the Blind Spot Information System, certainly lives up to its name.

There are three parts to the system — a $595 stand-alone option — that drivers will notice. One is the indicator itself, a translucent square at the bottom corner of each front window, right above the tweeter for the sound system. The device that registers if a car is in your blind spot is a camera mounted right next to the side mirror, and the best part is the simple-to-turn-on-and-off button on the center stack that shuts the traffic-nanny off.

All-New 2008 Volvo V70

Volvo’s all-new large wagon has a new inline six-cylinder engine, new interior and exterior designs, upgraded child booster seats and, like you would expect from Volvo, a lot of safety features. The new V70 should arrive later in 2007 and will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Like the new Volvo S80 sedan, the V70 gets improved interior materials. Under the bulging hood is a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine rated at 235 hp, which the company says is “efficient,” though it hasn’t released mileage figures yet.

Volvo wagons aren’t about performance, though, they’re about safety. The V70 has dual, height-adjustable, child boosters in the second row and upgraded side-curtain airbags that extend lower to protect smaller children.

When needed, the rear seat splits and folds in 40/20/40 sections. There is also an optional power rear tailgate — a feature we see primarily in minivans and SUVs — and a sliding cargo floor.

There’s a slew of additional safety features, including multiple front crumple zones and a whiplash protection system, but we don’t want to bore you too much before showing you the rest of the photos below. Expect price and availability information to be announced in March.

Volvo XC60 Concept Gets Early Reveal

We’re not sure if leaks on the web yesterday led to an early official release of the Volvo XC60 by the Swedish automaker, but we can tell you this is the big concept Volvo will show in the flesh at the Detroit auto show next month. This luxury compact SUV is based on the new Land Rover LR2 and would slate below the XC90 in the brand’s lineup.

It’s pretty wild, but expect the production model to look a lot like it when it hits the streets in early 2009. The only part we don’t quite “get” is the sit-up-straight grille treatment stuck in the middle of a slightly sloping front end. See how the headlights and grill don’t feature the same slant? That’s a pretty jarring look.

Volvo has been trying to break out of its boring design language for years, and by borrowing from the Ford Iosis X concept that debuted in Paris earlier this year, the company could finally be getting out of its rut. More pictures below.

Volvo Taking on Rear-End Collisions

If there’s one car company associated with safety, it’s Volvo. Now, the Swedish automaker has developed a new system that can detect impending low-speed collisions and apply braking to avoid the accident. Called City Safety — because Volvo assumes low-speed collisions are more frequent in urban areas — the system monitors a car up to 19 feet in front of you at speeds of up to 18 mph and will either pre-charge the brakes so you can avoid the accident yourself or, if the car in front brakes suddenly, the system will fully apply the brakes for you.

Volvo says 75% of reported collisions occur in this speed range, and the system could greatly reduce repair costs and related injuries, like whiplash. City Safety sounds great for mall parking lots and congested highways, but we wonder what happens when the car behind you doesn’t have this system?

Source: Volvo