Filed under: Wagons/Estates, Videos, Volvo
VIDEO: Volvo gives a new rear end to the customer
In designing the new V70, Volvo spent a lot of time focusing on its hindquarters. The tailgate and rear lamp styling are such that they increase interior volume and offer a nice, clean shut line. This video leads you through some eye candy of the EUCD V70. The quick overview gets the wagon freaks among us pumped up for the new Volvo estate. Still shots of the car don't do the styling justice, as the vertical and horizontal elements really come together nicely and shots of the car pulling away from the camera show off the inherent motion in the taut lines.
There are also those among us who yawn and ask what's changed. We'll give them that, it's still a Volvo wagon, so you won't wet yourself like an excited puppy (until the R gets here, that is), but for those who love wagons, there's not too many cars that are as versatile and well thought out as a Volvo five-door. The current P2-based V70s are nice enough drivers, but they're on the brink of being dynamically obsolete, so we're hoping the EUCD platform makes the driving experience that much better. You can be certain that the interior will be a comfortable, well appointed place to spend time, all wrapped in a clean Scandinavian design ethos. Follow the jump for your viewing pleasure.
[Source: Carscoop]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
why not the LS2LS7? 7:12PM (2/05/2007)
I do like how it's trying to look like a P1600 from the rear with the name across and such.
But in the end, it's way too busy. And the tumblehome juts out much too far.
This reminds me of the V70 rework, it looked better with the old 850 look, with the simple high vertical strip lights. Now they put on the bulging taillights and try to figure out how to not obliterate the internal space.
This new look is a loser.
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liket 7:25PM (2/05/2007)
Kind of looks like a mitsubishi from behind, doesn't it?
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Juan 7:47PM (2/05/2007)
I like the new look, myself. Really like the separated V O L V O letters on the back.
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bland moves 8:12PM (2/05/2007)
looks like a cross between the bmw 3 series and a honda CRV.
The blandification of volvo continues. Expect another great car company to be driven out of business thanks to the monkeys running ford.
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fd 8:48PM (2/05/2007)
I agree, very Mitsubishi looking in the rear ...
That was my first thought when images surfaced last week.
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rob 7:48PM (11/09/2008)
The current Series is a Volvo/Mitsubishi design produced by a joint venture company called NedCar. Mitsubishi is withdrawing from the partnership because it is now partly owned by DaimlerChrysler, which wants no connection with rival Ford. No word yet on whether production will continue in Holland or be transferred to one of Ford's own European plants. Nomenclature will change, however, in line with Volvo's new system of using even-number designations for sedans and odd-number ones for wagons. The replacements should thus be badged S70 if sedan and V70 if wagon.
Bob R. 8:50PM (2/05/2007)
Haha #4, have you looked at Volvos from 10 years ago?? I think not because their designs today are 100x better than they were, and now Volvos are one of the best looking cars in each of their classes. The new V70 looks great too.
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Brandon 8:50PM (2/05/2007)
The blandification of Volvo continues? I beg to diffe. All of the new models coming out of Volvo (this V70 included) have to be some of the most distinctive and interesting Volvo's in years.
Wanna talk blandness, take my 1997 Volvo 960 for a spin, and then you'll have a clear argument. Even despite the fact I drive a real rear wheel drive box of a Volvo, im quite happy with what Ford's done with the brand. They've taken it from a brand that only purists like myself could understand, and opened it up to the interests (and wallets) of many other consumers.
I think this new V70 will do well
Cheers
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risingsun 9:31PM (2/05/2007)
Now where's my turbo 5-cyl AWD C30?
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Kowell 9:58PM (2/05/2007)
I wouldn't mind following that for a full afternoon.... better to drive it but.... you take what little you can get ;)
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NoNameDenton 10:28PM (2/05/2007)
I would be nice if it got the Yamaha V8 like the S80 platform mate, and if they brought back the R version they dropped
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hrudu 10:58PM (2/05/2007)
Looks like the Forester now.
Thank you Subaru
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Forrest Tosie 11:25PM (2/05/2007)
#11 +1
I thought it was the rear of a Subaru Forester as well.
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DKB_SATX 1:52AM (2/06/2007)
I guess I see more Forester than I do P1800es, but really the only commonalities with the Forester are kinda-squarish 2-box overall shape and the inset in the tailgate where the license plate mounts. It's nice that this is a real wagon and not trying to be up on stilts like all the SUV-wannabe "crossovers" are doing of late, if I wanted something tall and tippy I'd buy a Yukon.
I quite like the direction this V70 design is taking, it's nice to know there might be a few good wagon choices when it comes time to replace my Legacy, since Subaru has decided they don't want to serve their Legacy wagon customers anymore.
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Gav 4:30AM (2/06/2007)
Forester!! Are you lot blind. Yes it's like a Forester because it's got a window, wiper and lights on the back. That's where the similarities end.
While it doesn't look as good (a little too busy) than say an Audi A4 Avant, at least you know you'll still be able to get a sideboard in the back.
I think Volvo have worked wonders since they were bought by Ford. Shame Jaguar never followed suite.
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Atomicbri 8:28AM (2/06/2007)
Blandification at Volvo continues? BLand moves you must have never driven or seen a Volvo 960/ 760. It was total bland. Volvos now have a sense of style like they did in the 60's, plus all the safety kitsch to go with it. Have you not seen the upcoming C30? I wouldn't call it too bland.
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mike 8:36AM (2/06/2007)
Whether you like Jaguar's new designs or not (I like them, I guess I'm in the minority), their build quality has improved VASTLY. They aren't perfect but, they are far far more reliable than they used to be.
As for the V70, I like the new look. The last one was a bit too smooth for my taste. A little too feminine. I certainly wouldn't compare this to a Subaru. Subaru has yet to design anything that looks much better than fast AWD puke in a bucket IMO.
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James 9:36AM (2/06/2007)
Judging by the video, I'd say the rear end is very much overrated. It's certainly no J-Lo booty. Not all that pretty to look at if you ask me.
That said, if I were in the market for a sleek grocery mover, this is what I'd put in my garage.
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John L 3:55PM (2/06/2007)
the front is begining to look like a subaru legacy/outback. the rear while interesting looking is moving far afield from the historically clean rear end versions of volvo. the spaced out lettering is very questionable from several standpoints. 1-this has been a way to suggest luxury and refinement in industries such as cosmetics, fragrance and luxury products historically and in the recent past it was hip, but this rendition/application reaches backword for me. it looks characteristically old and non progressive. volvo has aleays been progresive while not trendy. and this seems to be an old trendy graphic idea.
2. from the laws of branding it is a self inflicted
bastardization of the revered trademarked logo. existing brandmarks and trademarks are not being followed, infact volvo may be the first to violate their own trademark properties opening the door or setting a precident for other to do so. i suspect they tried this luxury gimick graphic to offset the conventional look of the rearview or simply could not fit the idea where it had traditional gone on volvo wagon tailgates. perhaps this is self recognition that the rear does looks like a forester and they had better dress things up from a design/marketing standpoint.
i'd say that from these photos and photos of cars can be deceiving (ie alfa spyder as photoed in a mid 60's car mag versus experienceing it in the flesh), this new volvo while nice in many ways is loosing its own well earned and owned distinction from the lot of other brands. heck if you have a unique, differentialed look why try to loose that and make your products look like everything else. and if so wouldn't you try to look upstream. while everyone is trying to emulate bmw (camry) volvo is choosing to emulate subaru.
will this by them more sales units? i guess we have to wait to see the v70 in the flesh-there seems to be many other improvement which are great, but i may just have to make my v70 run for another few hundred thousand miles.
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