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Subscribe to this threadVolvo aims for BMW
(Page 1 of 1)
generalmotorsman4life @ Aug 9th 2007 7:53PM
Until Volvo (if this can happen before they're sold) shifts to a rear wheel drive platform with a near 50/50 front and rear ratio-they will never compete with BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus I, G and LS vehicles. They really should be concentrating on being sold because the entire lineup will be revamped anyway under the new owners.
Jeff @ Aug 9th 2007 8:15PM
What is the big deal abour RWD when it comes to luxury cars? Personally, I think the way to go (for everyone) is FWD-based AWD. Frankly, it doesn't matter to me whether the car is driven from the back or the front as long as the car isn't underpowered. Volvo has always been FWD, and it should stay that way unless it decides to Subaru it up and go all AWD all the time. It's just better for them.
Actually, I should clarify. If I'm going to be driving a sports car or a muscle car, obviously it needs RWD. In Volvo's, and most other carmakers' cases, however, FWD is a better choice.
danielm @ Aug 9th 2007 9:30PM
Volvo used to be RWD, I had a 760 Turbo '87, RWD with Dedion rear suspension, as far as i remember the 240 series is RWD as well, they just went FWD like many others, such as Alfa Romeo and even Cadillac, RWD IMO suits better bigger cars,
Brendan Smith @ Aug 9th 2007 10:11PM
They should stop trying to be BMW. BMW is ultimate driving machines. Volvo is awesome station wagon boxiness. People love Volvos the way they are; other automakers would kill for branding as coherent as theirs.
Richard @ Aug 9th 2007 10:38PM
I think that the only Volvo that had a DeDion rear was the 343.
Never the less...Volvo aims for BMW. Well, first they neutered the brand when they took away the symbol for iron as part of the logo.
The they made them all FWD.
Then they made them Fords!
What ever happened to Volvo:Boxy, but built!
Now it will be Volvo: "What if Chris Bangle had done front drivers?"
UGH!
omar @ Aug 10th 2007 9:28AM
I agree that they should be concentrating on gaining new Swedish owners not so much on a messed up new product lineup. Volvo in my opinion is one of the greatest car markers, but they have been showing difficulty lately in a brand image. Dropping that diagonal bar off the grille is murder to the volvo brand, their car front end will look like every other car out their. I highly doubt that they will dropp the diagonal bar, but just fancy it up a bit more.
Next Volvo wont change from front wheel drive to rear wheel because of safety reasons. So what they need to do instead is get a different set of transmissions that transfer 50 to 60 percent of engine power to the rear wheels to regain that rear wheel drive feel but only with a transversly mounted engine.
Finally could someone tell me why is it that Volvo wants to make the S40 into a 5 door hatch, thats another V50 but however. So now whats the purpose of the C30. Only thing that I can see that they are trying to do in comparison with audi is
Audi A1 Volvo C30
Audi A3 Volvo S40 (or whatever it will name)
Audi A4 Volvo S60
Audi A6 Volvo S80 ( new generation doing a nice job)
Audi A8 Volvo ..... ( maybe a new sedan coming S100)
Audi Q7 Volvo XC90
Audi Q5 Volvo XC60
Mercedes R Class Volvo XC100
Volvo needs to come to some grasp with this product line, its quite messed up.