Autoblog

Volvo rolls out new R-Design versions of S60, XC60 and new V60

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Etc., Crossover, Hatchback, Volvo

Volvo has put together R-Design packages for its newly facelifted S60, V60 and XC60 models, and for those who want more bark to go with them, there's a power upgrade for the S60 and V60 courtesy of Polestar performance. The aesthetics start with new front and rear fascias, the grille going frameless and Tech Matte Black with a silk metal diagonal bar, the back end getting a finned diffuser and round R-Design tailpipes. On top of that, the S60 and V60 are lowered 15 millimeters and can be fitted with 19-inch versions of the company's Ixion wheel pattern.

The R-Design sport chassis stiffens things up, items like the rear dampers getting 20-percent stiffer while front bushings get a whopping 400-percent stiffer. Inside there's a black headliner, perforated leather mixed with nubuck and contrasting stitching on the sport seats, or a full leather option for those who love their cow, and the Adaptive Digital Display gets a blue hue when set to the Elegance appearance theme.

Buyers of the 3.0-liter T6 engine can add the Polestar performance option, which cranks things up to 329 horsepower instead of the standard 304 hp, and an exclusive accelerator pedal comes with it. More detail can be found in the press release below.

Continue reading Volvo rolls out new R-Design versions of S60, XC60 and new V60

Volvo rolls out new R-Design versions of S60, XC60 and new V60 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo confirms return of the wagon with V60 headed to US

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Volvo, Luxury

Turns out that promised new production Volvo model for the United States is indeed the V60 wagon, as we had previously predicted. And it's not terribly surprising, as Volvo has a long and storied history of wagon sales in the US, from the old, loveable 240 to the more recent high-performance V70R. And yet the automaker hasn't had a proper non-XC, non-crossover-style wagon in the US since it pulled the V70 away at the end of the 2010 model year.

"The new Volvo V60 is for people who want the handling of a dynamic sports sedan but need the versatility of a wagon," says Volvo, highlighting the reason many of us on the Autoblog team harbor such fondness for wagons in general.

Volvo is currently showing off the R-Design package for its entire model line, including the V60, at the New York Auto Show. We don't know for sure if the V60 will launch with the R-Design package or if it will come at a later date, and we also see no mention of a Polestar edition, though we're hopeful.

Of course, we're on our knees pleading that Volvo will see the light and decide to offer its latest V40 and XC40 wagons in the US, too. But back to the news at hand - we don't yet have pricing or final specifications, but Volvo says the V60 will hit the States early in 2014. Check out the image gallery above for visuals, and feel free to read through the brief press release below.

Continue reading Volvo confirms return of the wagon with V60 headed to US

Volvo confirms return of the wagon with V60 headed to US originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo confirms unnamed US model reveal for NY show

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Wagon, Volvo

Tucked into the press release for the "display debut" of the Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid at the New York Auto Show, Volvo snuck in a single line announcing that it will also be introducing a new model for the North American market. As much as we'd love to see the svelte V40 on American roads, we're pretty sure the automaker is looking to fill its US station wagon void with the V60.

The 2014 Volvo V60 is part of a comprehensive lineup update that was unveiled earlier this month in Geneva, and it would give Volvo dealers a conventional wagon (not including the XC70) for the first time since the V70 and V50 were killed off. We'll still be keeping our fingers crossed for the stylish V40 hatchback or the fuel-efficient V60 diesel hybrid, but we have to wait until next week to find out for sure.

Continue reading Volvo confirms unnamed US model reveal for NY show

Volvo confirms unnamed US model reveal for NY show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo considering offering V60 wagon in the US

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Volvo

For the 2014 model year, the Volvo product line is shrinking to just five models in the United States: the S60, S80, XC60, XC70 and XC90. This comes following the death of the C30 hatchback and C70 convertible, which are being discontinued after the 2013 model year. The S40 sedan and V50 wagon were axed two years ago, as was the larger V70.

That may not be the case, however. According to Automotive News, Volvo is rethinking its decision to not sell the V60 wagon, pictured, in the United States. The automaker had originally decided to not offer the V60 in our market due to declining American wagon sales. A decision is expected to be made sometime in the next quarter, and if approved, sales of the V60 could begin in the US within the next year.

At the Geneva Motor Show last week, Volvo showed off refreshed versions of nearly every vehicle in its lineup. In the US, these will be the only changes coming to the Volvo brand over the next two years. The next big product launch in the States will be the all-new XC90 crossover, developed under new parent company Geely. The range-topping SUV will ride on the company's new flexible SPA platform, which will also underpin the next-generation versions of the S60, S80 and XC60.

In the meantime, these overhauled 2014 models are expected to help Volvo gain more market share in the US. In 2013, the company's sales only improved one percent in a market that as a whole grew 13 percent. Volvo executives are hoping for a five-percent increase this year, following the 2014 models hitting dealerships this June.

Volvo considering offering V60 wagon in the US originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo releases extensive model updates for 2014

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Volvo, Luxury

The 2014 model year is going to see big changes for the Volvo lineup. The biggest news is that the "60 cluster" models (the S60, V60 and XC60) are receiving some substantial updates despite not being all that old, and Volvo is also refreshing the S80, V70 and XC70 models. Of course, the 2014 model year also marks the departure of the C30 and C70 from its lineup, and we still have at least a year to wait until we see the redesigned XC90.

Except for the XC90, all of the 2014 Volvos will be getting noticeable design updates. The S60, V60 and XC60 get more in-depth changes, including a full front facelift. All will use an evolution of the "naughty" design that debuted on the S60. The rear of all three cars get some changes, too, most notably consisting of the reshaped rear fascia with the integrated exhaust outlets. S80, V70 and XC70 will get more minor changes - mostly to bring them in line with the fresher models. The XC70 keeps is rugged plastic cladding, but it gets some stylish wheels with what look like arrowhead accents.

Inside, all of these updated models will new in-car technology such as the Sensus Connected Touch infotainment system and the adaptive digital display with a TFT (thin film transistor) screen. This reconfigurable screen allows the driver to choose between three different themes - Elegance, Eco and Performance - which changes the color and layout of the background. Other new features include heated windshields, Active High Beam Control for the headlights, paddle shifters for a little added driver involvement and IntelliSafe active safety systems (City Safety, Pedestrian Detection and Road Sign Information) The S80, V70 and XC70 will also add heated steering wheels to their respective options sheets, too.

Volvo also promises improved fuel economy across the board, but no US numbers have been released yet. The press releases for all cars are posted after the jump.

Continue reading Volvo releases extensive model updates for 2014

Volvo releases extensive model updates for 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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