Autoblog

Volvo trims out the cabin of its top seller with XC60 Inscription

Noah Joseph — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:40:00 EST

In the market for a new luxury crossover? You could do a lot worse than the Volvo XC60. But if the existing model isn't luxe enough for your taste, Volvo has now announced the availability of a new trim level that amps things up a notch.

Called the Inscription edition, the gussied-up XC60 gives buyers a choice of special interior trims. Four colors of semi-aniline leather - white, black, reddish tan or beige - are on offer, with black or beige trim to coordinate. The headrests are also embroidered and the tread-plates embossed with the Inscription logo, the center armrest is trimmed in top-stitched leather, and the seats are upgraded with electrically adjustable lumbar support.

Charcoal headliner, a special shade of silver paint and unique 20-inch wheels are also on offer for the special edition of the model that Volvo says is its top seller. The model will be unveiled at the Leipzig Motor Show in June (oddly sales start in April), but you can peruse the special touches in the gallery above and check out the press release after the jump for more details. Pricing has not yet been released, but Volvo is promising "worldwide" availability.

Continue reading Volvo trims out the cabin of its top seller with XC60 Inscription

Volvo trims out the cabin of its top seller with XC60 Inscription originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XC60 Plug-In Hybrid shows where Volvo is headed

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Technology, Crossover, Volvo, Electric, Luxury

Volvo has made it a point to emphasize - surprise - the safety of its plug-in vehicles at recent auto shows. Now, at the Detroit Auto Show, the Swedish automaker has showed off the XC60 Plug-In Gasoline Hybrid Concept, a way to gauge American reaction to the idea of a plug-in CUV from Volvo. Why? Because this concept is headed to the U.S. and Chinese markets - in a different guise and with a lot of changes - within "a couple of years." That means something like 2014-2015. Volvo's first PHEV here could be an XC60 model, or perhaps an S60, said Volvo CEO and President Stefan Jacoby. For now, Jacoby tells Autoblog that the XC60 PHEV shows the direction Volvo is headed.

Here are the numbers: a 35-mile all-electric range, a recharging time of just 3.5 hours from a 220V outlet (7.5 hours from a more common 110V). Volvo estimates U.S. fuel economy of 105 miles per gallon equivalent and 50 mpg when the battery runs dry. 0-60 is reached in 5.8 seconds on the way to a 130-mph top speed. Oh, and there are eight gears in the auto transmission.

Gasoline is burned in a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is turbocharged and direct-injected and has stop-start technology. This 280-horsepower powerplant moves the front wheels, and a 70-hp electric motor propels the back wheels (this is known as a through-the-road hybrid). The XC60 PHEV has a 12-kWh lithium-ion battery, but just 66 percent of that (8 kWh) is used. The driver can select three modes - Pure, Hybrid and Power - depending on which type of fuel economy and performance is desired. Details of this technology can be found after the jump, and images of the XC60 test bed are available in our galleries.

Continue reading XC60 Plug-In Hybrid shows where Volvo is headed

XC60 Plug-In Hybrid shows where Volvo is headed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo plugging XC60 hybrid concept in Detroit

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Crossover, Volvo

With the new year in full swing and the Detroit Auto Show now just days away, the new debuts have been rolling in. And here we have Volvo's centerpiece for the rapidly approaching auto expo: the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept.

Based, as you might have guessed, on the production XC60 crossover, this technological concept packs a similar drivetrain to the V60 Plug-in Hybrid that just entered production. While its stouter counterpart utilizes a diesel to fill out the internal-combustion side of the hybrid equation, the XC60 concept packs a gasoline engine: those front wheels are driven by a 280-horsepower turbo four coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a 70hp electric motor driving the rear wheels for through-the-road all-wheel drive.

The result is what Volvo stretches to claim is a 100 mpg fuel economy rating in hybrid mode, 35 miles on electric propulsion alone, or a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds using the battery as a booster. There's plenty more to digest in the press release after the jump, so click through to delve in, and don't forget to scope out the high-resolution image gallery for a closer look.

Continue reading Volvo plugging XC60 hybrid concept in Detroit

Volvo plugging XC60 hybrid concept in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo to gun for top-tier luxury brand status after all

Zach Bowman — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: China, Europe, Volvo, Luxury

Word has it that Volvo is once again aiming for top-tier status. Automotive News China is reporting that the Swedish automaker has outlined a slew of new goals that include hitting annual sales of around 800,000 units, becoming the best employer worldwide and doing battle with the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. If that's not ambitious enough for you, the brand wants to make it all happen by 2020. The news came courtesy of Freeman Shen, Volvo senior vice president, who made the comments in a speech about the company's future.

Volvo has adopted the new global brand tag line, "Designed Around You," as a step toward its ambitious targets. As Automotive News China points out, the company has some serious ground to cover. For starters, its current line lacks a legitimate flagship to compete with the BMW 7 Series or the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Even so, sales in China are now favoring the XC60 SUV and S80 instead of the smaller S40; a sign that the brand is already inching its way up the food chain in that country.

Volvo to gun for top-tier luxury brand status after all originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo City Safety System gets thumbs up from NHTSA, IIHS [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Volvo

Volvo just got a major thumbs up in the safety department. Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have stated that the automaker's City Safety technology helps reduce, and even prevent, low-speed collisions. In fact, the IIHS noted that users of City Safety wind up filing nearly 30 percent less at-fault claims.

The system, which is available on the Volvo XC60, works by monitoring traffic in front of the vehicle. When driving at a speed of between two and 19 miles per hour, the car can apply the brakes should forward traffic suddenly do the same. When the difference in speed between your car and one in front of you is nine mph or less, the Volvo will brake quickly enough to avoid an accident. Above that threshold and you're most likely going into the car in front of you but the damage will be greatly reduced compared to an accident involving cars not utilizing the City Safety System.

We tried it out for ourselves a while back, and our own Dan Roth escaped without putting a dent into his bosses BMW. Check that clip out for yourself after the jump, and be sure to read the full press releases while you're down there.

Continue reading Volvo City Safety System gets thumbs up from NHTSA, IIHS [w/video]

Volvo City Safety System gets thumbs up from NHTSA, IIHS [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Volvo hiring 1,200 in Europe, adding capacity

Chris Shunk — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: China, Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Crossover, Volvo

2011 Volvo XC60 R-Design - Click above for high-res image gallery

China's Geely has big plans for its Volvo brand, with a goal of reaching 800,000 global sales per year by 2020 or sooner. To accomplish that feat, the automaker will need to bolster its factories and hire more workers, and Automotive News reports the Swedish automaker plans to do just that.

Volvo has announced that it plans to add 1,200 workers in Europe to help satiate an expected jump in demand. A staggering 900 of those jobs will be of the engineering variety, bolstering the staff of the automaker's research and development center in Sweden. Another 200 will fill spots at the automaker's Ghent, Belgium factory, while the remaining 100 jobs will fill various other positions. Volvo is also looking to build vehicles in China to continue sales growth.

Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby says of the move, "We are investing in our future. It means that we have to work hard to continue to be cost competitive ... our cars are selling very well globally." Jacoby points out that the automaker is already experiencing "significantly" stronger sales than in 2010, with the XC60 crossover leading the charge.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo XC60 R-Design: Quick Spin

Photos copyright (C)2011 Zach Bowman / AOL

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: Volvo hiring 1,200 in Europe, adding capacity originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo recalls various 2011 models over fuel cutoff calibration fears

Zach Bowman — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Volvo

Volvo fuel shutoff recall models - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration have announced that the Swedish automaker will recall some 6,046 vehicles from the 2011 model year due to a possible flaw in the engine control module. According to NHTSA, a fuel shut-off parameter in the software is too sensitive, and under certain conditions, the engine may stall. Volvo is concerned that the problem may lead to an accident. A total of four models are covered in the recall, including the 2011 S60 and S80 sedans along with the XC60 and XC70 softroaders.

Volvo is scheduled to begin the recall on or before December 10, and owners will have their vehicle's software updated free of charge to fix the problem. Concerned drivers may contact Volvo directly at 1.800.458.1552 or at customercare@volvoforlife.com.

Gallery: Volvo Fuel Cut-Off Recall

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Volvo recalls various 2011 models over fuel cutoff calibration fears

Volvo recalls various 2011 models over fuel cutoff calibration fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bang for Your Bark: AAA picks best canine-friendly cars

Zach Bowman — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc.

Honda Element, one of AAA's best dog-friendly vehicles - Click above for high-res image gallery

Dog owners looking for a new set of wheels can take heart; the American Automobile Association has taken the time to pick a handful of vehicles best suited to moving your furry friend from one place to another. With around 45 million households across the country boasting at least one dog in the family, it should be no surprise that the ability to conveniently and safely move a pet plays a big role in which vehicle consumers choose to buy. A total of 11 SUVs, crossovers and wagons have made the AAA list, each divided into categories like luxury, active lifestyle and efficient and fun.

While we weren't surprised to see cars like the Subaru Forester and Honda Element make the cut, others, like the BMW 3 Series Touring and the ever fun-to-fling Mazda3 five-door were vehicles we wouldn't have necessarily thought of as doggie rides. Thrifty buys like the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube found particular favor on the AAA list, thanks in part to their ability to serve up plenty of space with their rear seats folded down. We still say a Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon would do just fine - at least for a low-profile dog like a dachshund or beagle. Hit the jump for the press release after checking out our complete gallery of canine-correct-carriers below.

Gallery: AAA Dog-Friendly Vehicles

[Source: American Automobile Association]

Continue reading Bang for Your Bark: AAA picks best canine-friendly cars

Bang for Your Bark: AAA picks best canine-friendly cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo introduces new direct injected, turbocharged 2.0-liter GTDi

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Volvo

Volvo 2.0-liter GTDi engine - Click above for high-res image gallery

Direct injection and turbocharging go together like peanut butter and jelly. Abbot and Costello. Brett Favre and protracted retirement negotiations. And it's easy to understand why. Few of us seem willing to give up performance in the name of fuel efficiency and the combined efforts of these two technologies squeeze both extra ponies and extra mileage out of a small-bore powerplant.

Volvo's first Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDi) engine will displace 2.0 liters and will offer up 203 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque at just 1,750 RPM (plus an overboost function unleashing another 15 lb-ft for short bursts). Volvo will first use the new mill in its European S80 sedan, to be followed closely by the V70 and XC60 models.

The new GTDi engine also features variable valve timing on both camshafts, further improving efficiency, and it will be offered with either Volvo's dual-clutch fully automatic six-speed Powershift transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox. We fully expect Volvo to eventually offer this new powerplant in the United States as a replacement for its aging 2.5-liter inline-five. Click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: Volvo 2.0-liter GTDi engine

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading Volvo introduces new direct injected, turbocharged 2.0-liter GTDi

Volvo introduces new direct injected, turbocharged 2.0-liter GTDi originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Bulk Store Buying: Costco and Volvo team up to sell cars

Chris Shunk — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Volvo

2010 Volvo XC60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's the holiday season and that means shopping and deal-finding is at a premium. A trip to warehouse stores Costco or Sam's Club will likely net you some tidy deals on anything from eggs and Hot Pockets to a Jacuzzi or even a casket. Even carmakers are getting in on the dealmaking, as a recent promotion with Mitsubishi and Sam's can attest. Not to be outdone, Costco is also getting in on the act.

The warehouse store and Sweden's Volvo are collaborating on a promotion for the XC60, XC70 and XC90 that includes discounts and a $500 Costco card which comes six-to-eight weeks after purchase. Customers who purchase an XC60 from Costco also get Volvo employee pricing. Buyers of the XC70 and XC90 will receive an additional $500 off. The deals being offered through Costco are in addition to any dealer incentive programs that are currently available.

We find it rather amusing that the promotion is only for Volvo crossovers - and yet it makes complete sense at the same time. Shopping at Costco practically necessitates driving a large vehicle while a quick glance at any warehouse store parking lot reveals a sea of trucks, SUVs and minivans. At least Volvo appears to be properly targeting Costco's customer base.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Volvo XC60

Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Costco]

More Bulk Store Buying: Costco and Volvo team up to sell cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: Ford Taurus and Volvo XC60 named International Car and Truck of the Year

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Crossover, Ford, Volvo

Ford Taurus and Volvo VX60 named International Car of the Year - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hold onto your hats folks, because while magazine award ceremonies appear to be just about finished, the auto show trophies are just starting to be handed out. This time, it's the International Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show, and we've got two winners from within the Ford empire. The Ford Taurus took top car honors while the Volvo XC60 won as the best truck. Both vehicles have been well received by the press and early returns from customers appear to be positive, too. While the Taurus is outselling its bland and unexciting predecessor, the XC60 has helped Volvo achieve six consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases.

ICOTY creator and executive producer Courtney Caldwell claims that the winners aren't chosen based on performance, but instead on how the vehicles "reflect our personalities, lifestyles and self-image and how well the automaker achieves that goal through the design and marketing of the vehicle." Uh-huh. And while the ICoTY award isn't exactly one of the big-name trophies for the mantle, a win is a win, and both Ford and Volvo are proud recipients of the accolades. Hit the jump to read over the press releases from Ford and Volvo.

Gallery: LA 2009 COTY: 2010 Ford Taurus and 2010 Volvo XC60

[Sources: Ford, Volvo]

Continue reading LA 2009: Ford Taurus and Volvo XC60 named International Car and Truck of the Year

LA 2009: Ford Taurus and Volvo XC60 named International Car and Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Volvo goes after tween vampire demographic with New Moon promotion

Chris Shunk — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Volvo

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Paying for product placement for big-screen movies can be a pretty risky business. If the movie is a flop, doing so could be a big-time waste of ad dollars that could have been better spent elsewhere. But if the movie turns out to be a global blockbuster, it can look like a very wise move, indeed. Volvo struck such gold with the first Twilight movie, as millions of teens saw Edward Cullen (played by Robert Pattinson) prancing around town in his silver C30. And the safety-minded Swedish automaker is looking for lightning to strike twice by getting its products noticed in Twilight sequel New Moon.

Cullen is a little older and a bit wiser in the sequel, so he appears to be stepping up from the C30 to the family-friendly XC60, although both models feature in the film. If you're thinking a crossover isn't exactly cool for the typical 17 year-old, try to remember that Cullen is over 100 in human years. Volvo's newest crossover makes perfect sense given the fact that it's the Swedish automaker's newest and freshest product, but we're having a bit of trouble trying to understand pushing a Volvo crossover in a vampire flick that gears towards teenage movie-goers.

Hit the jump to watch the 1:30 commercial, which doesn't begin until about 10 seconds into the YouTube clip. Volvo wants you to know that its vehicles give you the power to stand up for you what you believe in while also keeping what you believe in safe. If you're not into people haulers from Volvo, there are also plenty of dialog-free scenes from New Moon.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Volvo XC60

[Source: Volvo via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Volvo goes after tween vampire demographic with New Moon promotion

VIDEO: Volvo goes after tween vampire demographic with New Moon promotion originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Autoblog tries out Volvo City Safety on boss's BMW

John Neff — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Videos, Crossover, Volvo, Luxury

Autoblog tries Volvo City Safety on XC60 - Click above to watch video after the jump

A number of bloggers on our team actually have real jobs, those crazy 9-5 things we full-time bloggers hear so much about. Sure, an actual 40-hour work week can tie one arm behind your back when trying to be a power blogger, but our own Dan Roth gets around this by incorporating his two incomes to achieve a task we set out for him.

The charge was simple: Try out Volvo's City Safety technology that comes on the new XC60. City Safety is Volvo's new active safety technology that uses an optical radar mounted at the top of the windshield to measure the speed and distance of any objects in front of the car. It does these calculations around 50 times per second, and in the event of an imminent collision with said objects, will automatically apply the brakes. It only works when the XC60 is traveling between 2-18 mph, though.

Dan's response: "Great, I'll set up some cardboard boxes and we'll see if it stops."

Our response: "Lame."

Dan went back to the drawing board and wound up producing the video after the jump. We expected him to up the ante beyond sacrificial boxes somehow, but he gets our mad respect for going this far. Oh, and in case you think we set up multiple cameras to shoot all those angles, think again. Dan got so comfortable with this test that he ran it five times to get all the angles.

Continue reading VIDEO: Autoblog tries out Volvo City Safety on boss's BMW

VIDEO: Autoblog tries out Volvo City Safety on boss's BMW originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Volvo XC60 delivers on looks and lux - handling, too. Nav? Not so much.

Chris Shunk — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Volvo, New Car Reviews

2010 Volvo XC60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo has seen better days. Just a few short years ago, the Swedish automaker was the lone bright spot in Ford's European luxury operation, boasting impressive sales and actual profits. Fast-forward to 2009, and the situation couldn't be more different. Sales are downright depressing, revenues are worse, and the automaker has a "For Sale" sign on the front lawn, yet nobody has bothered to show up for the open house. For Volvo to have a legitimate chance of survival, all future products have to be home runs, beginning with the XC60 crossover.

The XC60 slots below the XC70 wagon and the XC90 crossover, finally giving Volvo a player in the lucrative entry-level luxury crossover realm. The stalwarts of the segment - the Lexus RX and Acura MDX - play to consumer's needs and desires, offering superior reliability, inoffensive looks, maxed out interiors, and top-notch tech options. Looking at the XC60 from afar, the newest Volvo passes the appearance and interior test, but does it have enough to get customers back into Volvo showrooms? Make the jump to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Volvo XC60

Continue reading Review: 2010 Volvo XC60 delivers on looks and lux - handling, too. Nav? Not so much.

Review: 2010 Volvo XC60 delivers on looks and lux - handling, too. Nav? Not so much. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo COO sees company's less eye-catching lineup as an advantage in these times

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Volvo

Click above for a high-res image gallery of the 2010 Volvo XC60

For years, Volvo has been pushing harder and harder to attract buyers of rival luxury automakers like BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz by slowly ditching its stodgy, safe and reliable reputation in favor of a more premium, upmarket marketing position. Now that money around the world is getting tighter, even those who can afford to shop in the fancy European section may be looking for a good deal.

Volvo's Chief Operating Officer Stephen Armstrong believes Volvo's lack of flashiness makes it more "socially acceptable" and might be perfect for today's market, saying, "We have a real opportunity for Volvo with respect to premium positioning. As people cut back, it becomes a little less acceptable to flaunt your money."

That's all fine and dandy, but the fact remains that Volvo is currently faring at least as poorly as its competitors in these times of financial uncertainty. We'll just have to wait and see how the introduction of the new XC60, along with the presence of possible Chinese bidders for the brand, changes things over the next few months.

Gallery: 2009 Volvo XC60

[Source: Automotive News]

Volvo COO sees company's less eye-catching lineup as an advantage in these times originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo announces 2010 XC60 pricing starting at $37,200

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Volvo

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Volvo XC60

Pricing has been released for the 2010 Volvo XC60 crossover, and the T6 with standard AWD and Volvo's pioneering City Safety low-speed collision protection system will have a base price of $37,200 plus destination. Power is provided by a turbocharged 3.0L T6 engine pumping out a solid 281 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Premium features like leather, power driver's seat, SIRIUS, Bluetooth, and HD Radio with USB and AUX ports are all standard. The Panorama moonroof will even be offered at no charge as part of an introductory offer, although Volvo hasn't said how much it will run after that.

Four different option packages available on the XC60, beginning with the Climate Package for $1,000 which includes heated seats fore and aft, heated windshield washer nozzles, rain sensing wipers, headlamp washers, and an Interior Air Quality System (IAQS) with a humidity sensor. The Technology Package will retail for $2,700 and adds a 650-watt Dynaudio stereo with 12 speakers and Dolby surround sound, plus Volvo's DVD navigation system with real time traffic and a rear park assist camera setup. This being a Volvo, of course there's a safety package as well.

The Collision Avoidance Package adds another $1,695 to the bottom line and includes a big bowl of alphabet soup: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Warning with Auto Brake (CWAB), Distance Alert (DA), Driver Alert Control (DAC), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). That's a lot of tech for such a small package and the availability of these features, although increasingly moving downmarket, can help justify the seemingly very premium base price of the vehicle. You even get free maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles as part of Volvo's new program. You can read the rest of the details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Volvo XC60

Continue reading Volvo announces 2010 XC60 pricing starting at $37,200

Volvo announces 2010 XC60 pricing starting at $37,200 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo to webcast Detroit Auto Show press conference live

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Crossover, Volvo

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Volvo S60 Concept

It may not be the same as attending the event in-person, but a live, interactive webcast of Volvo's press conference at the Detroit Auto Show, where the S60 concept and production XC60 for North America will be shown, could be the next best thing. The broadcast is intended for media types and members of the press, but the fact that it's being aired on DirecTV (channel 101, January 11 at 5:30 - 6:30 PM ET) means that anybody with a television and the satellite service can watch it live. Alternatively, users can register for a password to the online site, the location of which is not yet determined.

The coolest bit of tech that's making an appearance for this event is the capability to send questions to a live host who will then relay selected inquiries to key Volvo executives. These days, the global economic downturn is affecting everyone, including those who would normally cover these events for the media. This being the case and assuming the event is a success, we'd expect to more manufacturers to adopt a similar system at upcoming auto shows. Of course, we'll be there live and you can always direct your browsers to our pages for the best coverage available.

Gallery: Volvo S60 Concept

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading Volvo to webcast Detroit Auto Show press conference live

Volvo to webcast Detroit Auto Show press conference live originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Volvo's Vs could get new roofline

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Volvo, Rendered Speculation

One of the last bastions of contentment for wagon lovers may be over as reports indicate that Volvo is considering abandoning the classic long and low shape for something a bit more modern. Of course, that means a higher roof-line, ground clearance and seating position, along with a slightly trimmed footprint. In fact, the Swedish automaker seriously considered making a change to its current V70 model before it was released to the public. The true test will come when the new XC60 crossover hits the market, as its sales figures will determine how Volvo designs its next V50 and V70.

Ford's Flex might offer a preview of the shape of things to come from the Swedish automaker, as its design is similar to what may be on offer from Volvo if it scraps the traditional wagon. We wouldn't expect anything too 'trucky' though, as sales of traditional SUVs have fallen off dramatically in the last two years.

Redesigns of the mid-sized S60 and XC90 have also reportedly been pushed a bit further into the future as the automaker struggles to reign in its recent lack of profits. The latest timetable puts the new sedan's appearance in 2010 while the 'ute's redesign isn't expected until 2012, though a refresh could spice things up a bit in 2010 with a possible hybrid drivetrain.

[Source: Autocar]

Rendered Speculation: Volvo's Vs could get new roofline originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo XC60 comes from Sweden with "leaves"

Chris Shunk — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Volvo

Click above for high-res gallery of the Volvo XC60

Vehicle sales are brutal everywhere of late, but Volvo has been tanking long before any industry-wide slowdown took place. That makes the March 2009 arrival of the XC60 crossover that much more important, as it's the first all-new Volvo (besides the low volume C30) in many years. Since customers have been turning away from the Volvo brand of late, marketing will play a big part of the XC60's success. Volvo has unleashed its new campaign for the CUV already with the tagline, "The new Volvo XC60. From Sweden with löv." We get it. Volvo is stressing its Swedish roots in marketing its new vehicle. Hey, it works for IKEA, right? Volvo even utilized the Swedish spelling for 'love' to give its new crossover more Euro appeal.

Our tipster Caitlin didn't think it works at all. The reason? Löv means 'leaves' in Swedish and has nothing to do with that certain brand of affection that makes our cheeks blush. According to Caitlin, Lov without the umlaut means 'vacation' or 'break', which sounds like a better advertising angle for a CUV than leaves, but just doesn't look as "Swedish" in print. The proper translation of 'love' into Swedish is "kärlek", so when you begin seeing the XC60 on U.S. streets next March, just remember that it comes from Sweden with kärlek. Thanks for the tip, Caitlin!

Gallery: 2009 Volvo XC60

[Source: Volvo]

Volvo XC60 comes from Sweden with "leaves" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: Volvo XC60 softroads in style

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:33:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Volvo

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Volvo XC60.

Volvo's entrance into the ever-expanding crossover segment was finally revealed here in Geneva when the wraps were pulled off the new XC60. The swoopy, Swedish cute 'ute will make its way Stateside later this year powered by the turbocharged T6, producing 281 hp and coming standard with all-wheel-drive and Volvo's extensive safety features. Aside from the Instant Traction control, a new system, dubbed City Safety, applies the brakes if a low-speed impact is imminent. Volvo expects to unload around 50,000 XC60s a year, with 15,000-20,000 units sold here in the U.S.

Volvo's exhaustive press release is posted after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Volvo XC60

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Geneva 2008: Volvo XC60 softroads in style originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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