Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Disgruntled Volvo owner starts blog, crafts lament in her native Swedish tongue]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/video-disgruntled-volvo-owner-starts-blog-crafts-lament-in-her/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/video-disgruntled-volvo-owner-starts-blog-crafts-lament-in-her/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/video-disgruntled-volvo-owner-starts-blog-crafts-lament-in-her/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Freya Svensson feels like she's getting screwed. According to her blog postings, she owns a still new-looking Volvo XC70 that has had more than its fair share of problems: a faulty transmission and an internal coolant leak that could have been caused by a cracked cylinder head or head gasket. To make matters worse, Svensson says the transmission, cylinder head and motor mounts (twice) have been replaced by Rusnak Volvo in Pasadena, California. Svensson further claims that when the transmission was replaced, she told Rusnak that it still didn't feel right but the dealership allegedly wouldn't take a look at it again. Now that the supposed defective tranny is out of warranty, the dealership wants to repair it. None of this tale is funny, odd, or different from some of the dealer/warranty horror stories that we hear about all the time. So why are we bothering to report on this one? As you might have guessed from the viking helmet and acoustic guitar show above, Svensson has no issue in pulling out all the stops in order to get her message across. She's even got t-shirts. This amuses us.

For starters, Svensson started up her own website, Rusmackedvolvo.com, which details her problems with Volvo North America and Rusnak Volvo. She took to Facebook to friend Volvo North America President Doug Speck, offering to help him add to his paltry friend total of 24 in exchange for free repairs to her Scandinavian lemon. To add a little flair, Svensson then took to YouTube to provide a video play by play of what is going on with her cursed wagon. The blonde haired, blue eyed Svensson plays up the Swedish connection by even singing an original composition, "O Rusnak Volvo" in her native tongue. Hit the jump to watch the clip, and don't worry if you don't speak Swedish - Svensson has been thoughtful enough to provide English subtitles.

[Sources: Rusmackedvolvo.com; YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Disgruntled Volvo owner starts blog, crafts lament in her native Swedish tongue

VIDEO: Disgruntled Volvo owner starts blog, crafts lament in her native Swedish tongue originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cracked head cylinderCrackedHeadCylinderrusnak volvoRusnakVolvotransmissionvolvo dealervolvo wagonvolvo xc70VolvoDealerVolvoWagonVolvoXc70Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[El Capuccino Volvo 'ute spotted outside museum]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/13/el-capuccino-volvo-ute-spotted-outside-museum/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/13/el-capuccino-volvo-ute-spotted-outside-museum/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/13/el-capuccino-volvo-ute-spotted-outside-museum/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for more images of the Volvo XC70 pickup

Volvo has been known for its safety and practical nature since the company's inception, but what we never expected to see from the Swedish automaker is a sport 'ute. A quick-witted photographer snapped up a few pics of an XC70 outside the Volvo museum in Sweden that has been converted for pickup duty, and it looks pretty damn good. Surprisingly, the Volvo ute looks exceptionally well built, thanks to the efforts of Swedish coachbuilder Dalbo Fordonsteknik. While it won't be confused with an El Camino or Ford Falcon, it has a small but usable bed, a shark fin-like design in profile, and what looks like some covered space behind the front seats.

Gallery: Volvo XC70 Sport 'Ute


[Source: Carscoop]

El Capuccino Volvo 'ute spotted outside museum originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 May 2008 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dalbo FordonsteknikDalboFordonsteknikpickupVolvoVolvo MuseumVolvo uteVolvo XC70VolvoMuseumVolvoUteVolvoXc70Tue, 13 May 2008 10:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Volvo to offer T6 engine option in XC70 this fall]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/20/volvo-to-offer-t6-engine-option-in-xc70-this-fall/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/20/volvo-to-offer-t6-engine-option-in-xc70-this-fall/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/20/volvo-to-offer-t6-engine-option-in-xc70-this-fall/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Volvo XC70

The Volvo XC70 recently spent some time in the Autoblog Garage, and while we liked the vehicle overall, we had a few major complaints: its high price, poor gas mileage and a noticeable lack of power. At least one of those issues will be rectified somewhat this fall when Volvo begins offering the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine for the XC70. This engine is already available in the S80 sedan, and since the V70 and XC70 use similar chassis architecture, it was only a matter of time before the T6 engine migrated down the line. The 281 horsepower of the T6 engine should offer a useful improvement over the standard 235 horsepower 3.2 liter six. According to AutoWeek, the T6 model will be the crossover's flagship, so it seems unlikely that the 311 horsepower V8 will show up underhood any time soon. Power often covers a multitude of sins, so we're betting that the boosted-six will prove to be a popular option among buyers.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Volvo XC70


[Source: AutoWeek]

Volvo to offer T6 engine option in XC70 this fall originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>t6volvovolvo t6volvo wagonvolvo xc70volvo-t6volvo-wagonvolvo-xc70VolvoT6VolvoWagonVolvoXc70xc-70xc70xc70 t6xc70-t6Xc70T6Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: 2008 Volvo XC70 [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-volvo-xc70-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-volvo-xc70-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-volvo-xc70-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


2008 Volvo XC70 - Click above for high-res image gallery

While station wagons are a very big part of the European automotive landscape, here in the States the two-box design sells much better when it's a crossover. We Americans don't have many choices on the true wagon front, mostly because high volume demand simply doesn't exist. One wagon that has been around for a while is the Volvo XC70, which combines much of the rugged AWD utility of an SUV with traditional wagon packaging.

The XC70 is all-new for 2008, including its Ford Mondeo-derived platform, 3.2L engine and more refined sheet metal. On paper, the XC70 delivers a good-looking, safe and evolved station wagon to go head-to-head with upscale utility vehicles, but how will it hold up in the Autoblog Garage? Hit the jump to find out.


Gallery: Review: 2008 Volvo XC70


All photos Copyright (C)2008 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2008 Volvo XC70 [w/VIDEO]

Review: 2008 Volvo XC70 [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 Volvo XC702008VolvoXc70Autoblog GarageAutoblogGarageAWDfeaturedreviewStation WagonStationWagonvolvoVolvo XC70VolvoXc70xc70Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA 2007: Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/01/sema-2007-volvo-xc70-surf-rescue/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/01/sema-2007-volvo-xc70-surf-rescue/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/01/sema-2007-volvo-xc70-surf-rescue/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volvo is known for its safe cars, so it's only fitting that they would build a vehicle specifically designed for safety. The XC70 SR (Safety Rescue) concept was designed with the surf rescue vehicles of Southern California beaches in mind. The SR has an array of features that make it ideal for acting as a support vehicle like front and rear skid plates, a new front and rear overhang to improve approach angles, and a lifted chassis for five extra inches of ground clearance. Inside, the seats have been covered win a fabric similar to a wet suit, and emergency gear can be stored in the cargo department. On the floor are two scuba tanks, an oxygen tank, and a first aid kit, among other rescue equipment.

Gallery: Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue

Continue reading SEMA 2007: Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue

SEMA 2007: Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>SEMAVolvoVolvo XC70Volvo XC70 Surf RescueVolvoXc70VolvoXc70SurfRescueThu, 01 Nov 2007 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: 2008 Volvo XC70]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/09/spy-shots-2008-volvo-xc70/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/09/spy-shots-2008-volvo-xc70/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/09/spy-shots-2008-volvo-xc70/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Our compatriot in the cubicle over at Winding Road received some shots of the new Volvo XC70 and despite its Missy Elliotian-camo, a few notable design cues are apparent.

The Cross-Country receives a mildly angled D-pillar and side mirror-embedded turn signals that seem to be the trend du jour on several new models. Although the plastic-clad front-end doesn't lend much detail, it's obvious that a more aggressive snout will make an appearance, that, along with more bubbled fender flares hint at the XC's off-road prowess.

Click on over to "the Road" for full shots of the Swede's departure from the "brick on wheels" school of design and be sure to check out the last photo of one pissed off Volvo employee, who's apparently a big fan of "nawz."

Spy Shots: 2008 Volvo XC70 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Sep 2006 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>spy shotsSpyShotsvolvo xc70VolvoXc70Sat, 09 Sep 2006 18:54:00 EST