Autoblog

Mere minutes after receiving word that Volvo would begin producing the C30 hatch, we've been speculating about the possibility of a performance version that would evolve the stylish three-door into a GTI competitor. The announcement that Ford is developing a new Focus RS has given us even more reason to be hopeful. Pure speculation and performance prognostication says that the 2.5-liter turbocharged mill shouldn't be an issue since it's already fitted into the C30 and its platform siblings, the Focus ST and S40, plus, all-wheel-drive could be part of the equation.

A 300 hp C30R has the potential of joining the Mazdaspeed3 as another way of satiating our desire for a hot Focus, and if the price, we're smelling a hit.

[Source: Swedespeed]

Thanks for the tip, Paul!

Back in February, we reported that Volvo would be eliminating its remaining R-badged offerings in the future; specifically the S60R and V70R. At the time, there was discussion that other models in Volvo's line-up may get R-worthy tweaks when these two models were nixed. Another rumor that Volvo may kill off the "R" designation altogether was floated, and although we thought it was unlikely, we figured time would tell.

Tell it has, and according to an article in Automotive News, the 2007 model year will be the last for the Rs.

Slow sales of both the S60R and V70R were the final nails in the coffin of Volvo's hotted-up models, which originally began with the T5R back in 1995. While US sales of these high performance sedans were the highest of any country, the numbers haven't justified the extra expense here or abroad, leading to Volvo's decision.

Thankfully, Fredrik Arp, Volvo's CEO, made it clear that Volvo will continue to develop more driver-focused machines -– pointing out the new C30 hatch and V8-powered S80 –- so the automaker is merely deleting the consonant, but its ethos will remain intact.

However, don't expect anything soon, as Arp is quoted as saying that, "We are working on the next phase, but it will not be immediate." So does that mean no AWD, 250+ HP C30? We hope not, but again, time will tell.

[Source: Automotive News (Sub. Req.)]

When Volvo releases their new V70 sedan and wagon, customers won't get the choice of a hotted-up version sporting an 'R' on the boot lid. Volvo decided that the T6 provides adequate thrust for the Swedish saloon and, contrary to rumors, won't be equipping the V70 with the Yamaha-developed 325 HP V8, found in the XC90.

However, since Volvo normally limits its R-badged offerings to two, the lack of a V70R and the discontinuation of the S60R will allow other vehicles to benefit from some of the power and handling tweaks associated with the moniker.

The first on the list is a C30R, likely equipped with all-wheel-drive and 250 HP, so it can bring the pain to the A3s and GTIs that populate that hot hatch segment. The second offering may be an S40R, whose engine bay was specifically designed to fit the 281 HP, T6 engine.

The last possibility is a S80R, which may come equipped with a 4.4-liter V8, however the transmission currently available might not be up to the task of handling close to 400 HP.

One dark spot in the Autocar article is the idea that the R badge may be nixed altogether. We doubt it, but time will tell.

[Source: Autocar]