Autoblog

Heico Sportiv unveils tuned Volvo V40

Noah Joseph — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Wagon, Europe, Hatchback, Volvo

When a new hatchback or sport wagon hits the European market, it's only a matter of time before the tuners get their hands on it. And in the case of the new Volvo V40, that comes at the hand of Heico Sportiv.

The German tuner has been teasing us with plans to mod the V40 for months now. So with sketches and the promise of a racing version already on the wire, Heico has followed up with the first images of its V40 tuning program.

Mechanical changes center around an ECU reflash for the turbo five that boosts output from the car's standard 237 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque up to 266 hp and 269 lb-ft. Seven-spoke alloys, a full aero kit, and quad ovoid exhaust tips round out the package and set Heico's V40 apart from its stock brethren.

Heico Sportiv unveils tuned Volvo V40 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Jun 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heico Sportiv debuts Volvo V40 mods with bio-diesel racer

Noah Joseph — Tue, 29 May 2012 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Performance, Wagon, Europe, Volvo, Misc. Auto Shows, Diesel, Racing

The V40 is a vital product not only for Volvo itself, but also for the tuners that specialize in customizing the Swedish automobiles. And among the foremost of them is Heico Sportiv.

The German tuning firm hinted a few weeks ago at its impending line of accessories for the new sportwagon, and has now followed up by announcing the racecar you see here. The modified V40 serves two purposes: The first will be to race at the Nürburgring 24-hour race - presumably next year's since this year's just finished. Secondly, it previews a range of modifications that the company will be offering buyers of the new V40.

The mod job includes a full aero kit, complete with flared wheel arches, front splitter, rear diffuser and a big rear wing. The exhaust, suspension and rolling stock have also been upgraded, capped by a version of Volvo's five-cylinder turbo-diesel tuned to produce 300 horsepower on bio-diesel fuel. That much is hinted at by the "Green Racing" livery that mimics that run by the Volvo team in various touring car series.

The car will make its public debut at the upcoming auto show in Leipzig, Germany, but you can scope it out now in the press release below.

Continue reading Heico Sportiv debuts Volvo V40 mods with bio-diesel racer

Heico Sportiv debuts Volvo V40 mods with bio-diesel racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 May 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heico Sportiv gears up to mod new Volvo V40

Noah Joseph — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:44:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Wagon, Europe, Hatchback, Volvo

The emergence of the V40 is arguably the biggest news to come out of Volvo since Ford sold it to Geely. Just as with any new car - European hatchbacks especially - the aftermarket will follow shortly with modifications, and in the case of Volvo, that means Heico Sportiv.

The German tuning house specializes in Gothenburg's finest. The firm already has a new ECU module for the T5 engine in the V40 that brings output up from 237 horsepower to 266 and from 236 pound-feet of torque to 269. Heico has released a pair of renderings previewing what it plans to do with the outside of the slick new sport-wagon.

From the teaser renderings, we can see a new set of lightweight seven-spoke alloys, new bumpers front and rear, side skirt extensions, a relatively low-key diffuser and quad ovoid exhaust tips. In other words, the V40, only slightly more so. Unfortunately, since the V40 isn't earmarked for American showrooms, this may be as close as we'll get.

Heico Sportiv gears up to mod new Volvo V40 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2012 09:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo teams up with Polestar and Heico for S60 Performance Project

Noah Joseph — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Volvo, Australia

Volvo S60 Performance Project - Click above for high-res image gallery

Reports of Volvo and Polestar collaborating on road car offerings appear to be coming to fruition. Following rumors that Volvo had solicited the racing garage's services to increase the output on the S60 and XC60 R-Design models came word that a new line of Performance Concept Prototypes were in the works. Now, Volvo's Australian unit has teamed with both Polestar and Heico Sportiv to produce the prototype you see here.

Called the S60 Performance Project, it's based on the new R-Design model, with the upped 325-horsepower output. So what else have Polestar and Heico squeezed out of the S60? A new exhaust, for starters, and a substantially revised suspension that's been lowered by 15 millimeters with monotube damping and stiffer springs, mounted to new 19-inch alloys wearing Pirelli rubber.

Nothing earth-shattering, then, but Volvo Australia says if there's enough demand, it could offer the sportier sedan through its own dealership network, instead of making customers source parts from aftermarket suppliers. Which would also, of course, have the added benefit of landing under warranty, which in turn makes us wonder if this could be another Australian touring-car-for-the-road we could stand to see here on American roads. Find the details in the press release after the jump and the high-res images in the gallery for more.

Continue reading Volvo teams up with Polestar and Heico for S60 Performance Project

Volvo teams up with Polestar and Heico for S60 Performance Project originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heico Sportiv puts the sleeper hold on the new Volvo V60

Noah Joseph — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Wagon, Volvo, Misc. Auto Shows

2011 Volvo V60 by Heico Sportiv - Click above for high-res image gallery

Performance Volvos have long been the sleepers of all sleepers. That is to say, quiet aggression with a hidden punch. Swedish tuning house Heico Sportiv is a big part of that formula, its tuned Volvos shaming sportscar drivers who just never know what hit 'em. But if you really want to fly under the radar and throw some egg on the poseurs' faces, what you're going to need is a tuned Volvo wagon. Fortunately Heico has just announced such a model.

The modifications for the new Volvo V60 are essentially the same as those already announced for the S60 sedan, but with a little extra cargo capacity and an added dose of "unassuming." That means a 2.0T model boosted to 297 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque or a T6 pumping out 330 and 339.

A retuned suspension, aero kit, quad exhaust tips and 18- or 20-inch wheels round out the package, which ought to give that Porsche driver a hint at the source of his embarrassment and the soccer mom driving it a little something to show off in the daycare parking lot. Have a closer look in the gallery below as Heico prepares to unveil the tuned V60 at the Essen tuner show later this month.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo V60 by Heico Sportiv

[Source: Heico Sportiv]

Heico Sportiv puts the sleeper hold on the new Volvo V60 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heico Sportiv adds aggression to new Volvo S60 [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Videos, Volvo, Luxury

Heico Sportiv reworks the 2011 Volvo S60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We got a glimpse of it not long ago in renderings, now Heico Sportiv has taken its retuned 2011 Volvo S60 to the track and brought us some souvenirs of the day. Changes are restrained yet aggressive outside, with added front lip components and a rear diffuser that wraps around four tailpipes, in addition to a set of attractive gunmetal Volution wheels.

Under the hood is where the real oomph resides, with power outputs hitting the 297 horsepower and 258 pound-feet in the 2.0T, and 330 hp and 339 lb-ft. in the T6. In the T6 model, that will get you from naught to 62 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds. Follow the jump for all the details and to see it in motion, and have a look at the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Heico Sportiv 2011 Volvo S60

[Source: Heico Sportiv]

Continue reading Heico Sportiv adds aggression to new Volvo S60 [w/video]

Heico Sportiv adds aggression to new Volvo S60 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heico Sportiv previews 330-hp tuned 2011 Volvo S60

Steven J. Ewing — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Volvo, Luxury

Heico Sportiv Volvo S60 renderings - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're all pretty excited about the launch of the 2011 Volvo S60 - the sedan that could make or break Volvo's worldwide appeal. We haven't driven it yet, but the shapely new S60 certainly looks like it means business. We hope that it retains that solid "Volvo-ness" that we've come to love, while adding a welcome dose of driver involvement.

Even though the S60 hasn't quite hit the road yet, Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv already has plans for its first modified version of the new sedan. These renderings show an S60 with sharper, more aggressive design elements, including hot new wheels, a revised front fascia, and a rear diffuser that encompasses quad tailpipes. Mechanically, Heico plans to rework the suspension and exhaust, as well as boosting output to around 330 horsepower - 30 more ponies than the standard S60 T6. We'll take one in matte black, please.

Gallery: Heico Sportiv Volvo S60

[Source: Heico Sportiv]

Heico Sportiv previews 330-hp tuned 2011 Volvo S60 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heico Volvo V70 T6 R-Design hauls more than kids, but carries massive pricetag

Dan Roth — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:04:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Europe, Volvo

2011 Volvo V70 R-Design by Heico Sportiv - click above for a high-res image gallery

A Volvo wagon from a tuner can't help but sound exciting to us. Externally, the Volvo V70 T6 R-Design by Heico Sportiv delivers what you'd expect for an exclusive Euro express, carrying an eye-watering €70,193 price tag (that's more than $86,000 USD). Metallic sapphire black is the only color available for the limited-edition run of 100 cars. Ride height is lowered by 30 millimeters over attractive five-spoke 19-inch wheels, a sport exhaust system is fitted and there's an ever-important viking-helmet emblem affixed to the car's rump. Heico also re-tunes the turbocharged six cylinder engine, which jumps from its standard 304 horsepower to 330.

Volvo's R-Design dress-up parts are applied liberally, as well. Matte metal accents in and out and sport leather upholstery further set this special wagon apart. The aesthetics are without fault, but then there's the performance details. Despite increased horsepower and claims of "apparently limitless power reserves," the resulting numbers aren't terribly impressive for a car with such sporting overtones and lofty price. 0-62 mph arrives in 5.9 seconds, which is quick, but for about the same money, an Audi S6 Avant packs a 429 pony wallop that reaches 62 mph in just 5.2 seconds, and we're guessing that it'll outhandle the Swede as well. BMW's 535i SE Touring is a veritable bargain, ringing up a €48,000 price tag (just under $59k) and delivering a nearly-identical run 6.0 second run to 100 km/h from its 306 hp engine. On this side of the Atlantic, you could pick up an Ecoboost-powered Ford Flex for $37,000 and get more space and similar pace (Ford's three-row scorcher ran to 60mph in 6.0 seconds for a Car and Driver shoe).

Despite the number-crunching, there's little doubt that this Heico-tuned V70 is among the sportiest Volvo wagons extant, but exclusivity and styling will have to sell this car. It's out-sprinted by a V6 Nissan Altima, and even the Toyota RAV-4 V6 will give it a hard time - not exactly what you'd expect from a "tuner" car.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo V70 R-Design by Heico Sportiv

[Source: Heico Sportiv]

Heico Volvo V70 T6 R-Design hauls more than kids, but carries massive pricetag originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contemporary furniture designer Thonet takes on Volvo C70 gearshift duties

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Volvo, Design/Style, Luxury

Thonet shift knobs for Volvo C70 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We'll be honest - when we heard that a European contemporary furniture designer would be creating something specifically for Volvo, our first thought was, well, IKEA. (Very funny, we know.) However, the folks at Thonet (based in Germany, not Sweden) have created special wooden gearshift knobs specifically for the 2011 C70, in partnership with Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv.

The shift knobs, made out of oak, beech or walnut, are said to reflect the design language of Volvo's floating center console. Thonet has a long history of creating wood furniture designs, so it was a natural fit for Volvo to select them to create this special gearshift specifically for the Heico Sportiv C70. Hit the jump to read more in Thonet's press release.

Gallery: Volvo C70 by Thonet and Heico Sportiv

Gallery: 2010 Volvo C70

[Source: Thonet]

Continue reading Contemporary furniture designer Thonet takes on Volvo C70 gearshift duties

Contemporary furniture designer Thonet takes on Volvo C70 gearshift duties originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Attractive in aluminum: Heico Sportiv S80 shines at 2007 SEMA show

Drew Phillips — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:23:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Sedan, Volvo

Click above image for a high resolution gallery of photos

German Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv brought the goods to the 2007 SEMA Show with its S80 T6 HPC Concept. The car has been more than a year in the making and features a 7-layer "aluminum effect" paint job that looks absolutely stunning in person and pretty darn good in pics, too. This Swedish beauty also packs a serious punch, with a 350-horsepower inline-6 that has been tuned to run on E85 ethanol. Because the original show car was based on the front-wheel-drive S80, Heico converted the car to Volvo's AWD system so that it could put the power down more efficiently. Other hi-po parts include 13.9-inch big brake kit with 6-piston calipers, a sport-tuned suspension system that rides 1.5-inches lower than stock, and lightweight forged wheels wrapped with Continental tires.

The inside of the car looks just as good as the outside with a carbon fiber-look silver aluminum console and leather covering the headliner, instrument panel and door panels. The rear seats have been exchanged with separate bucket seats, and the front seats also have thicker side and thigh bolsters.

For more details, follow the jump for the press release and click on the gallery for more than 15 high resolution shots of the car.

Gallery: Heico Sportiv Volvo S80 T6 HPC

Continue reading Attractive in aluminum: Heico Sportiv S80 shines at 2007 SEMA show

Attractive in aluminum: Heico Sportiv S80 shines at 2007 SEMA show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA-bound: Heico's surf-themed Volvo C30

Dan Roth — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:55:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Hatchback, Volvo

While Frankfurt's in full swing right now, SEMA is just around the corner in October. Heico Sportiv has been busy pumping up Volvos in anticipation of the Las Vegas event. Standing alongside Heico's E85-fueled, turbo six-powered S80 will be this spicy little C30. The smallest Volvo is also the most stylish, and Heico has tastefully added some more aggression to the exterior with a handsome bodykit. Less aggressive is the "Aloha shirt" pattern applied to said bodykit. Inside it's been given a searing swathing of orange leather with decorative Heico trims added here and there.

The style changes are self-evident, but what will get the most notice behind the wheel is the roughly 80 horsepower bump Heico's gotten out of the T5's turbo five. The rip to 100 km/h flashes by in 5.4 seconds, and you can run right up against the governed top speed of 150 miles per hour. The suspension has been lowered and tweaked with new shocks and springs, and the brakes get 4-piston calipers with the Heico logo. Barely shrouding the brakes are new Volution V Titan wheels with 19 inches of diameter, wrapped in 35-series rubber. Some will love it, some will hate it, we'd just make sure there was a lei hanging from the rearview, and a surfboard lashed to the roof.

[Source: Swedespeed]

Gallery: Heico Sportiv C30

SEMA-bound: Heico's surf-themed Volvo C30 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E85-swilling Heico Sportiv Volvo S80 High Performance

Chris Shunk — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Volvo

Click image for high-res gallery

With SEMA right around the corner, it's high time Autoblog is flooded by audacious performance tuners' creations showing more bling than 50 Cent. The German aftermarket gurus at Heico Sportiv passed up plenty of sweet German hardware in favor of the Swedish Volvo S80, and the end result is far cooler than anything you can pick up at Ikea. Heico foregoes Yamaha-sourced V8 in favor of the turbocharged inline six, whose power has been pumped to 350 HP running on biofuel E85. With that kind of power in tow, the Heico Sportiv Volvo S80 will hit 60 MPH in about 5.8 seconds, and more power is promised out of the tuned powerplant by the time SEMA begins.

Some of the more impressive mods come in the styling department, and the beautiful paint job sets the tone. Designers employed seven layers of paint to make the car look metallic, and we'd say, "mission accomplished." The S80's stance is widened with the use of larger rims and tires and flared-out wheel arches. Auto-running integrated LED headlights, larger air ducts, integrated spoiler flaps, and sweet leather seats round out the major mods. Heico has made one heck of a beautiful tuner in its modified S80, and we'll be at SEMA for the official unveiling. Hit the jump to read Volvo's press release, or click on the image above to view Autoblog Green's high resolution photo gallery.

[Source: Autoblog Green]

Gallery: SEMA S80 Heico

Continue reading E85-swilling Heico Sportiv Volvo S80 High Performance

E85-swilling Heico Sportiv Volvo S80 High Performance originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heico Sportiv bioethanol S40 to campaign in 24 hrs. of the 'Ring

Dan Roth — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Green, Volvo

Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv is bringing a special HS4 ODIN to Germany's Nurburgring in June, but they're trying to leave excess CO2 behind. Fueled by bioethanol E85, a nearly carbon-neutral fuel, the special ODIN has been tuned specifically for the renewable fuel, and the car will be a testbed to further develop E85's potential.

Racing really will improve the breed, as whatever is learned by Heico, or any other racers entering the new alternative fuel class at the 'Ring, will be experienced under conditions that love to thwart you. The ODIN will also be shaking down a new set of 18" Toyo slicks, currently in the prototype stage. We'll see if this greener Volvo still has the hammer of Thor behind it to nab another victory at one of the toughest races in the world.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: Heico Sportiv via Carscoop]

Continue reading Heico Sportiv bioethanol S40 to campaign in 24 hrs. of the 'Ring

Heico Sportiv bioethanol S40 to campaign in 24 hrs. of the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fast? Ja. Stylish? Ja. - Heico Sportiv to unveil 5 Volvo models at Essen

Dan Roth — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 15:51:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Volvo

Heico Sportiv has unveiled their latest Volvo upgrades just prior to the Essen Motorshow with nary a chrome rim in sight. Heico covers the entire Volvo range, from C30 to a butching-up of the XC90 ute and finishing at the top of the range with a beautifully executed toning of the C70s lines. They've deftly modified the C30, creating the Heico HS3 D5 with a juiced diesel powertrain and upgrades to the chassis, interior and styling. The THOR_2 is a two wheel drive version of the Heico HS3 THOR that attended SEMA. When not attending auto shows, they've been out winning races in their HS4 ODIN, based on the S40 sedan, so they've got the underhood chops to back up the great job they did making these already stylish cars stand out.

(Gallery, press release after the jump)

[Source: Heico Sportiv via Swedespeed]

Continue reading Fast? Ja. Stylish? Ja. - Heico Sportiv to unveil 5 Volvo models at Essen

Fast? Ja. Stylish? Ja. - Heico Sportiv to unveil 5 Volvo models at Essen originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Nov 2006 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heico hops up the new 2007 Volvo XC90

Randall Halcomb — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Europe, Crossover, Volvo

Ah, the trials of being a tuner, especially one that creates its own line of body enhancements. When Volvo gave the XC90 a face-lift for 2007, Heico Sportiv had to respond to the updated Swedish SUV with a new kit in which to wrap it. The biggest improvement is the use of a material called PU-RIM plastic. This material is touted as 'brakeproof', which should be translated breakproof to us. Regardless, the front and rear enhancements are three-piece designs and give the XC90 a more butch appearance. The front skirt includes cut outs for fog lights, which can be upgraded to cornering lamps. There is even an optional dual exit exhaust that can be added to complement the rear apron.

Heico can also outfit your XC90 (or any other late model Volvo) with performance parts to go with that body kit, including ECU upgrades, suspension packages, and brakes kits. If you want, you can also get the aluminum door pins or other interior goodies so that your investment in Heico parts doesn't go unappreciated inside the cabin.

[Source: SwedeSpeed]

Heico hops up the new 2007 Volvo XC90 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Oct 2006 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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