Autoblog

Size matters for male and female car buyers

Scott Burgess — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST

The No. 1 car purchased by men was the Porsche 911, while the car with the highest percentage of women buyers was the Volvo S40.

Some stereotypes are true. Men like V8s. Women like I4s. According to the third annual demographic study by TrueCar.com on the car buying habits of the sexes, men continue to fixate on size while women care about efficiency and price.

The No. 1 brand for women - the brand with the highest percentage of female buyers - was Mini at 46.2 percent. Nissan was No. 2 with 45.7 percent and Kia third with 45.6 percent.

Men, as expected, dominated the exotic brands with Ferrari sales being fueled by the most testosterone - 92.5 percent of buyers being male. Bentley was the No. 2 brand with 83.4 percent of its buyers being male and Maserati having 82.8 percent male buyers.

"The price point for many of the cars and crossovers women buyers wanted started at or below $25,000, while men tended to spend more money for their vehicles," said Kristen Andersson, TrueCar.com senior analyst in a news release. Furthermore, women focused on smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles while men gravitated toward fast exotic cars, big pickups or SUVs.

Indeed. The No. 1 car purchased by the highest majority of men was the Porsche 911. The car with the highest percentage of women buyers was the Volvo S40, with 57.9 percent of the customers buying it being female.

Continue reading Size matters for male and female car buyers

Size matters for male and female car buyers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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These are the 10 new cars with the highest percentage of female ownership

Chris Tutor — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo

If you hear the pejorative "chick car," what comes to mind? Mazda MX-5 Miata? Volvo C70? Would you believe neither made Inside Line's list of 2011 models with the highest percentage of female ownership? No. 1, with 57.9-percent female ownership was the Volvo S40. Considering the female dollar is sought-after, it's probably too bad that Volvo decided to axe the model for 2012.

That means No. 2, the Nissan Rogue with 56.9 percent, could take the top spot for 2012. Or maybe the VW Eos at No. 3 with 56.4 percent. We're also kind of wondering how the new Fiat 500 will fare this year.

No. 4 is another VW that shouldn't surprise. The cute New Beetle has been a perennial favorite among the ladies. It was No. 1 a year ago, but as we know, the newer, more aggressively styled Beetle is enjoying increased interest among the guys. No. 5? The Toyota Matrix, of all things.

Here's how the rest shake out according to Inside Line:

Top ten 2011 models with the highest proportion of female buyers

Volvo S40 - 57.9%
Nissan Rogue - 56.9%
Volkswagen Eos - 56.4%
Volkswagen New Beetle - 54.6
Toyota Matrix - 54.1%
Hyundai Tucson - 54%
Honda CR-V - 53.4%
Toyota RAV4 - 54%
Nissan Juke - 52.7% (tie)
Jeep Compass - 52.7% (tie)

These are the 10 new cars with the highest percentage of female ownership originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo not bringing new V40 to these United States [w/poll]

Noah Joseph — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Volvo, Luxury

There are some cars we enjoy writing about more than others. Those tend to be the ones with the big horsepower numbers and seldom more than two doors, but the new Volvo V40 that was officially released today stands as an exception, because while it is hardly what you'd call exotic, it did pique our interest more than a workaday hatchback should. But we'll have to try not to like it too much, because we just received confirmation that it is not, we're sorry to report, coming to the United States.

In an email we received today from Geno Effler, head of public relations for Volvo Cars of North America, we were told that - and we quote - "The V40 is not coming to the United States." Rats.

Effler further states in the correspondence that "The V40 is not replacing an existing model; it is a new model." Which may be true enough, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the existing C30 hatchback, S40 sedan and V50 wagon all go the way of the dodo in due course.

But then we wouldn't be all that surprised, either, to see a three-door version spun off of the V40 to officially take the place of the aging C30, a sedan version to replace the even older S40 and maybe even a longer wagon to take the place of the V50. For now, however, this is one more stylish European hatchback we'll just have to admire from afar.

So do you think Volvo ought to change its mind and bring the V40 to these shores? Cast your vote in our informal online poll below. You never know who in Gothenburg might be listening.

View Poll

Volvo not bringing new V40 to these United States [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo drops the full skinny on new V40

Noah Joseph — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Volvo, Diesel, Luxury

Few vehicles have received the kind of gradual, bit by bit roll-out that - intentionally or otherwise - the new Volvo V40 has. The Swedish premium hatchback has been the subject of teasers, spy shots and leaks aplenty - including two video clips and a batch of sixteen images that surfaced just yesterday - but they've all lead up to this, its full reveal. (Well, this and its official unveiling next week.)

Scandinavia's answer to the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series - and a potential replacement not only for the C30 but also the S40 and V50 - the new V40 is shaping up as quite a looker, but now we've got the details to go with it. For starters, the V40 will be available with the cleanest diesel Volvo's ever offered, anchored at the other end of the spectrum by a 254-horsepower turbo five good for a 6.7-second sprint to 62 mph. Not too shabby, and the entire range - whether mated to manual gearbox or automatic - is equipped with start-stop engine management and regenerative braking, ensuring that, whichever powertrain is selected, it's running at optimal efficiency.

Being a Volvo, the V40 also incorporates the latest in safety features, including not only low-speed collision avoidance and pedestrian detection with full auto brake but the world's first pedestrian airbag. Although Volvo hasn't revealed whether its new entry-level model will make the transatlantic voyage to these shores, it is projecting that 85 percent of the 90,000 units it aims to sell annually will be delivered in Europe from its assembly plant in Ghent, Belgium - which doesn't bode well for American availability.

Follow the jump for the full press release, scope out the fresh batch of eighteen images in the gallery above, see our previous post for the video clips and watch this space for our live coverage starting this time next week from the floor of the Geneva Motor Show.

Continue reading Volvo drops the full skinny on new V40

Volvo drops the full skinny on new V40 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Striking Viking: Volvo V40 slips out on Facebook ahead of Geneva

Noah Joseph — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Volvo

Some automakers try their damnedest to keep their new products under wraps until they're good and ready to show it to the world. (And of those, some succeed more than others.) Others, meanwhile, steadily leak out photos and details - through official channels or back ones - to keep us hooked. We're not quite sure which approach Volvo meant to take with its all-new V40, but we do know we've seen more of this car that's yet to be released than we've seen of others that have. This, however, is our best look at the new Swedish hatch yet.

Ostensibly, this new V40 could replace the C30 hatchback, S40 sedan and V50 wagon in one fell swoop, but we probably won't know more until the Geneva Motor Show. These leaked images come courtesy of the Facebook page of Motoryzacyjny - a Polish car mag whose name this blogger, for all his Eastern European shtetl roots, can't pronounce any better than the rest of you - and it shows us what appears to be a rather shapely sports hatch that aims to give the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series a run for their money.

Of course, since the range has not yet been officially launched, we've yet to receive word on whether the V40 will make the transatlantic voyage forged by its Viking ancestors to the New World in which we live, but one can hope. One can certainly hope.

Striking Viking: Volvo V40 slips out on Facebook ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo confirms new V40 on the way with shadowy look

Chris Paukert — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Volvo, Design/Style

Volvo's V50 wagon may have been discontinued following lackluster sales in the United States (it was phased out after the 2011 model year), but it's an important player in the Swedish brand's global portfolio, where small five-doors remain big business in other markets.

To that end, Volvo has just teased its forthcoming V40 ahead of next month's Geneva Motor Show on its Facebook page. (Here in the States, Volvo's S40-based load lugger was called V40 from 2000 to 2004). While we can't make out much other than a two-box shape, headlamps that wrap over the front fenders and what looks to be LED corner markers, the official posting confirms the vehicle's debut, along with a 'V40 Live Launch' social media campaign that encourages brand fans to interact with the company's designers. Head on over to Volvo's Facebook page for more information and come back here on March 6 to get photos and information from the V40's Swiss unveiling.

Volvo confirms new V40 on the way with shadowy look originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Say 'goodbye' to these cars and trucks for the new year

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Crossover, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Volvo, Tesla

As we prepare to flip our calendars from 2011 to 2012, it's time to say goodbye to a handful of vehicles that are being sent to the Great Parking Lot In The Sky before the 2012 model year completely takes hold. And while we're not exactly upset about having to bid farewell to things like the Mitsubishi Endeavor, Mazda Tribute or Chevrolet HHR, there are a few vehicles that we're truly going to miss.

The Mazda RX-8, for example, has grown to be one of our favorite sports cars since its introduction in 2003. We love its lightweight construction, high-revving rotary engine and surprisingly functional suicide door design. It's kind of like a Miata with a roof and rear seats. Speaking of the Miata, Tesla's two-seat Roadster - the automaker's first production vehicle - proved to us that open-top motoring can be thrilling even with a stack of batteries driving the wheels.

We'll miss the Honda Element and its rugged, utilitarian nature. We'll miss the Volvo V50 and its capacious cargo area made for Ikea runs. And we'll really miss those large lords of luxury, the Cadillac DTS and Ford Crown Victoria. We've already said goodbye to the faithful but overripe Ford Ranger, and as ridiculous as the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid was, it was a shockingly good-to-drive electrified crossover.

There are plenty more models that won't be making the journey to the 2012 model year, so have a look at the full list in our attached image gallery, then let us know which ones you'll miss (if any) in the Comments.

Say 'goodbye' to these cars and trucks for the new year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo offering 23-hp upgrade for $1,295

Noah Joseph — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Hatchback, Volvo

Volvo enthusiasts should know the name Polestar well. The performance garage has a long history of tuning Volvos, and was anointed by the factory to run its works touring car program. Based on that success, Polestar launched a radical C30 PCP concept that is tipped to jump-start a new era of performance models from the Swedish auto marque.

Most recently, Volvo turned to Polestar to help tweak its R-Design specs, and had the tuning house start work on an ECU reflash for the S60. Now Volvo has officially announced the availability of the fruit of its collaboration with an upgrade for select models.

For $1,295 (including installation), owners of the C30, C70 and S40 (and soon the V50) with the T5 engine will be able to have an extra 23 horsepower and 29 pound-feet of torque squeezed out of their turbocharged five-pots with a dealer-installed tuning package.

The enhancement is affected by increasing airflow and optimizing spark timing, and while the aftermarket could surely squeeze out more for less, for a factory-backed upgrade, it strikes us as a good deal. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Volvo offering 23-hp upgrade for $1,295

Volvo offering 23-hp upgrade for $1,295 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo S40, V50 discontinued for 2012

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Volvo

2011 Volvo S40 - Click either image for high-res gallery

Recently, we reported that Volvo was considering trimming its model line here in the United States, and according to Kicking Tires, it appears that the S40 sedan and V50 wagon are the first two models to get the axe. Both vehicles are relatively old - the current S40 debuted in 2004, the V50 arrived one year later - and with no updates planned, we sort of saw this coming.

In speaking to Kicking Tires, Volvo spokesperson James Hope says that the automaker's focus needs to be on its volume vehicles - the S60, XC60, XC90, S80 and XC70. Not mentioned in this list are the C30 hatchback and C70 convertible, which will reportedly carry on for at least the 2012 model year despite slow sales.

Volvo S40, V50 discontinued for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo pondering slimming U.S. model range, adding finance arm

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Volvo

2011 Volvo C30 - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Automotive News, Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby has stated that the automaker will likely "trim [its] product line" in the United States over the next few years. Jacoby has not revealed exactly what models will be cut, but instead says that the company's core products here in the States will be the S60 sedan, as well as the XC60 and XC90 crossovers.

Volvo has already announced that it plans to stop selling the V50 and V70 wagons in the United States, and according to Tamara Darvish, a Volvo dealership owner in Rockville, Maryland, the company will likely phase out sales of the S40 sedan. Our own speculation suggests that the C30 premium hatch could be on the chopping block, as well.

Jacoby has said on many occasions that Volvo hopes to sell 120,000 vehicles annually in the United States by 2020. In 2010, Volvo managed to move 53,948 vehicles, and current data suggests that the company is on track to sell between 60,000 and 70,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2011.

Automotive News also reports that Volvo is looking to start its own captive finance arm here in the U.S. "We're committed to increasing sales here," Jacoby stated, saying that a decision about such a finance division would be made by the end of the year. If this plan gets the green light, it will likely involve a joint venture with a bank or other financial service institution. Currently, Volvo dealerships often obtain financing from U.S. Bank.

Volvo pondering slimming U.S. model range, adding finance arm originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Suzuki pits Kizashi against unlikely competitors

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Suzuki, Humor

Suzuki Kizashi versus two unlikely competitors - Click above to watch video after the jump

Suzuki is pitting its Kizashi against a handful of surprising competitors for a series of new television ads The spots are set to begin airing on Christmas day. Who are the surprising competitors? An Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C300 and Volvo S40... as well as a motorized sofa, stretch limo and a man wearing a bubble-wrap suit.

Seeing the Kizashi defeat the odd-ball entries is no surprise, but it is a bit of a shock that it also beats the Germans and the Swede, at least in Suzuki's arranged testing. Suzuki uses the advertisements to highlight the Kizashi's handling, braking, safety and price. The TV spots are part of a larger campaign called Kizashi Kicks. You can head over to KizashiKicks.com for more information, and we've made the ad clips available for your viewing pleasure after the jump.

[Source: Youtube, KizashiKicks.com]

Continue reading Video: Suzuki pits Kizashi against unlikely competitors

Video: Suzuki pits Kizashi against unlikely competitors originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo recalls four models over potential power seat flaw

Zach Bowman — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Volvo

Volvo is recalling a number of models due to faulty seat rails that may allow the passenger to slide the seat too far forward. According to the Swedish automaker, the mechanism was manufactured wrong, and if the passenger is seated too close to the dash, an injury may occur during an accident. According to the National Highway Transportation Administration, Volvo dealers will inspect the seat rails and fix the issue as necessary free of charge. As of right now, the company hasn't said when exactly the recall will begin.

The fault affects 2009-2011 S40, S60, V50 and XC60 models, and NHTSA says that around 7,420 units could be impacted by the problem.

This is the second recall from Volvo in under a month. The first involved a bad ECU parameter that could cause vehicles to stall. Hit the jump for a look at the most recent recall notice.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Volvo recalls four models over potential power seat flaw

Volvo recalls four models over potential power seat flaw originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Volvo mulling sub-S40 sedan, BMW X1 rival

Chris Shunk — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:45:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Crossover, Volvo

Now that Volvo is no longer a part of Ford Motor Company, change is inevitable. The Swedish automaker can no longer rely on Ford to supply low-cost global platforms or new powertrains in the future, so that future may include fewer platforms and better model distinction. AutoWeek reports that Volvo will soon go from three platforms to two by adding some new models and taking away some others. On the chopping block are the S40 sedan and V50 wagon. Both have sold reasonably well, but they are reportedly too close in size to the new S60 to be retained. The V70 station wagon will cease to exist after the 2011 model year.

Doug Speck, CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, tells AW that a new vehicle is being considered that will be smaller than the S40. It would do battle against heavy hitters like the BMW 1 Series. The small sedan's all-new platform could also spawn a compact crossover to take on the likes of the BMW X1. Speck cites the feverish growth of the small luxury crossover segment as the main motivating factor to adding a smaller stablemate to the XC60 and XC90. In the short term, the larger S80 and XC90 will also be redone, better positioning Volvo to win sales in China, where large luxury rides are in high demand.

Speck also set expectations for S60 sales in the U.S. Volvo hopes to sell 15,000 to 25,000 copies of the attractive new sedan annually. Volvo sold only 5,895 copies of the outgoing S60 in 2009, though the last-gen model, which first sold way back in 2001, was very long in the tooth.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: Volvo mulling sub-S40 sedan, BMW X1 rival originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen New Beetle still number one with the ladies

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Etc., Hatchback, Volkswagen

Volkswagen New Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Men, take note: According to a new survey from research firm TrueCar, the Volkswagen New Beetle is (still) the ultimate car for women. Apparently, its combination of cute-as-a-button looks and affordable pricing make the reborn Bug a total hit with the fairer sex.

This data was determined not by some silly woman-on-the-street clipboard survey, but rather by looking at the registrations of more than 13 million vehicles over the past two years. We could have saved them quite a bit of work if they wanted to know that the New Beetle was a chick car, but whatever. There was some other interesting info gleaned from the research, including the revelation that 64% of all cars are registered by men despite the fact that there are more women (at 51% of the population, just a tad) than men in America.

Rounding out the top five vehicles that scored well with the mono-chromosomed gender were the Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, (saw this one coming) Volkswagen Eos and Volvo S40.

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Volkswagen New Beetle still number one with the ladies originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ryca Motors reimagines Suzuki S40 with a sportier flair

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 26 May 2010 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Motorcycle

Ryca Motors CS-1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

In case you hadn't noticed, cafe racers are in. In fact, retro in general has been seeing a resurgence of sorts for the last decade or so, and there's a certain intrinsic charm to motorcycles designed to be sportbikes before the term sportbike actually existed. Established motorcycle brands, such as Ducati with its Sport Classic series and Triumph with its Thruxton, have taken note with production models that ape the design of low-slung classics with dropped handlebars, raised exhausts and sloping seats.

As much as we appreciate those bikes, it's important to note that cafe racers were highly customized by their owners and were therefore much more unique than the bikes they were based on. As such, we're finding ourselves rather intrigued by the CS-1 from Ryca Motors. Starting with the well-known Suzuki S40 (or the Savage, as it was previously known) means that parts and service will never present a problem, and that bike's easygoing 650cc single cylinder powerplant lends itself to the cafe racer look with relatively little effort.

Casey Stevenson, formerly an engineer at NASA, designed the CS-1 to be a fun and fuel efficient machine that could be built on a small budget and sold as a small run of production models and kits. Want one? A check for $9,500 will get you a CS-1 brand new off the showroom floor, and $8,000 will get you a bike built atop a gently used donor. If you already have an S40 or Savage, you can get it converted for $5,500 or you can buy the complete kit for $3,200.

Gallery: Ryca Motors CS-1

[Source: Ryca Motors via The Kneeslider]

Ryca Motors reimagines Suzuki S40 with a sportier flair originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo recalling 82,000 S40 and V50 models

Merritt Johnson — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Volvo

Volvo has announced a recall of 82,000 vehicles due to a rust problem that can lead to engine stall. The recall affects My 2004 through 2006 5-cylinder gasoline-powered S40 and V50 models. The majority of the problem cars are roaming the streets of the United States, Sweden and Germany as they are countries considered to be "corrosion markets". The issue stems from fuel pump electronics being exposed to rain, snow and road salt leading to their degradation. If excessive rust occurs it can lead to fuel starvation of the engine and thus, stalling. While markets with volatile climates get the fix, vehicles in more arid countries will receive an extended guarantee.

[Source: CNNMoney.com]

Volvo recalling 82,000 S40 and V50 models originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo planning major lineup changes

Dan Roth — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Europe, Crossover, Volvo

Automotive News is dishing on Volvo's product lineup plans between now and 2010. The newly released second-generation S80 won't see any major changes, nor will the new 70-series wagons, the C70, or the C30. The S40's going to bid us adieu, as there's price overlap with the S60, and the S60's not much larger than the S40. The C30's going to serve as the entry-level Volvo, while also angling at MINI's territory of cutieified premium small cars. The S60, while handsomely drawn, is becoming long in the tooth. A redesigned S60 will bow in 2010, and it will be smaller than the current model in an effort to differentiate it from the S80, as well as still serve those customers who would have gone for the S40.

While Gothenburg's losing a sedan offering, it'll be adding a CUV in early 2009 when the XC60 hits the streets. With the CUV market currently on fire, a smaller Volvo 'ute to go after X3 shoppers is a shrewd move. The basic hardware's already been piled together as the Land Rover LR2, which we suspect offers a decent preview of the XC60 experience. Basically, what we see happening is the phasing out of the P2 platform that Volvo developed in the '90s for the original S80, and a migration of all vehicles to some flavor of the EUCD platform.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub Req'd]

Volvo planning major lineup changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo aims for BMW

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Volvo

As long as BMW doesn't own Volvo, then the Swede is allowed to target the roundel's cars as competitors. Autocar reports that Volvo is shaking up the lowest two rungs on its sedan line to put more space between them, and to better compete with the 3 Series.

The smallest sedan, the S40, will be be made over from a 4-door sedan into a 5-door hatchback along the lines of the A3 and BMW 1-series. The very name S40 might also be sacrificed, changed instead to V40. The S60, instead of disappearing entirely, will get a longer wheelbase, a better interior, shared tech from the S80 and Mondeo, and a chassis that does a better job at challenging 3 Series dynamics. Part of that redesign, if the renderings are accurate, will be a flared three-section front bumper that is the new hotness in car design. Regarding the car's sporting aspirations, engineers are said to be battling accountants for funds to design a more sporting chassis. Engines for the S60 will include a 2-liter and 2.2-liter 4-cylinder diesels, the D5 5-cylinder diesels, as well as a 2-liter gas turbo.

It is claimed also that the Volvo logo will also be altered, losing the diagonal bar that spans the grill. Only the circle and arrow -- a stylization of the chemical symbol for iron -- will remain. All of these changes are slated to appear in 2009-10.

[Source: Autocar]

Volvo aims for BMW originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Autoblog tries clutchless shifting but you shouldn't

Chris Shunk — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:48:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Volvo, First Drives

For any self-respecting driver that has a car with a manual transmission, there are two things that cast shame; stalling and grinding. It doesn't matter if you're the only one in the car or if there are no other motorists on the road, the embarrassment associated with these gaffes is omnipresent. To save myself from shame and for fear of wrecking my transmission, I hadn't tried clutchless shifting (also called powershifting) until very recently, after I saw it done on YouTube. I knew this was something that could damage my synchros (it's my personal car), so I figured I'd do it once and record it, so you don't have to do it yourself.

A friendly Autoblog warning from our own Dan Roth: Trying this out a couple times probably isn't going to grenade any gearbox that's in good shape, but you really shouldn't make clutchless shifts a regular part of your repertoire. While fine for a racing-duty "dog" gearbox, it's torture on the synchros in your street transmission. The inevitable grinding you'll perpetrate on the transmission while practicing clutchless shifting also means more particulate matter floating around inside your tranny. Think of it as a neat parlor trick, maybe try it out in case you should ever have a problem with your clutch actuation system, but otherwise, treat your gearbox with love.

Hit the jump to watch the video.

Continue reading VIDEO: Autoblog tries clutchless shifting but you shouldn't

VIDEO: Autoblog tries clutchless shifting but you shouldn't originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can you really open a locked car door with a tennis ball?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:56:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Videos, Ford, Volvo

You may remember a video that we showed on Autoblog where someone poked a hole in a tennis ball, lined up the hole in the ball with the key-hole of a car, pressed really hard, and the door unlocked. After reading your comments from that post, we decided that it was definitely worth testing to see if this tennis ball technique works for ourselves. One of the commentors from the last post on this subject used pressurized air to try to unlock four different doors to no avail, and another used a plunger (we wish we had video of that) but nobody tried a tennis ball like the video in question.

Hit the jump to see what happened when we tested the "use a tennis ball to unlock your car" trick. We tried it on four different vehicles, and we used two tennis balls, each with a different-sized hole in it to verify our findings. Check it out, and if you have a tennis ball and a screwdriver lying around the house, try it yourself and let us know in the comments if you got the same result we did. We're guessing you probably will.

Continue reading Can you really open a locked car door with a tennis ball?

Can you really open a locked car door with a tennis ball? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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