Autoblog

Volvo C70 Inscription will cost an extra $3,900

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Volvo, Luxury

The first quarter of 2012 will see the introduction of the Volvo C70 with the Inscription package. The Polestar-modified hardtop droptop carries a $3,900 premium above the four-seater's $40,450 MSRP and is "exclusive to the North American market," although exclusivity in this case appears to mean we get 500 of the car's 2,000-unit global volume.

Those 39 Benjamins will get you 250 horsepower and 273 pound-feet (a gain of 23 hp and 37 lb-ft); aluminum sport pedals; new leather for the seats, dash and some trim; plus 18-inch wheels, a spoiler, and a black grille. Ice White and Black Sapphire Metallic will be your only color choices. Have a closer look at the swanky Swede in the gallery of high-res photos, and there's a press release after the jump.

Continue reading Volvo C70 Inscription will cost an extra $3,900

Volvo C70 Inscription will cost an extra $3,900 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:01:00 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 rolling in to LA with C70 Inscription edition

Noah Joseph — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Volvo, Luxury

Never quite capable of keeping its sales in pace with its German rivals, the Volvo C70 doesn't appear long for this world. The joint venture with Pininfarina that produced the C70 is shutting down and we've yet to receive any word on a potential new production site. So what we could be looking at here is the hardtop convertible's swan song.

Called the Inscription edition, this special C70 is set to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. It's distinguished by such special features as a painted grille, polished black 18-inch wheels and an interior decked out in special leather trim and aluminum accents. We think it looks rather fetching.

Available with either a turbocharged five or a pair of diesels (in other markets), the Inscription edition can be had in black, black metallic or white. Have a closer look in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Volvo rolling in to LA with C70 Inscription edition

Volvo rolling in to LA with C70 Inscription edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo to end C70 production in Uddevalla, will it surface elsewhere?

Zach Bowman — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Volvo, Luxury

Volvo has announced that it will cease production at the company's joint-venture plant with Pininfarina Sverige in Uddevalla, Sweden, according to Ward's Auto. That means manufacturing of the C70 convertible is without a home.

As of right now, Volvo isn't saying where, if anywhere, production of the C70 will head next. In the meantime, the 600 workers currently employed at the Uddevalla plant are being offered positions elsewhere in the company. If the C70 doesn't find a new production home, it will join models like the S40 and V50 as another discontinued Volvo for 2012.

So why shut down the plant? According to Volvo, it all boils down to economics. The automaker says that under its current configuration, the facility is only operating at 65 percent capacity, and at its current volume levels, it simply doesn't make financial sense to keep the lights on at a plant that only produces one vehicle.

Volvo and Pininfarina have jointly produced vehicles at the Uddevalla plant since 2005, but agreed to bring the relationship to a close in March of this year. At the termination of the joint venture, Volvo gained sole possession of the plant.

Volvo to end C70 production in Uddevalla, will it surface elsewhere? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:00:00 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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Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Volvo C70 works best in San Diego

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:34:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Europe, Volvo

2010 Volvo C70 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Why San Diego? That way you could maximize the amount of time your new C70 spends with its top down. More than three hundred days a year -- probably. We say this because we saw some leaked shots of Volvo's latest hardtop droptop a couple of weeks ago and it looked real nice with the roof stowed. Elegant even. But dude, is this Swede funny-looking with the top up. Viewed from the side, it's hard to tell which end is which. Only the arching, over-sized headlights lend a clue.

There are some good points, like those aforementioned headlamps. And we really dig the new grill. The mirrors, wheels and rear end treatment (check those LED lights) all pass the smell test, too. But what's up with those cheapo fog light surrounds? And you simply have to check out the thick rubber antennae to understand how awkwardly it's placed. And again, speaking of awkward, with the top up the C70's proportions are bizarre. We're talking Volkswagen Eos bizzare. Make of it what you will, but we're left with the impression that Volvo took a styling step backwards this time out.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Volvo C70

Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Volvo C70 works best in San Diego originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Volvo C70 drops its guard ahead of Frankfurt unveiling

Michael Harley — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Europe, Volvo, Design/Style, Luxury

2010 Volvo C70 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo still hasn't released an official press release to accompany them, but it would appear that genuine pics of the facelifted C70 have hit the streets regardless. Set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, the reskinned convertible hardtop seems as if it has been spending some late evenings with the S60 Concept that debuted in Detroit earlier this year.

The fresh new look, including swept-back headlights and a larger trademark iron mask, is a further departure from the automaker's (now long ago) boxy past. At the back, a new rear lamp design includes today's obligatory stylish LED lighting, a reshaped bumper, and more pronounced "Volvo" badging on the trunk decklid.

While the exterior has taken a giant leap forward, the single interior shot inexplicably fails to reveal any changes whatsoever.

What we don't know is what resides under the hood, so Volvo may still have a few secrets to reveal in the next couple weeks.

Gallery: 2010 Volvo C70

[Source: Carscoop]

2010 Volvo C70 drops its guard ahead of Frankfurt unveiling originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Pininfarina family to sell majority stake in business, possibly to Tata

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, India, Design/Style

James Glickenhaus' Pininfarina-designed Ferrari P4/P5 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Due principally to debt, the family owners of Pininfarina S.p.A. have contracted with Italy's Banca Leonardo to help them sell 50.7 percent of their stake in the design/contract manufacturing business. Said a source, "It is a commitment [the Pininfarina family] made with the banks. The family has no intention of leaving completely." Sure, but who will buy controlling interest of such a storied company? Have you met our Indian friend Tata?

That's right, rumors are swirling that Indian giant Tata, new owner of both Jaguar and Land Rover, is reportedly in the hunt to purchase the Pininfarina family's shares. However, the reports are painting the pending deal as a partnership rather than a takeover and Tata already has dealings with Fiat, so they're familiar with the Italian way of doing things. For its part, Pininfarina is working on an electric car (hey, why not?) with French entrepreneur Vincent Bollore. They also have contracts with both Ford and Volvo to build cabriolets of the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet and the C70, respectively. We'll see how this all plays out, especially now that Fiat owns Bertone.

Gallery: Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina

[Source: Automotive News - sub req]

REPORT: Pininfarina family to sell majority stake in business, possibly to Tata originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forum Spy: 2010 Volvo C70 convertible snapped during Barcelona commercial shoot

Chris Paukert — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Europe, Volvo

2010 Volvo C70 Spy Shots - Click above for a high-res gallery

Swedespeed forum member al_bcn has managed to capture a pair of what looks to be Volvo's refreshed-for-2010 C70 convertibles totally undisguised. The topless twosome were caught galavanting around in Barcelona as they were apparently being shot for some sort of commercial.

The folding hardtop four-seater looks as if it benefits from a very similar front-end to the Concept S60 unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this past January. Incorporating a larger set of swept-back headlamps and a deeper, less upright grille, the C70's look is certainly evolutionary, but as it's a handsome enough model, we don't see this denting its appeal. Out back, the changes seem to be even more modest, with new headlamp lenses featuring more prominent backup lamps.

Whether there are substantive changes in the interior or under the C70's skin remains to be seen, but judging by the finished state of these cars, we expect to see them debut on the show circuit soon. Hat tip to Erik!

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2010 Volvo C70

[Source: Swedespeed]

Forum Spy: 2010 Volvo C70 convertible snapped during Barcelona commercial shoot originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You know what they say: Court orders Volvo to pay man with big feet

Dan Roth — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:43:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Europe, Volvo, Carsumer Advocacy

"Hey, Stompy, you wanna take a test drive?

Nein, I'll just take the one in black, please."

So goes the imagined conversation between Michael Herzog, he of size 12 (UK) feet, and the Volvo dealer from whom he purchased a C70. Herzog says his feet are too large for the pedal box in his Volvo, precluding use of that most essential pedal, the accelerator. The issue went to court in Wiesloch, Germany, where a judge ruled that size 12 is not freakishly large, so Volvo should have designed a car to accommodate that size foot. Size 12 on UK size charts is about the same as a U.S. size 12, so it's not an incomprehensibly large foot. The dealer has been directed to refund five percent of the purchase price, a total of £1,350, to pay for a custom pair of shoes that allow the owner to drive his new car, as well as compensate him for time lost to shoe-changes. And we thought the U.S. was litigious.

[Source: am-online, Photo: BBC]

You know what they say: Court orders Volvo to pay man with big feet originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 May 2008 16:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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