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Click above for more high-res pics of the Volvo V70 R-Design

Once upon a time, there was a subtle wagon called the V70R who's meek outward appearance belied the snortiest turbo 5-cylinder Volvo has ever put in a production car. All-wheel-drive helped the power get to the ground instead of immolating the front tires, and the R sat atop the V70 trim-level range. Alas, the R is no more. While it was awesome and amusing, it was also outgunned by the competition, even with 300 hard-breathing horsepower. Still, there are those who desire the look and demeanor of the R, while finding no fault with the lesser powertrains that Volvo offers.

Those buyers can find what they're looking for with the new V70 R-Design package on the third generation wagon. Since the demise of the R, the V70 has moved up to become the wagon version of the S80, and the R-Line package adds a little visual oomph and chassis verve to the big estate. Ride height has been reduced and thicker swaybars are added, along with higher durometer bushings in the suspension. Like we saw on the C30 R-Design, matte finish metal accents are added to exterior pieces like the mirror housings and grille surround. Sporty-looking exhaust outlets, a rear spoiler and 18-inch wheels round out the exterior changes. The interior gets blue-faced gauges, unique metal trim pieces, and Volvo's already excellent seats get R-Design logos and sportier bolstering. The R-Design package adds £2,000 or so to the price of a UK V70, a decent price for a handling upgrade and a hunkered look. Volvo hasn't decided whether to bring it to the United States yet. If it does come to the North American market, the V70 R-Design will be a 2009 model, and we'll know by early summer if we have to look longingly across the pond for a clean-looking, sporty-driving wagon.


[Source: Volvo]

click above image for high-res gallery

While Michigan cops are switching over from Crown Vics to Impalas, the UK police are holding fast with their police cruisers and have debuted the redesigned Volvo V70 in police spec with a new livery. Volvo touts the V70's interior space and increased payload capacity of 724kg (up from 539kg in a standard model) as reasons why bobbies in the UK favor the V70, telling us that these features "ensure that the vehicle can safely transport all the equipment necessary for modern policing, including heavy firearms when the situation demands." Boo-yah. So don't go approaching any V70s that look like this in the UK if you're itching for a fight. Chances are they're packing a lot of heat in their rear underfloor lockable storage area.

[Source: Volvo]

In designing the new V70, Volvo spent a lot of time focusing on its hindquarters. The tailgate and rear lamp styling are such that they increase interior volume and offer a nice, clean shut line. This video leads you through some eye candy of the EUCD V70. The quick overview gets the wagon freaks among us pumped up for the new Volvo estate. Still shots of the car don't do the styling justice, as the vertical and horizontal elements really come together nicely and shots of the car pulling away from the camera show off the inherent motion in the taut lines.

There are also those among us who yawn and ask what's changed. We'll give them that, it's still a Volvo wagon, so you won't wet yourself like an excited puppy (until the R gets here, that is), but for those who love wagons, there's not too many cars that are as versatile and well thought out as a Volvo five-door. The current P2-based V70s are nice enough drivers, but they're on the brink of being dynamically obsolete, so we're hoping the EUCD platform makes the driving experience that much better. You can be certain that the interior will be a comfortable, well appointed place to spend time, all wrapped in a clean Scandinavian design ethos. Follow the jump for your viewing pleasure.

[Source: Carscoop]

In the event that high gas prices begin hitting even the wealthy, displacement-loving, power-toting blokes among us, BusinessWeek has compiled a list of the top ten most fuel efficient luxury cars. The list, especially when you include the runners-up, is a diverse showing of both automakers and fuel types, with hybrids and diesels finding a place alongside with their gasoline-powered siblings.

• Mid-size: Mercedes E320 CDI, runner up: Lexus GS300
• SUV: Lexus RX 400h, runner up: Volvo XC/70
• Sub-compact: Acura RSX, runner up: Lexus IS250
• Compact: Audi A4, runner up: Volvo S40
• Small wagon: Audi A3, runner up: Volvo V50
• Mid-sized wagon: Volvo V70, runner up: Saab 9-5 SportCombi
• Two-seater: BMW Z4 3.0, runner up: Porsche Boxster
• Mini-compact: Audi TT, runner up: BMW 330Ci
• Full-size: Jaguar XJ8, runner up: Mercedes-Benz S430
• Truck: Lincoln Mark LT, runner up: Cadillac Escalade EXT

The cheapest among them to drive is the Acura RSX, with the A3 and A4 coming in second if you actually want to stow some junk in the trunk.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

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