Autoblog

Volvo recalls various 2011 models over fuel cutoff calibration fears

Zach Bowman — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Volvo

Volvo fuel shutoff recall models - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration have announced that the Swedish automaker will recall some 6,046 vehicles from the 2011 model year due to a possible flaw in the engine control module. According to NHTSA, a fuel shut-off parameter in the software is too sensitive, and under certain conditions, the engine may stall. Volvo is concerned that the problem may lead to an accident. A total of four models are covered in the recall, including the 2011 S60 and S80 sedans along with the XC60 and XC70 softroaders.

Volvo is scheduled to begin the recall on or before December 10, and owners will have their vehicle's software updated free of charge to fix the problem. Concerned drivers may contact Volvo directly at 1.800.458.1552 or at customercare@volvoforlife.com.

Gallery: Volvo Fuel Cut-Off Recall

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Volvo recalls various 2011 models over fuel cutoff calibration fears

Volvo recalls various 2011 models over fuel cutoff calibration fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo unveils touchscreen rear entertainment with 500GB and WiFi

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Technology, Volvo

In-car entertainment turned it up another wireless notch at last week's Chicago Auto Show when Volvo showed off "the industry's first Internet connected Rear Seat Entertainment System with Windows XP, WiFi and a 500G hard drive."

Officially, it remains a test-bed study for the moment, but the idea is that you can do everything on a rear headrest touchscreen that you can do on your home computer. You can also plug your computer into the car and load the XC70's system with your own music and video to keep things quiet in the back row. While it's officially only in the 'conceptual phase,' we have it on very good authority that the system will be available in 2011 Volvo XC60 and XC70 models beginning this summer.

Follow the jump for Volvo's take on the RSEi-500 setup, and be sure to get ready for Geneva, where Volvo will reveal an XC90 with a crappy rolling chair, a cubicle and a water cooler.

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading Volvo unveils touchscreen rear entertainment with 500GB and WiFi

Volvo unveils touchscreen rear entertainment with 500GB and WiFi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo recalls over 140K 2001-2005 and 2010 MY vehicles over fuel system issues

Michael Harley — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety

2010 Volvo XC60 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Vehicles manufactured by Volvo are the subject of two different recalls newly announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). The recalls, both involving problems with fuel systems, cover more than 140,000 vehicles manufactured within the past decade.

The first recall is directed at 136,100 2001-2005 model year S60, S80, V70, XC70, and XC90 vehicles sold and operated in warmer climates. According to NHTSA, the fuel pump can develop cracks in its flange when exposed to hot temperatures (and thermal cycling) combined with varying fuel quality. A compromised flange may leak fuel and/or result in a fire. Owners are instructed to bring their vehicles into the dealer for inspection. If the part is defective, Volvo will replaced it with modified flange at no charge. The recall campaign is scheduled to begin in January 2010.

The second recall is directed at 5,253 2010 model year XC60 vehicles. According to NHTSA, a fuel line rail cover designed to protect the fuel lines on the XC60 may be improperly attached, thus exposing the lines to damage. The damaged pieces may leak, possibly resulting in a fire. Owners of the affected models are asked to bring their vehicles to the dealer for inspection and/or a repair at no charge. The recall campaign is scheduled to begin in January 2010.

Owners are asked to contact NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.safercar.gov for more information. The full text from both recall notices is after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Volvo XC60

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Volvo recalls over 140K 2001-2005 and 2010 MY vehicles over fuel system issues

Volvo recalls over 140K 2001-2005 and 2010 MY vehicles over fuel system issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Bulk Store Buying: Costco and Volvo team up to sell cars

Chris Shunk — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Volvo

2010 Volvo XC60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's the holiday season and that means shopping and deal-finding is at a premium. A trip to warehouse stores Costco or Sam's Club will likely net you some tidy deals on anything from eggs and Hot Pockets to a Jacuzzi or even a casket. Even carmakers are getting in on the dealmaking, as a recent promotion with Mitsubishi and Sam's can attest. Not to be outdone, Costco is also getting in on the act.

The warehouse store and Sweden's Volvo are collaborating on a promotion for the XC60, XC70 and XC90 that includes discounts and a $500 Costco card which comes six-to-eight weeks after purchase. Customers who purchase an XC60 from Costco also get Volvo employee pricing. Buyers of the XC70 and XC90 will receive an additional $500 off. The deals being offered through Costco are in addition to any dealer incentive programs that are currently available.

We find it rather amusing that the promotion is only for Volvo crossovers - and yet it makes complete sense at the same time. Shopping at Costco practically necessitates driving a large vehicle while a quick glance at any warehouse store parking lot reveals a sea of trucks, SUVs and minivans. At least Volvo appears to be properly targeting Costco's customer base.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Volvo XC60

Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Costco]

More Bulk Store Buying: Costco and Volvo team up to sell cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Disgruntled Volvo owner starts blog, crafts lament in her native Swedish tongue

Chris Shunk — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Videos, Volvo

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Freya Svensson feels like she's getting screwed. According to her blog postings, she owns a still new-looking Volvo XC70 that has had more than its fair share of problems: a faulty transmission and an internal coolant leak that could have been caused by a cracked cylinder head or head gasket. To make matters worse, Svensson says the transmission, cylinder head and motor mounts (twice) have been replaced by Rusnak Volvo in Pasadena, California. Svensson further claims that when the transmission was replaced, she told Rusnak that it still didn't feel right but the dealership allegedly wouldn't take a look at it again. Now that the supposed defective tranny is out of warranty, the dealership wants to repair it. None of this tale is funny, odd, or different from some of the dealer/warranty horror stories that we hear about all the time. So why are we bothering to report on this one? As you might have guessed from the viking helmet and acoustic guitar show above, Svensson has no issue in pulling out all the stops in order to get her message across. She's even got t-shirts. This amuses us.

For starters, Svensson started up her own website, Rusmackedvolvo.com, which details her problems with Volvo North America and Rusnak Volvo. She took to Facebook to friend Volvo North America President Doug Speck, offering to help him add to his paltry friend total of 24 in exchange for free repairs to her Scandinavian lemon. To add a little flair, Svensson then took to YouTube to provide a video play by play of what is going on with her cursed wagon. The blonde haired, blue eyed Svensson plays up the Swedish connection by even singing an original composition, "O Rusnak Volvo" in her native tongue. Hit the jump to watch the clip, and don't worry if you don't speak Swedish - Svensson has been thoughtful enough to provide English subtitles.

[Sources: Rusmackedvolvo.com; YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Disgruntled Volvo owner starts blog, crafts lament in her native Swedish tongue

VIDEO: Disgruntled Volvo owner starts blog, crafts lament in her native Swedish tongue originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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El Capuccino Volvo 'ute spotted outside museum

Chris Shunk — Tue, 13 May 2008 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Truck, Volvo

Click above for more images of the Volvo XC70 pickup

Volvo has been known for its safety and practical nature since the company's inception, but what we never expected to see from the Swedish automaker is a sport 'ute. A quick-witted photographer snapped up a few pics of an XC70 outside the Volvo museum in Sweden that has been converted for pickup duty, and it looks pretty damn good. Surprisingly, the Volvo ute looks exceptionally well built, thanks to the efforts of Swedish coachbuilder Dalbo Fordonsteknik. While it won't be confused with an El Camino or Ford Falcon, it has a small but usable bed, a shark fin-like design in profile, and what looks like some covered space behind the front seats.

Gallery: Volvo XC70 Sport 'Ute

[Source: Carscoop]

El Capuccino Volvo 'ute spotted outside museum originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 May 2008 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo to offer T6 engine option in XC70 this fall

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Wagon, Crossover, Volvo

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Volvo XC70

The Volvo XC70 recently spent some time in the Autoblog Garage, and while we liked the vehicle overall, we had a few major complaints: its high price, poor gas mileage and a noticeable lack of power. At least one of those issues will be rectified somewhat this fall when Volvo begins offering the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine for the XC70. This engine is already available in the S80 sedan, and since the V70 and XC70 use similar chassis architecture, it was only a matter of time before the T6 engine migrated down the line. The 281 horsepower of the T6 engine should offer a useful improvement over the standard 235 horsepower 3.2 liter six. According to AutoWeek, the T6 model will be the crossover's flagship, so it seems unlikely that the 311 horsepower V8 will show up underhood any time soon. Power often covers a multitude of sins, so we're betting that the boosted-six will prove to be a popular option among buyers.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Volvo XC70

[Source: AutoWeek]

Volvo to offer T6 engine option in XC70 this fall originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2008 Volvo XC70 [w/VIDEO]

Chris Shunk — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, In the Autoblog Garage, Wagon, Videos, Volvo, First Drives

2008 Volvo XC70 - Click above for high-res image gallery

While station wagons are a very big part of the European automotive landscape, here in the States the two-box design sells much better when it's a crossover. We Americans don't have many choices on the true wagon front, mostly because high volume demand simply doesn't exist. One wagon that has been around for a while is the Volvo XC70, which combines much of the rugged AWD utility of an SUV with traditional wagon packaging.

The XC70 is all-new for 2008, including its Ford Mondeo-derived platform, 3.2L engine and more refined sheet metal. On paper, the XC70 delivers a good-looking, safe and evolved station wagon to go head-to-head with upscale utility vehicles, but how will it hold up in the Autoblog Garage? Hit the jump to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Volvo XC70

Continue reading Review: 2008 Volvo XC70 [w/VIDEO]

Review: 2008 Volvo XC70 [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2007: Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue

Drew Phillips — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, SUV, Safety, Volvo

Volvo is known for its safe cars, so it's only fitting that they would build a vehicle specifically designed for safety. The XC70 SR (Safety Rescue) concept was designed with the surf rescue vehicles of Southern California beaches in mind. The SR has an array of features that make it ideal for acting as a support vehicle like front and rear skid plates, a new front and rear overhang to improve approach angles, and a lifted chassis for five extra inches of ground clearance. Inside, the seats have been covered win a fabric similar to a wet suit, and emergency gear can be stored in the cargo department. On the floor are two scuba tanks, an oxygen tank, and a first aid kit, among other rescue equipment.

Gallery: Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue

Continue reading SEMA 2007: Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue

SEMA 2007: Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2008 Volvo XC70

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 18:54:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Volvo

Our compatriot in the cubicle over at Winding Road received some shots of the new Volvo XC70 and despite its Missy Elliotian-camo, a few notable design cues are apparent.

The Cross-Country receives a mildly angled D-pillar and side mirror-embedded turn signals that seem to be the trend du jour on several new models. Although the plastic-clad front-end doesn't lend much detail, it's obvious that a more aggressive snout will make an appearance, that, along with more bubbled fender flares hint at the XC's off-road prowess.

Click on over to "the Road" for full shots of the Swede's departure from the "brick on wheels" school of design and be sure to check out the last photo of one pissed off Volvo employee, who's apparently a big fan of "nawz."

Spy Shots: 2008 Volvo XC70 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Sep 2006 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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