Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Volvo XC60 out playin' in the snow]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/25/spy-shots-volvo-xc60-out-playin-in-the-snow/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/25/spy-shots-volvo-xc60-out-playin-in-the-snow/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/25/spy-shots-volvo-xc60-out-playin-in-the-snow/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volvo is working hard to finish development on the production version of its XC60 CUV before it goes on sale later in 2008. We'll see the official unveiling in Geneva most likley, and the concept has certainly whetted our appetite. Aimed at the smaller end of the premium CUV market, the XC60 will take on comers like the BMW X3 and the upcoming Mercedes Freeside, as well as the Land Rover LR2, with which the XC60 shares pieces and corporate parents.

AutoExpress has posted spy shots of an XC60 dressed for modesty cavorting in the snow. Comparing the mule to shots of the concept shows that the major points of the design are headed for the showroom after some tweaking. The changes are pretty minor, the door handles change, the roofline appears to be a little higher, though still with the same profile, so you might actually be able to load things in the production car. It does look like the curvaceous taillights are headed for reality, only slightly changed, too. The pictures don't offer any insight as to whether the trick two-piece hatch from the concept will make it to the public, and we're going to bet that the all-white interior will be ditched for something less cleaning-intensive, too. For the most part, what we saw in the concept is what we'll be able to buy in early 2009.

[Source: Auto Express]

Gallery: Volvo XC60 Concept



Spy Shots: Volvo XC60 out playin' in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>60auto expressAutoExpresscamoflagecuvgenevamulephotosshotsspyspy shotsSpyShotstestingvolvoxcxc60Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Volvo rethinking, shifting focus to wagons]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/09/rumormill-volvo-rethinking-shifting-focus-to-wagons/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/09/rumormill-volvo-rethinking-shifting-focus-to-wagons/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/09/rumormill-volvo-rethinking-shifting-focus-to-wagons/#commentsFiled under: ,

Volvo has been trying its darnedest to reinvent itself, but the Swedish automaker is finding it can't escape its own image. Rather than trying to fight it, then, emerging reports suggest that the company will go with the flow while refocusing its model line-up to include more wagons, which already account for some two thirds of its languishing sales.

Among the new models Volvo is reportedly preparing is the V30, a sport-wagon aimed at the Audi A3. Expected to be a little taller and longer than the A3 Sportback, the V30 could incorporate the kind of flexible seating layouts we've seen in minivans, but in a smaller, more upscale package. Based on the European Focus platform, the V30 would slot in above the C30 sport-hatch to where the S40 and V50 fit currently. Those models, meanwhile, would grow slightly larger to take on the likes of the BMW 3-Series, but smaller than Volvo's own next-gen S60 and V70. An XC30 off-road version would likely also fall into the mix, with all-wheel-drive, higher road clearance and more rugged body-cladding.

Gothenburg (home to Volvo's headquarters, not Batman's Swedish cousin) is also tipped to be considering replacing the flagship S80 sedan with a new range-topping V100 wagon, as well as a Smart-style city-car and electric powertrain packages. One way or another, Volvo needs to find its niche and run with it, or it could find itself up for sale like its erstwhile Ford Europe/PAG sister companies Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover.

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Volvo rethinking, shifting focus to wagons originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>focusmarketshiftstrategyvvolvowagonsxcWed, 09 Jan 2008 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Heico Sportiv takes on the Volvo V70 and XC70]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/25/heico-sportiv-takes-on-the-volvo-v70-and-xc70/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/25/heico-sportiv-takes-on-the-volvo-v70-and-xc70/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/25/heico-sportiv-takes-on-the-volvo-v70-and-xc70/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Heico Sportiv has been putting a more stylish and powerful edge on Volvos for ten years, and they've applied their touch to the latest V70 and XC70 wagons from Gothenburg. With tuning skills derived from racing experience, the changes are more than cosmetic. Heico has developed suspension, brake, and exhaust upgrades that enhance the reflexes of the wagons. The restrained bodykit bolted to the EUCD platform cars is the most visible change. It's tasteful, though the ultra low profile tires and overkill-diameter rims look awkward to us. The interior gains extremely attractive two color seats and various aluminum trim pieces embossed with the Heico Viking helmet logo. We'll take the low and mean looking V70, though it'd be tough to go wrong with the more chromed-out and higher-riding XC70, as well.

[Source: Carscoop]

Gallery: Heico Sportiv XC70 and V70

Heico Sportiv takes on the Volvo V70 and XC70 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Aug 2007 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>70aftermarketheicosportivtunerv70volvowagonxcSat, 25 Aug 2007 09:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Preview: Volvo XC60 concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/13/detroit-preview-volvo-xc60-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/13/detroit-preview-volvo-xc60-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/13/detroit-preview-volvo-xc60-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volvo's giving us a little treat in releasing these pictures of the XC60 concept SUV, which they'll be showing in a few weeks at the Detroit show. While strictly dubbed a concept show car, the kid brother to the XC90 is expected to go into production in 2009. How closely it mirrors this shapely showcar is the question.

The exterior styling clearly takes on Ford Europe's latest "kinetic" design language, following along the lines (so to speak) of the Ford Iosis concepts, among others. And those lines mark a radical departure from the comparatively conservative styling production Volvos employ, and what was previously expected to continue with the XC60 as well. To compete with the increasingly crowded premium compact SUV segment, that could be just what Volvo needs to cut ahead of the pack. The interior, meanwhile, is very i, Robot ...tres slick, but don't expect much to carry over to production aside from the modern trademark Volvo floating console-dash panel.

Not much is known about the mechanicals on this concept, but we do know it's based on the platform of the Land Rover LR2 (a.k.a. Freelander 2, as opposed to the LR3/Discovery).

Follow the jump for more images.

[Source: Volvo via Carscoop]

Continue reading Detroit Preview: Volvo XC60 concept

Detroit Preview: Volvo XC60 concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Dec 2006 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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