The long wait is over. The much hyped Volvo R-series that was ditched earlier this year is back. AMG, and M-division need not fear, however; this time it’s just about bodykits.

The C30, S40 and V50 will all now be available with an R-Design package that includes a colour-co-ordinated bodykit, silver matt grille and mirrors and special 17 or 18-inch alloys.

In the cabin you get two-tone black and cream leather trim, an aluminium centre console, blue instrument dials and ‘sports pedals’.
The R-Design package will be available on all Sport or SE Sport spec C30s, S40s and V50s, starting at £16,600 for the C30 1.6 Sport.
Be sure to check back with the Volvo Blog tomorrow for the showcase feature of the magnificent return of the Volvo R type. –>

The Volvo Group will be participating as a cooperation partner in a joint environmental program between the US and Swedish Governments. The program is aimed at reducing consumption of fossil fuel by focusing on projects within the areas of energy and vehicle development.

For Volvo, it would involve producing powertrains based on alternative fuels suitable for heavy vehicles. The cooperation is a result of a research and development agreement signed in June 2006 by the Swedish and US Governments. The Volvo Group will be a cooperation partner in a number of projects conducted under this agreement. The projects include the development of hybrid technology for heavy vehicles and analyses of how various biofuels impact on diesel engines, with the aim of further improving fuel economy and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.

“We believe that being involved in this unique cooperation project will be extremely stimulating,” says Jan-Eric Sundgren, member of Volvo Group Executive Committee, responsible for Public & Environmental Affairs. “This means that we can implement a number of projects within the environmental area that would otherwise have not been possible. We hope that our participation will lead to more cooperation aimed at sustainable development.”

Among others, Volvo Group subsidiary Mack Trucks is involved in the projects, which will be co-financed by the Volvo Group and the Governments of Sweden and the US. The Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, aerospace components and services. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs about 93,000 people, has production facilities in 18 countries and sells their products in more than 180 markets. Annual sales of the Volvo Group amount to about 27 billion euro. The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Göteborg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on the Stockholm stock exchange and on NASDAQ in the US.
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This just in. Team Skywalker were crowned as the World Champions 2007 at the end of an exciting and tense VISTA competition for Volvo’s truck and bus service personnel in Gothenburg on Tuesday. For the first time in history, the event became an monumental occasion with over 3,200 teams comprising a total of 12,000 competitors took part in the training and qualification stages of VISTA 2007.

All of the teams competed in a further two theoretical rounds, followed by a major ‘cull’ to reduce the field to 160 teams for the regional semi-finals. These took the form of theoretical and practical assignments that were carried out in March-April in eight cities in five parts of the world. This yielded the final selection of 28 teams from 24 countries – the absolute cream of Volvo’s worldwide service network – that went forward to contest the World Championship title.

“It’s fantastic to be able to call ourselves World Champions in service expertise,” said a delighted Roger Ihrelius, captain of Team Skywalker - who was competing in VISTA for the ninth time. “VISTA shows the level of expertise that modern trucks and workshops demand of our professional group. Volvo’s serious commitment to the competition represents major recognition for its service personnel in every workshop around the world.”

Team Skywalker will be defending their crown on autumn 2008. “That’s when VISTA 2009 kicks off – and we fully intend to defend our crown !” they shouted. –>