For 80 years and still counting, the Swedish automaker Volvo continues to innovate and contour automobiles that carry both luxury and safety in their features. In addition to the company’s exquisite line, Volvo recently came out with the new 2008 Volvo XC70 four-door wagon.

Carrying most of the standard Volvo auto parts, the 2008 XC70 boasts of a bigger passenger space, integrated child booster seats, and a 3.2-liter inline 6, for starters. The first impression given to this new Volvo wonder is being capable of soft-road cruise, more spacious, and has more safety equipment.

This four-door wagon has more to offer from what’s inside it unlike other manufactured models which have based its reputations on driving dynamics and feature content. Going against the so-called flashy beauty that other automakers prioritize, Volvo goes deeper in combining safety and beauty. Aside from its roomy feature, XC70 sold in Europe have been equipped with active Volvo shocks, a diesel or turbocharged version of the inline-6 gasoline-fueled engine. Carrying some of the Volvo S80 parts and the standard Volvo V70 parts, the big-built XC70 has been designed and engineered to be dedicated wagons. These new line of wagon is 4.2 inches longer and 1.7 inches taller and utilizes a 2-inch longer wheelbase. Specifications like these made the wagon spacious and stronger to carry two additional cubic feet of cargo volume. The only downside seen is that the more steel used for additional crash protection, the heavier the wagon got weighing at a curb weight of 400 pounds

Largely emblazoned at the rear part of the XC70 is the word “Volvo”, which suggests the proud character of the new wagon. To make the loading area more accessible, the Volvo tail lights are now situated into the liftgate. Aside from the large lockable storage compartment, XC70’s floor of the cargo area has been equipped with a system of handy, movable tie-down hooks that lie flush with the floor when not in use.

Built for long hours of drive, the new Volvo is geared up with exceptionally plush seats with lateral support. Comfort can also be achieved with the a rear seat in a 40/20/40-folding affair., which has options of two-stage booster seats that are incorporated into the two rear seats. Moreover, the improved exterior styling continues to reflect the outdoorsy character of previous XC70s. A reduction in the amount of pavement-gray plastic bodywork adds more class, and incremental increases in the crossover’s approach, departure and breakover angles improve its go-anywhere driving utility.

Safety features for any Volvo is equally important as other Volvo auto parts, thus this new find is geared with a comprehensive safety system. From airbags, second generation anti-whiplash head restraints, adaptive cruise control, active Volvo headlights, blind-spot vehicle detection, and a collision warning system. Amongst the safety measures of the new XC70, it is the collision warning system that is considered to be an innovative find. Flashes lights, sounds an alarm, and preloads the breaks are what the alarm does.

True to form, Volvo has once again produced another quality vehicle for its countless line of automobiles. The 2008 Volvo XC70 offers much SUV qualities, but less worries on too much weight, too little maneuverability, and poor fuel economy. –>

Road accidents are often caused by three factors: human error, vehicle problems, and traffic environment. Of the countless fatalities world wide, it is a major social responsibility of automakers to ensure that they do their part of manufacturing safe vehicles. For Volvo, reproducing possible vehicular accidents, even for its Volvo convertibles, is the way to go.

The top down feature of convertibles makes these vehicles a favorite summer get-away. As sales went sky-rocketing during the summer in Western countries, concern started to arise too as to how safe are these compared to the regular cars. To answer these alarming concerns, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IHHS) recently conducted crash tests on convertibles. Done for the first time, these top-down wonders were put to the test of front , sides, and rear collisions in the crash test laboratory. These types of collisions were performed to test the susceptibility of these summer favorites to various kinds of road accidents. Earning high marks for these three tests will result to pocketing the top award. Volvo together with a fellow General Motors Corporation subsidiary Saab emerged as the top performers in the crash tests done. These two Swedish automakers were able to beat eight other mid-sized models tested. Hailed as the automaker that offers both luxury and safety in its models, Volvo C70 with Saab 9-3 earned the overall “Top Pick” for crash protection.

Passing the tests in flying colors, convertibles of Sweden automobile manufacturers are concluded to be safer in many ways than other vehicles with fixed roof according to IHHS. By reinforcing the windshield header rail, the A-pillars, and by making the door sills wider and larger than in a regular sedan is the strategy used by Saab in its convertibles. These features were said to compensate the absence of the roof.

Aside from getting high ratings for the three types of crash tests, IHHS had another requirement to be awarded as a “Top Pick” – for convertibles to have a roll bar system. Rollovers are said to be the deadliest situation for these top down vehicles and a roll bar system helps prevent severe damage both for the car and the driver and passengers. Both the Volvo C70 and Saab 9-3 have a supplemental restraint system that is designed to anticipate and react to potential rollover situation.

Dedicated in lessening the 1.2 million fatalities world wide, Volvo has established the Volvo Safe Center, which has performed two thousand crash tests since 2000. For that, Volvo vehicles are not really that new to crash tests like the one conducted by the IHHS. During crash tests, not only the susceptibility of the exterior is being tested, but also the interior like the steering system, the suspension, the brake, and the hydraulic system. These tests performed by the Swedish automaker Volvo, is aimed to meet requirements set by various public agencies like IHHS and EuroNCAP. To ensure the safety and quality of Volvo cars and Volvo auto parts, each has to undergo at least 100 to 120 crash tests before these are sold to the market. After 80 years in the automobile industry, Volvo has remained true to its corporate values, one of which is safety. –>

Haven’t seen Volvo’s soon to be standard in Sports Design? Good thing you visited the Volvo Blog. Here it is!

R-DESIGN – SPORTS INSPIRED NEW OPTION FROM VOLVO
Volvo introduces new Sport with R-DESIGN

R-DESIGN sports-inspired exterior and interior details for Volvo C30, S40 and V50 will arrive in the UK showrooms in October. A new Sport with R-DESIGN specification is being introduced for all new Volvo C30, S40 and V50 models. The R-DESIGN package replaces, and enhances, Volvo’s current Sport trim levels, offering a range of unique sports-inspired interior and exterior details to the Sport and SE Sport variants. Production of these models starts in early September and cars will arrive in UK showrooms in October.

Sports detail
Exterior design includes an R-DESIGN badge in the front grille, colour coordinated body kit, rear roof spoiler, silver matte finish front grille and wing mirrors, unique five spoke 17″ alloy wheels for Sport models and 18″ alloy wheels for SE Sport. Interior design includes a two-tone black and cream upholstery with contrast stitching and embossed R-DESIGN logo, leather-trimmed steering wheel with R-DESIGN logo, a unique aluminium R-DESIGN centre stack, blue instrument dials, sports pedals and tufted dark floormats with cream leather seams.

Specification and prices
R-DESIGN is available in both Sport and SE Sport guise, on all engines within the C30, S40 and V50 model ranges1. The Sport specification offers the pure R-DESIGN package while the SE Sport combines R-DESIGN styling with luxury SE features. This also introduces a new Sport specification level for the Volvo C30 (currently only SE Sport is available).

The Sport with R-DESIGN range starts at £16,600 on the road for a Volvo C30 1.6 Sport and a Volvo S40 1.6 Sport. The Volvo V50 sportswagon starts with the 1.8 Sport with R-DESIGN at £19,195 on the road2.
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