About Volvo

Glady Reign asked:



Through the years, car manufacturers have been developing high performance cars to add to their lineup. These are given different badges to indicate that these are designed for high speeds and can even perform well on race tracks. Volvo is one of these car makers which offer a high performance version of their standard models. In Volvo’s case, they assigned an R for these high performance track and road cars. Sadly though, Volvo announced that they will no longer be producing these astounding R cars.

Volvo’s stint in the high performance specially-badged vehicle market started in 1995 and that has been12 years ago. The R first came into being with the 850 T-5R. Just like any Volvo during that time, the first R car is boxy but it offers a high power output thus making it faster than any Volvo during that time. The first R car provides a high performance that Volvo even entered the 850 T-5R in the British Touring Car Championship. While the said R car did not achieve to get the championship at the BTCC, it marks the start of Volvo’s reputation of being capable of producing track-worthy vehicles.

In 1998, the Volvo S40 R driven by Rickard Rydell won the cup cementing Volvo’s name as one of Europe’s top car brands.

But before the S40 R’s win, the 850 R came into being. It followed the 850 T-5R as the second Volvo R car. The 850 R is made more aerodynamic than its predecessor and was made even faster. Other models which have been offered with the R badge include the Volvo S60 and the Volvo V70.

While the engines of these vehicles are smaller than the competition, Volvo made use of turbocharging to increase the power output of their R cars. For example, the current S60 and the V70 are equipped with smaller engines compared to BMW’s M3 or Audi’s S4 but with the high-pressure turbocharger it is equipped with produces 300 horsepower. While these R cars from Volvo offer high performance, they also give comfort to consumers. The comfortable seats can keep a passenger relaxed even on extended trips. These are also known for their high performance parts such as Volvo clutch disc and other components.

One of the foremost reasons for Volvo’s decision to retire the R line is due to the line’s declining sales. This is evident in the case of the S60 R and the V70 R. Volvo aimed to sell at least 3,800 of these vehicles but only managed to deliver 1,600 units combined. In the United States, Volvo traditionally enjoyed good sale of these high performance cars but recently, sales are declining as consumers look for smaller cars for their next purchase.

While the R car ear for Volvo may be over, there are still high performance Volvo cars even without the R badge. Volvo is still using turbochargers on their vehicles which provide a good power output. Aside from turbochargers, Volvo is now offering select models that are equipped with V8 engines.

Volvo’s Chief Executive Officer Fredrik Arp said that while they are still developing performance models, consumers should not expect a car similar to the R line to roll out of their factories in the upcoming months.

Danielle

Glady Reign asked:



Volvo pulled the wrap off its new cars that showcase its hottest and newest car DNA. The remarkable car styling mirrors Volvo’s new design direction. The automaker is delivering these vehicles to the automotive world with the hope that the company’s standing and sales would be improved significantly.

One remarkable car from Volvo is the XC60 concept, which was revealed at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It is scheduled to go on sale for the 2009 model year. Fresh styling DNA is mirrored on its aggressively styled grille, larger Volvo symbol, new shifting mechanism, mechanical tail gate, glass roof and 20-inch rims. The concept shares the C1 platform with its Ford siblings that include the next-generation Land Rover Freelander.

Steve Mattin, Volvo’s styling under new design director, said that the Volvo XC60 concept “will indicate our new design DNA. It will have technical as well as design innovation. But it’s a real concept car, not just a disguised production car.” In other words, its relationship to the real thing will be as the 2000 ACC concept was to the Volvo XC90. “It takes the emotion of the C30 a step further.”

“If you can recognize a Volvo from 50 meters today, I want to get to the point where people will be able to spot one from twice the distance in the future,” added Mattin. “We need to be recognizable as Volvo. We’re still about Scandinavian simplicity; we can’t be playful or do styling for the sake of styling. Volvos last a long time, so our design must have legs. But we can’t be too simple or we’d edge toward blandness. And we can’t just change; we must be fresh. I want to broaden our design and have more variation between car lines.”

Another remarkable car from the automaker is the Volvo C30, a small family car, which comes as a three-door, four-seat hatchback version of the Volvo S40, V50 and C70 luxury vehicles. The car is powered by I4 and I5 engines. The production Volvo C30 was officially unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. “The new C30 is an ambitious new car for Volvo,” said Fredrik Arp, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation. “It is a car that aims for a group of young singles, or couples, with intense urban lifestyles. These people prioritize excitement in design and driving characteristics, and this car should suit their varied tastes perfectly.”

“Our V8 package feels immensely solid. When it comes to power and performance, we’re in the same class as the very best in the segment. What’s more, we’re sure that a large proportion of these customers will appreciate the fact that the power and driveability can be combined with high safety and good environmental properties. It’s important that we can launch a V8 without compromising on our core values,” said Hans-Olov Olsson, Volvo Cars President and CEO.

The new hatchback is given an upgraded sound system that includes a digital 5×130 watt ICE Power amplifier from Alpine featuring Dolby Pro Logic II Surround, and 10 loudspeakers from Danish Dynaudio. In addition, the Volvo C30 also caters to personal choices of the customers especially to the demanding needs of young urbanites. “The Volvo C30 is a very exciting car with emotional appeal. We anticipate that the C30’s youthfulness and dynamic design will catch the hearts and minds of people beyond Volvo’s traditional customers,” said Anne Blec, President and CEO of VCNA.

“The new Volvo C30 plays an important role in our push towards a volume of 600,000 cars a year. We are broadening our model program to make it possible for new, younger customers with an intense, urban lifestyle to choose a Volvo with the right appeal as early as possible,” Arp noted. The automaker intends to sell 65,000 units of these cars every year. Seventy-five per cent of those sales are expected to come from Europe market.

Another equally stunning car from the automaker is Volvo S80. It blends distinct Scandinavian style, excellent ride and handling characteristics to make way for a more dynamic Volvo. The engine choices include the all-new 315hp V8 with AWD and 3.2L naturally aspirated inline-six-cylinder with 238 horsepower, available with AWD. Volvo pressure plates are also upgraded to withstand the powerful change. “We are convinced that the all new Volvo S80 will be a very strong contender in its class and win over many new customers considering the other popular premium brand rivals. We expect to sell 50,000 new S80s a year around the world, of which 70 per cent will be new Volvo customers,” said Frederik Arp, Volvo Cars CEO.

Mattin commented on Volvo’s future design philosophy, “We need to be recognizable as Volvo. We’re still about Scandinavian simplicity; we can’t be playful or do styling for the sake of styling. Volvos last a long time, so our design must have legs. But we can’t be too simple or we’d edge toward blandness. And we can’t just change; we must be fresh. I want to broaden our design and have more variation between car lines.”

These cars are delivered with high hopes and the automaker is positive that they will definitely make a big change.

Wayne

Glady Reign asked:



Earlier this year, the auto industry saw the luxury brand Aston Martin being sold by its owner, the Ford Motor Company. The sale took place as Ford is seeking funding for its turn around plan. The past years have been tough for the Dearborn, Michigan-based car manufacturer as they incurred their biggest loss in their storied history.

After the sale of Aston Martin to a consortium of buyers led by David Richards of Team Prodrive, there were talks about whether Ford will sell another brand that it owns under the Premiere Automotive Group. While there were talks then that the Jaguar may be the next brand to be put on the auction block, Ford declined to comment. Recently though, a part of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group (PAG) is being reported to be taken over by German car company BMW.

Word has it in the auto industry that BMW is interested in buying the biggest brand under the PAG - Volvo. The Swedish brand may be suffering from reduced sales in the United States but it is still one of the most valuable brands that Ford owns. Talks about the possible takeover of BMW at Volvo came after BMW is reported to have requested for a complete breakdown of Volvo’s financial status from a European bank. The said inquiry has raised the issue that BMW may be interested in purchasing Volvo from the struggling company. Experts in the industry agreed that BMW may be looking to expand their offering to consumers.

Another reason for BMW’s interest in Volvo is the reported plan to further expand the MINI brand by sharing Volvo’s platform with the small cars of the MINI brand.

Some industry insiders are reported to have said that Volvo will be a welcome addition to BMW’s portfolio. The reputation of Volvo being a producer of safe cars as well as for producing vehicles with reliable parts such as Volvo motor mounts, suspension assembly, steering systems, and the likes will surely complement BMW’s image of being a producer of cars built for driving pleasure. Both brands are also known for their concern for the environment and the two brands making developments together is seen as one of the reasons for BMW’s rumored interest on Volvo. Although the auto industry is filled with these talks, Ford, Volvo and BMW have yet to make a comment on the issue.

This silence from the camps concerned has led to speculations among industry trend followers. It is predicted that if indeed BMW will acquire Volvo from Ford, the Swedish brand’s larger vehicles will be delegated to BMW to share platforms with. On the other hand, smaller Volvo vehicles will be sharing platforms with the MINI brand which BMW has so far successfully revived. As Volvo’s larger vehicles are merged with BMW’s, these vehicles will be introduced to the market with either a rear-wheel or a four-wheel drive configuration. For smaller vehicles, they are believed to continue using the front-wheel drive configuration.

While these are merely speculations, they have a ring of practicality in them. If indeed Volvo is sold to BMW, Ford will have an additional short-term financial boost while BMW will have a strong brand under its portfolio.

To this issue, online consumers affirmed that they could not see for selling Volvo to BMW. One point raised is the fact that Volvo has been helping Ford and Ford has been helping Volvo since the car maker from Dearborn has acquired the Swedish company. Some consumers pointed out that selling Volvo will not make sense for Ford since even if Volvo is posting reduced sale in the United States, the brand is turning a profit globally. It was also pointed out that Jaguar may be the one that Ford needs to sell although at the brand’s state right now, it is hard to find a company willing to purchase a dying brand. No matter what BMW has in mind for requesting Volvo’s financial status, the rest of the world needs only to wait since a sale such as this (if ever) will be hard to conceal from the rest of the industry.

Audrey