About Volvo

Benard Worseley asked:


Positioned as Volvo’s entry to the “small premium utility segment” the Volvo XC60 being releasing late Feb 2009 will take on the likes of Audi Q5, BMW X5, Acura RDX, and the Infiniti EX35. Building upon its “safety first” tagline, the company has added a variety of features that maximizes performance, safety and fun to its newest model. It emphasizes high-tech content, style, and unbeatable capability.

Luxurious Styling on the Inside Out

The Volvo XC60 being released on late Feb 2009 reflects the company’s new design goals. Sporting a larger logo, a broader shoulder line, and a grille, the XC60 presents a bold and muscular appeal. Yet, despite its more pronounced styling, the new automobile cannot be mistaken for anything but a Volvo. It integrates traditional styling cues that the company is renowned for. The exterior of the XC60 is eye-catching but it would be a mistake not to look into its interiors.

The vehicle’s interior features the slim center stack which was first introduced in the S40. It is furnished with your choice of brushed metal or matte wood. The seats are upholstered with the X-theme, a two-tone leather stitched pattern that provides a choice of “cross county”, “cross city”, and “cross over”. As is expected from Volvo, the seats of the XC60 not only provide sufficient support, it is very comfortable as well.

Using a contrasting mix of materials including wood, brushed metal, soft-touch plastics, and leather, the surface inside the cabin is undeniably luxurious and appealing. There is plenty of headroom in all seats as well as sufficient rear legroom. In addition, the Volvo XC60’s rear tailgate opening is designed to be the widest in its category. If the second row upright, the model provides a generous 30.8 cubic feet of cargo. And if it is folded flat, you will have enough space for almost anything you need to haul to and from your home.

Power and Performance

Sharing the basic architecture with its XC70 and S80 cousins, the Volvo XC60 being releasing late Feb 2009 has an engine that is transversely mounted as well. The 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine has a six-speed automatic transmission, an available sport mode, and the capability to produce 281 hp. The 295 lb-ft of toque provides plentiful power in the rev engine. Acceleration is expectedly smooth and flawless.

Focus on Safety

Volvo automobiles are known for safety because of a reason: safety is its primary consideration. Although the Volvo XC60 being releasing late Feb 2009 is not a small car, it provides a balanced ride that defies its built. Its steering is precise, the chassis is designed to minimize body roll, and the braking performance is excellent. The Four-C option active chassis system will also provide drives with three settings including Advanced, Comfort, and Sport. It allows the driver to adjust the setting according to personal preference and road condition.

Research shows that 75% of accidents occur at low speeds. In an effort to mitigate these accidents, Volvo introduced a feature aptly named “City Safety”. It uses a laser sensor that detects cars and other objects that are within 13 feet of the front bumper. The system will automatically apply the brakes if it determines that a collision is probable. The Volvo XC60 also uses other safety systems at high speeds. These features include a collision warning, lane-departure warning, and trailer-towing stability system.



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Glady Reign asked:


Earlier, the Ecology Center in Detroit conducted a survey regarding car emissions. In the said survey, it was found out that Volvo cars emit lower levels of toxic substances than other car makes.

The study titled Toxic at Any Speed: Chemicals in Cars & the Need for Safe Alternatives, delved into measuring toxic chemicals in building car interiors. The study includes flame retardant PBDE and phthalates, which are commonly used to soften plastics and textiles at high temperatures. These substances are treated as health hazards. They are dangerous to the respiratory system. As a fact, prolonged exposure to these substances could promote genetic mutations.

The Ecology Center’s study revealed that the concentrations of PBDE in dust and on the windscreen are up to 5 times higher than in the homes of most people. Since many people today spend a lot of time in their cars, car interiors thus have a considerable effect on human health. The study subjected 11 different makes of cars built between 2000 and 2005 to meticulous scrutiny. It has found out that the interiors of Volvo cars have the lowest emissions of phthalates. In addition, the incidence of flame retardant PBDE is much lower. This fact, as attested by the research institute, made Volvo a world leader in the area of interior air quality.

“In an age when many people suffer from asthma and allergies, it is only natural for Volvo Cars to offer its customers a good environment even inside the car,” said Anders Kärrberg, Environmental Director at Volvo Cars. To maintain Volvo’s high interior air quality standards, the automaker uses the right materials. This is done to ensure that the air entering the car through the climate system is properly filtered. The exceptional Volvo fuel filter used by the automaker is especially formulated to promote clean interior climate. This climate is preferred by individuals suffering from allergies and asthma as well as those who are particularly sensitive.

“The textiles and leather used in our cars meet stringent Oeko-Tex standard 100, which ensures that fabrics and hides have been thoroughly tested to check for certain allergy-inducing substances. We also work with contact allergies and are phasing out toxic substances such as certain phthalates. Volvo’s IAQS air quality system has also been developed to clean the air and reduce the risk of allergic reactions inside the car,” added Kärrberg.

Volvo is famed for its dedication in producing environment-friendly vehicles. Lately, it has expanded its range to include FlexiFuel cars. These cars are powered by renewable bioethanol fuel. “Interest in ethanol as a vehicle fuel is growing in Europe,” said Gerry Keaney, Senior Vice President Market, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Cars. “We are therefore expanding our range with additional models on a total of 9 markets. First to get Volvo’s FlexiFuel cars outside Sweden will be Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Norway.”

Keaney continued, “It’s very encouraging that the market is expanding and that political initiatives are being taken.” France has announced its intention to build 500 fuel stations for E85 this year. E85 is type of fuel with a blend of 85 per cent renewable ethanol and 15 per cent petrol. So far, there are 23 plants producing ethanol in Europe. The number is expected to multiply three-folds in 2008.

Ethanol is a promising fuel which can be produced from just about any biomass source like corn, wheat, sugar-beet and cellulose. “A renewable fuel will not on its own be able to replace today’s fossil fuels, and the range of alternative fuels will probably be far wider in the future. Many different fuels and technologies will therefore be developed in parallel. Ethanol reduces dependency on fossil fuels and Volvo’s FlexiFuel programme thus makes a vital contribution to our strategy of environmental sustainability,” noted Keaney.

The Volvo C30, S40 and V50 are now available in an environmentally optimized FlexiFuel alternative. They are all powered a four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine producing 125 horsepower. Petrol and bioethanol are both filled in the same 55 liter tank. To complement the green potentials of the cars, the automaker modified fuel hoses, gaskets and valves. Also, the injection valves have been reinforced.

“Our commitment to safe mobility needs to be enlarged from the protection of occupants and other road users in collisions to include personal health for all road users and to offer them sustainable mobility solutions”, said Hans-Olov Olsson.



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Glady Reign asked:


All good things must come to an end, that is. And the same is true with the R badge of Volvo Cars. The Swedish automaker has started its venture involving high-performance cars in 1995 with the introduction of the 850 T-5R. But Volvo earlier said that it will be stopping the production of the range.

The Volvo 850, which comes as a compact luxury car, is available in both sedan and station wagon body styles. The vehicle is notable as the first front-wheel drive car from this Swedish manufacturer to be exported to North America. The vehicle was yellow, boxy, and above all, very, very fast. For the automaker, the T-5R model is a milestone vehicle. As a fact, Volvo yielded a series of striking racing successes in connection with the model. The car pushed the Swedish automaker to global auto stardom. The car proves to the world that Sweden could make performance machines for both the road and track.

After the 850 T-5R, the Swedish automaker produced the 850 R. The latter was made even more voluptuous and more powerful. After a short hiatus, the R range characteristics returned, gracing the S60 and V70. These vehicles became the ultimate performance car of Volvo. Today’s Volvo S60 R and V70 R are equipped with highly advanced auto parts, equipment and accessories, sporting the Four-C adaptive chassis, upgraded Volvo brakes which are mated to an all-wheel drive system built by Haldex.

At 2.5-liters in displacement, the inline-five was eclipsed by most of its competitors in size, but assisted by a high-pressure turbocharger its 300 horsepower five-cylinder was more than enough to keep it in the rearview mirrors of M3s and S4s. But the performance was not the end-all for the R, as Volvo took comfort in stride with wonderful seats and a bump-absorbing “Comfort” setting on the adaptive damping suspension system. These cars were some of the best to travel in for long distances.

For the “R” designation, the automaker said it is permanently over. The demise of performance models was attributed to the slow sales. This was the plight of Volvo’s Rs. The automaker was hoping to sell a combined total of 3,800 S60 and V70 Rs, but was only able to shift 1,600 cars. What’s more, the biggest market for the Swedish automaker failed to pick up on the car. The target sales were not met and the sales numbers for other countries were also missed.

At present the automaker is looking beyond the present to 2008, there are many cars in the Volvo range that could benefit from having the “R” characteristics. Analysts say it is a logical choice to create an R model for the S40 and V50, not to mention the new C30.

But the automaker assures that it is not the end of the road for fast Volvos. According to Automotive News, Volvo’s CEO Fredrik Arp said that the brand would continue to work on new performance models, but not to expect anything soon. In the meantime, he points to the C30 T5, S80 V8 and the forthcoming Volvo V70 T5 with its 295-hp turbocharged version of the new straight-six engine as showing the direction for the future of performance Volvos.



Give Your Kitchen A Makeover

Auggie asked:


I am thinking about buying a volvo, but the premium gas it needs is more expensive.. But ive also heard they are very nice running and nicely built cars. Is the money worth it?

Scented Gel Candles

Gina M asked:


I am looking into buying a car a volvo 1998 S70 or a Buick 1996 regal which one will last longer and give me more car for my money?

Adult Cpr Instructions

jakeuty asked:


Does the Volvo heartbeat sensor (tells you if someone is in the car) work if the car isn’t running? This is indicated when you press a button on the Personal Car Communicator Key Volvo cars come with.

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Glady Reign asked:


This year, Volvo is celebrating their 80th anniversary. Furthermore, this month is special to the company since their first car rolled out of their assembly pant on April 14, 1927.

The company’s name was meant to be used for ball bearings which were manufactured by SKF. Due to fate’s intervention though, the ball bearings stamped with “Volvo” were not released in the market. Instead of ball bearings, the name was used as a trademark and brand name for a new car manufacturer founded by Assar Gabrielson and Gustav Larson.

The first vehicle from the company is the ÖV 4, an open top vehicle. Due to Sweden’s cold climate, the vehicle only achieved modest success.

After the release of the ÖV 4 vehicle, Volvo achieved more success with the LV1 truck which was manufactured in 1928. By the end of that decade, Volvo started exporting their vehicles. The first country outside of Sweden to be offered Volvo vehicles is Finland, Sweden’s neighbor.

In the 1930’s the company continued their success based on their dedication to safety. Since its birth, Volvo has always prioritized the safety of their cars and in the 1930’s, this strategy paid off. During the 1930’s, Volvo’s name became increasingly popular not only in Sweden but also on other parts of the European continent.

One of the most notable releases for the company in the 1930’s is the introduction of their first bus. In 1934, Volvo manufactured the B1, a bus which has received much praise form experts in the industry then. While sales of the B1 are not as high as Volvo would have wanted, the effort served as a benchmark for other Volvo’s to come.

In 1936, the company released their omnibus models and that is when sales skyrocketed. From that time onward, the company became known as one of the leading producer of trucks in Sweden and neighboring countries as well. During the decade, the company received much success in the production of trucks which are built to withstand Sweden’s cold climate. During that decade, the Volvo aftermarket parts market is still on its early stages.

During the 1930’s, Volvo acquired the Penta plant located in Skovde, Sweden. The plant gave the company a boost in production. After the acquisition of the plant which was founded in 1907, Volvo had the control of development, production and quality control of their production vehicles.

The 1930’s became a pivotal stage for Volvo where the company saw their business growing and reaching out to other countries.



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