Paul and Aimee Kay bought a piece of Volvo history when they took delivery of their 2008 Volvo C70. This special vehicle had traveled more than 5,000 miles from its factory birthplace in Uddevalla, Sweden to reach its new home.

The first Volvo car left a Swedish factory in April, 1927. This new Swedish car was called the OV4 (”OV” — Swedish for “Open Car” and “4″ denoting the number of cylinders).

In February, 2008 car number 15,000,000 — ironically another convertible — with a retractable hardtop, was produced.

continue reading "Volvo’s 15 Millionth Car Comes With a Trip to Sweden"

An infrared sensor supplies data for automatic brake application at city driving speeds to avoid rear-end collisions.

The risk of rear-end collisions is particularly great in city traffic with its constant alternation between braking and accelerating. 75 percent of accidents recorded by the police occur at speeds below 30 km/h. It is precisely at these speeds, in slow-moving or “stop and go” traffic, that this sensor system, developed and manufactured by Continental around the Closing Velocity (CV) sensor, reduces the risk of a rear-end collision. Fitted level with the inside mirror in the area cleaned by the windshield wiper, the sensor uses three infrared beams to probe the road up to some six meters in front of the vehicle. The sensor picks up vehicles which are stationary or traveling in the same direction. If the gap is less than the distance which must be regarded as critical at the current speed, the system causes the brakes to be applied automatically.

If the maximum speed differential between the vehicles was 15 km/h, a rear-end collision would be avoided in most cases. And, at greater relative speeds, the severity of the impact would be considerably mitigated. At the same time, the City Safety system optimizes occupant protection by providing additional data to the airbag control unit and triggering the restraint systems as required. Like the front and side airbag initiation sensors, this is also a Continental product. According to Dr. Ralf Cramer, President of the Chassis & Safety Division, “This system will prevent numerous accidents and injuries. It is one of the important modules in our comprehensive ContiGuard(R) safety system which is bringing us one step closer to Vision Zero, our vision of road transport without accidents, without serious injuries and without fatalities.”

MK25 E1 braking system with trailer stabilization and roll-over protection functions

Even if the braking system does not intervene automatically, Continental’s CV sensor system can assist the XC60 driver. If he realizes that a rear-end collision is imminent and applies the brakes, the MK25 E1 will already have built up pressure as a precaution. The brake assist system will respond earlier, depending on how risky the situation is, shortening the stopping distance more effectively than would be possible without the CV sensor’s warning.

In addition to this interface to the environmental sensors, the braking system also has a trailer stabilization function which detects if a trailer is beginning to “fishtail” and stabilizes the car-trailer combination by brake application to individual wheels (Trailer Stability Assist, TSA). A further driving safety feature is the roll-over protection function. As well as the usual ESC sensors, the Volvo XC60’s braking system has an additional sensor which records the vehicle body’s rolling motion. If all the data it collects indicates that the vehicle is seriously at risk of overturning, the brakes are specifically applied to individual wheels. This roll sensor is built into the ESC cluster which, like the active wheel speed sensors, the brake actuation unit and the new two-piston, front axle, 2FN44 wheel brakes, is also supplied by Continental’s Chassis & Safety Division.

The Boston Red Sox remarkable 2007 season that culminated in a championship title continues to make headlines. Volvo is offering lucky fans the opportunity to drive home in what may be the ultimate collectible: The Boston Red Sox Special Edition Volvo C30. This specially equipped 2008 C30 is commissioned by Volvo and Major League Baseball to symbolize the partnership between Volvo and the Boston Red Sox.

Only 107 of the Special Edition C30s will be produced with each car built to commemorate a Red Sox victory during the 2007 season and bearing a numbered dash plaque authenticated by Major League Baseball. The numbered dash plaque indicates which of the 107 victories each individual car represents.

continue reading "Volvo Launches Boston Red Sox Special Edition C30"

Volvo unveiled the new XC60 premium crossover at the 2008 Geneva auto show. With its stunning good looks and standard City Safety low-speed collision avoidance system, the new XC60 marks a new chapter in Volvo’s design and legendary safety heritage.

The XC60 will come to the U.S. in early 2009 with a powerful 281 horsepowerT6 turbocharged six-cylinder engine and standard electronically controlled all-wheel drive. The new Volvo XC60 is stepping boldly into what is currently the automotive world’s fastest-growing segment — dressed in a thrilling blend of muscular XC capability and the sporty charisma of a coupe.

continue reading "2008 Volvo XC60"

The lights of Las Vegas reflect flawlessly in the gleaming aluminum paint of the Heico Sportiv S80 T6 High Performance Concept (HPC). Being shown for the first time in North America at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association tradeshow in Las Vegas, NV, the S80 T6 HPC is a literal reflection of power, sophistication and athleticism as can be seen in its unique 7-layer “aluminum effect” body paint. But the S80 T6 HPC is more than just a pretty face. It’s a true example that a powerful luxury sedan can also be sensitive to the environment.

Performance

The standard Volvo T6 engine produces 281 horsepower, which is enough to move the S80 with spirited ease. Once the engine was modified to run on E85 ethenol, Heico turned its attention to maximizing power with high-performance engine software, a new intercooler and a stainless steel racing exhaust system. The end results were impressive: 350 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 405 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. The Heico S80 T6 HPC is estimated to reach 62 mph in just 5.8 seconds.

But getting that power to the ground required extensive work. As the standard S80 3.2 is a front-wheel-drive car, it was determined that to truly explore the vehicle’s potential all-wheel drive was needed. Enter Volvo’s renowned Haldex All-Wheel-Drive system with Instant Traction. The system continuously routes power to whichever wheel has the most traction and Heico modified it with heartier gears to handle the enormous amount of torque.

Stopping power is provided via a 6-piston braking system with custom blue-painted calipers and high performance brake pads. Volvo’s ABS and electronic brake distribution systems are fully functioning. Large 13.9-inch disc brakes reside in custom forged alloy wheels measuring 9-inches wide and 20 inches in diameter. The specially developed Volution X wheels are wrapped in aggressive 255/30R-20 Continental tires.

The Heico S80 T6 HPC rides on a chassis that is 1.5 inches lower than Volvo’s set ride height and the sport-tuned suspension features firmer springs and struts at all four corners. “We aimed to tune all the components to achieve a dynamic yet harmonious ride. In other words, a true sports car experience without losing the luxurious and comfortable touch that is the hallmark of the Volvo S80,” noted Hedtke.

Interior

Hedtke’s comments about the S80 T6 HPC’s ride and handling translate directly to the interior of the car. “It was important to communicate the intention of this car as a true sports car, but one that is also luxurious and comfortable,” said Hedtke. Starting from the standard S80’s innovative center console, Heico’s interior designers decided to sweep the arc throughout the length of the interior, creating four sport bucket seats. The heavily bolstered thrones are separated by the console that is wrapped in stunning silver aluminum carbon fiber.

Paying homage to Volvo’s use of blue in its logo, nearly every surface that isn’t aluminum is swathed in soft Mystic Blue leather, including the headliner, instrument panel and door panels. The rear seats have been completely redesigned to accommodate the center console and the front seats have thicker side and thigh bolsters. Fully integrated controls for the rear seat entertainment system, cup holders and storage bins are all found beneath the gleaming aluminum “floating” center console. Interior trim panels and accents are bathed in silver carbon.

The S80 T6 HPC driver will find a thick, comfortable sport steering wheel with which to unleash the vehicle’s power. The sport pedals foot rest and door pins are all formed from billet aluminum. The crowing touch is the Mystic Blue glowing door-sill panels.

Exterior

Refined, elegant and stylish are all words that have been used to describe the Volvo S80. With Heico’s attention to the car’s exterior, words such as powerful, imposing and dominance may also be uttered when the car makes its North American debut at SEMA.

“Our goal was to take Volvo’s elegant design for the S80 and make it really stand out at this year’s show,” said Hedtke, “That’s not an easy thing to do in Las Vegas, but everyone who sees the car agrees that it’s truly striking.”

What first leaps to the viewer’s attention is the striking “metal effect” paint scheme. Seven coats were applied over a two-week period and the process allows for no re-shoots or touch-ups making the Heico S80 T6 HPC truly inspiring. “We’re hoping that those in attendance at the SEMA show will drop by the Volvo booth to take a look at this car,” commented Hedtke. “Since there are so many custom paint jobs done by truly talented artists from around the world represented in Las Vegas, we feel the S80 T6 HPC will be truly appreciated.”

Nearly every panel of the Heico S80 T6 HPC was re-fabricated. The S80’s front clip was replaced with a more aggressive nose that incorporates ultra-slim LED turn-signal indicators, a deeper front air dam and wide intake tunnels for improved airflow into the intercooler and brakes.

The new soft nose seamlessly blends into the aggressive wheel arches that hug tightly around the custom 20-inch wheels and tires. Deep side sills beneath the doors lend to the aggressive stance of the vehicle and assist in aerodynamics. A completely new rear bumper cap features slender rectangular exhaust ports and carbon fiber inserts.

In the U.S. alone, the American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) estimates more than 100,000 accidents annually are caused by driver fatigue, resulting in 1,500 deaths. The NHSTA also indicates rear-end collisions are the most common of all accident types, totaling 29 percent of all incidents reported by the police. To help curb these statistics and end driver distractions, auto manufacturer Volvo is installing new technologies in specified models: Collision Warning with Auto Brake, Adaptive Cruise Control and Distance Alert, Driver Alert Control and Lane Departure Warning.

continue reading "Driver Fatigue, Rear-End Collisions May Come to a Halt"

As part of a plan to develop and send a space shuttle to the moon and Mars by 2014, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) announced Volvo Aero as a new project participant. In conjunction with NASA’s ARES 1 project, Volvo Aero will develop the nozzle for the mission’s J-2X engine. Volvo Aero has delivered more than 1000 nozzles to the Ariane project thus far.

continue reading "Volvo Aero Chosen for NASA’s New MARS Project"