In the wake of Paul Newman’s passing just over a week ago, we’ve seen countless, wonderful tributes to the man written from different points of view. He’s remembered as an actor, a colleague, a racer, and most importantly, a towering philanthropist. One of the best non-written remembrances, however, comes from the mouth of David Letterman, who paid respect to Newman in one of his monologues on The Late Show last week.
The whole thing’s worth watching, but at around 3:45 in, Dave gets to the story about when Newman called him up one day and talked him into buying a custom Volvo wagon (a 960) with a supercharged Ford V8 underhood. You see, Newman was having one made and was very pumped up about it, so he asked if Dave wanted one, too. And you know, how do you say no to Paul Newman? Dave recounts the whole affair beautifully, and of course, it’s also funny.
After you watch the clip, head over to Swedespeed, where in 2003 they profiled a third car just like the ones built for Newman and Letterman, with even more background about Newman’s car and what went into the build. This is the very definition of “sleeper.”
Click above for high-res gallery of the Volvo XC60
Vehicle sales are brutal everywhere of late, but Volvo has been tanking long before any industry-wide slowdown took place. That makes the March 2009 arrival of the XC60 crossover that much more important, as it’s the first all-new Volvo (besides the low volume C30) in many years. Since customers have been turning away from the Volvo brand of late, marketing will play a big part of the XC60’s success. Volvo has unleashed its new campaign for the CUV already with the tagline, “The new Volvo XC60. From Sweden with löv.” We get it. Volvo is stressing its Swedish roots in marketing its new vehicle. Hey, it works for IKEA, right? Volvo even utilized the Swedish spelling for ‘love’ to give its new crossover more Euro appeal.
Our tipster Caitlin didn’t think it works at all. The reason? Löv means ‘leaves’ in Swedish and has nothing to do with that certain brand of affection that makes our cheeks blush. According to Caitlin, Lov without the umlaut means ‘vacation’ or ‘break’, which sounds like a better advertising angle for a CUV than leaves, but just doesn’t look as “Swedish” in print. The proper translation of ‘love’ into Swedish is “kärlek”, so when you begin seeing the XC60 on U.S. streets next March, just remember that it comes from Sweden with kärlek. Thanks for the tip, Caitlin!
The Swedish arm of the Coca-Cola company has made another Volvo purchase, and it’s a big one. Coca-Cola Drycker Sverige will soon take delivery of over 200 Volvos to use as company cars, with most of them being Volvo V70 2.0 Flexifuel models, along with some V70 2.0D models. On top of the new fleet vehicles, Coca-Cola employees who will driver the cars will go through Volvo’s Eco-Safe driving course which aims “to make the drivers both safer and more energy-conscious behind the wheel.” Step one, don’t get all caffeinated on Coke and drive; a twitchy foot isn’t good for gentle acceleration.
Amidst constant rumors of a sale of the Volvo brand, and the constant denials from Ford, the brand has seen some massive sales declines, both in Europe and in the United States. Even if Ford does choose to keep the brand, which does seem likely at the moment, fewer cars to sell means fewer workers needed. The latest round of cuts is said to amount to about 900 jobs in 2009, all of which could come from its home country of Sweden. An entire shift will be canceled at its plant in Goteborg in the western side of the country, which may or may not include a portion of those 900 job losses. It would appear that new president and CEO Stephen Odell has his work cut out for him as he attempts to turn the automaker around.
Volvo will be coming to the Paris Motor Show with three low-CO2 models that all beat the EU’s important 120 grams per kilometer target. The new DRIVe (yes, the e is small) editions of the C30 SportsCoupe (53.4 mpg U.S.), the S40 saloon and the V50 Sportswagon (both at 52.3 mpg U.S.) make up what Volvo calls the “widest range of premium cars with low environmental footprint.”
The decrease in CO2 emissions comes from the by-now-pretty-typical eco-tweaks: a 10mm lowered ride height, a covered radiator grille for increased aerodynamics and “aerodynamically optimised wheels,” higher gear ratios and underbody panels, among other changes. The fuel economy package will add between 150 and 450 Euros to the cost of the car. Full details are after the jump.
Volvo said that production of these new eco-models will start in November and UK residents can expect to see the vehicles on dealer lots in January. Volvo will bring the DRIVe line to other countries in Europe following the UK debut and expects to sell over 20,000 of them in 2009.
The world’s second-largest truck company, Volvo AB, has agreed to buy Nissan Diesel Motor Co. for $1.1 billion in a bid to gain a greater foothold in the booming Asian market. Asia has been a weak spot for Volvo thus far, comprising just seven percent of its sales in 2006. By buying Japan’s fourth largest truck producer, Volvo should be able to establish a far more secure position through Nissan’s regional brand name and production capabilities.
Shares were up slightly in Volvo and hugely in Nissan Diesel indicating the market’s largely positive acceptance of the news. The purchase will also give Volvo access to technology Nissan Diesel has developed to reduce engine emissions, a fact that is likely to gain importance as more countries implement stringent clean air legislation. Other synergies are likely to follow with Nissan Diesel having said that it should be able to bring down purchasing costs by as much as 20 percent per annum by joint purchasing parts with Volvo. On the drawing board for the combined companies is a jointly developed diesel-electric hybrid powertrain and research into alternative fuels including ethanol.
Analysis: This type of consolidation is increasingly likely over the coming years as the cost of R&D on next-generation powertrain technologies increases. Good to see plans to bring more diesel-electric hybrid trucks to market.
Volvo Trucks, which has full control of the Mack Trucks brand in North America and Renault Trucks in Europe, will be showing off an example of their hybrid diesel-electric D7 engine and I-SAM (Integrated Starter, Alternator Motor) drivetrain system at the Commercial Vehicle Show to be held in Birmingham, U.K. in late April.
The D7 engine and I-SAM have been developed in-house by Volvo and is a parallel hybrid system where the diesel engine and electric motors can work independently of each other. Thanks to efficient interaction between the two power sources, a smaller diesel engine can be used without compromising on performance. Incorporating regenerative breaking, the system is also highly efficient in stop-start urban environments where tests results have indicated that fuel savings of up to 35 are possible. Other features of the system are significant reductions in emissions and noise levels.
Also on display at the Volvo stand will be the recently-launched 540 hp / 402 kW version of the new Volvo FH16 truck as well as examples of the new FL and FE ranges, making their first appearance at the CV Show.
Analysis: 35 percent is a massive fuel saving around urban centres where the reduction in emissions will also be really appreciated. We first covered the D7 back in August last year and its good to see it’s now on the market. I want to see government agencies as a start mandating use of hybrid trucks for their own fleets to send a positive message to the market.
Last October 27, 2006 at the Arena Civica in Milan, Italy, the Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Eos and a host of other stunning automobiles emerged victorious at the XIV L’Automobile più Bella del Mondo or The World’s Most Beautiful Automobile” competition for 2006. The international jury led by Bruno Alfieri, the Italian journalist and editor who […]
Check this video out - it’s great. You get to take a walk-around of the XC60 concept with Volvo design chief Steve Mattin. We’re not so sure about the enlarged Iron symbol. The old Alchemists’ shorthand for iron has been on Volvos in a more proportionate and tasteful way since the dawn of the brand. It looks a little overly emphasized here, kinda like that monstrous Cadillac crest on the ‘Slade, or the really big Blue Oval on the teeny tailgate of the Ranger.
We really like the trick tailgate, though, and the interior is beautiful. We’re not sure how that much white leather would hold up in regular use, but it looks great teamed with the center stack that glows from within. They must’ve been watching Tron when they designed this thing.
It’s great hearing that the lines of the XC60 are a hint of where the styling of the Volvo brand is headed, and that they’re working hard to add more bombast to Volvo vehicles. Let’s hope they can find the balance between the traditional Scandinavian design strong points and butching it up a bit. Volvo design has sure come a long way from the boxy days of not too long ago, and their progress has been remarkably quick. There’s nary a squared-off edge in sight on any of their models, and they still retain familial cues after having gone all swoopy on us.
Paying homage to Volvo’s car-stacking antics of yore, Volvo of Oak Park outside Chicago has created a new landmark for those cruising the Eisenhower Expressway. No doubt, Chicagoland traffic reporters will use the tower to denote how bad traffic is, like “The Ike is backed up past the Volvo tower to the Tri-State.” Facing a need to display cars in a small space, Volvo of Oak Park decided the only way to go was up.
Seven cars can be displayed in the tower, which is lit up at night and will change cars and lighting in keeping with the seasons. We’re a little miffed we weren’t invited to rub elbows at the introduction party they held featuring a classical guitarist and a dance orchestra, but the tower concept is a new wrinkle for Volvo, and it could work out well for other space-limited dealerships. Maybe we’ll get our chance to hear an ersatz-Segovia and act like we know something about wine and cheese after all. Or are Volvo parties different now?
Click the image above for a full sized galllery. Volvo introduced the XC60 concept last night here at the Detroit Auto Show as a way to appeal to the thirtysomething loft-dwelling crowd (drawing on the momentum of the C30, no doubt), and the Swedes also want to make a design statement in the process. “If today you can see that it’s a Volvo from 50 meters, I want to make that figure twice as big” says Volvo chief designer Steve Mattin, the XC60 accomplishes this via a strongly-stated grille and slanted headlamps that will make their way onto other future Volvos. Other notable exterior features include a rear tailgate that can be lifted independently of the rear hatch (allowing the loading of small cargo with minimum hassle) and a transparent roof panel.
More impressions and a press release can be found after the jump.
For our comprehensive listing of everything from Detroit, click here.
And as a new father in need of a larger vehicle, I agree. Volvo has long been known for their safe, sensible wagons and last year almost half its total sales came from this class of vehicles.
Volvo Car Corp. COO Steven Armstrong tells Autoweek that his company sees plenty of wagon and crossover-type market gaps that need filling. Lex Kerssemakers, Volvo Car senior vice president of brand business and product strategy (we hope he gets paid by the syllable, btw) is a little more specific, saying that if the company were to target those gaps, it would likely be in the V or XC range.
Again, as the new daddy, I’d love to see Volvo reintroduce the V90 as an ultra luxury wagon to give the class a more upscale image. But as a practical new dad (hey, diapers ain’t cheap) I say bring on a fuel-efficient 5-seater crossover simiilar to, but smaller and cheaper than, the upcoming XC60 (pictured above). But as the father who still craves some excitement now and then, I would, of course, opt for the European delivery with the Nurburgring package.
With so few automakers competing in the U.S. in the wagon segment, we see Volvo snagging lots of new customers. But the Swedes need to be quick before Honda and Toyota decide to re-enter with Accord and Camry wagons.
So your spouse wants a station wagon, but you want to keep your dignity? Well, there could be an agreeable compromise. For only $3,500 over the cost of a new V70, the two of you could be flying to Sweden to pick up the new estate from the factory at a VIP delivery complete with Swedish meatballs. “So,” you ask, “How are meatballs, no matter how tasty, supposed to keep my sports car driving dignity intact?”
Imagine that fragile ego of yours driving the family’s brand new kid-carrier down the Autobahn at a speed greater than what you’ll ever reach picking Junior up at school. Still not impressed? Tough crowd. Ok, what if your blast down the Autobahn was on your way to Nurburgring, where you’ll lunch in the Fahrsicherheitszentrum before driving classes? Once you’ve had your way with the famous track, you’re free to either have your Volvo shipped back to the States and continue your vacation, or keep the car to travel Germany in style. Five nights in “premium hotels” in Germany are included in the $3,500 price.
Luxury hotels? High speeds on international roads and raceways? Meatballs? If you’re the least bit interested, you should hurry down to your local Volvo dealer. There are only 20 spots open and there’s a good chance you’re already too late.
Volvo’s limited presence in Detroit will be punctuated by the expansion of its in-house customization line with the release of the XC90 Sport R-Design. Volvo connoisseurs can R-ified their ‘ute with either 19- or 20-inch matte wheels, dual exhaust pipes, brushed sill moldings and the removal of the CUV’s roof rails. Inside, a blue-lit instrument cluster joins some additional badging, a leather wrapped steering wheel and an aluminum center stack to boost the premium feel of the XC90. They’re all nice touches, but we still maintain that anything sporting the letter “R” should involve upgrades to both the visual appearance of the vehicle and its performance.
Volvo’s press release is available after the jump.
Volvo is joining the ranks of other automakers by beginning to offer a dual-clutch gearbox to the masses. The new transmission, developed in cooperation with Getrag, features six-forward gears and reverse, and opts for a wet-clutch system like the first generation VW/Audi setup. Aside from the obvious performance advantages gained by quick shifts, Volvo estimates that fuel consumption will be reduced by around eight-percent.
The new setup can handle over 330 lb.-ft. of torque, something that has proved to be an issue with similar setups because of the small surface area of both clutches. When Volvo’s Powershift transmission debuts, it will initially be equipped on the C30, S40 and V50 fitted with the 2.0-liter turbo diesel. There was no mention of what models in the U.S. could benefit from the new ‘box or when it might be available here in the States.
Volvo’s full press release is posted after the jump.
The last time we heard the name Stephen Odell, it was in connection to a list of possible replacements for current CEO Alan Mulally. While we aren’t here to report on the top executive position at Ford, Odell has been tapped as Fredrik Arp’s replacement as CEO of Volvo. Arp, who is leaving the automaker for other pursuits, had been serving as Volvo CEO and President since his appointment in October of 2005. Starting in October of this year, Odell will be responsible for leading Volvo towards “sustained profitability”, something not seen by the Swedish automaker in quite a while. According to the newly-appointed CEO, the Volvo brand will continue to stand for “safety, environmental concern and its Scandinavian design.” Frederik Arp is the third Ford exec outside the U.S. to leave in the last few weeks, following Bill Osborne — the previous President of Ford Australia — and Barry Engle, who had been serving as Ford of Canada’s top official.
Click above to view high-res gallery of the Volvo C30 R-Design
Following up on our story about the Volvo C30 R-Design at the New York Auto Show, Volvo announced pricing today for its sporty hatchback tunerish trim level. MSRP will be $25,700, plus destination charges of $745. Doing simple math, you can put one of these hot turbocharged Swedes in your garage at a base price of $26,445. Of course, most of you will want to add available goodies such as the DVD-based navigation, bi-xenon headlights, or the Dynaudio premium sound system…and they’ll cost you extra, which will balloon the price into what many consider too dear for a Swedish hatchback.
If a cosmetically-enhanced C30 is just your thing, however, we suggest you act fast. With a production run limited to just 400 examples, the exclusive R-Design will probably roll quickly out of showrooms starting in April.
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Volvo XC70
The Volvo XC70 recently spent some time in the Autoblog Garage, and while we liked the vehicle overall, we had a few major complaints: its high price, poor gas mileage and a noticeable lack of power. At least one of those issues will be rectified somewhat this fall when Volvo begins offering the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine for the XC70. This engine is already available in the S80 sedan, and since the V70 and XC70 use similar chassis architecture, it was only a matter of time before the T6 engine migrated down the line. The 281 horsepower of the T6 engine should offer a useful improvement over the standard 235 horsepower 3.2 liter six. According to AutoWeek, the T6 model will be the crossover’s flagship, so it seems unlikely that the 311 horsepower V8 will show up underhood any time soon. Power often covers a multitude of sins, so we’re betting that the boosted-six will prove to be a popular option among buyers.
After you watch the clip, head over to Swedespeed, where in 2003 they profiled a third car just like the ones built for Newman and Letterman, with even more background about Newman’s car and what went into the build. This is the very definition of “sleeper.” 
Paying homage to Volvo’s 
The last time we heard the name Stephen Odell, it was in connection to a list of 
