Why Volvo

The Volvo XC60 R-Design gives this already sporty crossover ATTITUDE.  Something I believe was needed and I’m so glad they put it out YEAR 1.

On the outside it is easy to recognize those typical R-Design attributes: door mirror housings, trim moldings and decorative  trim in matte silk metal finish, skid-plates and twin chrome tailpipes. The five-spoke Cratus aluminum wheels are also unique for the R-Design models. In standard form they measure 18 inches but there is also the option of a stunning 20-inch. This dimension is new to the Volvo XC60 and is only available with the R-Design pack.

Another new feature is that the lower section of the car is now color-matched to the rest of the body on the XC60 R-Design, instead of the matte black execution of the standard model. This creates the impression that the car sits closer to the ground and gives it a more dynamic look – even though ground clearance remains unchanged.

Volvo XC60 R-Design – An overview

Exterior:

• Grille in silk metal finish with R-Design badge
• Front fog lamp decor in silk metal finish
• Door mirror housings in silk metal finish
• Five-spoke 18-inch aluminum wheels – (20 inch optional)
• Sill moldings in aluminum look
• Twin chromed tailpipes
• Color-matched lower body moldings.
• Chrome-plated rear skid-plate with black mesh
• Sport chassis
• 7 body colors to choose between including the R-Design unique color Passion red

Interior:

• Sport seats for great cornering support and comfort
• Unique upholstery in smooth leather with a choice of two color combination: off-black with soft beige inserts or vice versa
• Embossed R-Design emblem in the front backrests.
• Watch Dial instrument with blue gauges, unique to the R-Design model
• R-Design sports steering wheel trimmed in perforated leather
• Sports pedals in aluminum
• R-Design center stack trim with a unique decor pattern
• Gear selector trimmed with perforated leather
• Off-black sports mats

R-Design a success for Volvo Cars

R-Design was launched in 2007 to satisfy the immense interest among younger car buyers, in particular, who want to equip their cars with sporty, personalised options. With R-Design, they got access to tastefully composed options packages featuring exclusive design details and thrilling sport chassis.

Today R-Design is found across almost the entire Volvo product range in the C30, S40, V50, S80, V70, XC60 and XC90 models.

The phrase soccer mom generally refers to a married middle-class woman who lives in the suburbs and has school age children. She is sometimes portrayed in the media as busy or overburdened and driving a minivan .  She is also portrayed as putting the interests of her family, and most importantly her children, ahead of her own.

The phrase “Volvo Driving Soccer Mom” became famous with the release of a song with the same name from the music group Everclear.  The song describes  Volvo driving soccer moms  as  wild child’s (even  porn stars) in high school and college but later grow up to be  more conservative “mothers” when they decide it would be to their advantage.   In the earlier part of the song, and describes the subjects’ lives later on as “blonde, bland, middle-class Republican lives.”

Everclear “Volvo Driving Soccer Mom” Lyrics

Na-na na-na na-na na-na na-na na-na

You know I used to be a bad girl
I got busy in the bathroom
at my high school
prom
Yeah I used to be a dancer at the local strip club
But now I know my right wing from my wrong

Yeah, yeah

I really used to be a bad girl
I had a threesome with my sister and her boyfriend tom
I know I used to be a real wild child
But now I am a volvo-driving soccer mom

Na-na na-na na-na na-na na-na na-na

I really used to be a bad girl
I got busted for possession of my wizard-shaped bong
I used to love to do the things they tell me not to do
But now Im different–now I sing a new song

I really used to be a bad girl
I got gang-banged in the bathroom at my high school prom
Yes, I used to be a real wild child
But now I am a volvo-driving soccer mom

Na-na na-na na-na na-na na-na na-na

Where do all the porn stars go
When the lights go down?
I wonder where all the porn stars go
cause when you need one, they are never around

I think they moved out to the suburbs
And now theyre blonde, bland, middle-class republican wives
They all have blonde, bland, middle-class republican children
Blonde, bland, middle-class republican lives

Where do all the porn stars go
When the lights go down?
I think I know where all the porn stars go
They all become volvo-driving soccer moms

The purpose of the new Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) function is to dampen the oscillation tendencies that can arise when towing a trailer or caravan. In certain conditions, the rig runs the risk of swaying from side to side or “snaking” and it can be difficult for the driver to control this movement. TSA steps in and together with the further developed DSTC function helps stabilize the car and trailer by braking one or more wheels as necessary while at the same time reducing the engine’s torque. TSA operates on all road surfaces and is standard when purchasing a tow-bar. TSA is active at speeds above 30 mph.

Sometimes it can be very difficult to get out of a situation where a trailer has started wobbling, and in the worst case the trailer may even stray onto the wrong side of the road and roll over.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for this to lead to severe traffic accidents. These accidents usually occur during vacation periods when the roads are filled with towing caravans, trailers and boat trailers.

“It is not easy to single-handedly regain control over a trailer that has started wobbling. The basic rule is to always brake. With TSA, the wheels are braked individually, thus counteracting the trailer’s weaving tendencies. This is much more effective than the driver braking all the wheels at the same time. The other advantage of TSA is that it can activate much earlier to bring a situation under control, perhaps even before the driver notices what is about to happen,” concludes Per Ola Fuxin.