Studio footage of the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept. The film features a 360° exterior view as well as interior sequences. The Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is an electric car, a highly economical hybrid and a powerful high-performance car all rolled into one. The preferred driving mode is chosen via three buttons on the instrument panel: Pure, Hybrid or Power.

XC60 Plug-in concept

–

copyright Volvo Car Corporation

Click to enlarge

The pronounced wedge shape and the slim coupe-like roof line of the new V60 are accompanied by the shoulder profile along the car’s sides, creating a gentle yet powerful double wave from the headlamps at the front to the tail lamps at the rear.

The sporty interior of the new V60 is also the most advanced high-tech environment ever available to a Volvo driver.

Groundbreaking technology such as the optional Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake takes Volvo’s safety dedication yet another step towards the vision of building cars that do not get involved in accidents.

In the field of comfort, there are features such as the optional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which automatically maintains a set gap to the vehicle in front. What is new is that the Adaptive Cruise Control operates at speeds below 30 km/h, all the way down to standstill in a car with automatic transmission.

The new V60 can naturally be equipped with parking sensors front and rear and a Park Assist camera at the rear. A camera in the front grille with a 180° field of vision is a new Volvo feature that is available as an accessory.

The camera is a great asset when maneuvering in crossings with limited view or when driving out from a tight and narrow exit such as a parking garage. The image from the camera is displayed on the 7-inch screen in the center stack.

The only 40/20/40-split rear seat in the segment, an easy to load luggage compartment and two built-in child booster cushions – the new Volvo V60 is the perfect choice for buyers who want extra flexibility on top of sporty design and an exciting drive.

Click to enlarge

• The new five-cylinder 2-litre turbodiesel introduced in the all-new Volvo S60 is now available throughout Volvo Cars’ model range – and there are upgraded six-cylinder petrol engines too.
• In the Volvo S80, V70, XC70 and XC60 the newly developed 2-litre diesel engine produces 163 hp and 400 Nm of torque. In these models the engine is badged the D3.
• The Volvo S80, V70, XC70 and XC60 can also be specified with the high-performance D5 engine that produces 205 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque.
• In the Volvo C30, S40, V50 and C70 the new 2-litre turbodiesel is available in two variants:
  • D4 with 177 hp and 400 Nm of torque.
  • D3 with 150 hp and 350 Nm of torque. This engine will be introduced in the C70 during the spring and later in 2010 it will also become available in the C30, S40 and V50.
• Volvo S80, V70, XC70 and XC60 also get upgraded petrol engines:
  • New exterior color, Flamenco Red, for all four models.
  • The Volvo XC60 is also available in a new color, Seashell, and the range of wheel rims has been extended with a new 18-inch wheel with six double spokes.
  • The Volvo V70 gets color-coded lower body panels as standard, in line with the Volvo S80.
  • The Volvo On Call system can now be combined with the Bluetooth mobile phone service.
  • With Volvo On Call it is now even possible to activate the cabin heater remotely via SMS text messaging.
  • Electrically folding rear seat headrests in the V70 and XC70.
• Among the other new features in the 2011 Volvo C30, S40, V50 and C70 line-up are:
  • The Volvo S40 and V50 now get the same larger iron mark as the Volvo C30 and C70. The grille’s design is otherwise unchanged.
  • New paint option for the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 – Flamenco Red. The Volvo S40 and V50 are now also available in Cosmic White and Orange Flame.
  • The range of upholstery in the Volvo S40 and V50 now includes a new contrasting leather option with black seat sides, white backrest and orange stitching.
  • C70 buyers can now specify optional parking sensors front and rear.
  • Cars with Volvo On Call now have the option of activating the cabin heater remotely via SMS text messaging.

Stated in Zhejiang Geely Holding Group’s press release:
Mr. Li Shufu, Chairman Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd, says:
“We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Ford, enabling us to safeguard and strengthen Volvo’s renowned brand heritage. This transaction will ensure Volvo’s Page 1 of 2 continued leadership in the premium segment, where it enjoys a global reputation for safety and environmental-friendly technologies. This famous Swedish premium brand will remain true to its core values of safety, quality, environmental care and modern Scandinavian design.”

“As part of the proposed transaction, Zhejiang Geely Holdings will maintain the strong collaborative relationships that Volvo has built with employees, unions, suppliers, dealers and above all, customers. On completion, Volvo Cars will be a separate company with its own management team based in Gothenburg, Sweden, and a new board of directors.
The board and the management will have a mandate to develop Volvo Cars’ leadership in safety and clean environmental technologies, expanding the company as a world-leading premium brand with a presence in more than 100 markets and ambitious plans in the fast-growing Chinese market.”

Facts about Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd. was founded in 1986 with its headquarters in Hangzhou, China. Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and its associated companies have established operations that span the automotive value chain, from research, development and design to production, sales and servicing. They are a fully-integrated independent auto manufacturer producing cars, engines and transmissions. Today, they are one of China’s fastest growing automotive manufacturers, as well as the industry’s leading privately held group.

Click here to watch the press conference: https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/enhanced/en-gb/Media/Preview.aspx?mediaid=32185

For further information please go to:

Ford Motor Company’s media centre: http://www.media.ford.com/ and to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co.’s media centre: http://www.geely.com/global/media_centre/press_releases.html

Photos copyright Volvo Car Corporation, SE-405 31 Gothenburg

A disguised prototype of the new sedan model has been rolling through the streets of the Danish capital in order to test a groundbreaking new safety technology that can detect a pedestrian in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver doesn’t react in time, to avoid an accident.

The new technology – Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection – will be introduced together with the all-new Volvo S60 in 2010. Volvo Cars’ safety experts have been working with Pedestrian Detection technology for ten years and test cars have been rolling all over the world – most recently in the busy streets of Copenhagen.

“Factors like traffic behavior, road conditions and climate must be taken into account in the design of the final system. All told we have collected more than 300,000 miles of real-life data. We can also use the information from these traffic tests to conduct advanced computer simulations,” says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Adviser at Volvo Cars.

The next step – protecting the unprotected

The new safety functions in Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection represent the next stage in Volvo Cars’ continuous development of technology to detect risky situations and help the driver mitigate or avoid accidents by providing support in the decision-making process.

“The previous stages were developed to help the driver avoid collisions with other vehicles.

Now we are taking a giant step forward with a function that also boosts safety for unprotected road-users. What is more, we are advancing from fifty percent to full automatic braking power. To the best of our knowledge, none of our competitors have made such progress in this area,” explains Thomas Broberg. He adds:

“This technology helps us take an important step towards our long-term vision of designing cars that do not crash. Our aim for 2020 is that no-one should be killed or seriously injured in a Volvo.”

First a warning, then automatic braking

Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Safety consists of a new dual-mode radar unit integrated into the car’s grille, a camera behind the inside rear-view mirror and a central control unit. The radar and camera continuously monitor the road in front of the car. The radar’s task is to detect objects and measure the distance to them. The camera determines what type of objects they are.

In an emergency situation, the driver is first alerted by an audible warning together with a flashing light in the windscreen’s head-up display. In order to prompt an immediate, intuitive reaction, the visual warning is designed to look like a brake light coming on. If the driver does not respond to the warning and the system assesses that a collision is imminent, the car’s brakes are applied with full braking power.

“Active brake deployment requires that the object is confirmed by both the radar and the camera. Thanks to state-of-the-art sensor technology, it is now possible to engage full braking power,” explains Thomas Broberg.

Images  Copyright Volvo Car Corporation

The Volvo Golf Cart admittedly does not embrace the same high-tech solutions as the forthcoming plug-in hybrid – and it has a totally different application area. It can carry players from one hole to another on the golf course.

The golf cart was developed by Swedish company Pro Green Nordic. It is the brainchild of Ulf Renner who first contacted Volvo Cars back in 2006. Since then, the company has travelled a long way to meet the demands from the design and marketing departments at Volvo Cars.

Lower weight with one seat

Most golf carts are two-seaters. Not the Volvo Golf Cart, which has just one seat. It is thus much lighter than its competitors are.

It is an exact scaled-down version of the C70. The color is Electric Silver. An accompanying tow-hook makes it possible to tow a small trailer.

In addition to golf courses, the cart can be used in recreation facilities and for light transport duties at shows and trade fairs, for instance.

The aim is to unveil the cart to the golfing public during the European leg of the Volvo World Match Play Championship which will be held at the Finca Cortesin course in Casares, Spain, on October 29 to November 1.

C30 R-Design Package

The R-Design package allows customers the option of choosing between seven exterior body colors and offers a range of specially designed exterior and interior details.

Exterior:

* R-Design badge in the grille
* Grille and door mirror housings in special silk metal finish
* Body kit with front and rear spoilers, lower door trim molding and side-skirts color-matched to the rest of the body
* New 17-inch five-spoke Cratus aluminum wheels (18-inch optional)
* Tailgate spoiler
* Visible chrome-plated sports tailpipes (90 mm)

Interior:

* Upholstery in two color combination: cream-colored leather with sides in dark grey Flex-Tec, or off-black leather with edges in off-black (new)
* Embossed R-Design emblem in the front seats
* R-Design center stack and panel inserts
* Gear lever knob trimmed in leather and aluminum
* Sports pedals in aluminum, with rubber ribs
* Sports steering wheel trimmed in leather, with R-Design emblem
* Blue speedometer and rev counter gauges
* Textile floor mats with contrasting piping

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