Search results matching tag 'volvo'

2008 Volvo XC70 Review | New Volvo Reviews | Volvo Crossover Review

Jeffrey Ross — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:15:00 GMT

In a market cluttered with minivans, crossovers and SUVs, Volvo hopes its station wagon heritage will prevail with the latest version of the rugged XC70 crossover. With a powerful engine and stable all-wheel drive system, the Volvo XC70 easily powers through just about anything Mother Nature can put in front of it. Keep reading below for a full review on the 2008 Volvo XC70.

As northerners prepare for the wintry weather ahead, those in the south are still recovering from a brutal hurricane and rain season. While all-wheel drive vehicles have a large following in the northern states for navigating snowdrifts and ice-covered roads, their added traction is beneficial in mud, sand and water, too.

For this reason, Volvo introduced the third generation of its off-roading station wagon, the 2008 XC70 crossover. While most crossovers use an SUV-like design on top of a car-based chassis, the XC70 reverses that thinking and uses a body almost identical to the V70 wagon, focusing on suspension and drivetrain enhancements to create a more rugged and versatile vehicle.

With 8.3 inches of ground clearance, the XC70 sits higher than a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander despite giving up at least six inches in overall height to both vehicles. While the Haldex all-wheel drive system lacks a true locking differential and most likely won’t be confused for a full four-wheel drive system, the XC70 is more than capable of getting itself into and out of low-traction situations. The standard hill descent control uses the brakes and engine torque to help keep Volvo’s crossover wagon from getting out of control while descending steep grades. While some crossovers look like they are designed for mall parking lots and school pickup lanes, the XC70 looks every bit the part for an off-road capable vehicle.

The smooth, clean lines of the V70 are interrupted on the XC70 with the extensive use of dark, matte plastic and bright, aluminum-colored trim encompassing the lower portion of the car. In addition to providing an aggressive look, the XC70’s plastic cladding adds increased ruggedness and scratch prevention on trails, as well as providing wider wheel flares to protect the 235/55R17 Continental tires. Unique front and rear fascias help give the XC70 a wider appearance with large, blocky fog light bezels up front and thick, accent reflectors out back. The Oyster Grey Metallic paint job on our test car was actually more of a light brown hue and, combined with the dark plastic cladding, gave the XC70 a very outdoorsy look.

Despite the XC70’s rugged, off-road exterior, the cabin is an untouched carryover from the luxurious S80 that we tested last year. The optional leather seats were soft and provided exceptional support luxury, while all of the gadgetry and controls were within a close reach and easy to use. The center stack uses Volvo’s signature waterfall design that flows down into a gear shifter wrapped in more soft leather and surrounded by real wood inlays that are also found on the door panels and on the instrument panel. The leather seats and wood inlays were part of a $2,995 option package that also included the power moonroof, power passenger seat and a rearview mirror with compass and HomeLink.

In fact, most of the added options on the XC70 we drove were inside the cabin. The $1,650 Dynaudio Package adds the Dynaudio premium sound system with Dolby ProLogic II surround sound, rear seat audio controls and headphone jacks and Sirius-ready stereo, while the $2,995 Climate and Child Booster Seats Package adds heated seats and windshield washer nozzles, rain sensor windshield wipers, headlamp washer nozzles and dual integrated, two-stage booster seats for children in the outboard seating positions of the rear seats.

With the same amount of cargo capacity as the V70 wagon, the XC70 increases its utility by providing 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space while seating five passengers and up to 72.1 cubic feet with the 40/20/40 split rear seat folded down. For bulkier items, the XC70 comes standard with integrated roof racks and with the convenience of a fold flat passenger front seat, the XC70 can swallow items up to nine feet in length. The XC70 also has the ability to tow the dirtbikes or ATVs to the trails with a 3,300-pound maximum towing capacity.

Powering the 2008 XC70 is Volvo’s proven 3.2-liter I-6 mated to a six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission with manual shift mode. Good news for those looking for a little more power, the 2009 XC70 will offer a turbocharged 3.0-liter I-6, which puts out 281 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque without sacrificing fuel economy. The XC70 gets an estimated 15 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, and our test car averaged just over 19 mpg on mixed driving.

Considering the XC70’s purpose, it still maintains a comfortable, smooth ride and is surprisingly agile on twisty roads. For such a tall vehicle, the XC70 exhibited little body roll in tight corners and the steering was very predictable. While this boxy Volvo probably won’t win any drag races, its quick acceleration and smooth shifting make it feel much faster than it probably is. Volvo says the XC70 can run from 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds – about average for a vehicle in this class.

Volvo’s commitment to safety is apparent on the latest XC70. The XC70’s side-curtain airbag extends lower to protect children in the integrated booster seats, while multiple crumple zones and whiplash protection help keep everyone inside the car safe in the event of an accident. Additional standard safety features include dynamic stability control with traction control, daytime running lights and a total of six airbags.

The hard part to swallow for those cross shopping the XC70 against the Pilot, Highlander or even XC90 may be its price with a base MSRP of $37,775. Tack on the laundry list of optional luxury and premium features our test car had and the prices jumped up to $44,065. That price puts the XC70 about on par with some larger and roomier competition. In the end, though, it comes down to the ability to stand out among a sea of crossovers without giving up any of the rugged off-road capabilities that many buyers are accustomed to, and the 2008 Volvo XC70 delivers.

Review written by: Jeffrey N. Ross
All photos copyright Jeffrey N. Ross/Autotropolis.com © 2008

Re: 98 Explorer heat control problem

kristydiva05 — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:19:33 GMT

Dude, check the thermostat for that.

_____________________________
1997 Volvo 850 (love the customized Volvo 850 Parts!)

Re: Repair help pleaseee

kristydiva05 — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:09:39 GMT

Can anyone help me?

My car suddenly stopped and I can't open it again.

It's not the overheated engine that has caused it...

_____________________________

1997 Volvo 850 (love the customized Volvo 850 Parts!)

First Look: 2009 Volvo XC60 Review

Jeffrey Ross — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:44:00 GMT

The 2009 Volvo XC60 is the latest addition to Volvo's vehicle lineup. Volvo's newest crossover SUV features a sleek, attractive design, while continuing to build on the high levels of safety for which Volvo is known. Keep reading below for a full review on the upcoming Volvo XC60.

The premium compact crossover SUV market is about to get much busier in the next year. With the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class and Audi Q5 joining the likes of the BMW X3, Acura RDX and Infiniti EX, the highly competitive luxury crossover segment might get a little crowded.

Volvo is not one to let the competition have all the fun and is preparing to launch a smaller companion to the XC90, the 2009 XC60. Recently, pictures surfaced on the Internet of Volvo’s all-new XC60, but detailed images and information won’t be available until it is officially introduced at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show.

From the outside, Volvo’s latest crossover will share many basic design cues as the 2007 Volvo XC60 concept such as the high, swept beltline, the large iconic Volvo grille and the steeply raked D-pillar similar to the C30. The XC60 should offer a more contemporary and sporty look compared to the aging XC90.

The 2009 Volvo XC60 will feature an interior similar to other Volvo cars with the waterfall center stack, dual gauge instrument cluster with information system and a mixture of wood and aluminum accents. The leaked images showed a two-tone leather interior with a light-colored, wood-accented center stack, as well as a fixed, in-dash navigation screen – current Volvo navigation systems use a pop-up screen located centrally on top of the instrument panel.

Riding on the same platform as the current S60, expect Volvo to use the3.2-liter inline six-cylinder as the sole engine option for North American XC60 models and an assortment of five- or six-speed automatic transmissions to choose from. European-bound models will most certainly get a diesel engine option, while the Haldex all-wheel drive system will be optional on all XC60 models.

It is unclear what role the similarly sized V70, and more importantly the XC70, will play in Volvo’s future lineup after the XC60’s introduction. Pricing should start in the mid-$30,000 range for the base front-wheel drive model.

Review written by: Jeffrey N. Ross
Photos courtesy of Volvo Cars of North America

2008 Volvo C30 Review | New C30 Reviews | Volvo Coupe Review

Jeffrey Ross — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:26:00 GMT

The 2008 Volvo C30 is the newest member to grace Volvo showrooms. A stylish combination of a coupe and hatchback, the new C30 adds a new level of performance, styling and safety to Volvo's vehicle lineup. Keep reading below for a full review on the 2008 Volvo XC60.

Volvo has been quite busy lately completely revamping its lineup of vehicles over the years. The days of the blocky, brick-like Volvo sedans and wagons are over. From the stylish XC90 to the luxurious S80 to the sporty C70, Volvo’s new and diverse offerings have covered almost all the bases from which customers can choose.

In a further attempt to strengthen its vehicle lineup, Volvo introduced the all-new C30 for 2008. The 2008 Volvo C30 T5 is essentially a two-door hatchback version of the S40, V50 and C70, but the only exterior part the C30 shares with these other cars is the hood. The C30 seamlessly blends coupe and hatchback characteristics without sacrificing the safety and luxury for which Volvo is known.

Alone, the 2008 C30 has one of the most unique designs on the market. While the rear glass hatch may evoke memories of an AMC Gremlin or Ford Pinto, the C30 conveys a sexy and sporty look that only a Volvo could pull off. The 2008 Volvo C30 T5 Version 2.0 increases the C30's sporty stance using a striking two-tone paint scheme, gorgeous 18-inch, 10-spoke wheels and finishes everything off with large chrome-tipped dual exhaust outlets. Our test car came in Cosmic White with the Java Pearl lower body accent.

Even from a distance, the all-new C30 is unmistakably Volvo. The broad shoulders that span from the front fenders back through the taillights give the C30 an athletic stance, while the blacked-out headlights gives a rather menacing look. The long side quarter windows stretch all the way back to the C-pillar and not only help provide a less claustrophobic rear seat than would be expected, but the design also helps to provide unobstructed vision from the driver's seat. Any cars that do manage to sneak into the C30's blind spot are easily detected by Volvo's optional ($695) Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) that uses small cameras mounted underneath both side mirrors to locate any rogue vehicles along side the car that the driver somehow missed.

All C30 models use a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine to drives the front wheels. The peppy engine produces 227 horsepower and 236 lb-ft without any of the turbo lag that plagues many other turbocharged engines. Our test car was equipped with the optional ($1,250) five-speed "Geartronic" automatic transmission that featured a fun-to-use manual shift mode. Proving that this drivetrain is no slouch, during our review the C30 still managed a little tire spin from the front Pirellis even with the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) turned on.

In addition to its sporty looks and powerful engine, the C30 Version 2.0 also adds Volvo’s Dynamic suspension, which offers a firm ride and a lower stance. The overall package Volvo has created in the C30 results in a small, fun-to-drive car that handles surprisingly well for a car its size. On curvy country back roads, the C30 confidently holds its line without any sign of understeer. From a driver’s point of view, the C30 has to be one of Volvo’s most entertaining vehicles in its extensive lineup.

Once inside the C30, the base interior offers a comfortable and plush environment. The instrument panel uses a soft, rubbery material and is contrasted by bright aluminum accents. While the aluminum inlay on the underside of the steering wheel seems oddly placed (and slightly uncomfortable in extreme hot or cold conditions), the aluminum-clad waterfall center stack, also used in the S40, offers an elegant and stylish touch to the C30's interior. Breaking up the aluminum look in the center stack are the stereo and HVAC controls that are positioned on what looks like standard household TV remote control.

Although leather is available in the C30, the standard seats use Volvo's textile/T-Tec upholstery that offers both a plush and rugged surface. The seven-way manual front seats provide excellent comfort and adjustable thigh and lumbar support, and the driver gets the added comfort of a tilting and telescoping steering column. Some front passengers found it difficult to recline the front seats using the dial as it does offer limited space between the seat and the door. Access to the rear seats couldn't be an easier (without adding an extra set of doors) with the release handle located on the upper edges of the front seats.

As expected from a coupe, rear passenger room is slightly limited for taller occupants. Riding on the same 103.9-inch wheelbase as S40, the rear bucket seats offer surprising headroom and legroom but passengers over six-feet tall may want to hurry and call “shotgun.” Behind the 50/50 split rear seat, the C30 can hold 12.9 cubic feet of cargo and with the seats easily folded flat, cargo space is increased to 20.2 cubic feet.

All occupants benefit from the 10-speaker, 650-watt audio system with Dolby Pro-Logic II. The system provides quality sound and is easily controlled from the steering wheel. The C30 Version 2.0 also gets Sirius satellite radio with a complimentary six-month subscription.

Unfortunately, the C30 has yet to be crash tested by either the NHTSA or the IIHS, but with standard safety features such as Volvo's Whiplash protection system (WHIPS), Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) and a full array of airbags, the C30 is sure to match the high levels of safety consumers expect from Volvo.

The base MSRP for the 2008 Volvo C30 T5 Version 1.0 starts at $22,950, while the upgraded Version 2.0 model starts at $25,700. Our moderately equipped model had an asking price of just over $29,000.

2008 Volvo C30 Pictures and Wallpapers

Review written by: Jeffrey Ross
All photos copyright Jeffrey Ross/Autotropolis.com © 2008

2008 Volvo V70 Review | New Volvo Reviews | Volvo Station Wagon Review

Jeffrey Ross — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:13:00 GMT

By: Jeffrey Ross
Autotropolis.com

From a young child’s point of view, there is probably no car cooler than a station wagon. Whether it’s being picked up from soccer practice or getting to ride in the “way back,” station wagons offer kids a fun-filled and spacious ride around town. Most adults, on the other hand, obviously don’t see them that way, as minivans and then SUVs have replaced station wagons in school drop-off lanes.

Station wagons in the United States are proving to be more difficult to sell, as evident with Dodge’s ceasing production of the Magnum and Pontiac cancelling a possibility of the Pontiac G8-based station wagon, but some manufacturers are not yet prepared to throw in the towel just yet. Volvo’s history with station wagons dates back decades and has persevered through the 1990s when SUVs and crossovers were at the peak of their popularity and there is no sign Volvo will quit any time soon.

As the unofficial vehicle of soccer moms and dads, the Volvo V70 continues to be one of the most recognizable station wagons ever produced. The 2008 Volvo V70 wagon received a complete redesign with not only luxury, performance and safety in mind, but the car also benefits from a more attractive and less boxy look of its predecessors. From the B-pillar forward, the all-new V70 is identical to the Volvo’s flagship, the S80, while the rear of the car shares family traits with the XC90 and C30.

Continuing on its main commitment to safety, Volvo incorporated numerous safety systems into the new V70 including side-curtain airbags that extend lower to help protect smaller children. The added safety comes from multiple crumple zones, numerous airbags and more acronyms for its safety systems than is possible to remember.

While companies like Scion are moving toward more boxy designs, Volvo is using a more rounded and aerodynamic design on its vehicles. The most attractive aspect of the V70 is the curvaceous beltline that runs from the headlights all the way back to the sculpted taillights. The large LED taillights in the back cover the D-pillar adding a sense of style to the increased safety the lights offer.

The only available powertrain for the V70 is a 235-horsepower 3.2-liter 24-valve DOHC inline six-cylinder paired to a smooth-shifting, six-speed automatic transmission. This combination has an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 city/24 highway. On mixed highway and city driving, our test car perfectly split these estimates by averaging a little over 20 mpg over a week of driving.

Inside, the cabin is simplistic and uncluttered. The layout of the instrumentation and controls are both easy to use and easy to read, and the instrument cluster is simplistic yet useful with two circular gauges for the speedometer and tachometer with all information and messaging systems located in the center. To scroll through the information and messages, the turn signal stalk features an easy to use dial to navigate to the desired data. The waterfall center stack houses all radio and HVAC.

Despite the numerous buttons in the center stack, adjusting the controls require little effort and are within a short reach from the driver’s hands. The A/C modes are easy to figure out since the controls represent a person seated and split into three zones: head, midsection and legs. It really can’t get any easier than that.

The seating surface on this car was comfortable and had a very interesting name: Textile/T-Tec Upholstery. In actuality, the outer material felt like vinyl with a center cloth-like inlay for added comfort. The 40/20/40 split folding rear seats offer headrests and three-point seatbelts for all three passengers in addition to integrated, two-stage adjustable booster seats for both outboard seats. With the seats completely folded, the V70 can accommodate up to 72.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity. If space is needed for longer items, the front passenger is able to fold flat.

While the S80 we test drove a few months ago was loaded to the gills with options and packages for a $56,000 MSRP, this V70 has very few options and is ready to shuttle the kids around for just $34,410.

S40 timing belt

Kitto24 — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 21:59:16 GMT

Does the timing belt have to be replaced in my 2001 Volvo S40 despite the fact that it's only been driven 47,500 miles? My dealer didn't recommend it when the car went out of warranty in July, but my independent Volvo mechanic highly recommends it be done immediately. Tell me what you think? Thanks.

2007 Volvo S80 Review | New Volvo Reviews | Volvo Sedan Review

Jeffrey Ross — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:07:00 GMT

The S80 is Volvo’s flagship vehicle that seamlessly blends the aspects of a luxury car and a performance car. Building on the company’s stellar safety record, the 2007 Volvo S80 is one of the safest vehicles in its class. Keep reading below for a full review of the 2007 Volvo S80 V-8 AWD.

For years, Volvo cars have been among the safest on the road. With less curves than Kate Moss, however, most Volvo cars had a shape similar to tissue boxes.

Realizing that it took more than safety to sell vehicles, Volvo finally began to focus on improving the design of its cars along with the handling and performance while continuing to advance the safety features available.

The 2007 Volvo S80 is a perfect blend of performance, safety and luxury wrapped up in a stylish package. In addition to a laundry list of safety systems, the performance and luxury capabilities of the second generation S80 should give the Mercedes E-class and BMW 5-series some serious competition.

The most captivating aspect of the S80’s exterior is the sculpted, curvaceous beltline that is shared across the Volvo lineup and helps distance the new design from that of past Volvo vehicles while creating a trademark look heading into the future. The optional ($2,495) sport package accentuated this S80’s looks and added, among other things, active bi-Xenon headlights and 18-inch, 14-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in performance 245/40XR18 tires. The Xenon headlights help improve visibility while cornering by turning with the car up to 15 degrees to keep the driver’s path well lit.

With just the touch of a button, the 311-horsepower, 4.4-liter V-8 comes to life and releases a menacing note from the chrome-tipped dual exhaust that sounded more like a Mustang GT than this Swedish luxury flagship. Volvo paired up the transversely mounted engine to a six-speed automatic transmission with an unenthusiastic manual shift mode. Combined with the Haldex all-wheel drive system, the S80 rumbled from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds.

The safety advantages of the AWD and Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) systems are quite noticeable especially in rainy conditions. One of the scariest occurrences that a driver can encounter is hydroplaning. Even with the sport package’s performance-rated tires replacing the standard all-season tires, the Volvo maintained full control after hitting a puddle on the side of the road at almost 60 mph.

Once inside the S80, the perforated leather seats included in the sport package offer high levels of comfort thanks to the soft leather and adequate padding. More side bolstering in the front seats would be appreciated, but the overall comfort afforded in most driving conditions is stellar. All five passengers get three-point seat belts and headrests tall enough to help prevent whiplash. The front seats are equipped with Volvo’s unique Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS). When a sufficient rear-end collision is detected, the head rests and seat back slide up and back to help absorb some of the impact and then tilts forward with the back, neck and head to cradle helping to reduce whiplash.

The layout of the instrumentation and controls are both easy to use and easy to read. The instrument cluster is simplistic yet useful with two circular gauges for the speedometer and tachometer with all information and messaging systems located in the center. To scroll through the information and messages, the turn signal stalk features an easy to use dial to navigate to the desired data. The S40’s waterfall center stack carries over to the S80 housing all radio, HVAC, and driving mode controls. Despite the numerous buttons in the center stack, adjusting the controls require little effort and are within a short reach from the driver’s hands. The A/C modes are easy to figure out since the controls represent a person seated and split into three zones: head, midsection and legs. It can’t get any easier than that.

After perfecting the art of protecting occupants in the event of a collision, Volvo began to focus on the prevention of accidents in the first place. Most of the S80’s safety systems work actively at collision avoidance and are easy to understand and operate.

The most advanced system on the S80 is the Adaptive Cruise Control that includes the Collision Warning with Brake Support. During normal cruising, the driver simply sets a desired speed and time gap between cars. If the radar sensor mounted in the grille detects no traffic, the vehicle travels at the desired speed. If the sensor picks up traffic, the vehicle automatically slows down and maintains the set time gap (even if the upcoming cars are performing hard stops). If the sensor detects imminent danger from something in the S80’s path, the Collision Warning with Brake Support system kicks in and warns the driver with an audible noise and a red flashing light on the dash. Furthermore, the system pre-charges the brake system for quick brake response helping to eliminate the collision or reduce its severity.

The BLIS uses small cameras under both outside mirrors to locate cars approaching in the S80’s blind spots. When the car senses a car in the blind spot, the indicator glows orange and if a collision is detected with a vehicle in the blind spot the light begins to flash. While the BLIS illuminated erroneously a few times and was a bit distracting at night, the small feature was very useful especially while driving in congested areas (and is easily turned off).

Entry into the S80 is as simple as pulling on the door handle (when the key fob is within three feet of the car). With the key fob on the driver’s person, entry into the vehicle and starting the vehicle are at the push of a button. Exiting the vehicle, once all of the doors are closed, the vehicle can be locked by pressing the black button on any one of the door handles. The fob also benefits from the Personal Car Communicator, which is a two-way radio between the key fob and the vehicle to give an update of the vehicle’s status to determine whether the vehicle door’s are locked or unlocked as well as if someone is hiding in the car via the heartbeat monitor. Simply press the information button on the fob to initiate the communicator.

All five passengers get three-point seat belts and headrests tall enough to help prevent whiplash. The front seats are equipped with Volvo’s unique Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS). When a sufficient rear-end collision is detected, the head rests and seat back slide up and back to help absorb some of the impact and then tilts forward with the back, neck and head to cradle helping to reduce whiplash. The 2007 S80 received the highest possible ratings in frontal, side and rear impacts from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Roof-mounted side airbags and front seat mounted side impact airbags are standard.

Storage inside the S80 is adequate with a deep and useful center console that houses the AUX input for the stereo system. The trunk is large and spacious and includes a separator to keep desired items separated or toward the rear of the trunk (such as groceries). The folding 60/40 folding rear seats and folding front passenger seat help create sufficient cargo capacity inside the S80. One downfall of the S80’s storage areas is the glove compartment, which does offer ample space for storage but its design hinders quick and easy access. When searching for a particular item in the compartment from either front seat, awkward positioning that would make a contortionist feel at home is required to see into the glove compartment while seated in either front seat.

In the city, the S80 got 300 miles on one tank of gas and averaged just over 17 mpg. On a relatively short highway trip, the powerful V-8 managed around 24 mpg (official EPA estimated for the S80 V-8 are 17 mpg city/ 25 mpg highway).

Volvo’s S80 starts with a base MSRP of $47,350 and this almost fully loaded S80 V-8 AWD raised the price to $56,025 – still well under most of its European luxury competition.

2007 Volvo S80 Pictures and Wallpapers

Review written by: Jeffrey Ross
All photos copyright Jeffrey Ross/Autotropolis.com © 2007

Check engine light Volvo 850 GLT

Norman_850GLT — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:43:33 GMT

I have a 1993 Volvo 850 GLT and the check engine light is ON. My previous mechanic checked it 4 years ago when it came ON and determined that there is nothing wrong. He checked it again March of this year and nothing was wrong. Both times he reset it in the engine. Before retiring he showed me how to check the code and reset the light. It is the same code but I forgot how to reset the light in the Engine.

Volvo S40 Buttons on Stereo and A/C

ChrisL — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:47:02 GMT

I own a 2004.5 Volvo S40 T5 and I am a bit concerned about the knobs on my console, they are falling apart and they shed rubber everytime that I clean my interior. are there replacement knobs or knobs with better material. does anyone have any suggestions?