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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 08, 2011 |

We don't know what plans Volvo has for a successor to the C70 that will be eliminated in 2013 after the company shuts down its Uddevalla plant in Sweden, but for now, the automaker has announced a new special edition version that will debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16th.The new C70 Inscription Edition combines bespoke exterior details such as the painted grille, black 18-inch wheels and LED daytime running lights surrounded by contrasting chrome, with unique interior features, including Sovereign Hide upholstery, a leather-covered dashboard and aluminium trim.
The limited package can be combined with all the engine options available for the C70 including the petrol and diesel units. Buyers can choose from three exterior colors - Black Stone (Solid), Black Sapphire (Metallic) and Ice White (Solid).
Volvo said production of the new C70 Inscription Edition will be limited to 2,000 units worldwide.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 |

Volvo has released the new S60, V60 and XC60 R-Design models, which feature a more dynamic styling package, 15-mm lower chassis, 15 percent stiffer springs, sport seats and optional 19-inch wheels (for S60/V60) or 20-inch wheels (for the XC60), among other goods.Based on the facelifted S60, V60 and XC60, all three R-Design cars now feature a unique face with a redesigned, frameless Tech Matte Black grille fitted with high-gloss black stripes, a silk metal diagonal and an R-Design emblem. DRL lights placed in the lower corners of the bumper contribute to the cars’ dynamic image, as does the built-in splitter.
At the rear, the R-Design package brings a unique diffuser with aero fins flanked by two round tailpipes. Although Volvo hasn't released interior photos, it says new sport seats combining perforated leather and black nubuck textile are offered as standard, with full leather seats available as an option. Volvo also throws in the Adaptive Digital Display that gives the option to switch between three layouts with different configuration and functionality - Elegance, Eco and Performance.
The R-Design package is available with any of the engines from the standard versions of the three models, spanning from the 115 hp D2 diesel (not available in the XC60) to the 304 hp 3.0-liter T6 petrol engine. By opting for the Polestar software upgrade, the T6 gains 25 horsepower, for a total of 329 horsepower.
Naturally, this has an impact on performance. With the new paddle shift with the automatic gearbox in Sport mode, acceleration times in the T6 version are better in all three cars. The S60 T6 does the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds (6.1 seconds before), the V60 T6 in 6 seconds (vs. 6.2 sec) and the XC60 T6 in 6.9 seconds (vs. 7.3 sec).
The new Volvo S60, V60 and XC60 R-Design will be available in all markets where standard versions of these models are being sold. Volvo estimates about 10 percent of buyers will choose the R-Design version, but in some markets as the UK or Australia, R-Design versions are expected to account for as much as 30 percent of total sales.

By Dan Mihalascu

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THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013 |

At the New York International Auto Show, Volvo revealed that it will add the V60 wagon to its U.S. lineup in early 2014. The announcement was made by Doug Speck, Volvo Cars’ senior vice president marketing, who added that pricing and specifications will be announced at a later date.

"The V60 builds upon our wagon heritage, and it's a beautiful evolution in design and direction forVolvo," said Volvo Cars of North America President and CEO John Maloney. "Many consumers will be glad to see the addition of this exciting sports wagon to the Volvo lineup in America. And this time, we've added sophistication with the dynamic driving performance of a sedan."

In New York, Volvo is displaying the V60 R-Design, which is a world debut for the design package, also available for the S60 sedan and XC60 crossover. All three models were restyledearlier this year, receiving a more understated front fascia that drops the auxiliary lights positioned between the headlamps and grille, both of which have been redesigned.

There are also newly sculpted front and rear bumpers, different exhaust pipes, optionally available 19- and 20-inch wheels, and revised tail lamp graphics.

In Europe, the Volvo V60 is available with four diesel engines, ranging from 115 PS to 215 PS, and four gasoline units, ranging from 150 PS to 304 PS (T6 engine). When fitted with the R-Design package and the Polestar performance option, the T6 engine develops 329 PS.

By Dan Mihalascu

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MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013 |

At the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show, Volvo displayed the Concept Universe, a study that was said to preview the company’s flagship luxury sedan. At the Frankfurt show that same year, the Swedish automaker came up with another study for a large luxury car, the Concept You.

One could say these two concepts proved Volvo was serious about launching a flagship saloon model. However, at this year's Shanghai auto show, the carmaker’s CEO, Hakan Samuelsson, said Volvo will not develop a large luxury sedan to compete against the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 or Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

According to Samuelsson, such a flagship car wouldn’t fit Volvo’s green image and suit its customers’ tastes. "We don't have any ambitions to go into a segment where we would compete with vehicles that have V8 or V12 engines. We don't believe it would fit our brand image," Samuelsson told Automotive News.

Following Zhejiang Geely Holding Group’s acquisition of Volvo in 2010, the Chinese company’s CEO, Li Shufu, expressed his opinion that Volvo should compete directly with BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. However, Stefan Jacoby, Volvo’s CEO at the time, said that a luxury sedan wouldn’t fit the Swedish brand’s image. His successor, Hakan Samuelsson, seems to have the same opinion, despite the fact that a flagship luxury sedan may have helped Volvo, especially in China. If it saved VW’s 10-year-old Phaeton luxury car from extinction, we imagine a brand new luxury Volvo would have had an even better fate.

The current CEO says he’s concentrating on launching replacements for the XC90 and S80, both to be underpinned by Volvo’s new scalable platform architecture (SPA). Volvo is also co-developing a platform for a family of compact cars with Geely, which could benefit from Volvo’s expertise in order to offer competitive models in China’s biggest market segment.

By Dan Mihalascu

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