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An interview with Hans Nilsson – 60 Series Project Manager

danjohnston — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:11:48 +0000

Hans – aka Hasse – and I worked together in our Parts group, around 1982. I forgot what he did, heck, I hardly remember what I did, but his young family was here for six months and lived close to us in NJ. Amazing how quickly time passes, he’s now a grandfather and gone from Parts to the lead person for “60 cars” as he calls them.

Every New Years, I would call him or he’d call me, just to chat and to wish each other a good New Year. Funny how traditions help keep us in touch with friends and family.

So I asked Hasse if he would do a short interview with me about what he does at VCC.

1. What kind of racing background to you have? Any pics of you, your team and car? Were you successful?

The racing I have been doing for the last 20 years is together with a team of Volvo colleagues, and it is on a pure hobby level. It is an endurance racing series, with the theme maximum racing for minimum cost. The races are 6 hours long and include beside driving also tactics for refueling and change of drivers. Each driver can drive max 1.5 hour at the same stint. Technically it’s open for 4 seat standard cars. Only normal aspirated engines with 2 liters volume and 4 valves per cylinder or 2.5 liters and 2 valves per cylinder. Maximum tire width is 205 R marked but no slicks. Chassis modifications are free.

The fastest cars are using a Volvo B230 engine stroked to 2.5 liters. Used in BMW 3 series, Porsche 944, Opel Ascona, and of course Volvo 140, 240 and occasionally also a 544.

We race a Volvo 240 with a “B250″ engine with two Weber 50 carburetors. Power output last year was 242 hp. Getrag close ratio gearbox, Brembo calipers and BMW M3 rotors. Chassis changed in all dimensions.

We normally finish top 5-6, and have never won the series but finished 2nd or 3rd, at best.

It is a hobby thing, a nice way to meet the guys (all Volvo colleagues). We meet one evening per week, roll up the sleeves and do some real hands-on car development.

Team mates are:

-Olle Odsell, Tech Project leader C70

-Kent Persson, Chassis development (also run his own rally team)

-Kenneth Ekström, Chassis development. Developed chassis for S60R , V70R and the new S60

-Ola Gruvesäter, Chassis dept

-Lars-Erik Lundin, Vice president. Was up to last year active in the team

-Hans Nilsson, Product manager S60, V60, XC60

-Kenneth Garthammar, Mechanics at Powertrain dept.

2. I know racing was probably a factor in doing S60/V70 R work, but is there some technology you wanted in your race car but was able to put into our R’s?

Doing the S60R / V70R was more to do a refined fun to drive car you could use all days all the year around. Well performing but easy to handle. It was very much about streching the technologies like the Four-C chassis and its interaction with the AWD and brake system. Fun and challenging technology. That was my type of car.

3. You mentioned how the 60 series is now your responsibility, does that mean all the technical advances (future engines/transmissions?) and exterior/interior is another person or are you the head of the whole line? If whole like what falls under your authority?

I was the project leader and product manager for the R-cars for 10 years. In 2006, I started as product manager for S60 and V60. The product manager is responsible for the content in the car and the balancing of the attributes. To make sure that the car is delivering all its attributes and fulfilling its (task) i.e. roll and position. So I’m involved in most of the technical stuff.

4. In a few words, what do you see the 60 series doing for Volvo?

The 60 cars are the typical Volvo. I see the S60 as a constant development from the 544, Amazon, 140, 240 740, 850, and up to the today’s 60 cars . They have all been our backbone and will be for many years even if we have showed with XC90, C70 and S40 that we can do fantastic cars in other segments as well.

Hasse is the guy leaning into their race car.

So don’t think for a moment that our man behind XC60, S60 and V60 (yes..I know “we should bring it here so don’t post any more comments – thanks) is just a guy leading a bunch of other folks with no idea about what makes a car special.

Today, I’m in an R-frame kind of mind.

dan

Live from Detroit International Auto Show

danjohnston — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:09:19 +0000

This afternoon at 4:20 p.m. EST, Volvo’s press conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is scheduled to be broadcast live on the Web. This is a last-minute development, so if you’d like to watch what’s said about the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept, click on this link:

tthttp://www.volvocars.com/intl/top/community/events/pages/default.aspx

dan

Detroit International Auto Show XC60 Plug-in Hybrid

danjohnston — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:57:45 +0000

Someting not about Volvo

danjohnston — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:43:12 +0000

I can see his point about people still speeding — despite the posted warnings. Check out the video below.

Frankfurt International Auto Show

danjohnston — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:01:46 +0000

Volvo offers you an exclusive look behind the scenes of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Ahead of the unveil of the ‘Concept You’, our presenter James Blatch gives Volvo fans a sneak peek of the stand and a preview of some of the exciting things to come during press day. Join us on the Volvo Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/#!/Volvo for live webcasting throughout the 13th September 2011. At 8.00CET we will be speaking with the people making the whole show happen, then at 10.00CET we’ll show the live unveil. At 13.00CET we’ll find out reaction to the car and at 16.00CET it’s your chance to pose questions to Volvo President and CEO, Stefan Jacoby.

http://youtu.be/zS_1XC5bf5g

dan

Brenda Priddy – Spy Photographer

danjohnston — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:53:29 +0000

Hope your Summer has been enjoyable. It’s a tad hot where we live. Still, Summer is wonderful time of year.

We’ve known Brenda for years. The first time I met her I really didn’t know what to expect. I was thinking “what does a spy photographer” look like – her and her crew, Boris and Natasha? She’s a feisty little gal with an awesomely sweet personality and couple of great kids, and maybe four pets.

Around ’95 when we were hot weather testing a V70 R wagonin Death Valley, Brenda called, ”I’m right behind an R wagon, with steam/smoke coming out under the hood and bunch of Swedish engineers looking perplexed.” I called our head of Arizona Proving Grounds (APG) and relayed the message. “News to me” was his response, but he was calling his engineers to find out what happened.

So point here is: She who has the camera and a Facebook page wins. The following was posted by Brenda on Facebook:

A PRIVATE message to the GM engineer, with the Cadillac group, driving this Camaro on July 30th:
When you’re going 55 and someone attempts to pass you on a two-lane highway, please don’t speed up to 90.
1) It’s rude.
2) Dangerous
3) You might anger the person behind you and your boss might hear about it.

With a great sense of timing and humor…Brenda is the best.

dan

One web site that’s not for faint of heart

danjohnston — Fri, 06 May 2011 14:20:20 +0000

Amongst gear heads, there is always that ‘barn find’ that keeps our eyes left and right while driving down country roads. There’s a car waiting out there with your name on it and your tool box is getting rusty with each passing month. If you’ve never traveled this site, it’s awesome. It’s the ultimate Friday afternoon, God I’m waiting for 5 pm, mental escape trip.

This was sent over by long time PR friend from Canada, Doug. Thanks amigo!

http://bringatrailer.com/2011/05/05/swedeheart-restored-1971-volvo-p1800/

You all have a great weekend.

dan

What Women Want and it’s from Sweden

danjohnston — Thu, 05 May 2011 19:50:22 +0000

http://www.thestreet.com/story/11096454/3/5-cars-women-want-the-most.html

SCCA Pirelli World Challenge – Utah

danjohnston — Mon, 02 May 2011 14:18:54 +0000

One really sweet C30.

This just in from Geno Effler, our boss, who was on hand to see it all:

“Touring Car class for cars has the least amount of modifications. That is the class in which the C30s compete. All of our cars are owned, built and maintained by K-PAX Racing.

After four of the 12 races, we have had incredibly bad luck with the S60. The C30s, on the other hand, started slowly but have made tons of progress. To win in only its fourth start is a great achievement for the C30. In the Touring Car class, we’re second and sixth in driver points and third in manufacturers’ points. The team believes it has an excellent chance to win both titles this season.”

From AutoWeek:

“In Touring Car, Povoledo’s first World Challenge win in the No. 88 K-Pax Racing Volvo C30 almost balanced the bad luck that befell the team in the GT race. Povoledo started fifth based on points and moved to third after the restart. On lap seven, he moved past the C30 of his teammate, Robb Holland, and set sail for the No. 60 Gila Monster/Zotz Racing Volkswagen Jetta. Povoledo stalked Ron Zitza for 10 laps, running side-by-side on several occasions, before taking the lead for good after 17 laps. Povoledo pulled out to a 2.282-second margin of victory and turned the race’s fastest Touring Car lap, 2:06.043 (87.056 mph).

It was an emotional first win for Povoledo. “I was crying in my helmet,” he said. “I could cry right now, it does mean that much. This is a series I’ve been working to get into for many years. “My K-Pax Racing Volvo C30 was strong. They are one of the best crews I’ve ever worked with. I’ve raced with top teams in Canada, the United States, and England. I’ve never met a team of guys more dedicated, more hard working.”

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110501/MOTORSPORTS/110509997#ixzz1LCk23Rp1

One more event at NY Auto Show

danjohnston — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:29:22 +0000

S60 Named 2011 International Sedan of the Year “Most Dependable”

The Volvo S60 was awarded the 2011 International Sedan of the Year at the New York International Auto Show by the International Car of the Year (ICOTY) jury. The all-new sport sedan was deemed best-in-class for the most superlative connection with consumer lifestyles. The selection was made by a jury of 12 nationally recognized automotive journalists.

The ICOTY Awards are not based on camshafts and chrome but rather lifestyles compatibility and how well automakers achieve that goal,” said Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY executive producer.

In its 15th year, the ICOTY Awards remain a respected industry honor, measuring what no other automotive award does, the emotional connection between car and consumer.

Left to right: James Bell, market analyst and president, Motor Press Guild; Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY executive producer; Doug Speck; B.J. Killeen, road test editor, Drivers Talk Radio; and Mike Martini, president, Consumer OE, Bridgestone Americas

Laura