Nice Set of Wheels
Spied by Matthew Coluccio (our son and V50 owner) in SoHo, NYC last week.
dan
Posted in S60 | No Comments »S60 Challenge
I was talking to Bill Casey, our Customer Care Manager in Rockleigh, to see how things are going. He usually gets calls from customers who have an issue with their car, but he said lately his group has taken calls from people wanting to express their surprise in the latest Volvo cars and that they were hooked after a test drive. Mostly, “I never would have known your cars were so good if I hadn’t tried one out.” That is the key to our brand. If you’ve owned one, you already know, but those that have never tried a Volvo, I suspect they think that we still think inside the box. Okay, I know you box lovers will blast me in the comments, but as Peter Horbury once said, “We kept the toy and threw away the box.”
So to combat the difference between what people think about German engineering and Volvoness, our marketing group came up with a way to show our confidence in S60, especially against one of our competitors, Audi A4. Audi makes nice German cars, we make nicer Swedish cars. Try a Volvo and if you still buy an Audi A4, we will make your first month’s payment, not in Euros, but in green backs. And you are on your own after that.
Visit this site for details:
Enjoy the ride.
dan
Posted in S60 | No Comments »
S60 – #2 out of 6
We’ll take that any day.
USA Today and Motor Week Television (PBS) joined forces to pick apart six sport sedans with max cap pricing of 46k. In short, here is what they had to say about our Herring Hauler from Valhalla:
What we liked: Comfort and ride. “By far, the most comfortable car here,” Robinson said. “Our S60 has Volvo’s base suspension setup, and it rides marvelously,” Mays said. “Shock absorption, cabin isolation and suspension noise (or lack thereof) all stand out.” Seats. “Among this group’s taut seats, the Volvo’s cushy chairs are a welcome break,” Mays said. Styling and interior. Jose and Jimmee Medina liked the dashboard’s “understated elegance,” and seat leather’s “nice, worn-in look.” “Very non-pretentious,” Jose said. Value. “The price makes it a relative bargain in this group,” Healey noted, “even if you add in the price of the crucial infotainment gear it lacks.”
What we didn’t: Performance. “Feels front-heavy, and overall heavy, on the track,” Healey said. “Soft brakes, sloppy steering and plenty of body roll limit the handling front,” Mays said, “and you’ll notice it on winding roads, not just a racetrack.” Gas mileage. “The mileage makes it much harder to be excited about the quick acceleration,” Wiesenfelder said. Interior materials.“Some materials didn’t exude luxury, especially the shifter and its plastic cover,” Thomas said.
Bottom line: “Volvo packed a lot of style, comfort, performance and features into the S60 with a low price tag,” Thomas said.
Now that panel of judges are car guys. They are writers who test drive at least one new car a week and can feel a dime under their front right tire at 60 mph. Most automotive writers represent the best resource for consumers on how new cars look, smell and feel. They drive at a level of experience most of us will never know, that is besides race car drivers. But are they the average Joe and Jill who buy cars..probably not.
In a sense, BMW is what automotive writers bench mark everything against. BMW has earned that kind of acknowldegement. But there is this Swede waving her hand saying “Hejsan.” Accompanying this years gearhead judges were Jimmie and Jose Medina from Anahaim, CA who added their real world needs, experiences and expectations to this test. You know what they chose? The Volvo S60. In short, here is what they had to say:
The Volvo S60, the last car they drove, won their hearts and their minds. If forced to choose among the six contenders, they said it’d be easy to take the Volvo keys.
The S60 lacked some features such as navigation (desirable) and backup camera (not so much, in their minds). The Medinas loved the classy, comfy interior. They thought the S60 accelerated and handled as well as the BMW. And they couldn’t ignore its $38,000 price tag, a bargain compared to the others in the Challenge.
Navigation and a backup camera are part of the S60′s highest trim level. It increases the tab about $3,800, making the S60 more expensive than the $40,000 Audi A4, which didn’t have a navigation/camera system, but less than the BMW or Cadillac.
But ax the Volvo’s all-wheel drive — something not important to the Medinas. and seldom needed in California (three of the test cars didn’t have it) — and that shaves $2,000, making the Volvo’s final price around $40,900.
“I’d never have thought I’d go to the Volvo dealership,” Jimmee said, “but now I would.”
Bottom line, what a nice way to start spring.
dan
Posted in S60 | 1 Comment »Two types of automotive design
There are two ways a design hits me: What the heck is that! And, my eyes love it.
What the heck is that! … To me, many Asian cars are like that. They go to extremes with origami sheet metaling and unbroken lines from front to back, or front grills that look like a Whale Shark at feeding time. I must admit some Asian cars are very interesting. When I come upon them, well, they just look really different. Yet few Asian cars age well – except Toyota’s 2000GT and Datsun/Nissan’s 240 Z – but in general they tend to get dated quickly. They show a styling timeline that will be interesting to see how 2009 and up age. While I have always liked Chrysler’s 300, it has been bitten by Whale Sharks, as has Dodge with their Charger and others.
My eyes love it … The new S60. From the first time I saw it, there was no insulting onslaught of I hope I will learn to like this, more like it just flows from front to back, Scandinavian crafted. Some years ago, one of the big three bought a small European car company. The big car company’s first “joint” project was hearlded as “keeping to the smaller brand’s core values, keeping to its heritage.” The Wall Street Journal said it looked like the small brand from the front but a rental from the back. A company gets that when they design by committee. Bob Lutz once said about design, “It is death by a thousand paper cuts. It’s the same with temptation to carry over from previous models with things like door handle (dj: changes). I have seen nice designs that go through the committees that end up destroying the good work of the designers.”
So the S60. When we first saw it, the feelings were that it was just right, or “Lagom” as the Swedes would say. It pushed our design from one stage to another, and more was changed than door handles. It gave us an evoultionary way of looking at Scandanivan styling that was in harmony with our past yet gave us a future. The 2012 S60 gave us an open door for pushing what is Volvo. I do like the ‘Wolf eyes” headlights. Wonder how that S60 would look in Black with heavy tinted windows … hmm.
Here is another video about what we are working towards:
Posted in design, New York International Auto Show, S60, Scandinavian Design | 2 Comments »Is a Volvo with a Paddle Shifter in your Future?
Many years ago, an executive from one of the Big Three was being cornered about something within his company. Apparently he uttered: “I can neither confirm nor deny that I can confirm nor deny.” What a great way to get out of being pinned down. What I can say about the following is that there are no typos in the following VCNA press release.
Auto Show update: Geneva is just around the corner and following closely after will be New York. It will be two great shows for Volvo. Please note: All three models will be shown in Geneva, and the V60 is not currently scheduled to come to the U.S.
dan
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The new Volvo S60, XC60 and V60: Major renewal boosts the dynamic appearance and appeal of the Volvo 60 cluster
- New design focusing on quality and attention to detail
- New, more comfortable sport seats
- Sensus Connected Touch system with unique on-line possibilities
- Permanent high beam with groundbreaking technology
Rockleigh, NJ (Feb. 19, 2013) – Volvo will debut a major renewal of its S60, XC60 and V60 models at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show next month, amounting to the most extensive development of existing models in the Scandinavian automaker’s history. The V60 is not currently available in the United States.
“We have focused on quality and attention to detail in order to give these dynamic models a major boost and sharpen their competitiveness,” says Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President, Product Strategy & Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Car Group. He continues: “The S60 and XC60 are our best-selling models in several important markets. We have been listening very carefully to our customers in order to make improvements that ensure that we make these successful cars more attractive.”
Emphasized attention to detail
Scandinavian design is exemplified by beautiful, simple shapes and surfaces with any unnecessary clutter removed. This is evident in the redesigned interior and exterior of the new 60 cars. Inside, the attention to detail, the authentic materials – such as wood and leather – and the easy-to-use controls contribute to the in-command driving experience.
Supportive yet comfortable seats that ensure a fresh and relaxed arrival after the longest of journeys have been a Volvo strength for decades. The buyer of a new S60 or XC60 can now specify a new sport seat that retains this traditional comfort and makes a perfect addition to the in-command feel of a true driver’s car.
“The new sport seat has great hugging side support all the way from the thighs to the shoulders, so the seat keeps the driver firmly in position when cornering fast. We’ve also made adjustments to the seat back, so it provides more legroom for passengers in the rear,” says Project Director Patrik Widerstrand.
There are several other examples of the attention to detail in the new 60 cluster cars. The previously visible washer nozzles have been relocated out of sight under the bonnet. The radar cover has been painted gloss black, which practically makes it disappear in the grill. The chrome frame around the grill has been removed and the new, bigger ironmark badge enhances the new cars’ self-confident look.
The new integrated tailpipes-standard on all engines for the S60 and XC60-the physical and visual link to the technically advanced engines. But it’s not just about beautiful design: the designers have had to cope with the fact that at operating temperature, the tailpipes have to remain perfectly in place despite the exhaust system expanding in length by up to 25mm. This is another example of true Scandinavian precision engineering.
The new S60 and XC60 offer an extended wheel choice with a variety of designs that increase the personalization possibilities for customers.
“To enhance the visual appeal of the car, customers can now specify their S60 with expressive 19-inch wheels and keep the same profile height as 18-inch ones, so they don’t lose any comfort,” says Patrik Widerstrand.
The XC60 is available with 20-inch wheels while keeping the same tire profile height and ride comfort as with 19-inch wheels.
The new Volvo S60
The new dynamic S60 design, with its purposeful, dynamic appearance, accentuates the car’s sporting nature.
“We’ve really increased the S60′s road presence with a new front design. The more focused and determined-looking headlamps help create this new, expressive ‘face.’ We were thinking of a wolf’s eyes when we designed them,” explains Fedde Talsma, Design Director, Exterior. He adds: “We’ve emphasized the S60′s horizontal lines at both the front and rear. Together with details such as a wider grill, daylight running lights and a new LED light guide on the tail lamps, they give the S60 a striking, powerful presence. The car has a beauty that is rooted in the natural world. The clean surfaces and contours give it a very Scandinavian feel.”
Inside, there are upgrades such as new upholstery colors, new wood inlays, a new headliner, and the silk metal frames around the air vents and light controls.
“The overall effect is very warm and cozy, like being in a warm Swedish house on a cold night. The color themes correspond beautifully with the backlit white controls in the dash and elsewhere in the car,” adds Lena Jiseborn, Design Director, Color and Trim.
And under the skin, at the heart of the dynamic driving experience, is a wide choice of chassis settings, designed around the customer’s personal requirements. The S60 buyer has a choice of three chassis types – Touring, Dynamic and Lower Sport Chassis (in combination with the new 19-inch Bor wheel), previously only available on the R-Design version.
The new Volvo XC60 – in-command capability with around-town style
On the exterior, Volvo’s best-selling model, the XC60, gets a more urban twist. The redesigned front features a new hood shape that emphasizes the wide, confident look.
“We’ve taken away any black trim so the car is now all one body color. The new headlamps look very focused and determined, and the horizontal lines on the grill with its chrome bars emphasize the car’s width,” says Fedde Talsma.
The XC60 also benefits from an interior upgrade. The new features include new wood inlays, a new headliner, textile B-pillars and the silk metal frames around the air vents and light controls.
The refined XC60 has a commanding driving position supported by generous ground clearance and the class-leading chassis. The XC60 is designed to feel every bit as nimble and agile as a standard sedan.
Corner Traction Control now comes as standard. This torque vectoring system helps the driver avoid understeer by applying just the right amount of brake force to the inner wheels while powering the outer wheels when accelerating out of a corner. With All Wheel Drive, the XC60 becomes an extremely capable vehicle on any road, in any kind of weather.
Enhancements across the new S60 and XC60 range
Sensus Connected Touch – connectivity on a new level
Sensus is the name Volvo uses for all its HMI (Human Machine Interface) functionality and the all-new Sensus Connected Touch is the latest addition.
It enables connectivity and Internet in the car and turns the 7-inch display into a state-of-the-art infrared, beam-scanned touch screen that can be used even when wearing gloves – a world first in cars and handy in winter!
Connection is made either via a car-mounted 3G/4G dongle or the driver’s mobile phone.
The user has access to full Internet browsing (except when driving), Internet streaming of music, Internet radio (TuneIn Radio) with thousands of channels from all over the world, on-line (Google) Map and Search, Embedded Connected 3D navigation with online traffic info and dangerous zone warnings, Free Parking locator, weather information, a number of native and web applications, App Store for new functions and updates as well as a Volvo retailer locator.
It is also possible to share a WiFi network with everyone in the car.
Adaptive Digital Display
The Adaptive Digital Display is now available in the new S60 and XC60. This active TFT (Thin Film Transistor) crystal display takes the interaction between car and driver to a new dimension, always displaying the most important information in any given situation.
The driver can choose between three graphic themes:
The Elegance theme offers a more traditional appearance.
The Eco themefeatures green background illumination, designed to create an environmentally inspired look. An Eco meter is displayed on the left. The current and accumulated fuel consumption figures are displayed – and the driver is rewarded with a green E light when eco-driving is optimal.
The Performance theme has red background illumination, creating a sporty atmosphere. In the center, a rev counter scale replaces the speedometer displayed in the Elegance and Eco versions. Vehicle speed is shown digitally in the center of the display. The right display includes a power meter – a gauge that informs the driver how much power is available and how much power is being used at any given moment in time.
Paddle shifters
The three-spoke steering wheels can now be accompanied with paddle shifters for all S60 models and XC60 T6. They turn the automatic box into a manual with the benefit of shifting gear with both hands on the wheel. The paddle shifters give the enthusiastic driver an additional edge, particularly when powering round twisty roads.
Permanent high beam with groundbreaking technology
The new Active High Beam Control makes journeys in the dark safer and more comfortable.
The technology eliminates the need to switch between low and high beam. Instead, Active High Beam Control makes it possible keep the headlights on full beam continuously.
When another car approaches from the opposite direction, the system helps to prevent dazzling of the oncoming driver by shading out only as much of the beam as necessary. This is done by an ingenious projector module mechanism integrated into the headlamp.
The same benefit applies to drivers in preceding cars.
Cornering Light for better visibility
Another innovative option for driving in the dark is the low-speed Cornering Light feature. As an extension of the current Active Bending Light system, it lights up the area the driver is steering towards for safer maneuvering – for instance, when turning into a small road or driving through a narrow gateway at night.
Heated windscreen and steering wheel
And for the added comfort of drivers in cold countries, the steering wheel can also be specified with heating for increased comfort on cold winter days.
Cars equipped with a rain sensor can now benefit from an electrically heated windscreen for rapid de-icing on cold winter days. The S60 and XC60 are also available with outer rear view mirrors with auto dim. Using chromatic glass, the mirrors automatically dim to avoid glare from other traffic, just like the inner rear view mirror.
IntelliSafe systems supporting the driver
IntelliSafe is Volvo’s blanket name for all active safety systems, and Volvo’s world-first City Safety technology plays an important part. Fitted as standard, this advanced safety system works at speeds of up to 31 mph. All models can also get Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake, which watches out for people walking into the car’s path.
The S60 and XC60 can also be specified with the enhanced Blind Sport Information System (BLIS), which is now radar-based. The technology can also monitor and alert the driver to rapidly approaching vehicles behind the car, while still informing the driver about vehicles in the blind spots on both sides of the car.
Cross Traffic Alert is a new feature that uses the radar sensors at the rear end of the car to alert the driver to crossing traffic from the sides when reversing out of a parking space. This is especially helpful in tight and crowded areas where the side view may be restricted.
Road Sign Information supports the driver by displaying road signs on the instrument display.
“As the leader in automotive safety, we have reduced the risk of being involved in an accident or being injured in one of our latest car models by about 50 percent since the year 2000. By continuously introducing new preventive and protective systems, we keep moving toward our safety vision that nobody should die or suffer serious injuries in a new Volvo car by the year 2020,” says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Car Group.
For more photos: Click here
Posted in Auto Shows, New York International Auto Show, S60, V60, XC60 | 2 Comments »What accessories can you fit in your S60?
Volvo bike rack
This link just came over from our Parts/Accessory guys in Rockleigh. It’s a great app about what we are offering with accessories for our cars.
I spent 10 years in our Accessory Group in Rockleigh. Rather good fun since we had to make certain that all of our accessories fit in our cars and that the installation instructions were easy to follow. Which meant our groups’ Volvos were fitted with just about everything we could pick off our warehouse shelves. My boss, Wayne Baldwin, even built a whole SCCA Pro-Rally car from spare parts ‘borrowed’ from inventory, of course with the blessing of Mitch Duncan, VP of Parts Division. Wayne even left the inventory picking tags on parts just to prove that it came from inventory. I wonder what happened with that car. I don’t think it had a VIN number since the ‘body in white’ came from spare parts.
Anyway, have fun with this new tool.
dan
Posted in S60, safety | 4 Comments »Jay Leno likes our S60 Polestar Concept
This in from our friends at www.SwedeSpeed.com:
Jan 21, 2013 – 8:07:20 PM
The S60 Polestar concept car with 508hp has been a public relations success for Volvo. Polestar has been Volvo’s Swedish racing partner for many years. The concept car is the halo vehicle representing the Polestar download tune from Volvo dealers. About a year ago, Volvo introduced the Polestar download and the program has been a tremendous success. The U.S. is the largest market for Polestar downloads.
The S60 is a credible competitor to the German and Japanese luxury brands and the S60 concept car is a public relations tool for customers moving up to consider a S60. Volvo is getting on the right shopping lists as evident by the growing S60 sales. The number one cross-shopped car with the S60 is the Audi A4 and Volvo is looking to get on more shopping lists in 2013.
Volvo loves the concept car from a promotional standpoint, and recently John Maloney drove the S60 Polestar to the Irvine, CA Cars and Coffee. While the S60 Polestar was on the West Coast, Jay Leno took the car for a trip around Los Angeles. Check out his extensive walk around video and learn about the various details Polestar made to the S60. It is interesting to note that 99% of the enhancements are stock Volvo parts.
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SwedeSpeed was the first really good Volvo only website. George Acorn was site owner and did an awesome job putting it together. Head over and see what the guys and gals who wear Viking Helmets to bed do during waking hours.
This review is a very interesting car review of our Polestar Concept. I didn’t realize Jay Leno’s love of our cars. Many years ago, my Swedish friends in PR wanted to visit Leno’s Garage and wanted to give him a gift. Cool. The only problem was they wanted to give him something special, really special. I didn’t realize their intention was to give him Colin Powell’s old 544. When we bought it, our port facility people, FAPS, wanted to “clean it up”. They wanted to remove his window parking permit for the Pentegon parking – OOOOOHHHH no, just leave it all stock, in fact don’t even clean out the interior.
Well Leno seems to be having fun with our concept, calling it a “bulletproof racecar” and a “Volvo on steroids.” Check it out below, it’s good viewing.
dan
Jay Leno’s Garage – Volvo Polestar S60 Concept
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/volvo/volvo-polestar-s60-concept/index.shtml
Posted in Polestar, S60 | 1 Comment »S60 Polestar Concept Car
Morning everyone. Hope this flu has not nailed you like it has my wife and I. Never been this sick from a flu virus. Wicked one.
Just wanted to share with you a couple of videos that came our way. I would love to have better sound quality (aka exhaust/engine sounds) but I can almost smell that “race car smell” with these two. Of course we can’t comment on the future, but let’s just imagine how this screaming Viking would send chills into a couple of German brands. 
From MotorTrend.com:
“Volvo S60 Polestar Track Test”
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1303_volvo_s60_polestar_track_test/
And “Volvo S60 Polestar vs Audi RS4 and BMW M3″
dan
Posted in Performance, Polestar, S60 | 3 Comments »S60 Polestar Concept – Los Angeles Auto Show
Laura just snapped these pics from our stand in LA:
Here is our newest PR staffer Keita Technology and Product Communications Manager (sweet title). I'll bet dollars to kroner he thinks this is his next ride. :}
dan
Posted in concept car, LA Auto Show, S60 | 1 Comment »More oars added to our Viking ship
“Oars” kind of rhymes with “horsepower,” right? OK, maybe not quite … anyway, we just released what we’ll present at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, and you can expect more oars than ever.
There are three kinds of ‘Concept Cars’: 1. Concepts that were built when everyone had money and were dreamed up during an outdoor BBQ when the ice chest was full of beers. These never saw daylight after an auto show. 2. Concepts built to wet our taste buds at something more than a drawing, something like a glimpse into our future plans. 3. Concepts in-between. Below is the in-between.
I don’t remember ever seeing any of our cars with 508 HP. This S60 must have been anointed with moss from way up north in Lapland, rubber shavings from Nurburgring’s Flugplatz section, and metal filings from a V10 engine someone built years ago and tried to pass it off as a Volvo project. This is one rocket child from Polestar’s garage!
OK, so I’ve no clue if this will be, in one form or another, ‘production.’ I suspect we might see ideas used somewhere down the road, but no one is fessing up to anything. Staffers here at Volvo know better than ‘talking to Johnston.’ So print out this entry, stuff it into an envelope and put it under your pillow. I can assure you the tooth fairy will not take it, but if Thor shows up, you are on your own.
Volvo S60 Polestar Concept — With 508 hp — Debuts at L.A. Auto Show
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 20, 2012) – With the glamour and bright lights that symbolize the City of Angels, what better place for the global auto show debut of the Volvo S60 Polestar Concept than the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show? After all, the 508-horsepower beast, built by Volvo’s official performance partner, Polestar, is arguably the most glamorous and lightning-quick Volvo concept car ever made.
“This is Polestar’s interpretation of the Volvo S60,” says Christian Dahl, founder and CEO of Polestar. “It’s a car developed with our own preferences in mind — although we know they are also shared by active drivers.”
Make no mistake, it is an exotic in its own right — but with refinement and precise handling. All of this technology results in a more intense, real-life Volvo driving experience.
“We approached this project by looking at the production Volvo S60 as a platform for a potential race car — and the culmination of that data went into the design of the S60 Polestar Concept,” explained Jan Andersson, chief engineer at Polestar.
The S60 Polestar Concept delivers the genuine Volvo driving experience with a high level of power and handling. The turbocharged, inline six-cylinder engine has been tuned to deliver a considerable increase in power and torque. The 508 horsepower and 424 lb.-ft. of torque seem to dwarf the numbers associated with the horsepower and torque found in the T6 engine of the production car: 300 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque.
The combination of a lowered, widened and reinforced chassis, a tuned Haldex all-wheel-drive system, and Öhlins suspension makes the car uniquely suitable for both high-performance driving and long-distance traveling.
According to Volvo Polestar racing driver Robert Dahlgren, “It is, by far, the most impressive street Volvo I’ve ever driven. But I must also say that the genuine Volvo feeling is still there.”
Polestar has been Volvo’s performance partner since 1996, offering tuning technology and parts enhancement to production-model vehicles. A Polestar-tuned S60 R-Design and XC60 R-Design currently are offered in the Volvo lineup, bumping their already stout performance from 300 hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque to 325 and 354, respectively.
For 2013 they also come in head-turning Rebel Blue … so they look similar to their cousin: the S60 Polestar Concept.
The Polestar performance upgrade can be purchased and installed in applicable new and used Volvos at any Volvo dealer. More information about Polestar and its expanding parts and technology offerings for Volvo production vehicles can be found at Polestar.com.
Brief Technical Overview: Polestar S60 Concept
• Volvo T6 inline six
• 0-100 kmh (62 mph) = 3.9 seconds
• Top speed more than 300 kmh (more than 186 mph)
• 508 hp @ 6500rpm
• 575Nm (424 lb.-feet) @ 5500rpm
• Max rpm: 7100
• Modified cylinder head and combustion chambers
• Modified inlet manifold and air intake
• Garret 3171 turbo
• Ferrita 3.5″ stainless steel exhaust system
If you have read this far, guess you’d like to see more photos. We will get some posted in next couple of days, right from LA.
-dan
Posted in concept car, LA Auto Show, news, Polestar, S60, Volvo Concept | 3 Comments »
