Washington, D.C. Auto Show
Our XC60 Plug-In Hybrid in ‘Snow White’ really shines at the D.C. show. We’re downstairs with no windows, and it’s rather dark. So our Beauty almost has a halo glow to her.
If you’re coming to the D.C. Auto Show, go over and say hello to my old friend Tom Leaman. Tom is our man in D.C. this week. Ask to see our battery pack for XC60 Plug-In Hybrid on display. It’s only 12 kw but with its clear glass cover, it looks more like 12 megawatts. Don’t bother asking to see the 4-cylinder engine in it, it’s buried under one of the biggest plastic covers I’ve ever seen. In truth, there isn’t much to see right now.
When we did the first C30 all electric cars, the mass of cables, brackets, pumps, AC/Heating units were barely surpassing the wiring mess under my desk from two PCs, printer, router, modem keyboards and mouse controls. For first generation XC60 Plug-In Hybrid, this show car is rather clean but still, it’s a concept. But do ask Tom to show you how the instrument panel looks, and the really sweet seat patterns.
Olle Odsell came from VCC in Sweden to help with media questions and to meet with political leaders while in DC. I’ve known Olle for some time and knew that he worked with Hasse Nilsson on S60 projects and racing stuff, but really didn’t know what he was up to. So he sent over the following.
Hi Dan,
Nice to read the interview with Hasse and see the photos of the raceteam. I guess that you already know that Hans and I are the two remaining members that have been there from the beginning in 1992. I also enjoyed reading the part about the 855 T5R and Bob Austin. I was technical project leader for the 855 and also for the 850 Turbo, so I have a lot of good memories from then. And I know Bob A. from the 90′s when I was responsible for the PR department at Volvo Car International.
A little more about my background: You may remember that in the years 2000 – 2003 I was heading Volvo Motorsport, when we developed the S60 for the European Touring Car Championship, and we also built 35 Volvo S60 T5′s for the S60 Challenge class i Sweden. At Detroit Motor Show I met with the guys in K-PAX Racing, and I have sent them some photos and videos from that time, as they are making a video about the S60′s racing heritage.
Since 2003 I have mainly been working with the Volvo C70, as technical project leader and later responsible for quality and running changes. The XC60 PHEV Concept Car is my latest assignment.
-Olle
More about our S60 Challenge Series:
VOLVO S60 CHALLENGE – A RACING SERIES FOR THE FUTURE
When the flag drops for the Swedish racing season 2002, a whole new racing series will be seen on the grid. Volvo S60 Challenge is a one-type class, open for drivers 17 years old and up. The series has the likes of the very popular JTCC class, that has been run for five years with Volvo S40 2.0, although the new cars will be significantly faster. Volvo S60 Challenge will according to plans replace JTCC and will run together with the STCC events from 2002.
Together with STCC AB and the Swedish Motor Racing Association we have discussed how to develop the JTCC concept into a more spectacular and ”grown-up” racing series. Volvo S60 Challenge gives the opportunity for JTCC drivers to take a step forward, but also other new or established drivers will have the opportunity to race a potent touring car at a resonable cost, says Alexander Murdzevski, Head of Motorsport at Volvo Cars Sweden AB.
The class will have a similar set-up as JTCC, although there will be no upper age limit for the drivers. Junior drivers will still have special attention though, with a junior cup within the class.
A car built for racing
The S60 Challenge cars will be a lot faster than the JTCC cars. The engine will be based on Volvos 2.3 litre T5 engine, which with a 3″ exhaust system and a racing catalyst will develop approximately 265 horsepower. The engines will be sealed and they will have a maximum turbo boost restricted by a calibrated overpressure valve. The car´s racing abilities will also benefit from Öhlins shock absorbers, 18″ BBS wheels, 4-piston caliper brakes, a rear wing and a front splitter. The gearbox is standard, except for a limited slip differential and a shorter final ratio to fit the Swedish circuits. The class will be run on a specified tyre, although at the moment which brand is not selected.
In total, Volvo will sell 25 ready-to-race cars starting this fall. The price will be 320 000 SEK + VAT. The cars will be owned and run by different teams, but Volvo is also investigating in the possibility to rent out cars together with team personnel and service for a whole season or for single races. No matter which option chosen, all drivers will have the opportunity to have their own personal looks and sponsors on the cars.
Our aim is to have price money in the S60 Challenge and to have the class broadcasted on TV. We believe this will be a very attractive racing series for anyone who wants to race at a level just a step away from the STCC, says Alexander Murdzevski.
Volvo S60 Challenge will run a promotion event at the STCC race at Ring Knutstorp on September 2nd. Twelve famous drivers from other classes will then be invited to fight in a “Race of Champions”.
TECHNICAL specification Volvo S60 Challenge:
Base car: Standard S60 T5 with manual gearbox.
Engine: 2.3 litre T5 turbo engine with lightened flywheel and reduced exhaust counterpressure.
Power: 265 hk @ 6000 rpm, 350 Nm @ 2000-4500 rpm.
Maximum rpm 6500, maximum turbo boost 85 Kpa.
Adapted original engine electronics for 98 Octane unleaded fuel.
Transmission: Standard M56H 5-speed gearbox. Final ratio 4.78:1, equipped with limited slip differential, sintered clutch and a stronger clutchplate. Top speed approximately 230 km/h at 6500 rpm on 5th gear.
Chassis: Based on standard parts with Öhlins competition shock absorbers and racing springs. Individual adjustments of rebound and compression plus ride-height. Rubber bushings replaced with uniballs in wishbones and subframes front and rear to stiffen the chassis and to improve handling.
Ride-height 80 mm. Standard sway-bars; front diam 23.5 mm hollow, rear diam 21.0 mm solid.
Steering: Standard servo with detachable Sparco competition steering wheel.
Brakes: Standard ABS-system. AP-brakes, 4-piston calipers, 355 mm brake discs front. Standard brakes rear.
Wheels: 8×18” BBS rim ”Nebula” with 235/40-18” tyres
Bodyshell: Standard S60 shell equipped with a FIA homologated rollcage made of 25CrMo4 material. Built to strengthen the bodyshell and to absorb suspension forces. Reinforced suspension struts front and rear plus a stabilizing cross bar in front. A special front splitter and a rear wing will be provided to give the car a good balance.
Interior: Original instruments with tachometer, fuel gauge and engine temperature meter. The heat system is modified leaving only the defroster functions. A main power switch is installed and a special cable harness is developed for simple use and weight reduction. FIA approved Sparco racing seat and 3” 6-point safety belts.
Miscellanious: Weight is reduced to approximately 1250 kg including liquids and 10 litres of fuel, excluding driver. Headlight covers are replaced with plastic lenses.
An interview with Hans Nilsson – 60 Series Project Manager
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?
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?
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
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