2012 MY Volvo XC90 Receives Mild Updates in Europe

Despite being launched way back in 2002, the XC90 is still holding on in the sales front –even recording its best-ever year in the UK in 2010 with 7,000 units, and global sales of 37,000 cars. Now Volvo has decided to introduce some mild updates for the 2012MY.

Exterior modifications of the 2012 XC90, which will be available in October, include new LED day running lights in the lower front bumper, LED rear brake lights, a redesigned bumper bar, new six-spoke 18-inch alloys and, finally, the addition of roof rails to the standard specification of all trim models.

Read more »

Report: Owners Leasing Cars May Be Able to Make a Profit

With the recent surge in used car prices in the U.S., many people leasing vehicles have discovered the surprising fact that the market value of their automobiles is greater than the dealer’s quoted residual (buyout) price.

All a would-be lessee needs to do is buy the car from the dealer and sell it on privately. The dealer gets the residual amount and the former lessee pockets a tidy sum.

Take the example of a 2008 Volvo XC90. With more than twelve months left on the lease, the dealer’s buyout price was a quoted US$18,500. Compare this to the amount the lessee was likely to get by selling the car privately: a far more substantial US$27,000. That’s a profit of US$8,500!

Read more »

Heico Sportiv Redoes the Volvo XC90 SUV, Launches New Styling Package

Seeing that Volvo will be holding on to the XC90, which has been in production since 2002, for a few more years, tuning firm Heico Sportiv decided to update its styling offerings for the crossover model.

The newly developed bodykit is made from PUR-R-RIM plastic and consists of six parts. These include new front apron that replaces the series-produced central and side panels and has a stainless steel stay located in front of the cooling air outlet, side skirts that are mounted on top of the original parts and a new rear apron that accommodates the four-pipe sports exhaust system with oval chrome end tips.

Read more »

Honey I shrunk the XC90: Mini-Volvo transporter for the European Athletic Championships

This handsome little fellow has been developed by Volvo specifically for the European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg to take on the duty of transferring various objects such as javelins, hammers or discuses from the place where they land, back to the thrower.

Volvo hand built four unique scaled bodies (1:15), mounted on electrically driven chassis developed by the Nordic Sport company. The radio controlled mini-Volvo has a 2hp electric motor giving it the capability to transport either four discuses, three javelins or two hammers (2 hammers alone, together weigh 14 kg). According to the Swedes, this mini-XC90 can go up to 20 km/h.

Technorati Tags: Volvo+XC90, European+Athletics+Championships, Gothenburg, Toys, radio+contol, video, clip, auto+news, automobile, autos, vehicles, automotive, cars,

Volvo XC90 SE Sport

Volvo is adding a more sporty version of it’s supposedly already Sport-Utility-Vehicle (...) the XC90 SE Sport which will be available with 4.4 V8, 3.2 6cylinder and D5 diesel engines. Changes include dynamic sport chassis, stiffer anti-roll bars, firmer shock absorbers, a sport-tuned, speed-dependent steering system and larger, 19in wheels etc. For more specific information read the press release bellow.

Dynamic driving characteristics with stiffened chassis settings: The chassis settings for the new Volvo XC90 SE Sport have been refined and specifically developed on UK roads to increase genuine driving pleasure. The shock absorbers have stiffer rebound rates and the anti-roll bars are stiffer (front +0.5mm; rear +1.0mm) to offer a high level of stability when cornering. The speed dependent steering has also been adapted to offer quick steering response. Furthermore, Volvo’s self-levelling system, Nivomat, has been fine-tuned to offer great stability and driving control.

Sport interior and upholstery: The interior design is customised with a more dynamic and exclusive feel. Figure-hugging sports seats, offering additional lateral cushioning to support the driver, even in faster cornering, give a more sporty character together with a sport steering wheel and gear selector of perforated leather. The leather seats use a combination of two different grades of leather with contrasting piping, while the instrument dials feature metal chronograph watch-style faces with a shimmering blue lustre.

Distinctive and sporty exterior: The Volvo XC90 Sport is distinguished by double chromed exhaust pipes and the addition of a unique paint colour, Passion Red. Extended body coloured wheel arch extenders emphasise the distinctive, larger five-spoke 19in Vulcanis alloy wheels – available in silver bright or diamond cut with contrasting effect – which are fitted with 255/50 R19W Pirelli P Zero Rosso tyres. In addition, exterior trim will have a satin silver finish, rather than the standard chrome, with the lower skid plate also in satin silver. The unique sill mouldings are in brushed stainless steel.

To accentuate the car’s sporty nature and create a sleeker appearance, roof rails are not fitted – although they will be available as a no cost option, if required.

V8 and 3.2-litre six-cylinder petrol engines, or D5 five-cylinder turbodiesel: There are two petrol and one diesel available for the XC90 SE Sport - Volvo’s V8 (315PS) and its new 3.2-litre (238PS) six-cylinder petrol engines, plus the latest generation, 2.4-litre D5 (185PS) five-cylinder turbodiesel. All three are very powerful and energy-efficient engines that contribute to the driving enjoyment. The engines are extremely compact and are transversely mounted in the engine bay for the best possible safety and to maximise cabin space. All three engines are available with six-speed Geartronic transmissions, while a six-speed manual is offered with the D5.

Technorati Tags: Volvo+XC90+SE+Sport, press+release, pictures, images, autos, auto+news, automobile, cars, automotive,

Pope Benedict XVI Receives Custom Volvo XC90

No German car for Pope Benedict XVI as the Catholic church leader received a new Volvo XC90 that has been custom tailored for his personal use. During a June 28 ceremony at the Vatican, the Pope was presented with the keys to the SUV. The V8 version vehicle is dark blue with a light interior and Volvo officials say the car, like every Volvo XC90, is designed for safety with features like ROPS (rollover protection system).

Press Release

Volvo Cars presented His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, with one of its Sport Utility Vehicles. The keys of the car have been delivered to the Pope in the Vatican, on Wednesday June 28th, with a short ceremony after the Papal Audience.

On Wednesday June 28, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has received the keys of the Volvo XC90 that Volvo Car Corporation has presented him with. The delivery of the keys to the Pope has taken place in the Vatican, during a short ceremony after the Papal Audience.

To represent Volvo Cars, Gerry Keaney, Vice President Volvo Car Corporation, Marketing Sales and Service, Pascal Bellemans, President Volvo Auto Italia, and Michele Crisci, General Manager Volvo Auto Italia attended. The Volvo XC90 delivered to the Pope – and fitted for His personal use – is a V8 version. It is a dark blue XC90 with light interiors.

"We are absolutely happy and proud of the opportunity we had to give a car to the Pope. Safety has always been a no-compromise must for Volvo; no doubt, our strong commitment to safeguard lives could not get a higher and more touching recognition", said Pascal Bellemans, President Volvo Auto Italia.

Technorati Tags: Pope+Benedict+XVI, Popemobile, Volvo+XC90, autos, auto+news, automotive, cars, automobile, pictures,images

2007 Volvo XC90 Facelift

At the end of May, Volvo is going to reveal a facelifted version of its XC90 SUV (2007 model). The most important exterior changes concern the new front & rear light clusters and redesigned bumpers that give the XC90 a more aggressive look. Also, the 2007 XC90 gets new auxiliary turn signals, which are housed in the side mirrors. In the interior Volvo enhances the XC90 with new materials and chrom-plated elements.

Aesthetics aside, the most significant change of the 2007 XC90 is well hidden under its hood as the Swedish SUV gets Volvo’s new straight 6 engine that was previewed in the 2007 S80. The 3,2 litre engine produces 235 Hp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm.

Technorati Tags: 2007, Volvo+XC90, facelift, autos, auto+news, automotive, images, pictures