Press Release From Volvo Special Vehicles

Volvo is unveiling the ultimate factory-built police car today (2 September 2008) at the National Association of Police Fleet Manager’s (NAPFM) Conference in Cheltenham.

The Volvo V70 police car was designed and developed in conjunction with the NAPFM, National Police Improvement Agency, Police Federation and users. Volvo will build the fully equipped V70 estate on the standard production line in Torslanda, Sweden, offering a turn key solution to the British Police Force.

Volvo believes this is the first time a fully equipped frontline UK police car has been available to factory order and is confident of immediate interest from authorities who have been used to a car spending several months having special kit fitted before being able to put it into service. Customers can expect delivery of their Volvo V70 Turn Key police car within 12-14 weeks from their initial order.

All elements of the new Volvo V70 Turn Key police car are factory built for UK forces from the battenburg livery and lightbar to all radio prep/wiring and a master control panel. The factory fitted options list reads slightly differently to usual and includes the VASCAR speed detection system, a police surveillance video camera and a two dog cage.

This is added to Volvo’s already unique tried and tested police chassis, which includes self leveling suspension and special 17.5 inch brakes and reinforced alloy wheels which further improve stopping distances and brake disc cooling.

With Duty of Care being at the top of the wish list for all police authorities, having a car that is fully designed, built and supported in the aftermarket by the manufacturer is another huge plus point for the Volvo V70 Turn Key.

Volvo first announced its intentions to design and build the ultimate Turn Key police car at last year’s NAPFM conference. Now, 12 months on, after taking into consideration the wish lists of all UK police authorities, Volvo has delivered the complete car with a range of petrol, diesel and FlexiFuel engines.

“Volvo has worked with its partners to deliver what police forces want from a typical patrol car and we are confident it will be a big hit. Being able to factory order a car and know it will be ready for immediate action when it arrives is a significant benefit and it also addresses the Duty of Care commitments of police authorities. We believe this car takes the UK police market to a new level,” said Sarah Tottle, Volvo UK’s special vehicles manager.

[Source: Volvo via Automobile]

It uses a Driver Alert Control system that watches the cars relation to the lanes. It can detect when the driver is drifting too far in the lane and will warn the driver that it's time for a break. Additionally, the Volvo models will get some Adaptive Cruise Control as well, which is becoming more and more familiar as of late. [Crave]

Volvo Cars Move Into HD Radio Revolution &mdash Big Time

Boston, MA, November 27, 2007 - Announced today at the Boston International Auto Show, Volvo will be the first automotive manufactures in the U.S. to offer innovative digital HD Radio technology on almost all models. Equipped with the HD Radio system, Volvo owners will enjoy a higher-quality AM/FM radio system that features more channel choices, crystal-clear sound and new data services. Volvo Cars of North America, LLC will be offering factory installed HD Radio receivers as standard and optional equipment.

"We believe Volvo will have the largest standard equipped HD Radio technology fleet in the world. Our drivers expect the highest quality in every aspect of their vehicles," Dirk Bott, Vice President Brand, Business & Product, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. "Adding HD Radio capability to our S40 T5, V50 T5, C30, C70, S80, V70, XC70 and XC90 models truly makes our audio systems state of the art, giving Volvo drivers an even more enjoyable driving experience." Introduction is scheduled for Fall of 2008.

HD Radio technology is the most significant advancement in radio broadcasting since the introduction of FM stereo. Across the United States, more than 1,500 AM and FM stations are broadcasting using HD Radio technology and more than 700 are offering subscription-free HD2 multicast channels on the FM dial. These channels feature fresh new music and news formats, showcase young artists and local bands, as well as air non-English language programming and more.

HD Radio broadcasters also offer valuable information that appears on the HD Radio receivers' display screen, such as song title and artist, traffic and weather updates, news, school closings and other emergency alerts. In addition, there are no fees or costs associated with this information. For a complete list of HD Radio stations currently broadcastings in the United States, please visit http://www.hdradio.com/

An innovative technology that allows broadcasters to offer digital services in addition to analog signals while remaining in their existing frequencies, the HD Radio system is being or has been tested in many countries throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Switzerland, Thailand and Ukraine.

Looks like if you want serious Swedish muscle, you'll have to contract with powerlifter Magnus Önerud. Volvo released details on its new R Design package and there's not a single performance upgrade in sight. Not that we'd expected anything, considering the company's abandoned its S60 R and V70 R models. It's all cosmetics, like satin matte-finish grille ad side mirrors; color-coordinated bumpers and lower side moldings; rear or roof spoilers, and five-spoke aluminum wheels in 17- or 18-inch outside, and blackish seats with contrasting cream-colored leather, leather-trimmed steering wheel with R-design logo, aluminum pedals, center stack and door inlays, and tufted dark sport floor mats on the inside. It'll be available by year's end on the C30, S40 and V50 models in Europe. – Mike Spinelli

Press Release:

Spice up your Volvo with R-design - the choice for a refined taste

Volvo Cars is now introducing R-design - an exclusive factory-fitted options package for customers who want a car with refined attributes.

R-design will initially be available on the Volvo C30, Volvo S40 and Volvo V50 as of autumn 2007.

"The possibility of tailoring one's car to suit personal tastes is becoming increasingly important to car buyers today. R-design has been developed for buyers who want a refined and sporty look for their cars," says Gerry Keaney, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Cars.

Customers can choose between 10 exterior colours, and the R-design badge in the grille is accompanied by a range of specially designed exterior and interior details.

Exterior features include a satin matt-finish grille, colour co-ordinated bumpers and lower side mouldings, rear or roof spoiler, satin matt-finish door mirror caps and five-spoke aluminium wheels (17 inches, 18 inches available as option). There is also a decotrim on the tailgate of the C30 and V50.

Contrasting seats

Inside the car there are seats in off-black Vulcaflex with the seat cushion and backrest in contrasting cream-coloured leather. The R-design logo embossed on the backrest and the contrasting stitching reinforce the seats' sporty appearance.

Other R-design interior details include the leather-trim steering wheel with its R-design logo, the unique combi instrument, aluminium pedals, specially designed aluminium centre stack and door inlays, gear selector with aluminium inlay and tufted dark sport floor mats with contrasting light leather seams.

A selection of R-design features will also be available as accessories.

Emotional and extrovert

"R-design is entirely in line with the accelerated focus on making our cars more extrovert and emotional. It gives the buyers the opportunity to spice up the already distinct personality of these car models," says Steve Mattin, Senior Vice President and Design Director at Volvo Cars..

Related:
Volvo to Call Cosmetic Package R-Design [internal]

We don't remember seeing a press release on the V70, nor do we remember reading anything about it other than quickly grabbed spy shots and camera phone shots, but apparently the rest of the world knows something we don't. But no longer! The world and Auto Motor und Sport aren't the only folks with the pics and deets of Volvo's new Sweden-wagon. With the looks of an S80 and the ass-end curves of a C30, this wagon's got itself some cargo-carrier room on top of the obviousness of its family-haulerness. The V70's also supposed to have a variety of engines on the Euro side of the Atlantic from which to choose. For starters there'll be the 2.4-liter diesel four-cylinder with 143 hp and 250 ft-lbs. of torque, a five-cylinder diesel rated at 185 hp and 295 ft-lbs. of torque, a 2.5-liter turbo gas engine weighing in at 285 hp and 221 ft-lbs. of torque and a top-o-the-engine-line-up 3.2-liter inline-six whirring away at 285 hp and 295 ft-lbs. of torque. And lordy us, there's also a high-performance V8 model expected in the near future. Well, there — we knew we'd find something to get excited about. Gallery below and we're certain we'll have more on this Euro-show model coming soon. – Ray Wert

[via Autoblog]

Related:
Spy Photos: Volvo XC70 [internal]

More cameraphone shots of new Volvo station wagons? Why yes, thanks for asking. Le French site Cardisiac posted some secret shotage of what's likely the next XC70 allroader wagon, taken at an undisclosed corporate location. According to the Wiki, the next V70 and XC70 will assume the S80 platform, which means V8 power is likely. College of William and Mary window sticker optional. – Mike Spinelli

Prochaine Volvo XC70 : elle arrive ! [Cardisiac]

Related:
Spy Photos: 2009 Volvo V70 [internal]

Uff da! Ford's Scandanavian unit is calling back 360,000 C70 and V70 models built between 1999 and 2002 because of a faulty speed-control module that can cause the vehicle to lapse into limp-home mode, giving the vehicles a terminal velocity of a stonking 15 mph. That could make for a long goddamn slog from IKEA, we tell you whut. – Davey G. Johnson

Volvo recalls 360,000 cars for speed control bug [Reuters]

Related:
It's Not a Total Recall: Volvo Will Extend Warranty to Correct Stalling Issues [Internal]

EXKLUSIVA BILDER - Vi avsl jar nya Volvo V70! [teknikensvarld.se]

Related:
Spy Photos: 2008 Volvo XC70 [internal]