Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: Yes
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: No
Euro Snobs: Yes
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: Yes
Soccer Moms: YES!
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Also Consider:
• Audi allroad
• BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon
• The V70 T5 that Joshman seems a bit desperate to sell
• Mercedes R320 CDI

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Volvo
• Model year: 2009
• Base Price: $39,500
• Price as Tested: $46,985
• Engine type: 3.0-liter I6
• Horsepower: 281 @ 5,600 RPM
• Torque: 295 @ 1,500 RPM
• Transmission: 6-speed Geartronic Auto
• Curb Weight: 4,092 lbs
• LxWxH: 190.5" x 73.3" x 63.0"
• Wheelbase: 110.0"
• Tires: P235/55R17
• 0 - 60 mph: 7.2 Seconds
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 15/22 MPG
• Jalopnik Estimated Fuel Economy: 15.42 (post-Hurricane Conditions)
• NHTSA crash test rating: N/A

Also see:

• 2009 Volvo XC70 T6, Part One
• 2009 Volvo XC70 T6, Part Two

Acceleration: ***
If you're going to get an XC70, pay the extra for the T6 version. The 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six pumps out 281 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of glorious torque. Though not as punchy as BMW's comparable I6, the Volvo has a fairly linear power delivery and propels the heavy (hey, safety has a cost) AWD wagon off-the-line with surprising vigor. Will you get smoked by a 3-series wagon? Probably. But if you're buying an XC70 you're not racing people at stop lights. You're racing to a sale at Crate & Barrel, and for those rare moments the kids are at their grandparents', you'll be able to race home and make clumsy love to your translucently pale yuppie bride.

Braking: **
The brakes work well, bringing all that safety equipment to a rest quickly and with quick distribution of stopping power to all wheels. The biggest shortcoming, especially if you're going to constantly slam on the brakes, is an uncomfortable mechanical feedback at about 80% brake engagement. Most people may not even notice it but it bugged the hell out of me.

Ride: ****
If you opt for the light-colored leather interior and have kids, there's always the risk of having little Madison or Tristan spill organic juice everywhere after hitting a pothole. The addition of larger shocks makes sure it'll stay in the bottle. The big Volvo manages to maintain a smooth, mostly luxurious ride without feeling too disengaged from the road.

Handling: ***
Anyone buying an XC70 and expecting a corner carver is going to be disappointed. It's a wide, raised wagon with all-season tires that weighs more than 3,600 pounds. Despite everything working against the Volvo it handles well, with the AWD noticeably kicking in only when pushing it beyond reasonable limits (though you'll definitely notice it when it kicks in). Calling it an off-roader is maybe pushing it, but it runs across dirt paths with the sure-footed confidence of a small SUV.

Gearbox: **
Left alone, the six-speed transmission adjusts to changes quickly and, lacking a Sport mode, chooses fairly aggressive shift points if you slam on the go pedal. The geartronic autostick is super annoying, though. You can almost hear the Volvo's internal computer asking "f'real?" (or whatever the Swedish equivalent of "f'real" is), pausing for a second, and then letting you shift. It's fine for in-traffic maneuvering, but let the autostick do its job if you're going to start doing Lewis Hamilton impressions.

Audio: ***
The controls of the Dynaudio surround system are ridiculous, but the inclusion of a numeric keypad means you can program up to 9 favorites, which is helpful if you're going to use the satellite radio to scan for the latest political news or, if you're a Volvo owner, world music. But it doesn't make up for the fact that you have to click through four menu buttons to change the tiny display from showing you a band name (say, Ladysmith Black Mambazo) to an album name (Long Walk To Freedom) at which point you'll have already crashed through a fence. The sound is great, though. Clear. Strong. Great.

Toys: **
The toys are great for a parent, but less than stellar for a kid or kid-at-heart. Integrated child seats that fold out of the regular seat. Boring. Headphone ports for kids in the back. Who cares? Fold-flat seats? Meh. Integrated Bluetooth phone system? Seen it on a Caliber.

Value: **
At $39,500 for the no-frills T6, there's nothing at all that's a great deal about the XC70. It is expensive and the price rockets up after a few completely necessary adjustments if you're a parent. If you're even thinking about shopping for an XC Volvo wagon you don't really care. At the end of the day, it is a niche premium vehicle, and seen through that prism it isn't that bad.

Overall: ***
If you need or, more accurately, think you need an AWD, rugged off-road premium station wagon with a cozy leather interior weighed down with every imaginable piece of safety equipment, then this is the car for you. It isn't a large niche (explaining why the allroad is the only real competition) but it fills it well and it has something important over the competition: it's a Volvo. That means something to some people and, after a little more than a week with this one, it means something to me. I'm not ready to trade in my balls for a balanced stock portfolio, three kids and a five-bedroom Tudor in Grosse Pointe, but if I did the XC70 would be near the top of my list.

Also see:

• 2009 Volvo XC70 T6, Part One

It's not that Houston was as bad as New Orleans after Katrina, or that city managers did a particularly bad job — it's just that when nearly two million businesses and households lose power, a city suddenly becomes devoid of supplies and the mayor of your town goes on the radio and says 'oh yeah, the water might not be safe to drink,' you don't feel so safe and secure anymore. It was a minor apocalypse.

Safe is good. I'm young, but any feeling of invincibility I had quickly evaporated after the 13th time I was nearly t-boned at an intersection (90% of Houston's traffic lights were damaged or without power in the days after the storm). For some reason, a large percentage of Houstonians either never learned a broken stoplight becomes a regular four-way stop or (more likely) just didn't care. A scary prospect when the streets are full of utility trucks.

Driving became a contact sport, and I was comforted with the thought that I'd be driving myself and my loved ones around in the safe confines of a Volvo. I thought, "what the hell?" The worst thing that could happen is one of the thousands of cherry-pickers in the area runs right into me and one of Volvo's many acronyms will help me out. Something like WHIPS or HSS or VIC or SIPS. I don't know what those are but they gotta help, right?

In a serious disaster you're going to want a Unimog with a gun turret. But the XC70, which is essentially a lifted AWD V70 wagon with a more rugged body, actually turned out to be kind of the perfect car for this sort of mild-disaster. If you have to trot off the road to get around a downed power line, the Volvo handles itself well in the dirt, finding traction and redistributing power appropriately. I wouldn't try to invade a foreign country with it, but the extra ground clearance and AWD made jumping curbs easy — and trust me, you'll jump a lot of curbs in a disaster area. Stuck behind a 100-car-long gas line? Jump the curb. High water? Jump the curb. H-E-B Groceries has ice? Jump the curb.

Compared to a truck, which is the typical go-to vehicle in these situations, the XC70 also performs well in more aggressive on-road driving. This came in handy while driving along a city street only to suddenly discover what looked like the remains of a small forest stacked not on the sidewalk but in the middle of the street. When there's a devastating emergency, like what took place further south in Galveston, the authorities are everywhere with yellow tape and barriers. All the debris and damage in Houston was marked with these little orange flags you wouldn't see until it was too late.

This was the T6 version of the XC70, meaning it was equipped with the torquey turbocharged inline-6, which provides ample oomph for the heavy wagon. I wasn't running away from angry looters or anything dramatic like that, but a curfew was in place in Houston requiring everyone to get home by a certain hour. Also, the lack of anyone working in downtown Houston meant relatively empty roads for a while (might as well make the most of a tough situation, right?).

You know what you need in a minor disaster? Bright-ass lights. There's either no power or, if there is power, the lights are broken anyway. After shitting in the dark for a few days I learned to love the light and not care that I was that asshole with the too-bright lights shining in everyone else's face and mirrors. The XC70 has dual xenon headlights with "active bending" that turn around the corner when you do, which came in handy when I turned the corner of my parking garage only to find a big ass hole in the freaking floor marked by a couple of small cones.

The tough Volvo, offering more space than its V70 XC predecessor, is also a good place to store goods. This was a nice feature when I realized I had to throw out all of the rotting food in my refrigerator and all that was left was a can of tuna. After a few days without power or restaurants I may never be able to eat canned meats again. A trip to the now-open supermarket to fill up on fresh veggies, meats and replacements for discarded condiments barely dented the XC70's cargo space, which is even more impressive when the rear seats are folded flat.

At the end of the day I made out a lot better than most people. I have all of my stuff. I was able to find the Internet and keep working. I got my power back. I also had a chance to put the Volvo's "Cross Country Club" reputation to the test. And like my fellow Southeast Texas residents, the Volvo stepped up when it counted. This all came together when I handed off the XC70's keys to the valet at a local pizzeria, one of the first places to get power. With the minor disaster fading, my yuppie ass was safe and, in true Houston fashion, my yuppie ass was about to get fed.

As the web's finest accountants of all things-amino, we'd have to say this is the first XC70 truck that we've seen but we like it. Given its AWD setup and ultrawide B-pillar, we're seeing a lot of Subaru BRAT in this design. And that's a very good thing.

[Bilfeber via Carscoop]

XC70 SR Press Release

Las Vegas, NV (October 30, 2007) - Southern California's lifeguards have been glamorized by Hollywood for decades. While they share the spirit of adventure and camaraderie, these dedicated men and women are highly trained professionals who take safety very seriously.

Guided by the surfing lifestyle and casual beach culture, the XC70 SR's brilliant yellow and red paint scheme is authenticated by Catalina Island's City of Avalon official seal. The Volvo XC70 is capable of back-country emergency duty; all-terrain victim support services and a broad array of rescue missions that are critical to those in need.

"California's picturesque Catalina Island, and its historic city of Avalon, hosts tourists and sportsmen from around the world. Its unique deep canyon terrain, remote wilderness areas, deep water coves, secluded surf spots and hard-to-reach campsites and anchorages make rescue operations a top priority," said Catalina's spokesman, Wayne Griffin. "The impressive Volvo concept model is equipped to meet the real world needs of emergency service providers in Catalina and wherever all-access, fast response vehicular support is demanded. With high service demands here on the island, a flexible use rescue unit would be an asset; this concept vehicle could realistically meet our many unique evac demands including the many surf related incidents we respond to every year," he added.

The Volvo Catalina Island Rescue unit epitomizes the company's slogan and offers rescue operations specialists a glimpse of what is possible - a safe, comfortable and capable response support vehicle from a manufacturer committed to the idea that human life is to be celebrated and preserved.

Wrapped with eye-catching Surf Rescue graphics and City of Avalon insignia, the concept model can be easily seen on a crowded beach, in deep canyon terrain or from air support equipment. It sports a custom-crafted front fascia that wears a one-off milled aluminum billet grille. Front and rear skid plates and wider wheel lip cladding has been added for extra body protection from flying sand. The new fascias also reduce front and rear overhang, thereby improving approach and departure angles.

The chassis has been lifted an additional five inches from the stock ride height for improved ground clearance. It also makes way for a massive set of custom designed 20-inch wheels and Pirelli 275/45R20 tires sporting a unique tread pattern for increased traction. The rear subframe has been beefed-up for added ruggedness with milled aluminum billet components.

True to form, the XC70 SR is topped by a unique aerodynamically designed roof-mounted emergency light bar integrated with a rescue board rack. Not only does this treatment contribute to the stunning good looks of the vehicle, it also helps to reduce wind drag by attaching directly to the XC70's OEM supplied roof rails.

When it's time to respond to a call, the driver or front passenger can activate a barrage of flashing blue strobe emergency lights. In addition to the roof, they're neatly inset into the lower front valance panel, headlight and rear combination light clusters as well as the inside rearview mirror.

Lifeguards get wet and sandy on the job so the interior has been modified for heavy-duty use - without sacrificing style. The XC70's standard front bucket and folding rear seats have been recovered in wetsuit style neoprene fabric that's custom tailored in black and gray with bright yellow inserts. Decorative interior panels throughout the cabin are tinted yellow to segue with the spirit of the exterior hue.

Bulky emergency rescue gear housed in the cargo compartment can easily be accessed via the XC70's power rear tailgate. Secured to the neoprene covered floor are two scuba tanks, an oxygen tank, a small first aid kit, a resuscitator box and a large waterproof box containing additional medical supplies and surf rescue equipment.

The XC70's 3.2-liter in-line 6-cylinder normally aspirated engine produces 235 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. It's mated to a six-speed "Geartronic" automatic transmission that enables the driver to shift manually when desired. All-wheel-drive with Instant TractionTM is standard. Electronic Hill Descent Control (HDC) uses the vehicle's brakes and engine torque to crawl in bottom gear on steep downhill slopes.

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.

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.

Related:
LA Auto Show: Stick a Volvo C30 in Your Ear [Internal]

All-new Volvo XC70: Refining the Package of Success

Volvo is re-defining the "crossover" segment with next generation luxury, technology and capability

New York, NY (April 4, 2007) - When the first XC model from Swedish auto marque Volvo took to the American roads in 1997, sales success and an entirely new Cross Country segment soon followed.

Ten year later, the third-generation XC70 makes its North American debut by rolling into the spotlight at the New York International Auto Show. The original recipe is still intact, but now Volvo's crossover vehicle has added luxury as well as even greater capabilities for adventure.

The original XC exceeded Volvo's sales expectations largely based on the vehicle's appeal to consumers in the United States. For them, the XC70 served the functionality of an SUV, while providing the distinctive Volvo feel of a true premium car. The term "crossover" emerged.

The XC70 badge has retained its power of attraction since introduction with the current generation reaching peak sales over 24,000 in the United States. "We had a winning concept from the very outset and we have continuously refined it," says Fredrik Arp, president and CEO of Volvo Car Corp. "The all-new XC70 maintains its tough, capable attitude while at the same time growing more comfortable. Additionally, our design team has given the vehicle a more elegant, more luxurious look."

Perfect For an Active Lifestyle

Whether it's picking up the kids from school, navigating city traffic for a night on the town, or negotiating the wilderness half way up a mountain, the all-new XC70 is equal to the task.

With an elevated feel and driving dynamics that are exhilarating yet comfortable, the roomy yet luxurious interior of the all-new XC70 is peerless in functional versatility. Beyond perception and image, the owners of this lifestyle vehicle make their choice of the all-new XC70 because they intend to fully exploit its capabilities.

"The XC70 has primarily been created to get you to the end of the road. But it has also shown its ability to take you further if you want, or dare, to. A couple of years ago, we organized a test-drive in the Baja of Mexico on some of the worse 'roads' imaginable - as close to off-road as you could get. Even the most hardened adventurers were impressed by what the XC70 could handle," Arp recalls.

Flexing its muscles still further, the all-new XC70 is available with a 3.2 in-line six-cylinder engine. In the new model, the electronically controlled all-wheel drive from Haldex of Sweden can be supplemented with a Four-C active chassis, which enables personalization with three distinct driver settings: comfort, sport and advanced. Also new in this XC70 is an industry world's first height-adjustable booster cushion further enhancing child safety, and a Hill Descent Control feature, ventilated seats and a world-class sound system which contribute to a comfortable and pleasurable driving experience. These features clearly illustrate the dual personality, and all-around versatility, of the all-new XC70.

An American Love Affair

In the United States, the XC70 has garnered press association awards including Best All-Weather Wagon in New England, Best in Class wins at the Texas Truck Rodeo, Mudfest honors in the Pacific Northwest, and Best Overall Vehicle of the Rockies.

The all-new Volvo XC70 will reach North American dealers in October of this year.

Although the show's in Geneva, it seems like the real reveals are occurring out here in the inter-wilds, with the 2008 model of the Volvo XC70 the latest victim of the always-on and always-at-the-ready world wide web. While we sit here and further contemplate the meaninglessness of embargoes, why don't you take a look at the gallery below and of Volvo's AWD sports wagon. Oh yeah, and it doesn't appear as though there's a V8 in the offing as of yet — but the stats in the release below the jump appear to only be for the euro version, with the US version still being pretty-ed up for release later in the year. – Ray Wert

THE ALL NEW VOLVO XC70 - CAPABLE, SPORTY AND READY FOR ADVENTURE

-Significantly enhanced levels of refinement and all road capability

-Offers unparalleled levels of athleticism, versatility and safety in the premium estate class

-Powered by a 185 PS D5 diesel and a 238 PS 3.2-litre petrol

Volvo's boldly styled and intelligently configured all new Volvo XC70 AWD (all-wheel drive) estate offers significantly improved levels of all-road-all-weather ability and an engaging driving experience combined with class-leading safety features, load-carrying versatility and refined passenger comfort.

Performance

The all new XC70 offers both performance and fuel economy with Volvo's naturally aspirated 3.2-litre straight six-cylinder petrol engine and its second generation 2.4-litre five-cylinder D5 turbo diesel engine.

The D5 turbo diesel, with 185 PS and 400 Nm, packs a full technical punch and features double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder technology, an electronically controlled turbocharger, a maintenance-free particle filter, a more advanced multi-point injection system and an enhanced engine management system. It accelerates to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds (manual) and on to a 130 mph maximum speed.

The D5 is available as a 6-speed manual gearbox or Volvo's six-speed Geartronic transmission, which gives the driver the choice of automatic or manual shifting. Designed by Volvo in Sweden and built in Bridgend in Wales, the 3.2-litre naturally aspirated straight-six petrol engine is both powerful and amazingly compact, producing 238 PS and maximum torque of 320 Nm. The engine's aluminium block and head are structurally optimised to balance low weight and stiffness. There are twin overhead camshafts and 24-valves (four per cylinder) to provide optimal engine breathing. ()_Engine breathing is further improved by Volvo's patented CPS (Cam Profile Switching) system that features two completely different intake cam profiles machined onto the same camshaft. Available with Geartronic transmission only, the 3.2-litre powers 0 to 60mph acceleration in 8.1 seconds and achieves a 134mph top speed.

Driving Dynamics

Underpinned by advanced new chassis architecture, the all new Volvo XC70 delivers an agile and rewarding driving experience that combines exceptional driver control, outstanding ride comfort and secure road holding.

Extensive use of high-strength steels throughout the all new XC70 has boosted torsional rigidity by 15 percent compared to the previous model and particular focus on chassis technology, the suspension system and engine installation ensures that the XC70 delivers good stability and torsional rigidity.

The all new XC70 is also fitted with Volvo's DSTC (dynamic stability and traction control), which enhances cornering stability and reduces the risk of a skid by utilising feedback from numerous dynamic sensors to reduce engine torque and apply carefully calculated braking.

Four-C, Volvo's advanced active chassis technology with electronically controlled damper adjustment, is also available. "With an active chassis, the car's driving properties improve in all situations," says Volvo Cars XC70 Project Director, Tomas Ahlborg. "It becomes both safer and more entertaining to drive."

Cross Country Capability

All road ability is a key XC characteristic and, combined with a stiffer chassis, the all new XC70 is equipped to offer dramatically enhanced cross country capability.

Volvo's engineers and designers paid particular attention to the all new XC70's ground clearance and wading depth as well as its ramp, approach and departure angles. With a ride height 75mm (with 2 occupants) higher than the new Volvo V70 estate, the XC70 has an impressive wading depth of 300 mm and an effective ground clearance of 211 mm. Also, with ramp angles of 19.2 approach, 19.8 breakover and 24 departure, the new XC70 betters the outgoing model (16 , 18 and 20 respectively) in all three areas.

This ability to deal with adverse road conditions is enhanced by a hill descent control (HDC) system that regulates the vehicle's speed on steep downhill gradients in all conditions. The electronic one-touch system - standard on both manual and automatic gearboxes - utilises the brakes to modulatethe amount of torque distributed to each, ensuring the Volvo maintains a steady 6 mph during its descent. Touching either brake or accelerator pedal will speed up or slow your descent speed () in all conditions. Simply press the HDC button to regain full manual control. The HDC system also works in reverse which makes it ideal for tricky manoeuvres such as when launching a boat on a steep slipway.

The all new XC70 is also fitted with Volvo's responsive AWD with Instant Traction system, using an electronically controlled hydraulic clutch to instantly distribute torque to the wheels for the best possible grip in all conditions.

Another feature that enhances the off-road experience is the speed-dependent power steering option which, as its name suggests, delivers more servo assistance at low speeds and less as speeds rise. Ideal for low-speed manoeuvres when tackling slippery surfaces, there are three levels of assistance available and they can be adjusted via Volvo's information and set-up system. To assist on tricky hill starts, the all new Volvo XC70 is fitted with an intelligent PPB (power parking brake) that automatically disengages when the accelerator is pressed and the car pulls away.

Sporty and luxurious

The car's enhanced dynamic ability is complemented by athletic new styling. Its eye-catching new sporty design, headlined by its raked windscreen and tailgate angles, blacked-out side pillars and C30-inspired taillights, are complemented by its tough and practical off-road body kit.

Hard-wearing scratchproof protective cladding along the XC70's flanks and around the wheelarches is complemented by chunkier redesigned bumpers as well as tough chromed front and rear scuff plates that shield the XC70's nose and tail during more arduous off-road work. The all new XC70 models are also fitted with unique XC embossed roof rails as standard. These features, in combination with refined lines and contours, give the all new XC70 a more luxurious, elegant appearance.

"The dark-coloured plastic panels at the bottom are less obvious than on the current model. But as with exclusive outdoor clothing, the protection is placed exactly where it needs to be to withstand the rough stuff," says Volvo Cars Design Director, Steve Mattin. The XC design continues inside with unique leather interior colours, bold cross stitching on the seats, cross-brushed aluminium trim and mesh pockets at the rear.

Estate versatility

The all new Volvo XC70 marries its contemporary Scandinavian style with intuitive functionality, comfort and refinement. The XC70's revised tailgate design is not only a striking design feature, but results in an even larger loading aperture than before, and the boot's size has grown by an effective 55 litres over the outgoing model, to a vast 575 litres. And the XC70's 40-20-40 three-part split rear seat and foldable front passenger seat means 16 different seating combinations for unrivalled versatility in the sector.

The boot floor features adjustable load-securing anchorage points and aluminium rails to secure objects in transit, further helped by the integrated anchorage eyelets in the boot's side panels. Those XC70 drivers who regularly transport heavy or bulky goods can opt for the innovative sliding load floor and optional powered tailgate to boost ease of loading even further.

Boosting usable interior cabin space has resulted in a 48 mm increase in rear legroom and a 21 mm increase in rear knee clearance. Front passengers now enjoy 30 mm of additional shoulder room, while the overall distance between front and rear passengers has been extended by 21 mm. The spacious XC70 cabin is enhanced by its sleek and slim centre console, intelligently configured dashboard and ergonomically correct layout of its controls.

The all new Volvo XC70 is equipped with a first class DSP (digital signal processing) audio system which features Dolby Pro Logic II Surround with adjustable sound pattern and the Premium Sound option offers loudspeakers from Danish audio experts Dynaudio. Integrated RSE system for rear passengers, the latest generation of RTI navigation system, MP3 player compatibility and optional subwoofers are also available.

Class-leading safety

As with all new Volvos, the XC70 is equipped with a raft of ground-breaking active and passive safety features to ensure that it's the safest car in its class. Highlights include improved crumple zones that use differing strength steels to absorb energy during an impact, the same advanced WHIPS (whiplash protection system) as that found in the new S80 and an energy absorbing nose and bonnet.

Mindful of the XC70's higher ground clearance, Volvo has positioned a lower cross-member to supplement the front suspension frame at the height of a conventional car's bumper so that, in the event of a collision, it will strike the other car's protective structure and activate its crumple zone.

Using higher-strength steels in the XC70's side panels significantly enhances the performance of the Volvo's SIPS side impact protection, as do its new dual compartment side-impact airbags, which feature two separate chambers for the hips and for the chest.

Volvo's innovative dual-stage integrated rear child booster seat tops the all new XC70's list of family-oriented safety features. With two heights, this optional adjustable booster cushion is ideal for () children between 95 and 140 cm in height and weighing between 15 and 36 kg. Force limiters on the seatbelts have been adjusted to provide the right amount of tensioning force for children.

A new extended IC (inflatable curtain) airbag, 60 mm longer, boosts child safety by providing superior protection for children of a wide range of heights and sizes.

The Volvo XC70 can also be equipped with a number of advanced electronic driving systems including Volvo's award-winning BLIS (blind spot information system), HBA (hydraulic brake assist), OHB (optimised hydraulic brakes), ACC (adaptive cruise control with collision warning and brake support), active bi-xenon headlamps, radar-controlled collision warning, emergency brake lights, all-round laminated glass and Volvo PCC (personal car communicator), which is used to lock and unlock the car as well informing the owner if the alarm has been triggered or, using a heartbeat monitor, to detect if someone is in the car.

Sales and introduction timings

Since the introduction of the PV445 in 1953, Volvo has dominated the premium estate market. The first XC model was launched in 1996, inventing the cross-over estate concept, and has attracted global sales of around 40,000 units each year.

During its first full year of sales, Volvo expects to sell around 40,000 all new Volvo XC70 models worldwide. Prices of the all new XC70 will be announced in early June, with a September showroom due date and first customer deliveries in October this year. The current Volvo XC70 remains on sale until the autumn.

Related:
What's An Embargo? Volvo V70 Makes A Break Out Onto The Internet; Spy Photos: Volvo XC70 [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]

Carscoop scans the Swedish magazines like nobody's business. Thus, we can get a look at the next Volvo XC70. Judging from the level of doneness — though cautious of any unseen Photoshoppery — this is what we'll see in 2008 when Volvo launches its restyled allroad wagon. Still can't really get an accurate mental view? Picture it with a bunch of William and Mary and University of Pennsylvania stickers on the rear glass. See? Much clearer.

Scooped - 2007 Volvo XC70 ! [Carscoop]

Related:
Spy Photos: 2008 Volvo XC70; Spy Photos: 2009 Volvo V70 [internal]

Darth Volvo? No, It's The 2008 XC70! [Winding Road]

Related:
Volvo Builds Concept XC70 for SEMA [internal]

The guys at Swedespeed posted some shots of Volvo's newest modded up off-road concept car, the XC70 All Terrain (AT), which it plans to unveil at the SEMA show next week. Inspired by the Baja 1000 race, it's got tons of performance and off-road tweaks, including a worked-over (Garrett turbo, modified software) version of the 2.5-liter inline five from the R sport wagon, producing 408hp. Too much to list. Make offer.

Volvo XC70 All Terrain by ipd Custom Built for Almost Anything [SwedeSpeed]

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