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Volvo
Volvo of Sweden, grouped beneath the corporate umbrella of Ford Motor Company, for 2007 shows cars in nine alphanumeric orders. In Volvo nomenclature, S signifies a sedan, C represents the coupe/convertible, V denotes a five-door wagon and XC means all-wheel-drive (AWD) outdoor versatility vehicle. Platforms use two-digit numbers to denote size in descending order from the Volvo SUV at 90 to a mid-size 80 sedan, 70 series wagons or coupe/convertible and 60 series sedans plus compact-class 50 sports wagons, 40 sports sedans and the new 30 hatchback coupes.
Volvo's largest sedan the S80 is also the line's most luxurious model. Recast in 2007 with a larger package and the five-seat cabin packing more comforts, S80 for 2008 offers three engine options -- a big 4.4-liter V8 kicking 311 hp, a 3.2-liter in-line-six with 235 hp or the new 3.0-liter straight-six turbo worth 285 hp. S80 3.2 employs front-wheel-drive (FWD) traction, but T6 and V8 versions have the Haldex all-wheel-drive (AWD) system aboard. Occupant protection is paramount with high-tech gear options like a collision alarm or the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) using cameras to detect concealed vehicles.
Newest -- and smallest -- vehicle from Volvo the C30 is a slick hatchback coupe of sub-compact size packing a zippy turbo-charged engine and the cabin with seats for four plus lots of on-board safety equipment. Volvo's 2.4-liter five-cylinder light-pressure turbo engine makes 227 hp. Six air bags, an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and Volvo's Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC) are standard safety features on both C30 models -- Version 1.0 and Version 2.0. Lots of options invite customizing with 17 paint choices and add-ons like bi-xenon headlamps, BLIS cameras and a Dynaudio audio kit.
The sleek two-door C70 works as a swoopy coupe or breezy convertible with the conversion from hardtop to drop-top occurring with push-button ease. Extensive safety systems are aboard the C70, including innovative inflatable curtain-style air bags concealed in side doors. Engine is Volvo's 2.4-liter five-cylinder light-pressure turbo boosted in 2008 issues to 227 hp. An automatic five-speed is available, or the manual six-speed. Real wood lines the center control panel and console now and leather wraps the steering wheel and gearshift knob. Also, there are improved air vents aboard and a concise new design for the hand brake.
Volvo's compact-class cars -- S40 for the four-door sports sedan and V50 for a five-door wagon -- measure smaller than most other Volvos but contain the performance and safety hardware that define the larger models. Entry point is the 2.4i with a 2.4-liter plant netting 168 hp. T5 gets Volvo's 2.5-liter low-pressure turbo with a power boost this year to 227 hp, and T5 AWD adds all-wheel grip via Haldex. To each S40 and V50 model for 2008 there are multiple equipment packages available plus optional BLIS cameras for detection of blind-spot vehicles.
S60 sedans segment into three models in 2008 with the S60 2.5T FWD, S60 2.5T AWD and S60 T5 FWD. 2.5T models employ Volvo's 2.5-liter light-pressure turbo through a five-speed automatic with optional Geartronic mode. T5 stocks a 2.4-liter high-pressure turbo tuned to 257 hp with the five-speed Geartronic automatic. For 2.5T editions, an optional Premium Package applies the five-speed Geartronic transmission, along with a rearview mirror with auto-dimming feature plus a built-in compass. And there are new body paint colors like Black Stone and Maple Red.
Volvo's V70 mid-size wagons are being redesigned for 2008 to emphasize passenger safety -- particularly children riding in the rear seats. A reinforced structure surrounding the passenger compartment uses high strength steel on flanks to minimize side penetration from a collision plus there's a new type of curtain-style side air bags rigged with two separate chambers -- one shielding the hips and another for the chest. Powertrains come from the S80 including a 3.2-liter in-line-six for 235 hp. Expect the list of options to encompass a collision warning system, the BLIS cameras and active bi-xenon headlights.
Once called Cross Country, the XC70 variation of the V70 wagon has AWD and the suspension hiked for travel over non-paved terrain. Structural elements and mechanical hardware are derived from V70 in a new generation of designs for 2008. Safety gear includes Volvo's side impact protection system (SIPS) with side air bags plus new dual-chamber curtain-style air bags positioned above side windows. Powertrains compare to the V70 but the XC70 adds the Haldex AWD traction system plus Volvo's FOUR-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) shock damping with three settings -- comfort, sport and advanced.
Volvo's XC90 SUV, built on the mid-size car platform, is svelte in design, expansive in size (a third-row bench option raises seat capacity to seven) and loaded with safety systems plus optional AWD traction. XC90 3.2 totes a 3.2-liter in-line-six rated at 235 hp with a six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission. XC90 V8 with Volvo's 4.4-liter V8 delivers 311 hp and has standard AWD traction. A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) comes on either edition, while the V8 version gains new 18-inch Camulus alloy wheels and Sapeli wood inlays. XC90 V8 Sport adds leather seating surfaces with contrasting trim.
