Volvo XC90 is a mid-size crossover. It is based on the P2 platform, shared with the Volvo S80 and other large Volvo cars. Volvo XC90 is also Volvo’s best selling model worldwide. The Volvo XC90 SUV is one of the world’s best safety performing luxury SUVs. The Volvo XC90 has been used as bench mark when it comes to safety features such as the front, side, and rear impact crash tests. The Volvo XC90 is also known for the world’s best performance in the SUV roll over test, as many other premium brands neglect to test this feature on their models. The Volvo XC90 front end is specifically designed to absorb frontal impacts and also deflect any pedestrians up on to the hood of the vehicle rather than underneath the bonnet. Volvo has patented the unique frontal structure that has renowned crumple zones, and a pre-determined positions for the engine and other ancillaries during a frontal impact. The updated Volvo XC90 that was scheduled for 2010 introduction, has been canceled. Instead, the current model will undergo a facelift that will keep it on the market until 2012. Volvo has stated that the second generation Volvo XC90 is not canceled altogether, as rumored, but its introduction could be delayed.
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The Volvo XC60 is a product SUV revealed by Volvo at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. According to Wheels24, the Premier Automotive Group had planned to reveal the compact crossover to the public in late 2006. It is scheduled to go on sale for the 2009 model year. The Volvo XC60 is projected to includes traditional Volvo safety features that would include whiplash protection system, side impact protection system, roll stability control, dynamic stability and traction control, inflatable curtain), hill descent control, collision warning with brake support, active bixenon lights, and patented front, side, and rear structures. The CUV also has a safety system called City Safety which brakes the vehicle automatically when traveling under 30 mph (48 km/h). Volvo also implemented the system to assist in towing carvans and trailers. The Volvo XC60 will be offered with a turbo charged six cylinder engine with a Haldex all wheel drive system, and a 6-speed automatic. The turbo 3.0 I6 produces 281 hp (210 kW) and 295 ft·lbf (400 N·m). of torque.
The Volvo 940 is among the last in the long-running line of large rear-wheel drive cars from Volvo. Introduced in 1991, the Volvo 940 was essentially a cosmetic reskinning of the 740. All drivetrains, and most options available in the Volvo 940 had been available in the 740. The Volvo 940 was more closely related to the 740 than the 760, sharing the same dashboard, drivetrain choices, and sheet metal from the A-pillar forward. In contrast, the 960 was an evolution of the 760. The 760 / 960 front sheet metal, independent rear suspension, dashboard, and other interior features were all exclusive to the two upscale models. In the United States, the 1991 940 was offered in three versions: the 940GLE used a 16-valve version of the 2.3-liter engine, the Volvo 940 Turbo used a turbocharged 2.3-liter, and the top-end 940SE (turbo) included body-colored trim, and the premium features (leather, power seats/moonroof, etc.) as standard equipment. In 1992, the 940 GLE was downgraded with a 114 bhp 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine and sold as the 940 GL (or basic 940 in some export markets). The 940 SE was altered in such a fashion that it was a 960 Turbo sold as the 940 SE, but the 940 Turbo remained largely unchanged. Production of the 940 series ended in 1998.
In the U.S., the Volvo 740 was offered from 1985 to 1992 as a 4-door sedan (known internally as the 744) and a 5-door station wagon (known internally as the 745). Production of the 740 ceased in 1992, though the engine, transmission, chassis, and other details lived on in the Volvo 940 (see below), which was essentially a re-skinned 740. Though out of production for close to 15 years, the majority of these cars are still on the road today, thanks to robust construction and engines known to run for hundreds of thousands of miles. In 1990 the Volvo 740 received a minor facelift with new composite headlamps and 780-style tail lights. In 1991, both the 740 and the newly introduced 940 received an updated dashboard, similar in appearance to the ones found in the 760. The Volvo 740 remained mostly unchanged for the 1992 model year, and was phased out in 1993 in favor of the Volvo 940. Aside from styling, 1990 marked a number of mechanical improvements to the 740 series. The B230 motor received larger 13 mm connecting rods. The Volvo 740 Turbo switched from the Garrett T3-series turbocharger to the Mitsubishi TD04 series, offering quicker spool-up and better low-RPM boost at the expense of top-end performance. The fuel system was upgraded from Bosch LH-Jetronic 2.2 to 2.4 (in 1988 for naturally aspirated cars, 1990 for Turbo cars). The newer fuel system offered onboard diagnostics, which are easily accessible from under the hood, and require no special equipment. In 1992, the final year for the 740, the mechanical engine cooling fan was replaced with an electric fan. In short, many of the mechanical lackings of the 1985-89 740s were ironed out in the 1990-92 model years. The 1990-92 Volvo 700-series cars may very well represent one of the most reliable 4-door passenger sedans of its era due to a limited number of engineering limitations and solid build quality.
The Volvo S60 is a compact executive/entry-level luxury sedan. The second generation Volvo S60 is scheduled to arrive to show rooms some time during 2009. This new sedan will show off Volvo’s completely new design language already seen in the Volvo XC60 concept. This new sedan will ride on the same platform as the XC60 and expect to see the next generation V50 become the estate variant for this new sedan. The new Volvo S60, V50, and XC60 will all ride on the Volvo P24 platform. Volvo has confirmed that the new S60 will become the true new rival for the Mercedes C-class, Audi A4 and the BMW 3-series, as Volvo is undergoing new product alignment. The S60 will shrink in size to fit this role more precisely and avoid any confusion with the S80. New features would include the new large Volvo iron symbol, parallel to the grille day running lamps, and larger spaced letters in the brand name on rear. The last of the first generation S60 is set to roll of the factory line in Ghent in December 2008. In early 2008 the new Volvo S60 was sighted on Volvo’s test facility and also sighted parked at Volvo Torslanda Plant. The new entry level luxury sedan is expected to carry over the radical new look of Volvo that was warmly received by the public with the new Volvo XC60. The Volvo S60 is also reported to have the V50 as its new estate version, as the S40 is speculated to end production at the end of the current product cycle in 2009.
The Volvo 850 is a mid-size luxury car, that would also be considered a compact executive car. The Volvo 850 was introduced worldwide as a 1992 model, except for the U.S. where it arrived in the 1993 model year. It was sold as a sedan, with a wagon model on sale from 1994. The 850 was the first model in the U.S. to feature front-wheel drive and an all-aluminum 20-valve five-cylinder engine. The 850 was Volvo’s top-seller in the mid-1990s. In markets outside the U.S. a 10-valve variant of the five-cylinder was popular for its lower cost and better fuel economy. The 850 Turbo Wagon is one of the fastest production station wagons in the world, capable of 250+ km/h (160+ mph) when ungoverned. Production models of the wagon and sedan are electronically governed to approximately 142 mph (229 km/h). In 1996 a Platinum edition of the 850 Turbo was available. The exterior paint for these models came in a metallic pearl platinum-color. The interior was fitted with leather seats and burled walnut accents. Only 120 sedans and 80 wagons were produced for the U.S. market.
The Volvo 200 series was a range of mid-size cars produced by Volvo from 1974 to 1993, over which time more than 2.8 million 240s and 260s were sold worldwide. The 200 series replaced the 140 and 164, and was to have been replaced by the Volvo 700 series introduced in 1982. But the 240 remained extremely popular with consumers and only the 260 was replaced. The 700 series was sold alongside the 240 for another decade. Ironically, the 700 series was eventually replaced a year before the 240 was discontinued. The Volvo 240 was Volvo’s best-selling car from 1975 until 1982. During those years in European markets, its companion was the smaller Volvo 66/300 series. Volvo 240s are still popular as used cars to this day, retaining a reputation for safety and reliability. It’s not uncommon to see a 240 that has over 200,000 miles (320,000 km) on its odometer and is still used as a primary vehicle.
The Volvo 140 was a car built by Volvo. Its model range consisted of the Volvo 142 sedan (two doors), Volvo 144 sedan (four doors) and Volvo 145 estate (station wagon). There was also the 145 Express with a higher roof. It was first introduced in 1967. Production ended in 1974 and the series was replaced by the Volvo 200 series which shared many of the 140 components behind the engine compartment, but boasted a new overhead cam engine and improved suspension and crash resistance. Starting with the 140 series, Volvo used a three number system for their cars. The first number was the series, the second number the number of cylinders and the third number the number of doors. The 140 was the first Volvo to feature the classic “boxy” look which provided a lot of interior space. Compared to the Volvo Amazon, the 140 was a radical new design with the only similar styling features being the split grill and some parts of the interior. Its basic shape would live into the 1990s with the 200 series. The first 140’s used the same 85 hp (63 kW) B18 engine as the Amazon, with both cars later getting the 2 litre B20 engine. Mechanically, the car used many of the same drivetrain components as the Amazon, but also showcased many improvements, including disk brakes on all four wheels. It was named car of the year in 1966 by Swedish magazine Teknikens Värld. Around the same time, the Volvo 164 was produced, which shared much of the 140 series styling (except for the front), but incorporated a 6-cylinder engine.
The Volvo Amazon is a Swedish mid-size car made from 1956 to 1970 by Volvo Cars. It was introduced as an alternative to the Volvo PV sold since 1947. Compared to the PV the Amazon was a very modern car and featured a wider range of body-styles. It is also notable for being the first car to feature three-point seat belts, and the first to have any kind of seat belt as standard equipment. The first Amazon rolled out of the factory in July 1956. The model number of the Amazon is 120. 121 was the base model with a single carburetor 66 bhp (49 kW) engine. The 122S introduced in 1958 was the performance model equipped with a dual carburetor 85 bhp (63 kW) engine. It later included the 130 (two door saloon), 120 (four door saloon) and 220 (4-door estate wagon) models. The design was clearly inspired by American cars of the early 1950s, it was heavily modelled on the Chrysler New Yorker saloon and the Chrysler 300C hardtop Coupe. In an interview the designer Jan Wilsgaard said he was inspired by a Kaiser he saw in the harbour. It originally came with Volvo’s new B16 engine, a 3-speed manual gearbox (H6) and rear wheel drive. In 1958 the sport model, Amazon Sport, was released and later the same year the Amazon became the first series produced car with a two-point safety belt in the front seats as standard. In 1962, Volvo introduced a two door version, an elegant five door wagon, and the new B18 engine, but the two tone paint job and upholstery were no longer available, making interiors rather drab until the introduction of color-coordinated embossed vinyl upholstery and door panels in 1965. The new gearbox selections were the three speed M30 (briefly offered with an automatic electric clutch), the four speed M40 and the M41 with four speed and overdrive. The M31 gearbox was also introduced in 1961 but was only available that year (a three speed fully synchronized gearbox with overdrive on both second and third direct gears). Gearbox options on the 121 were the M30, M31 and M40 while gearbox options on the 122S were the M40 and M41 gearboxes. In 1964 the Borg-Warner BW35 three speed automatic transmission also became available. In 1966 production of the Volvo PV ceased and the Amazon Favorit was introduced to replace it. The Amazon Favorit was a simpler version of the Amazon. In 1967 came the 123GT that was a 130 with high compression B18B engine (from the Volvo P1800), M41 gearbox, fully reclining seats, front fog and driving lights (on some markets), alternator, fender mounted mirrors, special steering wheel, dash with a shelf on the passenger side, and other cosmetic upgrades. In 1969 the displacement of the old B18 engine was increased and the engine was called the B20.
