Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric New Technology

Backed by the Swedish Energy Agency, Volvo will build two fuel cell range extender prototype chassis based on the Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric, to be ready for testing in everyday traffic in 2012.

Battery cost and size means that all-electric cars still have a relatively limited operating range. The firm is working with Powercell Sweden to build a hydrogen range extender with a reformer, which breaks down petrol to create hydrogen gas. This range extender is expected to increase the electric car’s operating range by up to 155 miles, giving a total of around 250 miles.

The Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo Cars just announced its next step towards creating a next-generation electric car technology.

This technology is expected to increase the electric car’s operating range by up to 250 kilometers, in addition to the range provided by the car’s battery pack.

In the next phase, Volvo Cars and Powercell plans to produce two test cars based on the current Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric. Battery cost and size means that all-electric cars still have a relatively limited operating range. Fuel cells may be one way of extending the distance these cars can cover before they need to be recharged. What is more, the project gives us increased knowledge about fuel cells and hydrogen gas,”

Volvo Cars has started development of a fuel cell which can act as a range extender for its electric car.

The fuel cell range extension is targeted at "up to 250 km."

The fuel cell will run on petrol, and have a reformer to convert the petrol to hydrogen.

"Battery cost and size means that all-electric cars still have a relatively limited operating range.

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2010 volvo c30 Review

The 2010 Volvo C30 is compelling evidence that Ford's stewardship of Volvo has been beneficial to the small Swedish automaker. Ford wisely left the styling to Volvo, yielding a unique-looking two-door hatch that's half S40 sedan, half classic Volvo hatchback and all Swedish chic on the inside.

The 2010 Volvo C30 is a four-seat, two-door hatchback offered in two trim levels. The base T5 includes 17-inch alloy wheels, height-adjustable seats, a trip computer, cruise control, a 50/50-split-folding rear seat, full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker CD audio system with an auxiliary audio jack. The T5 R-Design trim level adds 18-inch wheels, foglights, a sport-tuned suspension, sporty exterior trim, partial leather upholstery, blue-face gauges and metallic interior trim.

The Climate package includes heated front seats, headlamp washers, automatic climate control and rain-sensing wipers. The front-wheel-drive 2010 Volvo C30 is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-5 that produces 227 hp and 236 pound-feet of torque. EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined.

The 2010 Volvo C30 comes standard with antilock disc brakes (with brake assist), stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front seats with whiplash protection. Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is optional.

The 2010 Volvo C30 possesses plenty of grip and accurate steering. The turbocharged five-cylinder matches up well to either the six-speed manual transmission or the five-speed auto

There, in a nutshell, lies the kernel of truth behind Volvo’s C30 R-Design.

To be a player, Volvo needed something a little different and, viewed from the rear, the C30 certainly nails that design parameter. And while the base model might look somewhat strange, the R-Design model, with its fully-painted body kit and rear wing is surprisingly appealing. Our test model was nicely outfitted with both the $900 Climate Package that includes things like heated seats and electronic climate control, as well as the $1,950 Preferred Package with power front seats, keyless drive, dual xenon headlights, aluminum trim and fog lights.

Definitely try the rear seats before buying one. It comes with the elimination of body length so we’re not faulting Volvo.

The blue-face R-Design gauges are a sporty touch.

Volvo rates the C30 at 6.5 seconds to 60 mph.

Volvo rates the car at an official 19/28 mpg.

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2011 Volvo XC90 Reviews

Volvo's XC90 is the Swedish automaker's first ever SUV offering.

The inline-six cylinder model offers 235 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 236 pound-feet of torque at 3200 rpm. In addition to an immensely strong body structure, the Volvo XC90 has a number of other safety features, including Volvo's WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System), SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) and IC (Inflatable Curtain) airbag. All seven seats are equipped with three-point inertia-reel seat belts, belt pre-tensioners and head restraints.

Volvo also developed various information systems designed to help the driver while on the move. Active bi-xenon headlamps are offered with the Volvo XC90, providing increased visibility on dark, windy roads.

The 2011 Volvo XC90 ranks 9 out of 17 Luxury Midsize SUVs. The Volvo XC90 is an affordable family hauler with great seating and excellent crash test scores. While other SUVs may have nice interiors and better performance, the Volvo XC90 has a very low starting price for the class.

Most reviewers say there are more luxurious interiors in the luxury midsize SUV class, as well as SUVs that drive better than the Volvo XC90 does. It’s an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety “Top Safety Pick,” comes with excellent standard safety features, as well as standard seating for seven and has plenty of cargo space. Reviewers say that it’s one of the best driving SUVs in the class and though its base price is higher than the Volvo XC90, you do get standard all-wheel drive on the MDX.

There are few changes for 2011 on the Volvo XC90. The 2011 Volvo XC90 comes in several trims -- the base 3.2, 3.2 R-Design and V8 AWD. V8 trims are all-wheel drive only.

The Volvo XC90 offers classic Volvo attributes in a midsize SUV. The 311-hp 4.4-liter V8 engine is available with all-wheel drive. Safety features include electronic stability control, side-impact and side curtain airbags, Roll Stability Control, Blind Spot Information System, and all-disc anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution.

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Volvo V60 Review

The Volvo V60 – the estate version of its new S60 saloon – takes its sibling’s coupe-style design and adds a dose of practicality.

Buyers also have the opportunity to add front and rear skid plates, a front decor trim, side scuff plates, special exhaust tailpipes and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Petrol options range from a powerful 304bhp 3-litre unit, which is capable of hitting 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds while returning 27.7mpg to a new 1.6-litre GTDi engine which is available in two power outputs, 150 and 180bhp

An ultra-efficient 113bhp 1.6-litre DRIVe version will join the line-up later.

Inside, the" Volvo V60" features 40/20/40-split rear seat, a fold-flat front passenger seat and has a load capacity of 430 litres with the rear seats in place.

“Our sports wagon does not aim to compete with the traditional estate car.

Volvo has released images and details on the estate version of the S60, the Volvo V60, after a pic of the car was leaked to a Swedish magazine.

"Our sports wagon does not aim to compete with the traditional estate car," he added. The car has a 40/20/40-split rear seat and a fold-flat front passenger seat, and can offer a totally flat boot floor. There will be five petrol engines, from 1.6 litres up to the 3.0-litre straight six, and three diesel options, 2.4 and 2.0 five-pots and a 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit.

On the diesel front, 2.4 and 2.0 litre variants of Volvo's inline five-cylinder engine will be available, producing 151kW/420Nm and 121kW/400Nm respectively.

Volvo has not released a full list of fuel consumption figures, although it has confirmed that the 2.4 litre diesel uses just 5.4 l/100km on the combined cycle.

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Volvo Sporty Sedan S60

2011 Volvo S60 Sporty Sedan

"The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you. It looks and drives like no other Volvo before and the car's technology will help you to be safer and more confident behind the wheel," says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

The Volvo S60 can be equipped with Pedestrian Detection - a groundbreaking safety feature that can detect pedestrians in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver does not react in time.

The all-new Volvo S60 is being unveiled to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early March next year. Production of the sporty sedan model will start in early summer 2010 at the Volvo Cars plant in Ghent, Belgium.

All that changes with the 2011 Volvo S60. For starters, the redesign employs a so-called "Converged C1" architecture blending elements of Ford Motor Company's C1 compact-car platform (think S40 and Mazda 3) and the EUCD structure that serves Volvo's new XC60 crossover SUV. As a result, the next S60 will not only be a clean-sheet affair but dimensionally close to targeted rivals Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

2011 Volvo S60 Sporty Sedan

In addition, the 2011 Volvo S60 promises a dramatic visual break from today's car, expected to look much like the swoopy S60 Concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. That means a curvy coupe-like profile, ample lower-body sculpting, a bold front end like XC60, a stubby high-set rear deck, and sharply raked front and rear glass. The concept has rear-sliding back doors and no center body pillar, but that's showcar whimsy. The production model will be a normal "post" sedan with 4 regular doors. Likewise, the concept's showy 20-inch wheels should give way to more-sensible shoes, probably standard 18s and optional 19s.

Former design director Steve Mattin finalized the exterior, which means more curves and more flamboyant surfaces than we've come to expect from Volvo: It's more XC60 than S80. and the concept's "four-door coupe" roofline remains.

This is the first Volvo to have dimensions placing it head to head with German premium makers. Previous Volvos were half a class between the Germans: The old S60 was smaller than the 5 Series BMW of its day but bigger than a 3 Series. The new one will tackle the 3 Series and Audi A4 head on. "If we were a market leader, we could do cars outside the established size classes, but at our size we can't," our source said. This applies to pricing, engine for engine, and equipment in addition to size.

A V60 wagon version of the S60 is planned, fitting below the V70.The S60 and V60 will be available globally in four-, five-, and six-cylinder versions, most of them turbos, and diesels for Europe. The U.S. should get the turbo five, the 3.2-liter, 235-horsepower inline-six, and 3.0-liter turbo six making about 280 horsepower. AWD will again be available.

2011 Volvo S60 Sporty Sedan

"Customers in this segment want emotional appeal, sporty design and dynamic driving properties. The Volvo S60 has it all. We are convinced that it will be one of the strongest contenders around," says Stephen Odell.

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2010 Volvo C30 Facelift HEICO SPORTIV

The new Volvo C30 stands for individualism and ecologi-cally friendly driving. Volvo tuner HEICO SPORTIV is sharpening this profile… in every respect.

“The future of our business model lies in the intelligent combination of performance-oriented products and ecological sustainability,” explains HEICO SPORTIV general manager, Holger Hedtke.

A philosophy that accompanies every step of the new Volvo C30 product development process. With the Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe, HEICO SPORTIV will be launching the economy model as the basis for the extensive individualization program.

2010 Volvo C30 Facelift HEICO SPORTIV

The standard factory specifications of the Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe already offer a wide range of innovative technologies such as start/stop driving with brake-energy recovery, reducing fuel consumption to 3.9 liters/100 km* (* Combined, in accordance with prescribed measurement technique (RL80/1268/EWG)). The Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe covers the classic zero to 100 km/h sprint in just 9.2 seconds, beating its series-produced counterpart by 2.1 seconds! A maximum speed of 200 km/h is also attainable, 10 km/h faster than the series version.

“This is our basic starting point for proving that ecologically friendly action and the pleasure of driving don’t need to be mutually exclusive,” says Holger Hedtke. “In doing so, aerodynamically optimized components such as the radiator grille or under-floor intentionally remain untouched.”

2010 Volvo C30 Facelift HEICO SPORTIV

The HEICO SPORTIV Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe features a remodeled design elements at the front and rear. The HEICO SPORTIV front spoiler – which replaces the original lower base section of the bumper – consists of fiber-strengthened polyurethane and is fixed using the existing anchorage points. The same applies to the rear valence which mimics the front spoiler’s laterally arranged air vents and has a centrally placed diffuser element. The rear valence serves to accommodate the HEICO SPORTIV four pipe stainless steel exhaust system.

The Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe is available from HEICO SPORTIV with a starting price tag of ca. EUR 29,900; the parts will naturally also be deliverable individually from spring 2010.

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Volvo Concept Car

Nice Design Concept Car Volvo S60

Modern Design Concept Car Volvo DC1 2000

Design Concept Car Volvo develops low emission C30

This design concept car volvo picture gallery with style modern concept car. As well as a focus on biofuels and hybrid technology, Volvo is also making energy-efficiency improvements to conventional drive trains. This work has led to the development of two new innovations which will be introduced during 2008 – a low CO₂ emitting Volvo C30 and a new diesel Powershift transmission for the Volvo C30, S40 and V50.

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