Latest Articles by kevinanderson

Volvo Dumps Boxy Image With XC60 Concept

Sat, 30 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Ford Motor Co.'s Swedish Volvo brand will be launching a new concept vehicle named XC60 at the 2007 North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit. The concept vehicle is engineered to dump the boxy image of the automaker and pave way for a sleek and evocative new Volvo crossover.

According to the automaker the design innovations incorporated in the XC60 will form part of future Volvo models. "In recent years, we have successfully emphasized the Scandinavian characteristics that base prestige on timeless, functional elegance," said Steve Mattin, Volvo's director of design. "Now we're elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally pumping up our cars' visual volume." It is time to once and for all forget all about boxy Volvos."

Volvo XC60 Concept is the auto show preview of the production version of the car. The evocative features of the crossover include the beefy 20-inch wheels in an angled position, innovative tailgate, and the stylish grille. The rear of the vehicle also sports a bolder lettering of Volvo's brand identity. XC60's lower section is made transparent from inside of the crossover to improve rear visibility. Also, its interior features the iconic iPod-inspired instrument panel plus the exotic ambience of Volvo lighting. Its front and rear seats feature a ‘pony-tail’ slot that extends down the back of the seat to boost rearward vision and ventilation. Said feature was previewed on the Volvo YCC (Your Concept Car).

“The XC60 Concept features a number of innovations that indicate how our cars will look in a few years time. It is time to once and for all forget about boxy Volvos,” said Mattin. “Instead, we will make our Scandinavian design heritage more emotional and radiant by adding sculptured, exciting shapes and innovative features. With more expressive and emotive shapes, if you can recognize a Volvo from 50m today, I want to get to the point where you will instantly spot a Volvo from twice that distance in the future."

XC60 will be joining XC70 and XC90 in the All Wheel Drive (AWD) range of Volvo. XC60 is equipped with chosen sophisticated Volvo XC90 vintage car truck parts. Several Volvo XC70 parts were also integrated in the crossover to a different level of auto charisma. Like the new Volvo C30, XC60 is aimed to improve modern demands on design, innovations and performance.

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As a former news correspondent for an auto-related websites, Kevin has gathered extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive industry. This 34 year old father of three from Pennsylvania is a genuine car lover. Visit Volvo XC70 parts for more information.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Volvo XC60: A Look At The Future

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

A couple more nights to go and the Detroit automotive show, which is much known as the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), would already be polishing off the last details and then opening its doors to the public. And with this grand event, Volvo Cars would also be sending out one of the newest vehicles in their range. And it is not just a restyle vehicle holding Volvo V70 parts, mind you.

The new Volvo vehicle is the Volvo XC60 and it is a concept vehicle. According to its creator, this vehicle would be the kind of transportation that the future would be having. In fact, this concept vehicle is going to be the basis for a new production vehicle sometime soon. This Volvo XC60 concept vehicle would soon be joining the ranks of the Volvo XC70 and the Volvo XC90 in the Volvo line of all wheel drive and cross country vehicles. Uniquely, the Volvo XC60 concept would be coming as a combination of both the all wheel drive feature and the sportiness and charm of a coupe.

People who are up to much adventure would certainly be loving this vehicle. In fact, the Volvo XC60 has been created and will be marketed so as to be able to target those people who love design, value, brand, as well as the latest automotive innovations and high technology features.

Steve Mattin is Volvo’s design director and he describes the Volvo XC60 concept vehicle as, “The XC60 Concept features a number of innovations that indicate how our cars will look in a few years time. It is time to once and for all forget about boxy Volvos. Instead, we will make our Scandinavian design heritage more emotional and radiant by adding sculptured, exciting shapes and innovative features.” He also does continue by saying, “With more expressive and emotive shapes, if you can recognize a Volvo from fifty meters today, I want to get to the point where you will instant spot a Volvo from twice that distance in the future.”

On the outside, you can expect the Volvo XC60 concept vehicle to be holding twenty inch wheels as well as scuff plates made of aluminum. Just the kind of look that the future will be having.

Volvo Starts Green Concept

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Going green has been the trend for most businesses nowadays. Google has gone ahead and replaced its roofs and walls with solar panels so as to save on energy and help decrease the amount of dangerous gases in the atmosphere. And Volvo has joined in the green craze.

Volvo has joined and hopped in the bandwagon. What it did is that it has already created, manufactured, and sent in new vehicle models that can be used utilizing alternative fuels that are not harmful to the environment. The brand has been able to actually create not only the quality Volvo V70 parts for the market but it has also created green and environment friendly vehicles. In fact, at present Volvo has nine vehicle models and three of these nine vehicles are already available as bio ethanol powered vehicles. These three vehicles are the Volvo C30, S40, and the V50. All these three are marketed in Europe and use engines with four cylinders.

Magnus Jonsson is the senior vice president of Volvo Cars’ Research and Development team. On this, he does say, “We believe that Flexifuel has great potential for larger engine sizes and we are planning to expand our range of bio ethanol powered engines in the coming years.”

However, this is not where the green craze ends. You see, Volvo has also created a new concept vehicle and they call it the Volvo XC60 concept vehicle. This concept car uses a powertrain that has the same six cylinders that the bio fuel using vehicles of the brand use. This powertrain is actually an in-line petrol engine which was already used by the Volvo S80 back when it came out in 2006. This very engine has got the capacity to actually give power to the concept car even if you put in E85, which is actually the term used for that fuel which is made up of 85 per cent bio ethanol and 15 per cent gasoline.

Combining the power of the E85 and the engine, they can then work up the Volvo XC60 concept car so much so that it can vroom up to 265 horsepower and some 251 pound feet of torque. In fact, Volvo says that they have been able to record the vehicle to zoom from zero to sixty seconds in 8.2 seconds.

Next Volvo XC Spells Volvo's Future Design Language

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Volvo's future auto design is leading a new direction. Recently, a preview of what is to come is made available to some lucky journalists and enthusiasts. Volvo earlier pulls wraps off its all-new XC60 Concept which showcases fresh and striking design.

XC60 Concept is set to be introduced in Detroit's auto show next month. There, dealers and enthusiasts alike can take their first look at the future design of Volvo under the administration of Steve Mattin, the automaker's new guru. In an interview, Mattin said that the XC60 concept will indicate Volvo's new design DNA. He added, "It will have technical as well as design innovation. But it's a real concept car, not just a disguised production car." In other words, its relationship to the real thing will be as the 2000 ACC concept was to the XC90. "It takes the emotion of the C30 a step further."

Mattin also gave the metes and bounds of the future design of the automaker. He said, "We need to be recognizable as Volvo. We're still about Scandinavian simplicity; we can't be playful or do styling for the sake of styling. Volvos last a long time, so our design must have legs. But we can't be too simple or we'd edge toward blandness. And we can't change; we must be fresh. I want to broaden our design and have more variation between car lines."

XC60 combines the power of Volvo XC90 vintage car truck parts and the elegance of C30 auto parts to pave way for a remarkable new XC. The vehicle has an elegant glass roof, catchy front grille with angles positioning lights on its sides, sophisticated interior, and comfortable ergonomics.

According to enthusiasts, the future of Volvo design is anything but bland. Volvo president Fredrik Arp said, "The XC60 will be as important as the C30 in expanding the brand's sales." Arp added that the concept is a good indicator of what the production model will look like.

Volvo expects that the new XC will capture the desires of modern day owners which have active urban lifestyle. The automaker also intends to follow up the concept version with the production venture before the end of the decade.

Safety Award Goes To Volvo XC90

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Volvo is a brand of vehicles which has gained fame and fortune for being one of the manufacturers of safe and family friendly vehicles. Such a reputation has not only been displayed through the vehicles, Volvo V40 parts, and other Volvo products that the company manufactures, but the reputation for safety and family friendliness has been seen through various recognition and accolades that the company has been receiving through their products.

Just most recently, one of the vehicles in the Volvo stable of vehicles has took home yet another trophy. This time around, it was the Volvo XC90 which has given the company another round of honor by being bestowed with the highest rating for the Top Safety Pick choices. The Top Safety Pick choices are part of the 2007 safety awards handed out by the country’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or the IIHS. The awards also very much recognize vehicles that offer and give passengers the best and utmost protection for various crashes – front, rear, and side – which are based on the ratings after doing broad crash tests.

Adrian Lund is the president of IIHS and he explains their crash tests, “Our crash tests cover the most common kinds of real world collisions. Designating Top Safety Pick winners based on our tests makes it easier for consumers to identify vehicles that afford the best overall protection without sifting through multiple sets of comparative test results.”

The tests this year sure was no easy feat. You see, the IIHS had actually added a new criteria and requirement so that the vehicles who would like to take home the top rating could take one step ahead of the rest. This year, the IIHS added the electronic stability control as a standard requirement for vehicles. According to the IIHS, such a move has been done not as to spite vehicle manufacturers but because of valid reasons. You see, the ESC actually greatly reduces the risk of crashes because it allows drivers have and maintain control of their vehicles despite emergency moves on the road.

The director of Volvo’s safety center, Ingrid Skogsmo, was very much delighted by the award that the Volvo XC90 took home. He did say, “Integrated safety technology is part of the Volvo DNA to focus on real world safety. An award like this validates Volvo’s commitment to safety and explains why the XC90 is the best selling European SUV in the United States.”

China, to Stimulate Volvo's Growth

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Volvo Cars is trying to establish greater global sales. To give the needed boost, Volvo is concentrating on China auto market. The automaker expects that the latter can give Volvo a significant lift to yield growth in global car market.

Fredrik Arp, Volvo's chief executive officer said that China is the automaker's 'most exciting' auto market around the globe. He added that Volvo's growth in said nation will serve as a vital part of its global aim, which is to sell 600,000 vehicles per year starting this year until 2009. Arp added, "In the next five to 10 years, we believe that China will move up to second place in Volvo Cars' sales chart."

According to automotive sales reports, Volvo sold about 444,000 vehicles last year globally. In China, last year's Volvo sales stood at 5,000 units. This year, in the month of July, Volvo has started the production of S40 compact sedan. The production is a joint venture of the automaker with Japan's Mazda Motor and China's Chang'an Motor in Chongqing Municipality. Said venture is under a technical licensing deal. Arp sees the business venture as "a big step" towards the goal of improving China sales.

The second generation Volvo S40, along with V40 and V50, were launched in 2004. S40 was based on Volvo P1 platform. Previously, the car is only built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium. Now that the automaker has started with the venture, Volvo S40 performance parts can now be assembled in Volvo China plant.

Volvo Cars China claims that the company's sales in the nation are anticipated to reach 9,000 vehicles this year. Said figure is 80 percent more from that of last year's sales. Next year, the automaker expects to boost sales at the same rate or more of that anticipated this year.

Aside from S40, Volvo cars including all-new S80 large-sized sedan and the imported XC90 sport utility vehicle will be made available in China. Volvo S80, an executive car, was introduced to the auto market in 1999 as a replacement for Volvo 960/S90 sedan. The assembly of Volvo S80 parts was based on the EUCD platform. Currently, the car is the flagship model of the automaker.

Volvo XC90, on one hand, is a midsize luxury crossover SUV built at Volvo's Torslanda plant in Sweden. Last year, new Volvo V8 engine was added to Volvo parts XC90. The new engine generates 311 horsepower and 325 ft•lbf of torque. The car was updated for the 2007 model year. The new version debuted at the 2006 New York Auto Show.

Analysts said that premium cars like Volvo cars have huge growth potential in China. At present, wealthy population, which is the market of Volvo is expanding rapidly in said nation.

Winter Prices For Exotic Cars

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Are you thinking what would be the best gift you can possibly give your loved one this Christmas? Sure, you do know that your hubby loves tinkering with his vehicle and he does love watching that television show where he is able to view those exotic cars. Of course, you also do know that you simply do not have just the right amount of funds to purchase an exotic car for your hubby. In fact, you think that the only things you can purchase are a couple of Volvo S90 parts, and not the whole vehicle at that.

Well, you may want to read on. For you see, Capital Dream Cars is actually taking off some thirty per cent off the usual price of exotic car rentals. Such a promotion though starts the first of December up until the last day of February next year. This simply means that you can start racking up your budget to actually give your hubby the gift of driving an exotic car. Well, the vehicle may not be his but at least he can say that he was able to sit behind one and drive an exotic vehicle around. Not all car aficionados can do that.

Eugene Kim is the founder of the mentioned business and he shares, “When a wife surprises her husband with our fiery red Ferrari or classy gray Bentley, the look he gets on his face is uniformly the same each time – instant love. But by the end of the rental, it’s not unlikely for the wife to have fallen in love with the vehicle as well. Not only has she been along for the ride, she’s been able to watch her husband up close as he savors the thrill of fulfilling a dream he’s possible had his entire life. That goes beyond vicarious enjoyment. That’s empathy and shared experience.”

The whole Capital Dream Cars has been made a reality with the help from Cloud 9 Living. On this, Adam Michaels attests, “Today, more than ever, people have enough stuff. What they long for are experiences that will have an indelible impact on their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Since Spring 2006, Cloud 9 Living has partnered with Capital Dream Cars because they share our commitment to offering extraordinary lifestyle experiences – helping people fulfill their dreams and create life-long memories. These core values are evident in how they operate their business and how they treat their customers.” Michaels is the founder of Cloud 9 Living.

Volvo Expands Green Model Range

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Volvo is delivering FlexiFuel cars powered by renewable bioethanol on some European markets this coming autumn. Also, Volvo's green model range will be extended to include the new C30. The latter will also be offered with FlexiFuel power.

“Interest in ethanol as a vehicle fuel is growing in Europe,” said Gerry Keaney, senior vice president market, sales and customer service of Volvo Cars. “We are therefore expanding our range with additional models on a total of 9 markets. First to get Volvo’s FlexiFuel cars outside Sweden will be Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Norway. It’s very encouraging that the market is expanding and that political initiatives are being taken."

France announced that it will put up 500 fuel stations for E85 next year. E85 is a combination of 85 percent renewable ethanol and 15 percent petrol. Said fuel will be generated from local agricultural products. So far, there are 23 plants that are producing ethanol in Europe. This number is anticipated to increase to more than 60 plants by 2008. In Europe, about 1.8 million liters of ethanol are produced every year. The ethanol produced came primarily from sugar-beet and other grains in Europe. The produce is also expected to soar threefold in the year 2008.

The expanded green model range includes 3 Volvo models – C30, S40 and V50. They are all available with optimized FlexiFuel alternative. The C30 is marketed as a groundbreaking hatchback that is especially designed for the new generation of drivers. S40 and V50 are both compact luxury cars. They belong to the second generation of Volvo compact cars. Volvo S40 upgrade parts are built on the Volvo P1 platform. Last year, the car was nominated for the World Car of the Year. V50 is a station wagon version of S40. Its interior highlights soft 'theatre' lighting.

Now, C30, S40 and V50 are powered by a 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine generating 125 horsepower. They are also equipped with modified fuel hoses, valves and gaskets to withstand ethanol's more corrosive properties. They also use an updated version of the software calibration, which is specifically designed for ethanol. Also, the engine management system accurately supervises the mix of bioethanol and petrol in the fuel tank and suits ignition and injection automatically.

"A renewable fuel will not on its own be able to replace today’s fossil fuels, and the range of alternative fuels will probably be far wider in the future. Many different fuels and technologies will therefore be developed in parallel. Ethanol reduces dependency on fossil fuels and Volvo’s FlexiFuel programme thus makes a vital contribution to our strategy of environmental sustainability," concluded Gerry Keaney.

Ford Can Cut 30% Production Cost If It Starts To Share

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Focus Coupe-Cabriolet, the European Focus, Focus C-Max, Volvo S40, V50, C30, C70, Mazda3, Mazda5, and CX-7 have several things in common. First glance might be deceiving however; if one delves deeper, a significant realization can be had. The mentioned vehicles employ elements of the C1 platform. To some auto analysts, if Ford starts to share the architecture with other brands, the company will be able to cut about 30 percent of the total production cost.

According to Derrick Kuzak, the brains behind C1 platform for the European Ford Focus, this is what Ford needs for future products as well: A shared versatile architecture with a high amount of variation. Kuzak added, "If you look at C1, it's almost a microcosm of what we're trying to do in the enterprise as a whole. Having a very strong and capable platform -- and on top of that you put very unique products that are unique not just in how they look but are very consistent with the individual brand DNA."

Volvo cars like S40, V50, C30 and C70, can very well adapt to the sharing. In fact, Volvo S40 upgrade parts and Volvo C70 parts and accessories are made more flexible and sophisticated to accommodate future enhancements and modifications.

If this concept will be entertained by Ford to augment its financial stability, it will be deemed as the boldest move yet for the automaker. Nonetheless, it will also be one of the most apparent, so far. Analysts are saying that Kuzak seems to have the right idea. Nevertheless, he has to move swiftly for time is of the essence. No matter how brilliant the idea is, it will turn out to be futile if implemented out of time.

Ford is currently battling one great storm, and it is up to the automaker to take measures to protect its name and standing. Time is short and Ford should not let it slip away without doing something essential. The automaker badly needs a home run to return to the good days in the auto industry. Further, the home run must be achieved in the shortest possible time.

Volvo Leans Towards Style With C30

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Take a look at the new Volvo C30. Take a closer look. And make sure that you do get familiar with how this vehicle looks. Does the vehicle look familiar to you?

If you have been one fanatic of the television series titled ‘Saint’ which was shown years ago, then you may find the new Volvo C30 to be just like the one that Roger Moore used in that television series. And the experts in the auto world are now saying that the new Volvo C30 is actually a successor in one way or another to the mentioned ‘Saint’ly vehicle.

However, if you were able to take a good look at the Saint vehicle, then you may have noticed that the modern “version”, the Volvo C30, just may also have made sure that it is not entirely a total reproduction of the previous one. In fact, the new Volvo C30 has deviated from the usual Volvo way of vehicle style. Some have said that it has gone and leaned towards having a radical kind of style. On this, the Volvo S80 parts manufacturer has yet to comment.

On the other hand, people who are on the lookout for cars and vehicles that are simply just so unlike the ordinary, conventional, and usual automobiles that they see on the streets would definitely be loving the Volvo C30 coupe. After all, many have already commented that it may have a Volvo badge, but its looks and style is definitely a far cry from the usual Volvo design.

How can this be so? Well, first off, you would know a Volvo vehicle for it has got grand tailgates that are made of glass. But the Volvo C30 coupe has been designed with something else in mind. Take a look at its rear and what you would see instead of those glass tailgates are the huge light clusters. There are also some sculpted wings. The back bumper has also been sculpted to give it an unusual look. Plus, notice that this one has been created and mounted with twin exhausts.