Lively turbocharged engine; comfortable front seats; emphasis on style; ample safety features.

Disadvantages

Awkward navigation system interface; not quite a luxury sedan despite premium pricing; handling feels short of that found in true sport saloons.

Introduction

2011 Volvo S40 continues to enhance the company’s reputation as a manufacturer of great sport sedans. It has comfort and style on its side, but lacks the refinement and athleticism of other European luxury sport sedans. For 2011, it gains all wheel drive T5 R-Design. The Volvo S40 looks and feels like a sports sedan, and the nearly identical Volvo V50 runs like a sport wagon. Improving their sporting credentials is an availability of a 5-speed manual transmission for base trims, and a 6-speed manual for turbocharged T5 with four-wheel drive system. The S40 sedan is a compact car, yet it offers four-passenger seating capacity in reasonable comfort, and small exterior dimensions make it easy to park. It is designed and engineered to be extremely safe, with passive and active safety features to help drivers avoid accidents, then protect them if there is a crash.

The Volvo S40 was basically a small family vehicle developed and designed by Volvo Cars. It launched the 1st generation V40 (Versatility/estate) and S40 Sedan models in the year 1995, while the 2nd generation was introduced in 2004, and the estate’s name changed to V50. The range was replaced by new Volvo V40 5-door hatchback this year. In the new millennium, the company upgraded the 40 Series implementing numerous technological enhancements such as direct (diesel) fuel injection, improved engine management, larger brake discs, extra safety features, revised rear suspension, new front suspension and steering, a widening of the track width and larger tires. A minor redesign gave more streamlining, larger rear light clusters and larger headlights along with minor instruments and fascia re-design.

The S40 was redesigned in the year 2008 with enhancements including increased storage space, new safety features such as Emergency Brake Lights that flash quickly during hard braking to alert traffic behind the car and improved audio systems. The new S40 also features optional Active Bi-Xenon headlamps that point the light beam in the direction of road as it curves. You will also find a camera that can be situated on side mirrors, alerting the driver of passing vehicles beside the car. This camera is optional on all trims. The company revealed the 2.0 liter diesel Geartronic in the 3rd week of February 2008 except in Ireland where it was unveiled in the last week of May.

Since the end of May 2010, a new range of powerplants was offered for the so-called 2011 model. The range includes four Diesel engines (new D2, D3 and D4 and existing DRIVe), the 2.0F Flexible fuel engine that can run either on E85 or normal petrol, on ethanol petrol mixture or three petrol engines (2.0, T5 and 1.6, the latter only available with automatic transmission and front-wheel drive). The upgraded T5 and 2.0 and the new D3, D4 and D2 are compliant with Euro 5 emission standard, while the DRIVe includes a start-stop system for reduced emissions and fuel consumption. New six-speed transmissions are used in D3, D4 (manual: M66D, automatic: Aisin AWF21) and D2 (manual: B6 D2).

With high quality, class leading safety and dynamic design, the 2011 Volvo S40 sedan is a true Volvo and one which asserts a distinctive identity in the rising premium compact segment. Providing a 4-door bodyshell in a segment presently dominated by five or three-door alternatives, it appeals to younger customers who demand a car combining the comfort, refinement and style afforded by premium brand and the practicality of a 4-door sedan. The Volvo S40 is a tribute to the company’s multi-cultural and talented design teams in Barcelona, California and Gothenburg, who have captured premium values of a modern Volvo sedan in a compact package. It is a dynamic, dramatic shape which asserts its own identity but remains every inch a genuine Volvo.

The 2011 Volvo S40’s exterior can best be described as evolutionary, which draws its inspiration from the award-winning, larger Volvo S80 and S60 sedans, and from classic Scandinavian design values of simplicity and elegance. The Volvo badge on centre of prominent diagonal across the grille is a feature of all Volvos, as are the strong ‘shoulders’ that improves the feeling of safety and power. The distinctive sculptured rear lamp clusters combine flawlessly with bodywork and are instantly recognizable as Volvo. The 2011 S40 is 44mm taller and 54mm wider, but 48mm shorter. In the mean time, the wheelbase is a mighty 78mm longer to the benefit of both passenger accommodation and driving dynamics.

There used to be a unique gap between non-premium and premium saloons. In recent years, that gap has been filling up with attractively priced four-doors with luxury aspirations. The 2011 Volvo S40 is one such sedan with more luxury unlike your run of the mill domestic model. This is particularly true on the inside, where the available dual-tone upholstery and sleek “floating waterfall” center stack continue to set this vehicle apart from its more conservative competitors. Beneath the hood, you will find a standard turbocharged 5-cylinder 227-horsepower engine, which offers livelier acceleration unlike the one found in usual 4-cylinder sedan. In its price range, models such as the stylish Buick Regal, the well equipped Volkswagen CC and sporty Acura TSX V6 are more appealing. Likewise, the Infiniti G Sedan and BMW 3 Series justify their higher costs through added prestige and performance. Overall, the 2011 S40 is a fine car on its own merits, but you will definitely want to shop around.

Variants, Body Types and Features

The 2011 Volvo S40 saloon is offered in two trims: T5 R-Design and T5.

Standard on base T5 include foglights, 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, heated outside mirrors, a tilt and telescoping steering column, an eight-way power driver seat with memory, a 60/40 split folding rear seat, neoprene-like T-Tec upholstery, cruise control, an auto dimming rearview mirror, an eight-speaker stereo with HD radio, USB/auxiliary input jacks and a CD player, and Bluetooth. Opting for the optional Preferred package will get you leather upholstery, a power passenger seat and a sunroof.

Stepping up to T5 R-Design gets all of the above and spices things up with side skirts, front and rear spoilers, unique watch dial gauges, aluminum pedals and a sport steering wheel. Both trim levels are available with the Climate package that adds headlight washers, heated front seats, automatic climate control and automatic wipers. The Multimedia package gets a navigation system with real time traffic and a premium 10-speaker stereo. Standalone options include adaptive xenon headlights, 18-inch wheels, keyless ignition/entry, satellite radio, a blind-spot detection system with power folding mirrors and rear parking sensors.

What’s Beneath the Hood of 2011 Volvo S40?

Motivation for the 2011 Volvo S40 comes from an inline five-cylinder 2.5 liter engine, which is good for pulsating 227 horsepower with 236 pound feet of torque. The engine is mated to five-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. In performance testing, it accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour in the time range of 6.7 seconds and offered the fuel economy of 30 mpg highway, 21 mpg city and 24 mpg in combined driving.

Safety & Reliability

Standard safety features on 2011 Volvo S40 include traction control and stability control and antilock disc brakes. Also included are full length head curtain airbags, front-seat side airbags and whiplash reducing front head restraints. The blind spot warning system (BLIS) is optional.

In government testing, the 2011 Volvo S40 got four-star rating for driver protection in a frontal crash and 5-star for both front passenger protection and rear side impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave S40 its best possible rating of “Good” in frontal offset and side impact testing.

Special Features and Cockpit Design

While the exterior of 2011 Volvo S40 could be described as evolutionary from S80 and S60, the cabin inside symbolizes nothing less than a revolution in vehicle design. Its focal point is ultra-thin central instrument console that appears to be free floating. This is a world first for automotive sector and was previewed on Volvo Versatility Concept Car (VCC) at 2003 Geneva Auto Show. It is basically a reflection of the company’s commitment to premium quality and Scandinavian design heritage.

The super slim format is an ultimate icon of the vehicle and a revolution in itself. The stimulation for the interior came from outside the car world. The design teams of Volvo were influenced by Scandinavian design tradition of uncluttered lines and clean surfaces, which drew inspiration, for instance from the stylish simplicity of classic compression-molded Series 7 chair, engineered by Arne Jacobsen, the world famous. These disparate influences – high-tech innovation and classic Scandinavian style were fused for creating a radically different interior concept. This offers passengers with an impression that they are safely ensconced in a cocoon. The secondary controls and air vents are positioned in individual islands, while the main instruments are combined in two round gauges, surrounded by contrasting metal bezels.

Driving Impressions

The turbocharged 5-cylinder engine of 2011 Volvo S40 offers enough power for entertaining most drivers, but there is a noticeable amount of turbo lag off the line. The 5-cylinder petrol engine is based on low-friction units found in on bigger Volvo sedans, but were extensively repackaged and revised for installation in Volvo S40. It fuses a dynamic, engaging driving experience with high level of active safety, thanks to its high level of torsional rigidity, sophisticated suspension system, the latest electronic stability systems and wide track. The Volvo S40 uses electro hydraulic power steering system, which has been designed and engineered for optimizing driver response and feedback. This helps the driver to place the vehicle precisely on the road and to assess the available grip. Overall, it is a premium, safe car in a small package, providing essential active safety systems like skid-control electronics, a high level of impact protection and advanced ABS.

Functional and elegant cabin layout; well designed; refined seats and ride; inspiring safety features.

Bad

Styling might be slightly understated for some; unimposing base engine; forgettable driving dynamics.

Introduction

2012 Volvo S80 is a contemporary, powerful, quick and good looking sedan, which is designed and engineered to deliver solid performance and surefooted stance. Apart from thorough redesign of its offered variants, the 2012 S80 now gets sports turn signal indicators on outside mirrors, seven-inch color screen in center of dash, Bluetooth audio streaming and genuine wood interior trim. The City Safety Technology of Volvo is now standard on all models. It is a sensible alternative to flashier luxury saloons; however its largely forgettable driving experience and anonymous looks might dull the car’s appeal for some. Prestigious and large, the 2012 S80 is quite comfortable and spacious and rides smoothly around town. Compared to traditional halogen headlamps, its Active Dual Xenon feature helps expand vision range by approximately 230 percent and uses motorized lamps, which turn up to 15 degrees in either direction. The powerful daytime running headlamps make you more conspicuous to other road users and halo of light around their low beam projector lamps makes it easier for gauging their distance from your vehicle.

The Volvo S80 is a midsize sedan manufactured by Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo and was launched in the year 1998 to take the place of Volvo 960 or S90 sedans in the lineup. It was designed and developed at Torslanda facility in Gothenburg, Sweden. As compared to other Volvo cars, it didn’t feature station wagon or estate for the 1st generation. The third generation Wagon is sold as estate version for 2nd generation S80 sedan. The 1st generation S80 has one of the highest crash scores in the world for 5 years. It based on Ford D3 platform and over 368,000 models were designed before the launch of new model. Being the flagship model of Volvo, the S80 sedan was heavily equipped with plethora of safety features for ensuring all passengers safety such as Whiplash Protection System and Side Impact Protection System. Cornering and fog lamps in front spoiler offer superior visibility while driving in poor visibility or snow or heavy rain. The 2012 Volvo S80’s collapsible steering column is a sophisticated part of safety system with lower and upper sections giving way in controlled manner in frontal impact for reducing risk of injury to driver.

The 2012 Volvo S80 is a four-door luxury sedan with plenty of qualities you would expect from a luxury vehicle such as comfortable interior slathered with high quality materials and plethora of cutting edge technology. One thing that separates flagship model of Volvo from luxury sedan segment is the understated presence making it ideal for those who aren’t looking to draw attention. Like all Volvo models, the real strength of S80 is additional peace of mind, which comes with knowing that driver and passengers are protected by most significant safety features on the road, including City Safety system, which can detect impending collisions and apply brakes for minimizing severity of impact.

The 2012 Volvo S80 has quite a few weaknesses such as the lack of prestige found on other models and underwhelming 3.2 liter engine along with comfort oriented suspension that makes for unexciting handling. There are quite a lot of comparably priced luxury saloons in the market, which include Acura TL, Hyundai Genesis, Cadillac CTS, Mercedes Benz E-Class, Audi A6, Infiniti M and BMW 5 Series, all of which provide superior handling, more power and greater prestige. If the 2012 Volvo S80’ advanced, comfort and safety features in more understated wrapper, you will find it a perfectly sensible choice.

Trim Levels, Body Styles and Options

The 2012 Volvo S80 is a four-door sedan, which is available in T6 AWD and 3.2 trim levels. The 3.2 variant comes equipped with standard features such as rear and front foglamps, 17 inch alloy wheels, automatically controlled dual-zone climate system, heated mirrors, power front seats with driver memory functions, leather upholstery, rearview auto dimming mirror, split folding rearseat with trunk pass-through, full power accessories, trip computer, Bluetooth audio and phone streaming, eight-speaker surround sound audio system with satellite radio, six-CD changer, iPod/USB interface, auxiliary input jack and high definition radio and telescoping and tilt leather wrapped steering wheel. The T6 AWD gets four wheel drive system, sunroof and 18 inch alloy wheels.

Many of the features and equipments of 2012 Volvo S80 are combined in different packages such as Premier Plus package that adds includes keyless ignition/entry, Personal Car Communicator of Volvo and rear and front parking sensors, while the Climate package gets headlamp washers, heated rear and front seats, heated windshield washer nozzles and rain sensing wipers. The Technology package comes with pedestrian detection and collision warning system with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, Driver Alert and lane departure warning. The T6 models can be equipped with Dynamic package, which comprises of exclusive sport tuned chassis, 18 inch alloy wheels, distinctive aluminium interior trim and adaptive xenon headlamps.

From luxury point of view, the 2012 Volvo S80’s Inscription package gets ventilated front seats, premium leather upholstery, genuine wood trim on shift knob and steering wheel and leather wrapped center armrest and dashboard. The Platinum package consists of features of Premier Plus package plus voice activated navigation system, rear backup camera and premium surround sound stereo system. The blind spot monitoring system is a standalone option.

Performance and Powertrains

Powering the front wheel drive 2012 Volvo S80 is an inline six-cylinder 3.2 liter engine with maximum output of 236 pound feet of torque and 240 horsepower. The engine is teamed up with six-speed automatic transmission and offers 29 mpg highway, 20 mpg city and 23 mpg of fuel economy in combined driving. The four-wheel drive T6 is powered by an inline six-cylinder 3.0 liter turbocharged engine, which is good for churning out 325 pound feet of torque and 300 horsepower. This particular engine is paired with six-speed automatic transmission and offers the fuel economy of 26 mpg highway, 18 mpg city and 21 mpg in combined driving.

Safety Features

Standard safety features on 2012 Volvo S80 include antilock disc brakes, front head active restraints, front seat side airbags with separate chambers for hip and chest protection and side curtain airbags. There are plenty of other safety related features such as lane-departure warning and blind spot monitoring system. More novel safety technology includes pedestrian and collision warning system with driver-fatigue monitor and “Auto Brake”. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave S80 the highest rating of Good for side collision and frontal offset protection. In brake testing, it came to a stop in 118 feet from 60 miles.

Special Features and Cabin Design

The cabin inside 2012 Volvo S80 might be not as flashy like other models, but offers front seats that are specifically comfortable. Reinforced with high strength steel, this sturdy, lightweight safety cage offers outstanding level of protection for driver as well as passengers. In a collision, the rear and front crumple zones distribute and dissipate incoming collision to help reduce impact on those inside the vehicle.

The sumptuous surroundings in 2012 Volvo S80 are augmented by magnificently comfortable seats and generous rear and front legroom, which help to put S80 squarely in luxury segment. The seats are available heated, heated and cooled or plain. The new Toscana Tan/Off Black and Espresso Brown/Soft Beige interior colors are available with Inscription Package. The freestanding center stack, which connects dashboard to center console, is a key design element. The controls, instruments and switches follow conventional Volvo themes, including speedometer and tachometer, more classic and less industrial than in previous designs. A menu system tailors rearview mirrors, seats, audio, climate control and navigation system. The trunk of Volvo S80 provides 14.9 cubic of cargo space.

Driving Impressions

The 3.2 liter engine of 2012 Volvo S80 is perfectly serviceable, while the turbocharged engine delivers lively acceleration. It is a rock solid sedan and wonderful steed to cover large swaths of highway comfortably and quickly. The ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) is designed and engineered for smooth traffic flow and can be activated at speeds more than 18 miles per hour. The Lane Departure Warning is designed for driving on highways and major roads, and is not intended for use in urban traffic. The Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) improves driving stability in slippery conditions by comparing rotation of the drive wheels and, if required, varying power supply. The Volvo S80 comes with well-deserved reputation of Volvo for safety engineering, so it is a very safe car.

Strong-willed turbocharged engine; unique styling; comfortable yet supportive seats; compliant yet firm ride.

Bad

Outdated navigation system; rivals provide more performance.

Introduction

2012 Volvo C30 is a premium luxury hatchback, providing comfortable seating capacity for four passengers, distinctive styling and well designed cabin. It can be optioned with variety of safety and technology features. It dishes out full plate of comfort and style; nevertheless doesn’t match quite of few of performance thrills that other rivals provide. The company has revised the variant strategy for 2012 model year, adding Platinum and Premier Plus options to both C30 T5-R and C30 T5 models. Other changes include stereo streaming for Bluetooth, replacement of halogen type daytime running lamps with LEDs and standard security alarm. As compared to traditional halogen headlights, the Active Bending Lamps use dual xenon technology for expanding vision range by 230 percent. With this feature, you can enjoy extremely powerful full beams on cruiseways and highly effective low beam illumination on winding, narrow roads. Independent of the load, these headlamps automatically adjust for maintaining correct angle to the road, even during hard braking or acceleration.

The Volvo C30 is fundamentally a small family vehicle manufactured and launched by Volvo Cars. It is a four-seater, three-door hatchback motivated by straight five-cylinder or four-cylinder engine. It is a hatchback version of C70/S40/V50 range and uses similar Ford C1 platform. The C30 is being sold as sports coupe or premium hatchback especially engineered for first time Volvo customers and youth market. Its exterior design is based on concept car called 2001 SCC, which was stimulated by 1800ES, the estate version of P1800 Coupe. Comprising of four different grades of steel, the light weight sturdy safety cage of 2012 Volvo C30 offers an outstanding level of protection for passengers and driver. The patented frontal structure distributes incoming collision forces, while the additional stiff front cross member under dashboard helps reduce intrusion inside the cabin for protecting legs and feet.

The 2012 Volvo C30 tends to stimulate more right-brain passion as compared to left side indulgence with sassy attitude and Euro-chic styling. It is powered by a brawny turbocharged engine and comes with sport tuned suspension for providing more dynamic capabilities and drive nicely. It excels in delivering superior sophistication, styling and of course refinement. The C30’s oversized glass, front fascia, which resembles XC60 crossover and trademark vertical taillamps of Volvo make it unique. There are quite a lot of other models in the market that are perfectly pleasant and enjoyable to drive – Volkswagen GTI, 2012 Ford Focus Hatchback and Mini Cooper.

Trim Levels, Body Styles and Optional Features

The 2012 Volvo C30 is a two-door, four-seater hatchback, which is available in Sportier T5 R-Design and base T5 trim levels. Each model can be upgraded with Platinum or Premier Plus variant, which basically combines famous options in different packages. The T5 comes equipped with height adjustable seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, trip computer, telescoping and tilt steering column with stereo controls, full power accessories, Bluetooth and eight-speaker CD stereo system with USB input and auxiliary audio jack.

Stepping up to Premier Plus trim level of 2012 Volvo C30 gets power front seats, power glass sunroof, aluminium inlays the dash and LED daytime lights. The new Platinum trim comes with all the features of Premier Plus along with navigation system, premium 10-speaker surround sound stereo system with satellite radio and driver seat memory.

The top of the line T5 R-Design variant of 2012 Volvo C30 adds mechanical upgrades for providing more performance, including quicker steering ratio, sport tuned suspension, which is 30% stiffer and 18-inch wheels. Unique styling cues for R-Design include special front grille design; color coordinated exterior trim, blue-faced gauges, leather seating, metallic interior trim and sport pedals. The Platinum and Premier Plus trim upgrades include same equipment as mentioned for T5. The Climate package of C30 includes heated front seats, rain sensing wipers, electronically controlled climate system and headlamp washers.

Performance and Powertrains

The 2012 Volvo C30 is motivated by an inline five-cylinder turbocharged 2.5 liter engine, which is good for cranking out 236 pound feet of torque and 227 horsepower. The engine is mated with six-speed manual transmission with front wheel drive system designed to send power to the front wheels. In performance testing, it accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour in the time range of 6.4 seconds and offered the fuel economy of 29 mpg highway, 21 mpg city and 24 mpg in combined driving.

Safety Features

Standard safety features on 2012 Volvo C30 include antilock disc brakes with brake assist technology, front seats with whiplash protection, stability control, side curtain full length airbags, traction control and front seat side airbags. Blind Spot Information System of Volvo is optional.

Special Features and Cabin Design

The company aims at sportiness inside the all new 2012 Volvo C30 along with Scandinavian, high tech style. The trademark floating center stack of Volvo is central design element, while the brushed aluminium center stack’s design is simple with four round knobs for climate and stereo controls. You will find another series of knobs for climate and audio controls, including telephone like set of buttons for stereo presets. The front seats are exceptionally comfortable with supportive side bolsters, while the telescoping steering column helps accommodate all sized drivers. The maximum cargo capacity behind rear seats is 20 cubic feet, which is hardly impressive by hatchback norms.

Driving Impressions

The 2012 Volvo C30 is a fun to drive little hatchback that boasts plenty of grip, while cornering and precise steering. By helping to prevent fishtails, rollovers and spinouts, the stability control technology like DSTC has been known as one of the most important safety features of past ten years. The anti locking disc brakes are engineered for superior performance during intensive and repetitive use. Its Electronic Brake Distribution allocates braking effect between rear and front wheels for achieving most favourable results according to driving and load conditions. Road and wind noise are negligible, but the engine will tickle the senses. Overall, it is quite practical, fun to drive, easy to maneuver and comes with safety engineering.

Astonishingly practical; well-located retractable hardtop; comfy and quiet ride; cherishing interior.

Bad

Confusing navigation controls; unremarkable performance.

Introduction

2012 Volvo C70 is a four-seater convertible with stylish lines and brilliant styling, while its retractable hardtop is an engineering masterpiece. It boasts a retractable hardtop, smooth ride and prestigious cabin, though its middling performance means quite a few rivals will leave it behind. The 2012 model lineup gets redesigned with three variants, while standard Bluetooth system now adds audio streaming capability. Styling revisions provide the C70 a freshened appearance for 2012. It gets redesigned front fascia, front fenders, grille and headlamps. The Intelligent Driver Information System is another Volvo safety world first inspired by technology usually found in fighter aircrafts. For avoiding unnecessary distractions in critical driving conditions, the IDIS constantly analyzes driving situation. As compared to traditional halogen headlamps, the Active Dual Xenon technology helps to expand driver’s vision range by 230 percent. You can enjoy extremely effective low beam illumination on narrow, winding roads and highly powerful beams on motorways.

The Volvo C70 is basically a luxury car produced and introduced in two generations by Volvo Cars: the first from model years 1997 to 2002 as coupe, while from 1999 to 2006 as soft-top convertible. The 2nd generation model was sold as retractable hardtop cabriolet from 2006. The first generation C70 was launched in the year 1996 at Paris Auto Show, following European introduction as 1997 model, and later as 1998 model in North America with high pressure turbo five-cylinder turbocharged and low pressure petrol engine and automatic and manual transmissions. The cloth cabriolet top was originally offered in four color shades and was fully automatic controlled by single dashboard mounted button. The second generation C70 was introduced in the year 2005 at Frankfurt Auto Show sharing S40 platform built by Pininfarina Sverige AB and designed by John Kinsey, a joint venture between Volvo and Pininfarina.

Those who are in the market looking for upscale cabriolet, which is long on style, but don’t want to sacrifice substance – things such as year-round practicality, comfort and safety, 2012 Volvo C70 is a wonderful choice. In terms of styling, the C70 is handsome outside and in, although in an understated way. It has the level of practicality conventional soft-topped cabriolets can’t match. Besides being capable to go from al fresco motoring to buttoned-up comfort at one press of the button, this three-piece retractable hardtop offers a level of quietness and security. You will find plethora of other models in the market that are sporty and refined such as Audi A5, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37 and Lexus IS C, but the 2012 Volvo C70 provides a balance of substance and style, which is worth a look.

Trim Levels, Body Styles and Optional Features

The 2012 Volvo C70 is a premium luxury cabriolet that offers comfortable seating capacity for four passengers. The reshuffling of model lineup means, there are now three trim levels of C70 offered; these include T5, T5 Platinum and T5 Premier Plus. The base T5 model comes equipped with standard features and equipments, which include power retractable hardtop, 17 inch alloy wheels, rear and front foglamps and heated mirrors. The cabin inside T5 boasts cruise control, keyless entry, leather upholstery, automatically controlled dual-zone climate control, power front eight-way seats, leather wrapped telescoping and tilt steering wheel, driver memory functions, trip computer, rearview auto dimming mirror, eight-speaker surround sound audio system with satellite radio, CD player, iPod/USB audio interface, auxiliary audio jack and HD radio and Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity.

Stepping up to Premier Plus trim level of 2012 Volvo C70 adds rear parking sensors, compass and keyless ignition/entry. The high performance T5 Platinum comes with navigation system, 14-speaker premium surround sound stereo system and real time traffic. All trim levels are eligible for following options. The Dynamic Package comes with 18 inch alloy wheels, sport steering wheel and adaptive bi-xenon headlamps, while the Climate Package consists of upgraded climate control, headlamp washers, heated front seats and automatic wipers. Standalone options include blind spot warning system.

Performance and Powertrains

Motivation for the 2012 Volvo C70 comes from an inline five-cylinder 2.5 liter turbocharged engine, which is good for pulsating 236 pound feet of torque and 227 horsepower. The engine is mated with five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control and front wheel drive system designed to send power to the front wheels. The estimated fuel economy for C70 is 28 mpg highway, 18 mpg city and 21 mpg in combined driving.

Safety Features

Standard safety features on 2012 Volvo C70 include antilock disc brakes with brake assist technology, active front head whiplash reducing restraints, traction and stability control, automatically deploying roll bars, front seat mounted side airbags and side curtain style front seat airbags. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave C70 the highest rating of Good for side impact and frontal offset protection.

Special Features and Cabin Design

The 2012 Volvo C70 comes with a thoughtfully designed, contemporarily appointed and best-in a class interior that earns high marks form with stylish, sleek design accented by trademark thin center stack panel of Volvo, which appears to float in space between center console and dash. Quality materials including optional wood trim and standard aluminium trim with leather upholstery complete the effect. Adjust driver’s seat to the position perfect for you and save the settings. Every time you use your central locking remote, the seats will automatically adjust to your preferences. With pronounced side supports, luxurious padding and ergonomic design, both front and rear seats of Volvo are widely accepted as some of the finest in the automotive world. Plus with features, including stepless lumbar support in driver’s seat, together with wide array of upholstery designs and materials, you will have a seat you will never want to leave. The maximum cargo capacity behind rear seats is 12.8 cubic feet with top raised.

Driving Impressions

The performance of 2012 Volvo C70 depends on great deal on your expectations. The performance focused T5 five-cylinder turbocharged engine with variable valve timing provides a powerful and exceptionally fast response through the complete rev range. Front wheel drive, standard on all Volvo models except Four-Wheel Dive Volvos, offers plenty of benefits over rear wheel drive, including low speed traction in slippery conditions. Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) enhances driving stability in slippery situations by comparing rotation of drive wheels and, if required, varying power supply. The anti locking disc brakes are engineered for best possible performance even during intensive and repetitive use. The BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) is particularly reassuring in fast-moving and congested traffic conditions. Overall, it is gorgeous with its Pininfarina styling making a convenient and fun to drive car.

The base model of the Volvo V50 launched last year had a 2.4 ltr 5-cylinder engine under its hood, but didn’t delivered the premium experience that is expected from a Volvo. The base V50 now comes with a powerful 2.5 ltr turbocharged inline-5 engine, found in the expensive T5 R-Design trim. This upgrade now has made it possible to get your hands around a nice and decent V50 model, and in addition to this, the price of the speed is a lot more affordable than before.

One of the biggest assets for the 2011 Volvo V50 is its spaciousness. The Volvo V50 basically is a wagon variant of Volvo’s S40 sedan and offers a huge cargo space of 63 cubic-feet with the rear seats folded. This puts it ahead of the crossovers such as the Mercedes-Benz GLK, Audi Q5 and some other wagons such as the Audi A4 Avant. On another impressive feature for the car is its fuel economy, and the car is a lot more fuel efficient than many of its rivals in the market.

The styling of the Volvo V50 is one another thing that can’t be overlooked, and the Swedish styling of the car definitely is unique and appealing. The aesthetics for the 2011 Volvo V50 are minimal Scandinavian, and that becomes rather apparent with its cabin and sheet metal. The thin “floating” center console of the car looks as modern and chic today, as it did when the V50 entered the market back in 2005. In true Volvo style the 2011 Volvo V50 also offers immensely comfortable and supportive seats in addition to the inclusion of all new safety technology.

The biggest advantage that the 2011 Volvo V50 has is that there aren’t many serious rivals in the small-wagon segment. The closest rival for the V50 is the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen and although it offers comparable interior quality and better fuel economy, and even is priced less, it isn’t as fast as the V50. The other rivals for the car are BMW’s 328i wagon and Audi’s A4 Avant, which although are expensive than the V50, but are sportier and even more engaging to drive. One another solid pick here is the spacious Subaru Outback. In general, the 2011 Volvo V50 could be said a mix of comfort and style, and that is what makes it a respectable choice, but still its better to have a look around before putting money down the table for it.

What’s New for 2011 Volvo V50?

For the model year 2011, the base Volvo V50 2.4i has been replaced with a T5 trim, which comes loaded with almost all the equipments of the previous model, but now comes with a turbocharged engine. The car doesn’t come with a manual transmission and All-wheel drive.

Body Styling and Features:

The 2011 Volvo V50 comes in a single body styling of a 5-passenger compact wagon, and is available in two trims: T5 and T5 R-Design.

The standard safety equipment for the 2011 Volvo V50 includes the likes of 17 in wheels, cruise control, heated side mirrors, an 8-way power driver seat having memory settings, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel having audio controls mounted on it, Bluetooth, neoprene-like T-Tec upholster, which also is known as Dalaro and an 8 speaker stereo having CD player, iPod/USB audio interface and auxiliary audio jack.

The T5 R-Design brings a sunroof, aluminum roof rails, a sport-tuned suspension, sporty exterior trim, a power passenger seat, partial leather upholstery and special R-Design floor mats, gauges, shift knob and steering wheel.

Volvo offers a preferred package for its base T5, and offers a power passenger seat, a sunroof and leather upholstery. The Climate package comes with both the trims and it also includes automatic wipers, headlight washers, heated front seats and automatic climate control.

Go for the Multimedia package and you could get a 12-speaker premium surround-sound system, which includes satellite radio and a navigation system.

There also are some stand-alone options, in the form of adaptive bi-xenon headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and keyless entry/ignition, integrated rear booster seats, Rear Park assist and satellite radio.

Under The Hood:

The power for all the 2011 Volvo V50 comes from a turbocharged 2.5 ltr inline-5 engine that powers the car with its 227 bhp of maximum power and 236 lbs-ft of maximum torque. The power is transmitted to the front wheels of the car by means of a 5-speed automatic transmission having manual-shift capability. Volvo expects a 0 to 60 sprint of 6.8 secs, and the estimated fuel economy for the car is of 21 mpg in city and 30 mpg on highway, which comes to a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg.

Safety:

The standard safety features for the 2011 Volvo V50 includes traction and stability control, antilock disc brakes, side curtain airbags, front side airbags and lash-reducing front head restraints. Some other optional safety features for the car comprise the likes of a blind-spot warning system and built-in rear booster seats.

Verdict:

The 2011 Volvo V50 is a roomy and happening premium wagon, but if you look around and do a bit of research in the market you easily will find a better option.

“Stylish”, “Modern” and “Appealing”, these are the terms that you generally don’t associate with Volvo cars, but all that will change with the 2012 Volvo S60, and you easily can put any of your preconceived notions of Volvo cars being insipid, boxlike or boring. As a matter of fact the latest midsize luxury sedan from Volvo the S60 is one of the snazziest cars of its class. So unlike any other Volvo car that you’ve seen in the market the 2012 Volvo S60 is intended for modern customers and will appeal to the same.

The S60 was redesigned last year only and came with an updated interior and a strong turbocharged engine generating maximum power of 300 horses. The good news although is that the 2012 Volvo S60 still has the traditional Volvo attributes such as superb safety features, comfy ride and coddling front seats. Although, the S60 doesn’t have as many airbags as some of the other Volvos, but the car does have a lot of modern driver warning features for the modern customers. One fine example of Volvo’s safety concern is the City Safety system of the car, this system automatically stops the car is a low-speed collision is approaching.

Finally, we will like to say that the 2012 Volvo S60 is an impressive car with a competitive price tag which is thousands less than many of its rivals. And although the S60 is not a sport sedan like the Infiniti G37 or BMW 3 Series, but it still fits comfortable in entry-level comfort-tuned luxury sedan segment featuring cars such as Audi A4, Acura TL, Mercedes-Benz C300 and Cadillac CTS. In simple terms, the 2012 Volvo S60 is all set the revitalize the boxy car image of Volvo.

What’s New in 2012 Volvo S60?

The Volvo S60 receives a base model for model year 2012, in the form of T5. The base model gets its power from a turbocharged 5-cylinder engine.

Body Styles and Trims:

The 2012 Volvo S60 comes in a single body style of a midsize luxury sedan and is available in two trim levels: T5 and T6, which corresponds to the engine type. The standard transmission for the base T5 trim includes 17 in wheels, cruise control, heated mirrors, an 8-way power driver seat having memory functions and changeable lumbar, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-swathed tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power-folding rear headrests, an 8-speaker sound system having HD radio, a CD player, satellite radio, an iPod/USB audio interface and an auxiliary audio jack and T-Tec cloth upholstery. The equipment list for the T6 includes standard all-wheel drive, an immensely powerful engine, sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, different steering tuning (including selectable settings) and the auto-dimming rearview mirror.

There is a Premium package which will get you a sunroof, bi-xenon headlights, an 8-way power passenger seat. For T5 trim this Package will get you auto-dimming rearview mirror and leather upholstery. There also is a Climate package which will get you heated windshield washers, heated front seats, headlight washers and automatic wipers.

Go for the Multimedia package, and you could get a rearview camera, a 12-speaker premium surround-sound audio system and a navigation system having real-time traffic updates. There are many other packages available with the 2012 Volvo S60 and depending upon your equipment liking and requirement you can get any of these packages.

Under The Hood:

The base T5 trims of 2012 Volvo S60 gets its power from a 2.5 ltr turbocharged inline-5 engine which generates maximum power of 250 hp and 266 lbs-ft of maximum torque, and is a front wheel drive. The standard transmission for the car is a 6-speed automatic. The acceleration for the T5 is decent and Volvo estimates that the car will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 secs. The estimated fuel economy for the T5 is 20 mpg in city  and 30 mpg on highways, it comes to a combined fuel economy of 23 mpg.

The T6 trim for the S60 is an all-wheel-drive and is powered by a 3.0 ltr turbocharged inline-6 engine which generates maximum power of 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of maximum torque. The standard transmission here is a 6-speed automatic. The T6 sprinted from 0 to 60 in 5.9 secs, which is pretty similar to some of the other sedans. The T6 is an AWD and delivers fuel economy of 21mpg combined for city and highways.

Safety:

Safety always has been a highlight of Volvo cars and the 2012 Volvo S60 was no exception. The standard safety features for the 2012 Volvo S60 includes traction and stability control, antilock disc brakes, full-length side curtain airbags, front-seat side airbags, City Safety and whiplash-reducing front head restraints. The City Safety feature of the car helps the driver in avoiding rear-ending to any vehicle or object at speeds of up to 19 mph by automatically implementing brakes if the driver doesn’t reacts in time.

Verdict:

The 2012 Volvo S60 is an unlike Volvo car. It’s a luxurious well-balanced sedan and is a superb alternative for the German luxury sedans.

The Volvo V70 was first introduced in model year 1996 by Volvo; it entered the market as a mid-size five-door station wagon/ estate car. The Volvo V70 strongly associated with the Volvo S70, Volvo S60 and Volvo S80 saloons, plus the 4 wheel drive Cross Country XC70 and (XC).

The Volvo V70 has come through three generation, with the third generation entering the market in the year 2007. The second generation V70 was designed by Peter Horbury, and that’s one of the reasons behind the immense prominence and demand of pre owned Volvo V70.

Among all the Volvo V70 sold in Europe, around 80% of the models were sold in Sweden only, which is the hometown for the company and hence it’s pretty much understandable. This is why the demand of Volvo V70 is a lot more in Sweden than any other part of the nation. During all through its stay in market the Volvo V70 saw a lot of changes, and with every improvement, the V70 kept on becoming better and better. This is why the prominence of pre owned Volvo V70 could be understood and so can be the craze among the Volvo fanatics. If you are thinking about getting a pre owned Volvo v70, then go for it, you will be getting one of the best sellers from Volvo.

It’s been around 10 years for Volvo S60 in the market and although we liked the car at first when it debuted with its sweeping roof line and muscular fenders. The reason behind this was that at that time it was a radical and revitalizing departure from the conventional drab box on wheels that it replaced. But 10 years is quite a long period of time and this model desperately needs a redesign for surviving few more years in the market now. So, the 2011 Volvo S60 finally gets a makeover and the resultant vehicle is yet another impressive vehicle which reclaims the glamour standing in company’s lineup.

What’s New for 2011 Volvo S60?

For the model year 2011 Volvo S60 gets a complete redesign.

Body Styling and Features

The 2011 Volvo S60 is available only in one midsize luxury sport sedan body style and also in a single T6 Trim level.

The equipment list for the S60 T6 comprises of features such as a sport-tuned suspension, all-wheel drive, front sport seats (eight-way power having memory settings for the driver), 18-inch alloy wheels, aluminum interior trim, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth, an eight-speaker audio system having a single-CD player, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, HD radio, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an USB/iPod interface.

If you want some additional equipment for your car then you can go for the optional package. The Premium optional package comes loaded with a sunroof, a power passenger seat and adaptive xenon headlights. There also is an another Multimedia package which upgrades the S60 with a rearview camera, navigation system offering real-time traffic updates and a 12-speaker premium sound system.

Some individual options for the car includes the FOUR-C adaptive suspension, 17-inch wheels, a more acquiescent “Touring” suspension (no additional charge), rear and front parking sensors, keyless entry/ignition, blind spot alert and a rear-seat entertainment system having dual display screens.

Under The Hood

The 2011 Volvo S60 comes with a single engine option and pumping under the hood of S60 T6 is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine honking maximum power of 300 hp and 325 pound-feet of maximum torque. The standard transmission here is a six-speed automatic transmission having manual and sport shift modes, which also is the standard transmission here and so is the all-wheel drive.

Safety Equipments

The 2011 Volvo S60, like all Volvo’s comes loaded with plenty of safety features, which includes traction and stability control, antilock disc brakes, full-length side curtain airbags, front-seat side airbags, City Safety and whiplash-reducing front head restraints. The City Safety feature helps the driver to avoid rear-ending some other vehicles or stationary object at the speed of about 19 mph by mechanically applying the brakes if the driver doesn’t reacts on time.

There also are plenty of optional safety equipments that you can get if you want some extra safety in the car.

Verdict

The 2011 Volvo S60 is a completely redesigned car for the model year 2011; the Volvo S60 still remains the looker in the family. But the most impressive feature of the car is what’s given under its sleek skin.

The 2010 Volvo XC60 priced at MSRP: $32,395 – $37,200 is one of the best driving entries that can be seen in the luxury crossover segment. The 2010 Volvo edition offers a perfect combination of powerful performance with stylish looks and innovative safety features at an affordable price. This edition rightly meets the growing demand of small luxury crossover vehicles. This Volvo edition offers competition to Acura RDX, Audi Q5, Infiniti EX 35, BMW X3 and Mercedes Benz GLK350.

What’s on offer?

The 2010 Volvo XC60 includes luxurious interiors, many safety features and a choice on inline six cylinder engine.

Silhouette

The 2010 Volvo XC60 has a sleek bodyline with smooth edges. It is the best looking vehicle in Volvo’s line up. It is stylish without being flashy.

Overall an impressive bodyline which appeals the eye.

Inside the cabin

The 2010 Volvo XC60 has interiors dressed with metallic trims that come standard inside the cabin. It offers the option of real oak wood trim with an optional combination of two tone upholstery to offer a plush and inviting look to the cabin. Good quality material is used inside the cabin except for a few hard plastic trim pieces.

The front seats are comfortable even on long drives. The rear seats have decent headroom and leg space to comfortably seat taller passengers also. The navigation system controls are placed to the back of the steering wheel which is not very driver friendly.

This Volvo edition offers impressive cargo space of 67 cubic feet. The rear seats can be folded to make additional room to store cargo.

Features of 2010 Volvo XC60

The 2010 Volvo XC60 is available in two trim levels. The base trim includes features such as 17 inch alloy wheels, power driver seat with memory functions, fog lamps, cruise control, auto  dimming rear view mirror, cruise control, eight speaker CD/MP3 stereo with satellite and HD radio , Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary audio inputs along with steering wheel mounted audio control.

The T6 package includes 18 inch alloy wheels, turbocharged engine, leather upholstery, privacy glass, all wheel drive and power passenger seat.

It also offers various optional that are available in packages like Multimedia pack that includes 12 speaker Dynaudio  surround sound system , back up camera and navigation system. The Climate Package includes heated front and rear outboard seats, headlamp washers, heated washer nozzle, interior air quality system and rain sensing wipers. Volvo also offers the option of Convenience package which includes front and rear park assist, and power liftgate.

The technology package includes hi tech features such as driver attention alert system, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning system.

All those buyers who wish to buy some selected stand alone features can select from panoramic sunroof, keyless ignition, exterior styling enhancement, light toned wood inlay for the centre stack adaptive xenon headlights, dual integrated rear booster seats and dual screen rear entertainment system.

2010 Volvo XC60 Powertrain

The 2010 Volvo XC 60 is powered by 3.2 liter inline 6 engine that generates 235 hp and 236 pounds feet of torque. It is teamed with front wheel drive and offers an option of all wheel drive. It offers a fuel economy of 18 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined.

The T6 edition is powered by 3.0 liter turbocharged inline 6 cylinder engine which delivers 281 horsepower and 295 pounds feet of torque. it is couple with all while drive system. This edition sprints from zero to 60 mph in an impressive 7.1 seconds. It offers an estimated fuel economy of 16 mpg city levels, 22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined.

2010 Volvo XC60 Safety

The 2010 Volvo XC60 is equipped with front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, antilock brakes with brake assist, and rollover sensing stability control. It includes City Safety which reduces or low speed frontal impact by automatically applying the brakes without the driver’s discretion. All wheel drive editions feature Hill descent Control.

It also offers an array of optional safety features such as driver alert system, lane departure warning system, and a collision warning braking system.

Conclusion

The 2010 Volvo XC60 is good looking luxurious crossover. The main highlights of this edition are impressive bodyline, ample interior space, turbocharged engine, many safety features, and a long list of standard equipment. The main drawbacks that can be noted is subpar fuel economy.

Recognizing the growing needs of the consumers Volvo has plans to launch a plug in hybrid in 2012 and they are also in the process of assessing the feasibility of an entirely electric powered car.

Volvo is all set to unveil this special edition of the battery powered all electric C30 at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. This new edition will feature advanced battery packaging with complete interior and full instrumentation. It will be powered by lithium ion batteries that can be recharged conveniently at any of the household power socket or special road side charging stations. It would take an approximate of eight hours for charging the batteries completely.

Volvo has decided to offer this test vehicle for a two year trial period to understand the technical as well behavioral aspects.

The electric C30 is like the regular C30 except that the hood will feature an electric engine instead of the conventional engine. Volvo engineers worked very hard to find the perfect place to locate the battery.  They found that this 24kWh battery can be righty placed where the fuel tank is generally located or at the prop shaft tunnel. This edition is solely run on electric and hence will need larger battery with higher capacity in comparison to the plug in hybrid.

The Volvo C30 is quite similar to the conventional C30 except for a few differences like the gauges and the graphics are different and the instrument panel shows only road, speed and energy consumption. The instrument panel adds a few features to indicate battery charge status and other relevant information needed for the vehicle operator.

The electric edition has no gears and hence offers a different driver experience to the driver.

The electric C30 offers a top speed of 81 mph when fully charged and will take less than 11 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60mph.