Volvo auto news

Report: Volvo XC90 to become Geely

Volvo recently unveiled yet another model year of the impossibly old XC90 - promised to be the final one before a complete redesign. But the overripe vintage of the first SUV to fall from Volvo's vine isn't stopping corporate parent Geely from absconding with the platform to launch a new high-end brand for China.

According to China Car Times, Volvo's new XC90 will be launching in 2014, and after that the original will soldier on in China, at least in some form. The report does not make clear whether the first-generation XC90 will merely be re-badged, or if the platform will be used for a new Geely design.

Geely launched its first SUV, the GX7, at this year's Beijing Auto Show, according to the report.

Report: Volvo planning long-wheelbase S60L for Chinese market

Regular readers should be plenty familiar with the trend in the Chinese market towards long-wheelbase versions of the luxury sedans we have here. It's just what high-end customers in the decentralizing economy look for. And European automakers have been only too glad to oblige.

BMW, Audi, Porsche and Infiniti have all recently stretched their existing luxury sedans to lure new buyers in the rapidly developing Chinese market, and now word has it that Volvo is following suit with a long-wheelbase version of the S60.

The Chinese-owned Swedish automaker already produces a stretched version of the S80 in China, but has reportedly found little success. The hope is that the S60 - which for all its positive attributes does not have a particularly spacious rear bench - will plug that gap better in long-wheelbase form.

Spy Shots: Volvo XC40 spotted testing in Arizona

A keen-eyed reader managed to snag a few photos of what looks to be the upcoming Volvo XC40 ahead of the vehicle's debut at the Paris Motor Show. Like most manufacturers, Volvo is keen to offer buyers the small crossovers they demand. With a taller ride height, more ground clearance and a more aggressive front fascia than the V40, the XC40 should do just that.

Drivetrain details are still a bit murky at the moment, but we wouldn't be surprised to see everything from a new diesel to turbocharged gasoline five-cylinder under the hood. The latter of those two should be good for around 254 horsepower.

If the V40 is any indication, the crossover will also boast start-stop technology and brake-energy regeneration in either manual or automatic transmission configurations. Expect to see both front and all-wheel drive variants as well.

The machine above was spotted in Flagstaff, Arizona while out for a little hot-weather testing, though we're told the XC40 isn't destined for the U.S. market. That seems a bit odd to us. The small crossover seems to be a perfect fit for Americans who can't get enough stylish crossovers.

Official: Volvo releases details on ever-so-slightly updated 2013 XC90

It's hard to believe that the Volvo XC90 has been on the market since 2003. That's 10 model years ago, predating our own existence as a website. Even the XC90 mid-cycle refresh that happened in 2007 seems like an eternity ago. So it stands to reason that for 2013 Volvo would introduce... yet another year of the same old thing.

Well, not exactly. The 2013 XC90 has been "delightfully refreshed," though we're pretty sure that the color-coordinated exterior and LED daytime running lights were actually introduced last year. But hey, don't fix it if it ain't broke.

Volvo has also rejiggered the trim packages on the XC90, which now starts at $39,500 plus $895 delivery. And that Yamaha-built V8 that disappeared this year? Still gone.

While you wait with us for the next-generation XC90, go ahead and scroll down to read the full press release and check out the images in our gallery. Then do it again. And again...

Continue reading Volvo releases details on ever-so-slightly updated 2013 XC90

Heico Sportiv gears up to mod new Volvo V40

The emergence of the V40 is arguably the biggest news to come out of Volvo since Ford sold it to Geely. Just as with any new car - European hatchbacks especially - the aftermarket will follow shortly with modifications, and in the case of Volvo, that means Heico Sportiv.

The German tuning house specializes in Gothenburg's finest. The firm already has a new ECU module for the T5 engine in the V40 that brings output up from 237 horsepower to 266 and from 236 pound-feet of torque to 269. Heico has released a pair of renderings previewing what it plans to do with the outside of the slick new sport-wagon.

From the teaser renderings, we can see a new set of lightweight seven-spoke alloys, new bumpers front and rear, side skirt extensions, a relatively low-key diffuser and quad ovoid exhaust tips. In other words, the V40, only slightly more so. Unfortunately, since the V40 isn't earmarked for American showrooms, this may be as close as we'll get.

Video: Watch Volvo's hybrid semi-truck set a land speed record

Volvo is taking its Mean Green hybrid truck on U.S. tour for a few months. One of the stops between Toronto Tuck World and the Volvo Ocean Race in Miami was Wendover, Utah, to attempt a couple of record-breaking speed runs.

Mean Green uses a 16-cylinder engine that puts out 1,900-horsepower, tied to an electric motor that adds 200 hp and 885 pound-feet. With that package, the Swedish Viking Speed Records Team and pilot Boije Overbrink were aiming for 165 miles per hour in the flying kilometer. They didn't quite make that lofty goal, but they did well enough to break not one, but two world records. Scroll down for the story of the day.

Continue reading Watch Volvo's hybrid semi-truck set a land speed record

Official: Volvo trims out the cabin of its top seller with XC60 Inscription

In the market for a new luxury crossover? You could do a lot worse than the Volvo XC60. But if the existing model isn't luxe enough for your taste, Volvo has now announced the availability of a new trim level that amps things up a notch.

Called the Inscription edition, the gussied-up XC60 gives buyers a choice of special interior trims. Four colors of semi-aniline leather - white, black, reddish tan or beige - are on offer, with black or beige trim to coordinate. The headrests are also embroidered and the tread-plates embossed with the Inscription logo, the center armrest is trimmed in top-stitched leather, and the seats are upgraded with electrically adjustable lumbar support.

Charcoal headliner, a special shade of silver paint and unique 20-inch wheels are also on offer for the special edition of the model that Volvo says is its top seller. The model will be unveiled at the Leipzig Motor Show in June (oddly sales start in April), but you can peruse the special touches in the gallery above and check out the press release after the jump for more details. Pricing has not yet been released, but Volvo is promising "worldwide" availability.

Continue reading Volvo trims out the cabin of its top seller with XC60 Inscription

Volvo celebrates 85 years by repeating history

The first Volvo, an ÖV4, drove through the factory gates in Göthenburg around 10AM on April 14th, 1927. To celebrate 85 years of building its uniquely Swedish cars, Volvo President and CEO Stefan Jacoby recreated the moment along with Olof Persson, President and CEO of the Volvo Group (the truck-building Volvo).

From a modest start - Volvo only sold 300 cars in its first year - the company built its business by building solid trucks and buses that help earn the profits to support the car business that took off like wildfire with the eventual introduction of the PV444. Volvo Car Corporation and the Volvo Group are separate companies now, with China's Geely owning the automotive side of the business, but they'll be forever joined by that spring day in 1927. The press release can be seen by scrolling down.

Continue reading Volvo celebrates 85 years by repeating history

Report: Geely announces $11 billion investment in Volvo

No matter where the funding comes from, the investment is meant to aggressively drive the Volvo brand in the Chinese market, where the Swedish brand sold about 50,000 cars last year. Geely wants Volvo to account for 20 percent of the premium car market in just three years(!) with a target of 200,000 vehicles for 2014. It's all part of an ambitious plan to double Volvo sales over the next ten years, and for its stewardship, Geely will get a new premium brand for China that uses Volvo tech and engineering. In addition, the two brands will be combining their purchasing power to get better deals from suppliers and small engine and electric vehicle development will also be shared between Volvo and Geely.

As the last Swedish brand standing, it's heartening to see that Geely has designs on increasing Volvo's sales. Here's hoping the recently voracious appetite for cars in the Chinese market doesn't shortchange American buyers looking for Nordic iron.

Study: These are the 10 new cars with the highest percentage of female ownership

If you hear the pejorative "chick car," what comes to mind? Mazda MX-5 Miata? Volvo C70? Would you believe neither made Inside Line's list of 2011 models with the highest percentage of female ownership? No. 1, with 57.9-percent female ownership was the Volvo S40. Considering the female dollar is sought-after, it's probably too bad that Volvo decided to axe the model for 2012.

That means No. 2, the Nissan Rogue with 56.9 percent, could take the top spot for 2012. Or maybe the VW Eos at No. 3 with 56.4 percent. We're also kind of wondering how the new Fiat 500 will fare this year.

No. 4 is another VW that shouldn't surprise. The cute New Beetle has been a perennial favorite among the ladies. It was No. 1 a year ago, but as we know, the newer, more aggressively styled Beetle is enjoying increased interest among the guys. No. 5? The Toyota Matrix, of all things.

Here's how the rest shake out according to Inside Line:

Top ten 2011 models with the highest proportion of female buyers

1. Volvo S40 - 57.9%
2. Nissan Rogue - 56.9%
3. Volkswagen Eos - 56.4%
4. Volkswagen New Beetle - 54.6
5. Toyota Matrix - 54.1%
6. Hyundai Tucson - 54%
7. Honda CR-V - 53.4%
8. Toyota RAV4 - 54%
9. Nissan Juke - 52.7% (tie)
10. Jeep Compass - 52.7% (tie)