Volvo

Volvo safety system for avoiding collisions at low speeds

By Mike Hanlon

December 7, 2006 Volvo has announced more innovative safety technology – a unique ‘City Safety’ system that could help drivers avoid 50 per cent of all rear-end, low speed accidents that often happen in urban environments or slow moving traffic. Statistics reveal that 75 per cent of all reported collisions occur at low speeds of up to 30 km/h (18.7 mph). The Volvo system, called ‘City Safety’, is active up to 30 km/h and keeps a watchful eye on traffic up to six metres in front of the car with the help of an optical radar system integrated into the upper part of the windscreen. If a car in front suddenly brakes or is stationary, the system will automatically pre-charge the brakes to help the driver avoid an accident by slowing down in time, or steering away from a potential collision. However, if a collision is imminent, the system will activate the car’s brakes automatically. Read More

Volvo Multi-Fuel high performance prototype that runs on five different fuels

By Mike Hanlon

June 15, 2006 The Michelin Challenge Binendum finished in Paris on the weekend, completing yet another showcase of the world’s most interesting clean technologies and energies for motorized vehicles. Each Bibendum sees a who’s who of the world’s automotive manufacturers put their latest concept vehicles on the park and this year some concept vehicles were actually rolled out for the event. One that really caught our attention was the Volvo Multi-Fuel prototype, which is optimised for running on five different fuel types; hythane (10% hydrogen and 90% methane), biomethane, natural gas, bioethanol E85 and petrol. The idea, according to Volvo, is to make use of the fuels that are produced locally. This means that less fuel needs to be transported between continents, and you can fill up the car on the fuel that is available wherever you are. Read More

Volvo Round-the-world Race visits the Big Apple

By Mike Hanlon

May 7, 2006 When the runaway leader of the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race, ABN AMRO 1, enters New York harbour some time tomorrow the round-the-world race will have been underway for more than six months - the 32,700 mile race having begun in Vigo, Spain on November 12, 2005 is scheduled to end in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 17, 2006. With more than 29,000 nautical miles of the race completed and just a tenth of that distance remaining in one of the world’s most gruelling adventure races, ABN AMRO I looks likely to take the event barring mishap. The has journeyed from Europe via the Atlantic to Cape Town then on to Melbourne, Australia, then across the Tasman Sea to Wellington, New Zealand, then across the Pacific ocean to Rio de Janeiro, then on to Baltimore, USA. If you’re in the Big Apple this week, make sure you get down and take a look at the most remarkable, high tech sailing machines ever assembled. Currently, boaters are setting their sails as they prepare to finish the sixth course of the race in New York on May 8. After a 48-hour stay, crews will hoist their anchors and set sail for Portsmouth, England. There are many fantastic information resources on the internet which cover the technologies used in the construction and design of the canting-keel boats,

the official race site with full tracking of the boats and much more, and the official sites of the leading boats such as ABN AMRO I & II, the Spanish Movistar boat which set a world 24 hour distance record just prior to the start of the race, the superbly named Pirates of the Caribean, Brasil 1 and Ericsson Racing Team. Check out the image library for a taste of the spectacular nature of the event. Check out the image library Read More

Volvo Penta’s new IPS joystick controller for boats

By Mike Hanlon

February 26, 2006 Old school thinking has a distinct ring to it. “If it aint broke, don’t fix it” and “It’s always been done that way for a very good reason” are the catchcries of an era long-since-past. Once upon a time, ships and boats were pushed through the water by a fixed screw propeller and steered by a rudder. Now Volvo Penta has released a new system it has dubbed the Inboard Performance System (IPS) system and turned the whole industry on its ear. With double forward-facing propellers and steerable drive units, boats equipped with the Volvo Penta IPS are significantly better than boats with traditional inboard shafts in virtually all respects: comfort, performance, environmental features and driving characteristics. Since its introduction last year, the Volvo Penta IPS has received prizes and awards throughout the world but time stands still for no man and now there’s a new enhancement that will look strangely familiar to computer gamers - a joystick. Even the most experienced boat-owners can sometimes feel uncomfortable about the prospect of docking a large boat in a congested harbour, especially if the dockside is filled with spectators! Volvo Penta’s new IPS Joystick eliminates that problem. With just a few simple hand movements, you can place your boat elegantly against the dock. Read More

Volvo’s new S80 – luxury, V8 Power, AWD Poise

By Mike Hanlon

February 1, 2006 Volvo's all-new S80 will be revealed to the public at the international motor show in Geneva on 28 February and is scheduled to arrive in European dealerships during June. Performance and power are entrenched priorities in the ultra-competitive luxury sedan segment, and Volvo Car's commitment to delivery these qualities yields an enthusiastic and refined combination of 235kW V8 power and all-wheel-drive performance. Read More

Volvo builds a 4x4 "peace bus"

By Mike Hanlon

January 28, 2006 We love to write about intelligently-designed, purpose-built machinery and we’ve noticed that there’s a bit of a trend in recent times towards building transport ruggedised to withstand the rigours of armed-attack. In recent times, we’ve written about the world’s toughest bus (the Rhino Runner), the fastest armoured 4WD in the world (the Kombat T-98), the world’s first widely-available armoured luxury saloon car and the US Army’s Smartruck and now this interesting and unique bus from Volvo. Built on a Volvo 4x4 truck chassis for use by the Swedish UN peace-keeping armed forces currently based in Liberia, West Africa, it is designed to carry 40 passengers and will be used primarily by UN soldiers in Liberia. However, given the current state of unrest there, it will also be possible to use the bus to evacuate local inhabitants, should the need arise. Read More

Volvo's sporty C30 two-door concept

By Mike Hanlon

January 4, 2006 Volvo is revealing a sporty two-door concept car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on 9 January, which gives a strong indication of the design of an exciting, new smaller Volvo C30 model it will launch at the Paris Motor Show in September. The C30 Design Concept has a compact, sporty design with two doors, four individual seats and a distinctive glass tailgate. It is capable of 0-62mph in six seconds thanks to a high performance 260bhp, five-cylinder, 2.4-litre engine producing 350Nm of torque for plenty of flexibility from 2,100rpm. Read More

It's a Volvo!

By Mike Hanlon

November 2, 2005 It seemed an entirely appropriate exhibit for the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer Association's annual trade show set amidst the glittering lights and over-the-top excess of Las Vegas. Until we noticed the badge – it’s a Volvo. This hand-built hotrod is based entirely on Volvo components and a twin turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine from a car manufacturer more widely known for safety and functionality. Read More

Volvo Child Safety Seats released

By Mike Hanlon

October 25, 2005 Volvo pioneered automotive safety long before it was fashionable and its stocks have risen in recent years as active safety has become non-daggy and the Volvo emblem is now synonymous with safety in the mind of the public. So it’s a logical time to extend the brand, and there’s no more compelling issue around safety than that of baby seats. Yes folks, if you want your pride and joy to be as safe, secure and comfortable as can be, Volvo has launched a new range of ISOFIX child seats! Read More

Volvo experimenting with new safety features

By Mike Hanlon

August 18 2005 Volvo Cars’ most recent contribution to road safety is an experimental car equipped with a breathalyser lock integrated into the driver's seat belt clasp. Volvo Cars is also experimenting with a special ignition key that regulates the car’s top speed. The experimental technology requires the driver to perform a two-step safety check before the engine will start. The driver must first blow into the built-in breathalyser lock and the driver must also fasten the seat belt. When the breathalyser detects alcohol or if the driver does not fasten the seat belt, the engine will not start. The breathalyser will illuminate red when it positively detects alcohol, and the breathalyser will illuminate green when it does not detect alcohol. Read More

Volvo Develops Inflatable Curtain (IC) for Cabriolets

By Mike Hanlon

July 26, 2005 Volvo’s Inflatable Curtain (IC), introduced in 1998, helps to protect the belted occupant’s head during a side impact or rollover scenario. IC has been developed for and is fitted as standard in Volvo’s sedans, wagons and XC models.

This essential safety technology has been specifically adapted for the unique use in a cabriolet. The Inflatable Curtain will be available on Volvo's C70 hardtop cabriolet – a world-first safety development. In a fixed roof vehicle, the IC is fitted in the inner roof edge and is activated downward between the side window and the occupant’s head. This location has thus far made it impossible to fit the IC system in a cabriolet since there is no fixed roof for its installation. Read More

Volvo's ingenious convertible coupe

By Mike Hanlon

July 19, 2005 The next generation Volvo C70 shown here for the first time, can be reasonably expected to grab a significant slice of upmarket consumer attention in that it converts from a hardtop coupe to an open air convertible at the press of a button. The second generation C70 has an innovative three-piece retractable hardtop and can hence offer two cars for the price of one. With the top up, it's an elegant coupe and with the top stowed below the rear deck, it offers wind-in-the-hair sports car fun with room for four people. The all-new Volvo C70 will be unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September, with sales beginning in the U.S. in the spring of 2006 – just in time for summer. Read More

Volvo YCC Concept Car wins major design award

By Mike Hanlon

May 6, 2005 The Volvo Cars' YCC team has received the Torsten och Wanja Soderbergs Pris (Torsten and Wanja Soderbergs Prize), one of Scandinavia's most prestigious design awards. The YCC is a Volvo concept car with unique features designed exclusively by women and it impressed the judging jury. "For their solutions for storage, accessibility, vision and the possibility to personalize the interior, the group has in a convincing way shown possible solutions for future cars," wrote the jury. Read More

Volvo unleashes 650 horsepower XC90 Power Utility Vehicle

By Gizmag Team

November 5, 2004 Volvo has unveiled plans for an all new powerhouse model. The XC90 Power Utility Vehicle, is powered by the company's new V8 planned to produce 650 horsepower, sports a six-speed automatic "Geartronic" transmission and a computer-controlled all-wheel-drive system. Volvo once had a dowdy image thanks to championing safety long before it was fashionable. In recent times, a string of innovative and socially astute concept cars has done a lot to reinvigorate the company's brand. The introduction of the diabolically fast XC90 Power Utility Vehicle is no doubt designed to bolster the Swedish car manufacturer's image and attract new enthusiasts. Read More

Volvo Offers a Personal Solution to Sustainable Mobility

By Mike Hanlon

Spurred by the growing need to tackle congestion and pollution issues, Volvo Car Corporation has developed a radically new approach to sustainable mobility with the striking 3CC concept. The futuristic Volvo 3CC personal transportation vehicle was unveiled today at the Shanghai Michelin Challenge Bibendum event.

The Volvo 3CC is a sleek, aerodynamic car designed to carry up to three adults, or two adults and two children, utilizing a unique two-plus-one seating arrangement which provides comfort and space comparable to a larger car. Read More

State-of-the-Art V8 for Volvo XC90

By Mike Hanlon

An entirely new Volvo powertrain featuring a V8 engine, six-speed automatic transmission and the latest-generation AWD system will make its debut at Paris motor show on 23 September. This leading-edge V8 engine marks a new turning-point in Volvo Cars' history. It is the first V8 the company has produced since it was founded in 1927, and the Volvo XC90 is the first model to be powered by the new engine. Read More

Details of the Volvo Extreme Gravity Car

By Mike Hanlon

The origins of the soapbox derby or billykart race are not well documented, or so we thought. Volvo's press release on its Extreme Gravity car dates the first organised soapbox derby in 1933 at Dayton Ohio, USA. Regardless of the accuracy of that claim, the Volvo Extreme Gravity Racer is far removed from those original vehicles. Comprised of water-jet-cut high-strength aluminum, carbon fiber composite and fiberglass, the machine is a feast for the eyes of anyone who has ever built such a gravity machine. Read More

Volvo unveils commuter concept vehicle

By Mike Hanlon

Volvo has unveiled a futuristic car of the future developed at its Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center (VMCC) just outside of Los Angeles. The Tandem is a two-passenger, capsule-shaped vehicle whereby the passenger sits directly behind the driver giving it its distinct name, which in design draws obvious comparison to the tandem bike. Read More

Volvo Launches Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)

By Mike Hanlon

Once the butt of jokes for its unfashionable safety conscious outlook, Volvo's active safety research continues to impress. The company's new Blind Spot Information System now recognises cars and motorcycles with a camera-based monitoring system that keeps a watchful eye on the 'blind' area alongside and offset rear of the car. Read More

Volvo Concept Car Designed by women for women

By Mike Hanlon

VVolvo's 'Your Concept Car' (YCC) is a concept vehicle designed by women for women. Conceived by Volvo in June 2002 with a view to targeting the most demanding premium customer, the independent professional woman, the YCC was presented at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. The idea of an all-woman team making all the decisions in the development of a new concept car arose at Volvo Car in the autumn of 2001. Visiting Volvo at the time for a series of workshops was Marti Barletta, an American expert on female consumer patterns. She claimed: "If you meet the expectations of women, you exceed the expectations of men." "We're sure it's right," says Camilla Palmertz, one of the two project managers for the YCC. "That's why that thesis has been our guiding light in developing Your Concept Car." Read More

Volvo Safety Concept Car wins Concept Car of the Year Award

By Mike Hanlon

Volvo's Safety Concept Car won the 2002 Concept Car of the Year thanks to its variety of technologies that enhance personal security and improve passive safety. Read More