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Volvo PV444 turns 70

Volvo has made all manner of vehicles over the course of its long history, including coupes, convertibles, hatchbacks, sedans, wagons and SUVs. But the vehicle that started it all was the PV444.
Or rather, we should say, the PV444 is what re-started it all. Because while it wasn't Volvo's first model, it was the first one it produced after the war. Monday, September 1, will mark 70 years since the PV444 first debuted at the Royal Tennis Hall in Stockholm pictured above, where the company received 148,437 visitors.
That presentation there took place shortly before the end of World War II when the vehicle wasn't even finished yet. A team of 40 engineers and designers were still fine-tuning the final version, but were eager to show the public what it would start building after the last bullet was fired and peace would return to Europe.

Next Volvo XC90 design teased

When Volvo took the wraps off its Concept Coupe yesterday, the Swedish automaker said that while "the all-new XC90 is an entirely different type of car, you will recognize the connection instantly when it is revealed next year." We raised our eyebrows at this upon first read, but after seeing these photos, posted on Feber.se, Volvo certainly wasn't joking.
During a press conference where the Concept Coupe debuted, teaser images of the next XC90 were shown, and the connection between it and the conceptual two-door are obvious. The long, T-shaped lighting elements in the slim headlamps are certainly the most noticeable tie between the two vehicles, but the angular lower fascia openings seen here can also be found quite prominently on the Concept Coupe.
Feber.se also has a few images showing the new taillamp and interior designs of the XC90, as well. And not surprisingly, those two facets of the new crossover's DNA are also surprisingly close to the elements found on the Concept Coupe. It's interesting to see how the concept's C-shaped taillamps have been massaged for the more upright design of the XC90's rump, and inside the cabin, it appears Volvo is serious about this vertically oriented infotainment display.

Daimler and Geely collaborate to develop 'a highly efficient modular engine'

BERLIN — German car maker Daimler said on Tuesday it will cooperate with China's Geely to build next-generation combustion engines for use in hybrid vehicles. Efforts to share development costs come as the growth potential for combustion engines faces the twin threat of the COVID-19 crisis and stricter fuel-efficiency and emission rules. "The companies plan to develop a highly efficient modular engine," a spokesman for Daimler said, adding that it would be used in hybrid drivetrains and manufactured in Europe and China. Geely declined to comment. The modular engine will be used in cars under different marques at Geely and Daimler, a person familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity as the companies are still in the early stages of developing the engine. News of the alliance was a surprise to Daimler's works council at its factory in Untertuerkheim, which specializes in electric and gasoline powertrain assembly. "We are speechless. There was not even a discussion about potential alternative manufacturing locations," said Michael Haeberle, the works council chief for Untertuerkheim. "We have the ability to build four-cylinder engines in Untertuerkheim, but there were no talks about it." Daimler said German factories will be retooled gradually to add electric drivetrains production. Most of the next-generation combustion engines will be made in China, business daily Handelsblatt reported. The alliance with Geely, which owns a 9.69% stake in Stuttgart-based Daimler, means that parts of Daimler's existing partnership with Renault could be pared back. A Renault source told Reuters that the Daimler-Geely project does not mean an end of cooperation between Daimler and Renault. Citing Daimler sources, Handelsblatt said the Daimler-Geely pact would save the German carmaker a "triple-digit million sum" — implying an amount above 100 million euros ($119 million) and less than 1 billion euros. Green Mercedes-Benz Volvo Hybrid Daimler Geely