1-owner * Leather * Sunroof * 3rd Row Seat * Local Dallas Car! * Xc90 * on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Volvo's Geneva-bound concept wagon looks sexy in a raincoat

Volvo is set to complete its concept car trilogy at the next month's Geneva Motor Show with the debut of its Concept Estate, the followup to its Concept Coupe from the Frankfurt Motor Show and Concept XC Coupe from the Detroit Auto Show. We've been looking forward to its Swiss debut, and now some teaser images of the Concept Estate have been uncovered... on the website of a raincoat seller?
Yes, Swedish raincoat maker Stutterheim has apparently been commissioned by Volvo to build a high-quality car cover for its Geneva concept, and the fabricator's website shows off some of the details of the long-roofed design study. From what we can see, it looks like the Concept Estate is more shooting brake than traditional wagon. Also, it's brown. So basically, Volvo has built the ultimate car for auto journalists.
Joking aside, the images show off more than a few of the design traits we've seen on Volvo's two previous concept cars. A wide, rectangular grille and lowercase-B-shaped taillights are both noticeable in these teasers, but we can't see much more than that.

Volvo fires up S60 and V60 Polestar production

We were pretty smitten with the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar models during our First Drive in Sweden a few months ago. We especially loved the way that its Öhlins adjustable dampers offered a perfect balance between suppleness and sporty handling. Now, the rest of the world will finally be getting the chance to take the Polestar models for a spin because Volvo is shipping out the first units of the limited-edition vehicles.
Their completion marks the first time ever that Polestar-tuned models have come off the line at Volvo's Torslanda factory. However, production of the 350-horsepower hatchback and sedan is very limited. Volvo is building a total of just 750 of them for the world market, and the US is only getting 80 wagons and 40 sedans.
In addition to the cutting-edge dampers and more powerful engine, both Polestar models benefit from a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system routed through a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters and launch control. Six-piston Brembo calipers bring things to a halt, and the limited models get unique front and rear fascias and 20-inch wheels. These are two very hot Swedes, and if rumors are right, then there are even more tuned Volvos from Polestar on the way. Scroll down to read the full announcement.

Geely to release models developed with Volvo in 2015

Geely and Volvo will finally team up for a jointly developed vehicle, more than three years after the safety-minded Swedish brand was gobbled up by Geely's parent company, according to a report in Automotive News Europe. The story quotes Geely's CEO, Gui Sheng Yue saying, "We have entered into actual research and development stage and I believe we can see the new product in the year after next."
That means 2015, which is a mighty ambitious timetable to bring a vehicle to market. But as Geely's CEO explains, life isn't going to get any easier in the Chinese market, "Competitive pressure on domestic brands in the China market should increase considerably in the coming years as most major international brands are strengthening their presence," he told ANE. Those statements also tell us that we shouldn't expect to see Geely on American shores any time soon. The brand is simply too focused on topping the Chinese market, at least among CDM brands.