2004 Volvo C70 Base Convertible 2-door 2.4l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Volvo celebrates 20 years of sleeper wagons with 850 T-5R and V60 Polestar

I must have been around Bar Mitzvah age when I was in the back of my parents' car on the highway as we passed a truck full of Volvo 850 T-5R wagons - half of them in black, half in banana yellow. It was one of the coolest things I'd ever seen: a whole gaggle of sleeper power wagons that were infinitely cooler than whatever minivan we were riding in. Hard to believe that was 20 years ago, but it was. And Polestar is understandably keen to mark the anniversary of the first overt Volvo performance wagon.
While Volvo's racing partner hasn't released some commemorative edition to celebrate that prototypical sleeper, it has shot a special batch of photos of the T-5R (based on the 850 wagon internally known as the 855 for its five doors) alongside its modern successor, the V60 Polestar. The images shot in Huntington Beach, CA, only go to show how much has changed in the two decades that separate them.
Whereas this front-drive T-5R packed a turbocharged inline-five driving 240 horsepower through a four-speed automatic propel the yellow box to 62 in 7.0 seconds, the turbo six in the svelter, Rebel Blue-clad 2015 V60 Polestar churns out 350 hp to all four wheels through a six-speed auto for a 4.9-second sprint. That's the kind of progress we can get behind. In fact, it's the sort of progress that everyone can get behind, really, because chances are whatever you're driving will probably have a hard time keeping up.

Volvo Recharge plug-in hybrids get big range and power bumps

Volvo's plug-in hybrid powertrain is getting a significant upgrade for 2023, resulting in all its 90- and 60-series Recharge models effectively doubling their electric range and becoming eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit.  A new rear electric motor now delivers 143 horsepower from 87 hp, resulting in a combined output of 455 hp and 523 pound-feet of torque. That's a significant bump from the previous 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. These changes apply to the Recharge versions of the XC90, S90, XC60 and S60, plus the Polestar Engineered trim levels of XC60 and V60.  Below are the new electric ranges for each of the Volvo Recharge models. Their previous ranges are in parentheses. S60 Recharge: 41 miles (22) V60 Polestar Engineered: 41 miles (22) XC60: 35 miles (19) XC60 Polestar Engineered: 35 miles (19) S90 Recharge: 38 miles (21) XC90 Recharge: 35 miles (18) These range increases are the result of a new long-range battery pack featuring a third layer of cells. This brings total capacity from 11.6 kWh to 18.8 kWh.  There are other advantages, as well. The XC60 and S90 Recharges will now be capable of one-pedal driving, whereby regenerative braking is so strongly applied that the car effectively does most of the braking for you. This is already available on Volvo's fully electric models, and although it will initially be available only on the XC60 and S90, Volvo told Autoblog that the others will eventually get it. When exactly? Volvo did not elaborate.   Volvo says the increased battery capacity will improve performance in extreme cold and heat. It will also allow for pre-heating and pre-cooling the car, even when unplugged, without reducing all-electric range.  Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. 2020 Volvo S60 T8 driver assist systems

Volvo eying return to 100k US sales to ensure dealer profitability

Struggling Volvo may be on a verge of a renaissance thanks to the forthcoming completion of its lauded concept car trilogy, new Drive-E engine family and much-discussed SPA modular platform. Its nascent renewal is mostly being financed by $11-billion in funding from its Chinese parent company, Geely, and if it all goes right, Volvo hopes to sell 100,000 cars a year in the States by 2016. That milestone is vital, because it would ensure Volvo's US dealer network is profitable, according to Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson.
In a new Ward's Auto story, Samuelsson notes that his company is launching a slate of fresh products in the coming years, including the new-to-the-US V60 wagon and mid-cycle updates for its S60 sedan and XC60 crossover. But the most important new vehicle will be the recently spied XC90 that is expected to be unveiled just before the end of this year. Samuelsson is also looking at future vehicles for the US, including replacements for the S80 and V70. The V40 is also planned for the US, but not until the next generation, according to the Volvo CEO.
Of course, it's going to take a lot to reach 100,000 US sales in three years. Volvo sold just 61,233 units here in 2013, and according to WardsAuto, Volvo hasn't sold 100,000 cars in the US since 2007. To reach its goal, Volvo's stateside business will need to grow sales by about 40 percent.