Volvo V70: More Safety, More Style

Motoring Channel Staff - 5/Feb/2007

Trollhättan, Sweden — Volvo has officially taken the wraps off its new mid-sized prestige wagon, Volvo V70, which heralds a range of new features to the luxury European sports wagon market.

On top of the smooth new exterior design, the new 2007 model Volvo V70 comes with electronically controlled damper adjustment for improved safety, ride and handling characteristics, while a new stability control system (DSTC) pairs with a strong complement of larger airbags to ensure the car adheres to Volvo's high safety expectations.

It is also being offered with for the first with an all new T6 engine, which is an all-aluminium 3.0-litre 6-cylinder inline petrol engine with turbocharging to increase power and thus reduce effort.

According to to the Swedish car maker, the new V70 wagon offers more of everything compared to it predecessor – it's more luxurious inside, it's more dynamic to drive, offers more intelligently configured and flexible space for both passengers and luggage, and, naturally, is safer than ever.

Volvo says the Volvo V70 is the jewel in it's crown, one of its most popular models, and so there was a lot of pressure on the company to develop something that would both appeal to previous buyers and attract drivers from other European brands.

Sitting on all-new chassis architecture, the Volvo V70 delivers an athletic and engaging driving experience that combines exceptional ride comfort, secure and stable road holding and enhanced driver control.

Optimised use of high-strength steels throughout the new chassis has boosted torsional rigidity by 15 percent compared to the previous model, and Volvo also says that, when allied to Volvo's advanced active Four-C chassis technology with electronically controlled damper adjustment, the V70 is now both safer and more entertaining to drive.

One of the V70's strongest safety features is Volvo's DSTC dynamic stability and traction control, and is standard across the V70 range. This stability-enhancing system uses feedback from numerous dynamic sensors to reduce engine torque and apply carefully calculated braking power to reduce the risk of a skid.

As well as speed-sensitive powered steering with three settings, the V70 also features an intelligent PPB power parking brake that automatically disengages when the accelerator is pressed and the car moves off, making easy work of hill starts.

New Engines

Available for the first time with an all new T6 turbo petrol engine, the range-topping V70 will be a closer rival for its German counterparts, such as the Mercedes Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series Estates. This compact and lightweight all-aluminium 3.0-litre inline unit is breathed on by an advanced turbocharger featuring twin-scroll technology.

Volvo explains the twin-scroll system takes in exhaust gases in two stages, with the inflow split into two, with each flow feeding three cylinders for immediate throttle response.

Producing 210kW (285hp) and a tough 400Nm of torque, the flagship V70 delivers zero to 100km/h acceleration in 7.2 seconds and has a limited 250km/h (155mph) top speed.

In addition to the fleet footed T6 flagship model, there's also a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 3.2-litre derivative of the same engine. Developing 175kW (238hp) and 320Nm of torque, the straight 6-cylinder engine features Cam Profile Switching (VVT) as well as a Variable Intake System on the inlet manifold that employs two throttle valves to adjust the volume of the inlet manifold to deliver optimised performance throughout the rev-range.

As well as its newly designed 6-cylinder petrol engines, Volvo has long relied on its unusual-but-torquey 5-cylinder engines, many of which have been attached to the V70.

The petrol engine line-up is completed by Volvo’s 2.5 litre inline 5-cylinder engine with integrated turbocharger (which is also used on the Ford Focus XR5 Turbo, reviewed here), which posts outputs of 147kW (200hp) and 300Nm of torque, plus there's also a bio-fuel E85-compliant version of this engine with 107kW (145hp) that will join the range towards the end of the year according to Volvo.

The V70 will also be powered by two diesel engines, both versions of Volvo's 2.4-litre 5-cylinder turbo diesel engines. Volvo claims that these models will be key sellers in parts of Europe, such as the UK market. These new second-generation Euro IV-compliant powerplants generate good levels of power and torque, with the more powerful D5 engine worth 136kW (185hp) and 400Nm of torque, and the 2.4D engine worth 120kW (163hp) and 340Nm of torque.

All engines in the V70 range are hooked up to Volvo's 6-speed Geartronic transmission, which gives the driver the choice of automatic or manual shifting. The flagship T6 model comes with a Sport mode for quicker and more dynamic gearshifts, whilst the 2.4D, D5 and 2.5T are also available with a 6 speed manual gearboxes.

New Interior

Volvo says that one of the key goals of the V70's development team was to boost cabin space effectively and intelligently.

The Swedes are an intelligent lot, and in the all new Volvo V70 rear legroom has increased by 48mm, rear knee clearance has grown by 21mm, front shoulder room by 30mm, while the distance from front to rear passengers has been extended by 21mm, giving everyone on board more personal space.

The V70's sense of space is enhanced by its sleek and slim centre console, with an intelligently configured dashboard and ergonomically correct layout of its controls.

Renowned for their long-distance orthopaedic comfort and support, Volvo has improved its seats even further; along with driver seat power assist as standard, both front seats can also be specified with ventilated leather cushions offering the comfort of both a heating and cooling function through the seats.

Other luxury features are also available in the 2007 model V70 include an innovative Clear Zone Interior Package to further enhance on-board comfort. Based on ECC (electronic climate control) and the IAQS (interior air quality system), this vents the passenger compartment for a full minute when the car is unlocked and the external temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius, useful for people with strong allergies as it clears the air of most impurities.

New Versatility

Volvo argues that while the V70 may set a new benchmark for style and luxury, it's still a Volvo estate, which means unparalleled versatility and load-lugging ability, and the V70 introduces a world first – an integrated rear child booster seat with two heights.

The seat’s adjustable dual-stage booster cushion means the seatbelt geometry is optimum irrespective of the child's height and the integrated booster cushion is also accompanied by safety belts with specially adjusted force limiters for its smaller and lighter occupants.

The Swedish company has revised the tailgate design that now makes the boot aperture even larger than before and the boot has grown by an effective 55 litres over the outgoing car. The 40-20-40 three-part split rear seat offers unrivalled versatility in the sector (16 different combinations) and the centre backrest can be lowered to house longer items or raised to provide an additional seat, and the larger backrests can be folded separately to create a flat-floored load.

New Safety

Safety has always been Volvo's strong suit, and as you'd expect the all new Volvo V70 was developed and engineered to be the safest car in its segment. Top of the list is the innovative dual-stage integrated rear child booster seat. With two heights, this optional adjustable booster cushion is ideal for children between 95 and 140 cm in height and weighing between 15 and 36kg.

Child safety is further improved by the new V70's extended IC inflatable curtain. Now 60mm longer, this airbag provides superior protection for children of a wide range of heights and sizes, and spans the entire rear passenger compartment.

The side-impact airbags interact with the inflatable curtains and the body's network of safety beams to provide the most effective protection, and according to the Swedish luxury car maker, the front passenger airbag can be disabled using a key, and the front seat can be specified with attachments for a rear-facing baby seat.

Enhanced crumple zones that use differing strength steels to absorb energy during an impact, IDIS intelligent driver information system, a more advanced WHIPS whiplash protection system (the same as that launched in the new S80), an energy absorbing nose and hood, the choice of laminated glass all-round, a collapsible steering column, five three-point seatbelts and dual-stage front airbags complete the safety package.

Volvo has also confirmed that a number of advanced electronic driving systems can be optioned, including the following:

• Active bi-xenon headlamps

• Adaptive cruise control with collision warning and brake support

• Emergency brake lights

• BLIS (blind spot information system)

• HBA (hydraulic brake assist)

• OHB (optimised hydraulic brakes)

A radar that constantly monitors the front of the car will activate a head-up display warning light and buzzer if the car approaches another vehicle from the rear with no driver reaction. Once alerted, if the driver still does not react, then the brakes are pre-charged to minimise the likely consequent impact.

Like the range-topping Volvo S80, the V70 estate offers the option of Volvo's PCC personal car communicator. This advanced pocket-sized control centre has a range of around 100 metres and is not only used to lock and unlock the car but can also tell the owner if the alarm has been triggered or, using a heartbeat monitor, if someone is in the car.

Related articles:
- Volvo XC60 (concept)
- Volvo Bioethanol 'Flexifuel' Cars (2007)
- Volvo C30 - The Turbocharged Troika (2006)
- Volvo C30 (2007)
- Volvo S80 (2006)