|Date of issue||Jan 08, 2007 | ID: 10675|
2000 - 2008: A historical review
"A new age"
The new millennium got off to a flying start for Volvo with a series of completely new cars being launched in 2000: the V70, XC70 and S60. The same year Volvo's new safety centre with its unique research facilities was opened, and it still remains the standard-bearer in the industry. Several concept cars on a number of different themes and various advanced safety innovations were presented alongside new models, while all-wheel drive became a feature that went into more and more Volvos. In 2002, Volvo's first SUV, the XC90, was launched and quickly became the best-selling Volvo model, a position it retained for more than half a decade. In 2003, a new series of compact Volvos, the S40 and V50, were launched, followed in 2005 by a new convertible, the C70, and in 2006 by a compact sporty coupe for a younger target group, the C30. In parallel new fuel-efficient engines were introduced along with systems that assist and aid the Volvo driver.
Four new models saw the light of day in 2000: the brand-new Volvo S60, a compact medium-sized sedan, the revised and improved Volvo V70 and V70 Cross Country models (V70 XC), and the new versions of the Volvo S40 and V40.
Volvo Cars launched a new generation of environmentally adapted diesel engines. These all-aluminum engines have Common Rail fuel injection, for smoother performance and quieter running. A new turbo unit gave better acceleration and higher torque without increasing fuel consumption. The levels of carbon dioxide produced by these engines are up to 30 per cent lower than those from petrol engines of a similar power output.
Other pluses for the environment included an improved and extended range of Bi-Fuel engines. These could now be ordered for either CNG (compressed natural gas) or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). Bi-Fuel engines reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 20 per cent.
The first of Volvo Car Corporation's annual Corporate Citizenship report was also published in 2001 (sustainability report).
The all-wheel drive version of the successful S60 was launched: the Volvo S60 AWD. Central to this electronically-controlled hydraulic system is the Haldex AWD coupling.
A number of other new developments for the Volvo range were released in 2001. EBA (Emergency Brake Assistance), for instance. This system is designed to sense an emergency braking situation and instantly boost the braking power to maximum; thereby reducing the car's stopping distance.
The Dynamic Stability and Traction Control system (DSTC) is now able to remain active at speeds of up to 120 km/h, and can now also be combined with AWD. And a new type of headlight was introduced: GDL (Gas Discharge Lights). This is a variant of the xenon lamp which produces an extremely bright light. The beam is adjusted automatically to avoid dazzling other drivers, and its height is also adjusted according to vehicle loading.
The first Volvo Ocean Race fleet sets out from Southampton in England on 20 September. The yachts have a journey of 32,250 nautical miles ahead of them before they reach the finishing line in Kiel in June 2002.
Just days into the New Year, an outstanding new Volvo is launched at the international motor show in Detroit: the Volvo XC90. Named the next generation of SUVs.
The Volvo XC90 is an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) derived from Volvo's large-car development platform. Safety was an overriding consideration throughout its development, including the safety of other road users: smaller cars, pedestrians and cyclists.
The Volvo XC90's centre of gravity is lower than that of conventional SUVs. This in itself helps reduce the risk of rollover accidents, and the Volvo XC90 also has a sophisticated Rollover Protection System (ROPS).
From the outset, buyers were offered the choice of a five or six-cylinder petrol engine or a five-cylinder turbo diesel. The XC90 was a success from the outset. No other Volvo has won so many awards, so fast.
Volvo Car Corporation celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding with a banquet for 500 guests. Amongst them were HM Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and the actor Roger Moore. As the anniversary date is the 14th April 1927 considered to be the date when Volvo cars was born, this very day the first Volvo - ÖV4 was driven out through the doors of the Lundby plant, on Hisingen island.
At the end of the Volvo Ocean Race, the German yacht illbruck Challenge skippered by John Kosteck was watched by a jubilant crowd as it crossed the finishing line in Kiel. Just before the last leg, the race fleet made a memorable stopover of several days in Volvo's home city, Gothenburg.
The year started off with the Volvo XC90 receiving the "North American Truck of the Year 2003" award from a panel of leading motoring journalists, making this the model with the greatest number of awards to its name in Volvo's entire history. With five stars in Euro-NCAP, the XC90 received the highest possible safety rating in this safety test. It marked the first time a SUV secured the highest rating.
The major event in 2003 was the launch of the new generation Volvo S40 at the Frankfurt motor show. The new S40 is somewhat shorter, wider and taller than its predecessor. The exterior puts the emphasis on sporty, dynamic appeal. The interior has an entirely new design language, clearly anchored in Scandinavian heritage. For the first time, Volvo is offering 5-cylinder engines in this size of car, with power outputs from 140 bhp all the way to 220 bhp. The new Volvo S40 boasts an extremely high safety level, with features such as an entirely new patented frontal structure with several crumple zones and a body that is almost 68% more torsionally rigid than before. Side-impact protection is of the same type as found on Volvo's larger models. The front seats have the Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS). The Volvo S40 with the 1.6 litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine became the first Volvo to achieve fuel consumption of under 0.5 litres for every 10 kilometres driven.
The next new model was the Volvo V50, a sports wagon that replaces the Volvo V40. The V50 was unveiled at the end of 2003 at Bologna motor show and entered the showrooms during the first half of 2004.
Versatility Concept Car - VCC
As a concept car, obviously the VCC is not for sale, but many of its genes are very likely to set their stamp on the Volvos of the future...
The new Volvo C70, a model with a three-section retractable hardtop, was presented. This car has a door-mounted Inflatable Curtain as part of its side-impact protection system. The Four-C chassis system was extended to even more models - the Volvo S60, V70 and XC70. Another new alternative (option or accessory) offered for the Volvo S60, V70, S80, XC70 and XC90 was parking assistance, which uses sensors in the bumpers to alert the driver when too close to other objects.
Director Volvo Cars Heritage
Volvo Car Group
Phone: +46 31 3257654
Mobile: +46 31 3257654
|ID: 7922||ID: 7917||ID: 7935|
Volvo Car Group
SE-405 31 Göteborg
Phone: +46 31 59 65 25
Fax: +46 31 54 40 64
Descriptions and facts in this press material relate to Volvo Car Group's international car range. Described features might be optional. Vehicle specifications may vary from one country to another and may be altered without prior notification.