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Volvo turns the C30 hatchback into an EV, loans it out for a short test drive
In many ways, Volvo's C30 is the perfect blend of modern styling and retro sensibility with its aggressive front-end and that oversized glass hatch on the back. Now, with the EV model, it's looking better than ever. Okay, so we could do without the obligatory graphics up the side, but the wing on the back (shown below) gives it a smooth profile and, oh yeah, did we mention it's an EV? The car has been graced with a 110hp equivalent electric motor and 24kWh battery pack that's expected to deliver an average of 100 miles worth of range along with performance that, according to The Truth About Cars, matches the current petrol-powered version's. Handling too is said to still be taut despite a 260lb weight disadvantage. Volvo is pledging the car will be making an appearance as a 2012 model, though we're guessing lucky Swedish drivers will be getting a first crack at this one.
Volvo pedestrian avoidance test goes horribly, comically wrong (video)
Hey, can't fault 'em for trying! Volvo, which is widely recognized as one of the safer automakers on the planet, is apparently developing a new pedestrian avoidance system for its motorcars. The concept is pretty simple -- if your car senses a human in the way of its path, it's supposed to alert you, suggest you brake and generally help you avoid tacking a hit 'n run onto your already impressive rap sheet. As you'll so clearly see in the video embedded after the break, there's a reason the automobile industry relies on dummies for crash testing. For what it's worth, the test was successful the majority of the time, with this particular snafu blamed on improper placement of said dummy. Of course, we certainly hope no one at Volvo expects "improper placement of a human" to excuse the system once implemented in the real world...
Volvo announces touchscreen-based rear seat entertainment system
Volvo unfortunately isn't providing any pictures of it just yet, but the automaker has announced a new rear set entertainment system that might just make those actually driving the vehicle a little envious. Dubbed the RSEi-500, the system is based around a touchscreen of unspecified size, and packs a 500GB hard drive for media storage, a DVD player, USB and A/V inputs, and built-in WiFi to let you pair it with a Sprint OverDrive or other mobile hotspot (or your home network when you're parked in the garage, for that matter). You'll also get Windows XP for an OS, although there's no word on the specs for the computer at the heart of the system (we'd expect it to be a bit too underpowered for a mobile LAN party though). Volvo also isn't making any firm commitments about which vehicles the system will land in, but Autoblog apparently has it on good authority that it'll be available on both the Volvo XC60 and XC70 starting this summer.
Volvo S60 features pedestrian tracking, ten years too late for Lizzie Grubman
We've recently espied some new video detailing Volvo's pedestrian detection system, and while some of this info has been out for a while now we figure it's certainly more than cool enough to warrant a quick look. According to a freshly minted press release, the technology is being featured on the upcoming S60, which -- in addition to the newest in collision detection and auto-braking -- can spot pedestrians who step in front of the car, warn the driver, and automatically apply full braking power if the driver does not respond in time. Vehicles traveling under 22 MPH should be able to come to a complete stop, while anything traveling faster than that will see its speed significantly reduced. You can get an up close and personal look at it this March at the Geneva Motor Show. In the mean time, there's a video and some PR after the break to tide you over. [Thanks, Drew S.]
Volvo's ReCharge plug-in hybrid concept: this time it's for serious
We were totally digging Volvo's ReCharge plug-in hybrid concept when they were showing it off last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but unfortunately it wasn't much more than a cutaway demonstration model at that point. Lucky for us, Volvo decided to take it legit, and built a full-on working concept model of the Volvo C30-based car. The company is teamed up with Saab in a five-year plan to develop plug-in hybrids, and they're currently planning a fleet of 10 cars to be tested in Sweden. Volvo plans to announce a hybrid version of one or more existing models within the next five years, but they're certainly playing it safe -- though the lithium-polymer batteries and in-wheel electric motors might prove them otherwise.[Via Crave]
FleetBroadband shows how HD's coming to the Volvo Ocean Race
It'll take more than a few waterproof cameras to keep the HD video and communications flowing to and from the boats entered in this year's Volvo Ocean Race. Sponsor Inmarsat is putting its satellite-based FleetBroadband maritime communications service in every boat to allow crews to send HD clips back to race headquarters for the estimated audience of 1.8 billion (although we're still not sure what channel will be broadcasting this in the U.S.) From its start October 4th till the finish in June next year, we'll keep an eye out for HD looks at all 10 race stops, plus all the waves and glaciers in between.
Volvo, Mercedes and Honda get tested for collision prevention, everybody's a winner
We've heard the marketing babble, and pondered the possibilities of a hands-free drive to work, but do those radar-based collision prevention technologies actually work? The British Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre Thatcham seems to think so. BMIRPCT took a long hard look at Volvo City Safety, Mercedes Distronic Plus and Honda CMBS, and decided the technologies will have a major impact on slow speed accidents -- which account for 75% of accidents as it is -- and should prevent more than 125,000 injuries a year in Britain alone, according to this research. [Via gizmag]
Volvo shows off ReCharge plug-in hybrid concept vehicle
It looks like Volvo's the latest to get in on the plug-in hybrid action, with it showing off its new ReCharge concept vehicle in anticipation of next week's Frankfurt Motor Show. Volvo aficionados will likely recognize the vehicle as being based on the company's C30 hatchback, which gives it an all-wheel drive propulsion system. Unlike the standard C30, however, this one has a lithium polymer battery pack in its trunk, which is said to boast enough capacity for 62 miles of all-electric driving. Once that's depleted, a four cylinder flex-fuel engine kicks in to re-charge the battery while you're still on the road. Of course, the key advantage here is that you can also simply plug in the vehicle to recharge the vehicle, cutting down even further on your gas consumption. No word on a possible non-concept version just yet, but you can check out plenty more pics and a video courtesy of Autoblog Green at the link below.
Volvo adding new safety features to S80, XC70, and V70 automobiles
Volvo's name has long since been connected with safety, and the firm has recently announced a few new features for the S80, XC70, and V70 that aim to keep the link alive. Among the new systems that should be available "at the end of 2007" is the (tweaked) Collision Warning with Auto Brake -- which automatically activates the brakes if the driver doesn't react to the warnings -- and the Driver Alert Control for monitoring the behavior of the vehicle and suggesting that the motorist take a coffee break if there's just too much swayin' going on. Additionally, Volvo will be adding the slightly more common adaptive cruise control and distance alert features to the aforementioned cars, but there's no word on whether NAV-equipped rides will route themselves to the nearest java shop if the pictured message is forced to appear.[Via CNET]Read - New Collision Warning from Volvo helps prevent rear-end collisions Read - Volvo introduces new systems for alerting tired drivers
Volvo treasure hunt delayed after locating $500 million instead
In an interesting turn of events, it seems like the winner of Volvo's lucrative treasure hunt won't be unearthing the $50,000 treasure anytime soon, as the automaker's hunt partner (Odyssey Marine Exploration) has happened upon an actual $500 million treasure instead. The reported fortune is located somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean -- in a secretive area known only as Black Swan -- but reports are claiming that a court in the Spanish coastal town of La Linea has "issued an order for the Spanish Guardia Civil to detain any Odyssey vessel should it leave the port of Gibraltar," which has brought about an abrupt halt to Volvo's retrieval plans. Thankfully, it sounds like the Russian winner will still be awarded the dough and a new XC70 to boot, but there's no telling how long it'll be before Odyssey is able to put aside its bigger worries and dig up the (comparatively) paltry $50k.[Via CarTechMag]
Volvo Ocean Race takes HD to the high seas
> Yacht racing is a sport normally reserved for the wealthy. However, some people do enjoy following massive boats through life and death weather conditions - sounds better already. Even if that doesn't do it for you, high-def tends to make formerly unwatchable programs such as nature shows and golf, a treat, so maybe HD will do the same for the Volvo Ocean Race. The 2008-09 race sets sail next October and will be produced in HD thanks to special rugged - and we assume waterproof - cameras. No word on which station will carry this event but we have a good feeling that it will be Versus HD.
Volvo's "City Safety" detects collisions, can steer out of the way
Volvo has just come out with its own version of collision detection technology, calling it "City Safety," and aims to release this new feature on some models within two years. The technology works via an optical radar in the upper windshield that calculates the distance and speed of the car immediately ahead of you (and it does it 50 times per second), then engages the brakes accordingly if the system detects that a crash is imminent. Of course, Toyota came out with a similar setup that was announced back in August, but Volvo's apparently has the added benefit of being able to "steer away from a potential collision" as well. We weren't really into the idea of turning over braking control to computers at first, either, but steering? We'll stick to walking, thanks.[Via Gizmag]
DLO iPod solution coming to Volvo cars
I've been wanting a Volvo for quite a long time, though I must admit that my first choice would be a P1800. But, I guess the new ones are OK, too. Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) have announced that their in-car iPod kit will be available as a dealer-installed option (in the US) on several Volvo models, including the S40, V50, and XC90. The kit will work with both the iPod and iPod nano, and run you US$139 (not including installation).That's nice, but I'd still rather have my classic coupe.
