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Volvo builds a self-docking yacht
There are plenty of things that can go wrong when you dock a boat, and if they do, the consequences can be expensive. It's a problem that Volvo Penta claims to have solved after building a "self-docking yacht" that can park itself in spaces no sailor would contemplate. The Volvo subsidiary, which makes engine and maritime gear, is designed to navigate a vessel while taking into account the environmental conditions.
Volvo borrows cachet and power from its Polestar EV brand
The $155,000 Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid with 600 horsepower and a 100-mile driving range isn't coming to market until next year, but its parent Volvo is giving us a taste ahead of that. It just unveiled the "Polestar Engineered" flavor of its upcoming S60 hybrid sports sedan, and will also offer the option on its V60 estate and XC60 SUV vehicles in 2019.
Mercedes-Benz car subscriptions will start at $1,095 per month
It seems like everyone has a car subscription service, with automakers like BMW, Volvo, Lincoln, Lexus and Mercedes offering up their vehicles Netflix-style. While we knew that Mercedes' plan was set to go live in Nashville and Philadelphia this June, now we know the price of that sweet new ride. According to a report at Bloomberg, the app-based service will come in three tiers in the range of $1,095 to $2,995 per month.
Senators investigate safety procedures for autonomous cars
Just a day after the NTSB released its preliminary findings on the Uber crash in Arizona, senators Edward J. Markey and Richard Blumenthal began an investigation into safety protocols for driverless car testing. In a letter sent to major auto manufacturers involved in autonomous driving systems, the senators asked several specific questions to find out what kind of procedures the companies have to ensure the safety of others during testing.
UK Amazon Prime members can order a Volvo test-drive
The slice of Amazon Prime's 100 million members that live in the UK now have a new perk: Using Prime Now to order a test drive of Volvo's V40 hatchback. Simply pick a date and a specialist will deliver the vehicle to your door for you to try out for 45 minutes, free of charge, on select weekends in June and July.
Volvo Trucks introduces an EV just for hauling garbage
Volvo Trucks has joined the short list of automakers to introduce an EV bigger than a consumer car, but the Swedish company's new vehicle is special: It's a garbage truck. The Volvo FE Electric is built to haul up to 27 tonnes of cargo across urban environments, and like all electric vehicles, it should be far quieter than the diesel beasts it aims to replace.
Android P makes Volvo’s in-car infotainment system even better
Android Auto has been around for years. I know Android Auto when I see it. What's running inside a sleek Volvo at Google I/O isn't Android Auto. This is an automobile running full-blown Android P. We've seen no shortage of pure Android-powered cars at I/O in years past, but this crimson XC40 is different: it's one of the first cars in the world to fully integrate Google services, like Google Maps and the Play Store, right onto automotive hardware. That's right: you can finally download apps straight onto your car.
Volvo cars and trucks can now share traffic alerts with each other
Volvo Cars announced today that some of its models will begin sharing real-time data with certain Volvo trucks. When drivers of Volvo cars with the Hazard Light Alert system switch on their hazard lights, an alert is sent to all other nearby cars with the cloud-based service. The alerts act as a warning about slowdowns or potentially hazardous accidents. Now, for the first time, Volvo Cars is sharing that data with another company -- Volvo Trucks -- which will help identify more traffic incidents and possibly improve driver safety.
Volvo will embed Google Assistant and Maps into future cars
Volvo announced today that its next-generation Sensus infotainment system, which will run on Android, will have the Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Store embedded within it. Adding Google Maps has some obvious benefits for drivers while the Google Assistant will give users voice control over in-car functions like air conditioning as well as music and messaging. "Bringing Google services into Volvo cars will accelerate innovation in connectivity and boost our development in applications and connected services," Henrik Green, Volvo senior VP of research and development, said in a statement. "Soon, Volvo drivers will have direct access to thousands of in-car apps that make daily life easier and the connected in-car experience more enjoyable."
Volvo aims for half of its sales to be fully electric by 2025
Last year, Volvo announced that starting in 2019, all models it unveils will have an electric motor, whether it by a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid or a fully electric EV. Today, Electrek reports, the automaker has added to its electric goals. At the Beijing Auto Show today, CEO Håkan Samuelsson said that by 2025, the company would like half of all sales to be for fully electric vehicles. "Last year we made a commitment to electrification in preparation for an era beyond the internal combustion engine," said Samuelsson. "Today we reinforce and expand that commitment in the world's leading market for electrified cars."
Volvo's Polestar 1 luxury hybrid will cost $155,000
At the Geneva Motor Show last month, Volvo flaunted its long-range plug-in hybrid Polestar 1, which can pull with 600 horsepower thanks to its two electric motors and a 2.0 liter turbo engine. The final price on such a beast has just been revealed at Auto China 2018 in Beijing: $155,000 in the US, €155,000 in Europe and 1.45 million RMB in China.
Volvo's S90 Ambience Concept is a planetarium for passengers
While drivers experience most of the stress of a drive, it's important to remember that passengers are also prone to anxiety. After a long day at work (or fighting Twitter trolls) it can be tough to unwind even when you're being chauffeured home. Volvo's S90 Ambience Concept vehicle aims to help those tensions melt away while sitting in the back seat.
Volvo's first electric truck is built for city use
Today, Volvo announced its first electric truck for commercial use, called the Volvo FL electric. It's specifically designed for use in cities, intended for distribution and waste management in urban areas. The truck weighs in at about 16 tonnes (17.64 tons) and has different battery options totaling 100 to 300 kWh, depending on the size and scope of the job. Its range is up to 300 km (186 miles).
All you need for a Volvo XC40 subscription is your iPhone
Getting a new car is getting even easier these days. BMW, Lexus and Volvo have all started selling cars via subscription. The Care by Volvo program gives you an all-wheel-drive XC40, insurance, routine maintenance, roadside assistance and no money down for $600 a month. That sounds pretty great, but it's also super easy to sign up. Now you can sign up and pay for your monthly car sub via an iOS app and Apple Pay.
Uber reportedly reduced the number of sensors on its autonomous cars
Uber is facing some intense scrutiny after one of its self-driving cars struck and killed a pedestrian in Arizona ten days ago. The company (along with it's partner, NVIDIA) has stopped testing its autonomous vehicle in cities across the US, and the Arizona governor suspended the tests specifically in that state. According to a report by Reuters, Uber allegedly scaled back on the number of safety sensors used to detect objects in the road, resulting in a blind zone on the Volvo SUV model involved in the accident.
BMW reportedly plans car subscription service test for Nashville
BMW is getting into the car subscription business, Bloomberg reports. While the company itself only said that a subscription pilot was planned for this year, a person familiar with the plans told Bloomberg that the program will begin in Nashville, Tennessee next week. The service is called Access by BMW and will be available through a local dealership beginning April 2nd, according to the source.
Bentley is the latest luxury car maker committing to EVs
Just a few weeks after Bentley unveiled its first all-electric concept convertible, a lead designer confirmed that the car company known for its gas-guzzling vehicles could start making electric cars fairly soon. Bentley is just the latest in a long line of car makers planning to go electric, of course, with Toyota, Volvo, Porsche, Audi and of course Tesla all in the race to supply our electric car future.
Volvo’s performance EV brand kicks off in Geneva
Volvo is flaunting its Polestar 1 to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show. It will go 93 miles on a charge before the turbocharged gas engine kicks in, which will make it the longest range plug-in hybrid on the market. The two electric motors can also join forces with the 2.0 liter turbo engine to provide a much more powerful, much less eco-friendly 600 horsepower.
What to expect from the Geneva Motor Show
The city of Geneva, Switzerland is about to become of the center of the automotive universe. Automakers from all over the world are descending upon the city to unveil their latest vehicles and Engadget will be there to keep you abreast of the breaking news. But first, we wanted to catch you up on what to expect from the show.
Add a luxury Volvo to your list of monthly subscriptions
When Volvo introduced the smallest member of its SUV line, the XC40, it wasn't the car that got all the attention. It was how the Swedish automaker planned on leasing it. With Care by Volvo, would-be XC40 drivers wouldn't invest $35,200 to own the all-wheel-drive vehicle but rather pay a monthly subscription of $600 that includes insurance, routine maintenance, wear and tear, roadside assistance, and zero money down. So yeah, it's a bit like a lease. But better.
