Minor Updates for 2010 Volvo XC90

Volvo has announced plans to make some minor changes to XC90 for 2010.

While it's hard to be certain (our Swedish is a little rusty), it appears the model will only be offered in a seven-seat configuration. This makes sense because it helps to differentiate the XC90 from the five-seat XC60.

Depending on which country you are in, the XC90 will be offered in five different trim levels. 'Kinetic' models receive bright exterior accents (aluminum-look roof rails and additional chrome detailing), 18-inch alloy wheels, and a navigation system. Other variants are outfitted with exclusive leather upholstery and various exterior design tweaks.

As before, engine options include a 175 kW (238 hp) 3.2-liter V6, a 232 kW (315 hp) 4.4-liter V8, and a five-cylinder turbo-diesel with 136 kW (185 hp).

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C30 BEV Prototypes with Volvo Goes All-Electric

In addition to the market introduction of a diesel-electric plug-in hybrid in 2012 , Volvo is also working on a pure electric model with the C30 BEV, which stands for 'Battery Electric Vehicle". The Swedish automaker has built a small number of prototype versions of the C30 BEV that will are to be tested internally by Volvo to evaluate the vehicle in real-life conditions with much of the focus being on the integration of the electric propulsion system with the rest of the car.

"The Volvo C30 is the first model we will try out with electric power. This car's excellent properties in city traffic and its relatively low weight make it particularly suitable, since electric cars are primarily expected to be used in and around cities and for daily commuting," says Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.

The C30 BEV is powered by an electric motor housed under the hood that drives the front wheel. Energy is provided by a 24kW Lithium-Ion battery that can be fully charged through a regular 230V household socket in about eight hours.

Volvo says that the all-electric C30 accelerates from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in less than 11 seconds while the vehicle's top speed has been limited to around 130km/h (80mph). The car has a driving range of up to 150 kilometres or 93 miles, which Volvo claims is "longer and far better than the distance 90 percent of all Europe's motorists drive per day."

The Swedish automaker said that while the company's main focus over the next years will be plug-in hybrids, they will assess the viability of all-electric vehicles. According to the company, the are several factors that will determine the success or not of dedicated electric cars.

"The consumer must feel that this type of car is attractive both to drive and own," says Paul Gustavsson, Director of Electrification Strategy at Volvo Cars.

"In order to ensure this, we feel that electric cars will have to be as comfortable and safe and offer similar levels of performance as cars with other power sources. The learning from the C30 BEV project will help us to fulfill all these criteria and showcase Volvo's determination to drive developments in the field of electrification."

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2010 Volvo C30 Facelift gets S60 Concept-like Fascia and New Sport Chassis Option

Life at Volvo is about to get busier. Joining the updated C70 hardtop-convertible at this month's Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany is the gently facelifted C30 hatch. As with the C70, the front-end of the C30 has been restyled taking styling cues from the S60 Concept. This translates to larger (maybe a tad too large in our opinion) and 'swoopier' headlights, a more distinct grille treatment with a new honeycomb pattern unique to the C30 as well as redesigned wings and bonnet.

"The front of the Volvo C30 has become more dramatic and expressive," said Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer at Volvo Cars. "The angled lines of the front bumper together with the new headlamps, which are drawn offset and up, reinforce the impression of speed and sportiness.".

At the back the C30 gets a new rear bumper treatment with deeper lines and wavier contours while the black plastic panels have been replaced with more body colour lower down.

Other new exterior features for the 2010 model year include the introduction of a vibrant Orange Flame Metallic colour, visible exhaust tailpipes in the T5 and D5 models, two new alloy wheel options one of which is white and the choice of five different colors on the lower trim from the Contrast Color Collection models.

Furthermore, Volvo has developed a new styling kit for the 2010 C30 that includes foglamp decor, a front skidplate, side scuff plates and a rear skidplate, all finished in an aluminum look.

Inside, changes are limited to the introduction of a new trim option for the center console called "Oyster Burst Déco" which is said to be inspired by the surface texture of the classic Swedish Hagström.

Volvo is also introducing a new optional sport chassis for the C30 with stiffer springs, dampers and roll stabilizers as well as a lower steering ratio that gives 10 per cent faster response to steering wheel input The new sport chassis is available in all C30 versions except for 1.6D DRIVe.

There are no changes in the engine line-up with the C30 being offered (depending on the market) with the same gasoline and diesel drivelines with power ranging from the 100HP 1.6-liter petrol to the 230HP turbocharged 2.5-liter petrol unit.

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Volvo Officially Drops the Top on Facelifted C70 Convertible: High-Res Photo Album and Video

Following a barrage of spy shots and leaked photos, the redesigned Volvo C70 was officially released today. As previously reported, the Swedes gave the 2010 model year a new corporate nose with softer forms that takes inspiration from the 2009 Detroit Show S60 concept car. The stylistic refresh comprises of a new front bumper, swoopy headlights, a more pronounced grille and wider fenders, all of which help to give the C70 a more aggressive stance.

"We have carefully redesigned the front and rear of the car so they harmonise more with the larger Volvo models," said Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer of Volvo Cars. "We have also increased the exclusiveness of the interior materials and trim details to enhance the feeling of luxury."

At the rear end, changes are limited to the reworked tail lights with LED lamps, the larger "Volvo" lettering on the boot and the restyled bumper. In addition, a new Flamenco Red Pearl colour has been introduced to the 2010MY range.

According to Volvo, the four-seater convertible's interior has been upgraded with a redesigned instrument panel and better quality materials.

There are no changes under the hood as the C70 will continue to be offered with the same engine line-up. Depending on the market, buyers have a choice of three gasoline units, a 2.4 with 140HP, a 2.4i delivering 170HP and the T5 with 230HP, plus two diesel engines, the 2.0D with 136HP and the D5 that makes 180HP.

Volvo said that the first C70s are expected to be in showrooms and delivered to customers in early 2010.

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2010 Volvo C70 Facelift: First Official Photos go Online Ahead of Frankfurt Show

We brought you the first images of the refreshed 2010 Volvo C70, which was snapped by a Volvo forum member during a commercial shoot in Spain, back in June, but today the first official photos of the facelifted model made their way onto the internet. The most prominent change on the folding-hardtop four seater concerns the new front-end design with more organic details and softer shapes that is very similar to the S60 Concept that was reveled in Detroit this past January.

That means a prominent new front bumper arrangement with swoopy styled headlights and a wider and more pronounced grille. At the back, the facelifted C70 gains a new tail light design with LED strips, a restyled bumper and a larger 'Volvo' name on the boot lip.

From what we can tell by looking at the single press shot of the C70's interior, there don't seem to be any changes made to the convertible's cabin.

Since there's no press release, we don't know if Volvo made any changes to C70's chassis and engine range, but we suspect that it won't be long before the Swedes come out with an official announcement.

The new-look Volvo C70 will make its world debut in a couple of weeks time at the Frankfurt Motor Show and should go on sale towards the end of the year or early 2010, depending on the market.

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