Luxurious Scandinavian design with intuitive smart pad technology: Volvo Concept You

The Volvo Car Corporation now takes the next bold step in the evolution of the company's upcoming large luxury sedan. The Concept You, revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, combines a sleek coupe-like exterior with a luxurious high-tech interior that keeps the driver in command via intuitive smart pad technology.

The Concept You picks up where the Concept Universe, revealed at Auto Shanghai earlier this year, left off. It gives the global car buying public another exciting glimpse of the Volvo Car Corporation's future.

Volvo Concept You

With a full interior, Concept You allows luxury sedan customers to fully experience the craftsmanship and intuitive technology that will be the hallmark of future Volvos.

"The new Concept You roofline stretches all the way back to the tail lamps - creating that dynamic fastback look that is very much in vogue among European car buyers at the moment," says Peter Horbury, Vice President Design at the Volvo Car Corporation.

Touch-control cockpit and pure craftsmanship
The luxurious interior of the Concept You features a blend of intuitive smart pad technology and first-class craftsmanship.

"The Concept You explores new territories in our search for the ultimate intuitive car that makes the owners manual a thing of the past. Smart phones and smart pads have brought mobile infotainment into a new era. Here, we use a number of touch-screens to replace buttons and controls in order to make the driver totally connected, totally in control. The technology also helps us to create a refreshingly uncluttered interior," explains Peter Horbury.

The Concept You control centre consists of four main areas; a digital Driver Information Monitor (DIM), a head-up display on the windscreen, a touch-screen in the upper part of the centre console and a touch-screen between the two individual rear seats. The wood/leather steering wheel has aluminium and glass paddles with integrated touch-screens.

The touch-screen in the upper part of the centre console remains in sleeping mode until the driver looks at it. A hidden infrared camera registers the eye movements and information is displayed on the screen.

Another sensor registers hand movements and triggers the Infotainment system's control mode. The possibilities vary depending on whether the screen is approached by the driver or by the front passenger.

"Certain functions, such as surfing the Web, are only accessible from the passenger side while the car is rolling. The technology knows who is the present operator and adapts itself automatically," says Peter Horbury.

The driver can "flip" data from the central touch-screen to the head-up display - and can exchange data with the rear passengers. A light guide in the free-floating centre console indicates file transfer.


Unique air-powered sound system
The Infotainment system also integrates a high-end sound system from Alpine. It features the unique "FreshAir" subwoofer - a not yet released technology that uses the air outside the car to create the ultimate listening experience.

The sound system consists of small, optimized units that considerably cut weight - while still producing a better sound than today's systems.

Comfortable and cultivated
The interior is dedicated to offer design-driven customers a comfortable, cultivated, Scandinavian inspired environment that is also user-focused and refreshingly uncomplicated. Every detail has been chosen with the customer experience in focus.

The interior is driver-orientated at the front and comfortably relaxed in the rear. The dynamic feel and dark colour scheme in the front seats fades seamlessly towards the rear until it fully transforms into a light rear seat haven of calmness.

The rear seat passengers are embraced by pure comfort, as if their favourite lounge were magically integrated into the car. The interior moulds into the rear seat and becomes part of the seating environment.

The Volvo Car Corporation has partnered with several other famous brands in order to create a genuine feeling of luxury with the right Scandinavian touch.

Leather, suede and suit fabric
The four individual seats, inspired by ultra-comfortable chairs, blend chrome-free leather from Bridge of Wear with Dinamica ecological suede. The off-black front seats have suede in the centre to create optimal grip. The soft beige rear seats are designed for pure comfort with leather in the centre and suede on the sides.

The Concept You design also integrates the luxury qualities of a tailor made suit into the car. The back of the front seats and the door panels feature exclusive Italian fabric and designs from Swedish fashion house Oscar Jacobson.

The designers have also been generous with large, handcrafted pieces of walnut - accompanied by leather panels, Dinamica suede roof lining and carefully chosen aluminium details.


Hand-tufted wool carpets
The wooden floor, which echoes Scandinavian homes, is covered with a specially designed hand-tufted carpet from world-famous Swedish brand Kasthall. Just like the rest of the interior it fades from dark in the front to light in the rear. The front texture has a sporty firmness, while the rear part of the carpet is luxuriously soft.

"The interior is full of classic forms, materials and textures, used with a twist to create a special contemporary luxury experience. It is exceptionally refined, yet with all the simplistic assets that make Volvo champions of the uncomplicated," explains Peter Horbury. He concludes:

"We are carving out a unique position among the luxury car makers with our special kind of Scandinavian Design. It will be unmatched in performance, technology and craftsmanship, but without superficiality or complication."

Inspiration from Georg Jensen
The Concept You is finished in a light blue, liquid metal paint from DuPont. The ventilated disc brakes are developed by Volvo's racing specialists Polestar.

The car's fast silhouette is emphasised by the 21-inch polished aluminium wheels with a twisted twin-spoke design and tyres from Pirelli (275/30/21).

Up front, the Concept You grille - which has a more classic appearance than the Concept Universe - features details with the same beautifully polished craftsmanship.

"The design of the wheels, the grille and details in the innovative headlamps have been inspired by the exquisite works of world-famous Danish design house Georg Jensen. Their precious items capture the essence of Scandinavian design. Uncluttered, organic surfaces and superb craftsmanship that radiate timeless luxury," says Peter Horbury. He adds:

"This eternal beauty of Georg Jensen design is what we are aiming for with the whole concept car. Just like the finest luxury goods, this design should feel handcrafted and durable enough to stand the test of time."

The dipped beam comes from LED lamps in four "ice blocks" on top of the high beam lights. The "ice blocks" are installed with the same technology that jewellers use for mounting precious stones.











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Volvo trucks’ flagship celebrates with 750 hp

Volvo Trucks announce that the Volvo FH16 is now available at 750hp and 3550Nm to handle the heaviest and most demanding transport assignments – with production planned to coincide with the 16-litre engine’s 25th anniversary next year.

1987 saw the introduction of the Volvo F16 with Volvo’s first-ever 16-litre engine, producing 470hp. Since then, market needs have driven the development towards increasingly powerful trucks.


“With the Volvo FH16-750 we can offer our customers a truck with absolute top performance, good fuel efficiency and extremely low emissions. It’s an uncompromising combination for the heaviest and most demanding of transport operations,” says Staffan Jufors, President and CEO of Volvo Trucks.

Performance, fuel efficiency and environment
The new engine is based on the same technology as Volvo Trucks’ current 16-litre 700hp diesel engine – an in-line six with overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and unit injectors. It has been optimised for higher power and torque, but fuel consumption is unchanged. The 750hp engine is available in two versions, one for Euro-5 and the other for EEV (Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle), giving even lower particle emissions and less smoke.

The Volvo I-Shift automated gear changing system is fitted as standard and has been modified to handle the engine’s high torque. The rear axle range encompasses axles for gross combination weights of up to 250 tonnes. For fast long-haul duties, the recently introduced RS1360 solo axle is a fuel-efficient alternative.

Driveability and productivity
The new 750hp engine produces 2800 Nm of torque at 900 revs/minute. After this the torque curve rises sharply and reaches its peak level of 3550Nm at 1050 revs/minute, then levels out to 1400 revs/minute. This makes it possible to maintain a high speed on even the toughest uphill climbs.

“The more power you have at your disposal at low revs when starting to haul a heavy load, the less strain on the engine and the more fuel-efficient your progress. This in turn results in superb drivability,” says Hayder Wokil, product manager at Volvo Trucks.

The Volvo FH16-750 is intended both for truly heavy transport duties and for assignments that demand high average speed running on hilly or very undulating roads.

“For most FH16 customers, the focus is on transporting as many tonnes as possible in the shortest possible time. However, many customers also need to quickly transport high-value goods and fresh products across long distances with varying topography and deliver just-in-time,” explains Wokil.

Heavier transport – more powerful trucks
There has long been a trend towards increasingly heavy transport and thus also a greater need for more powerful trucks. Since the introduction of the Volvo F16 in 1987 and the first-generation 16-litre engine producing 470hp, power levels have risen step by step in pace with market and customer needs. In 1993 power rose to 520hp and ten years later an all-new engine arrived, producing 610hp. In 2009 Volvo was the first manufacturer to reach 700hp - and now it is time for the next step – the Volvo FH16 with 750hp.

Production of the first Volvo FH16 trucks for the European market with the higher power output will get under way at the beginning of 2012.

In addition to the 750hp version, Volvo’s 16-litre engine is also available with power outputs of 540, 600 and 700hp.

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The new Volvo XC90

In its ninth year of production, Volvo have announced further refinements to the both the exterior and interior of its premium SUV, the Volvo XC90. The XC90 continues to be a great sales success, having its most successful year ever in 2010. The new refinements to this still class-leading SUV include more sophisticated lines and materials to give an even more rewarding driving experience.

The XC90 was launched in 2002 and offered a unique blend of attractive styling, practicality and seven-seat versatility that saw it become an overnight hit. Since then, the XC range has grown with the XC70 and the introduction of the award winning XC60. In 2010, sales figures for the XC90 grew close to 7,000 units - its best year ever in the UK, and over 37,000 globally. This year sees it continue to be a strong sales success by being in the top three in its segment in the UK.



The XC90 with the latest refinements will be available to order from late October 2011.

"The XC90 still boasts all the virtues that have made it one of our most successful models ever. The spacious and flexible crossover combines excellent handling and comfort with superior get-you-there ability and flexibility. Now we have upgraded the XC90 with a number of features that emphasise the large SUV's unique blend of sophisticated elegance and capable ruggedness," says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at the Volvo Car Corporation.


Exterior Enhancements
The XC90 is designed to give an elegant, muscular and robust impression, which has been reinforced through a number of refined details.

A new day running light configuration using LEDs in the lower bumper gives the front more character. The redesigned silver metallic bumper bar as well as silver roof rails are now standard on all variants. There is also a new lower door moulding and all XC90 specifications are now fully colour-coordinated.

The new tail lamps have dual light guides, LED brake lights and a silver turn indicator bulb (still with orange light). The latest new features also include a new six-spoke 18-inch wheel in a silver matt finish.

More Luxurious Interior
A number of refinements have been made to give the XC90 interior an even more luxurious feel, including the three-spoke steering wheel, aluminium décor as standard and the watch dial-inspired instrument design with white lighting.

The tailgate, which is divided into an upper and a lower section, now comes with a new, colour-coordinated leather grab handle. The load cover has also been redesigned.

Exclusive Executive version and sporty R-Design
The XC90 is also available in an Executive specification which features a number of exclusive options such as soft leather seats with ventilation and massage, as well as a number of details with a more exclusive finish.

The R-Design version boosts the XC90's sports appeal and gives the car a more driver-focused character. On top of the special chassis, the new R-design version also features redesigned upholstery, inlays, door panels and new Ixion 19-inch wheels.


Bluetooth music streaming and new mobile application
The Volvo On Call system can now be combined with Bluetooth mobile phone connection. The system has been upgraded with music streaming from a preferred Bluetooth enabled portable music player. Volvo is the only car brand to offer Bluetooth music streaming throughout the entire vehicle range.

New too is a mobile application that makes sure that the driver can stay in touch with the parked car via an iPhone or Android smart phone. The mobile application is an extension of Volvo On Call.

Owners of all new Volvos from Model Year 2012 with Volvo On Call can download the mobile application that opens up a range of possibilities, such as:

- Car locator. The location of the car is shown on a map. There is also a digital compass that points the driver in the right direction.
- Vehicle dashboard. This feature gives the driver access to a wide range of information: fuel level, remaining range to empty tank, average fuel consumption, average speed, odometer reading and trip meter reading.
- Car check. The mobile app performs a "health" check of the car, displaying information about bulbs, brake fluid level, coolant level, engine oil level and engine oil pressure.

"Creating an intuitive and ergonomically optimised relationship with the car is part of our aim to offer a feeling of relaxed control. The mobile application is much more than a gadget. It is the first step in our connectivity strategy. We have started to build a bridge to the future - and the mobile app will be extended with a range of possibilities," says Peter Mertens.

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New downsized engine range by Volvo: without compromising luxury or driving pleasure

The Volvo Car Corporation is taking the next step towards zero emissions and climate impact through a new, downsized engine range consisting solely of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.



"It's time to stop counting cylinders. At the Frankfurt Motor Show we will reveal a new concept car. It proves that downsized engines can go hand in hand with our customers' expectations on luxury and driving pleasure," says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at the Volvo Car Corporation.



The Volvo Car Corporation's upcoming four-cylinder VEA (Volvo Environmental Architecture) engine range includes common rail diesels and direct injected petrol engines. It covers the whole range from high power and torque variants to fuel-efficient derivatives.





"Our four-cylinder focus is the perfect way for us to quickly reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. We will develop four-cylinder engines with higher performance than today's six-cylinder units and lower fuel consumption than the current four-cylinder generation," continues Peter Mertens.



The new VEA engines reduce the number of unique parts by 60 percent. The new powertrains are also up to 90 kg lighter than the present ones and fuel economy is improved by up to 35 percent.



Pioneering flywheel technology

Modularity and compact transverse design are also ideal for future electrification developments. To cover all customer requirements, certain engines will gain added performance via hybrid or other spearhead technology, such as flywheel drive.



Later this autumn, for instance, the Volvo Car Corporation will become one of the first car makers in the world to test the potential of flywheel drive on public roads. The so-called KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) captures braking energy in a flywheel that spins at up to 60,000 revs a minute. Once released, this stored energy can either accelerate the car or propel the vehicle once it reaches cruising speed.



"The flywheel system offers the driver an additional 80 horsepower while reducing fuel consumption by up to 20 percent," says Peter Mertens.



Competing with the best

The Volvo Car Corporation will promote economies of scale within the company's own model range via a new vehicle architecture: SPA (Scalable Platform Architecture). SPA allows most Volvo models to be built on the same production line irrespective of vehicle size and complexity.



"We're taking our technological future into our own hands. Both our new architecture and the new engine range will enable us to be on par or even beat our toughest competitors in crucial areas such as driving dynamics and fuel economy," says Peter Mertens.



Volvo takes the lead in lightweight design

In addition to the industrial benefits of common vehicle architecture there are also significant product-related advantages. The Volvo Car Corporation will take the lead in automotive lightweight design with upcoming SPA models being 100-150 kg lighter than current models of the same size.



The new architecture enables electrification at all levels - and new chassis technologies combined with the lower weight and improved weight distribution will boost driving dynamics. The electrical architecture is the backbone of the company's drive to reinforce its leading position in active safety.



Promoting exciting design

The new concept car unveiled next week in Frankfurt also shows that SPA offers the Volvo Car Corporation's design team greater freedom to give forthcoming Volvo models more exciting looks.



"The new architecture means we can sharpen our design language, carving out just the right athletic and dynamic aura that is so important to the most demanding prestige car buyers. The Frankfurt concept car is a great example of what we can achieve with the new architecture," relates Peter Horbury, Vice President Design at the Volvo Car Corporation.



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Next issue of Volvo trucks’ tablet magazine now available

A new issue of Volvo Trucks’ tablet magazine - which was successfully launched in the beginning of the year - is now available to download.



This issue includes exciting news items on Volvo Trucks' environmental work. Through videos and articles, visitors will also learn more about how Volvo Trucks' safety solution helps truck drivers with blindspotting and how smartphones can be used to improve efficiency and ensure the quality of the company's aftersales services. They will also get the chance to meet Oliver Splingart who transports live fish in his Volvo FH16 between fish farms throughout Europe, a sophisticated task which place special demands on both the truck and the driver.



The new issue of Volvo Trucks Magazine can be downloaded free of charge. iPad users can access the magazine from the App Store, while Android users can get it from the Marketplace.



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Volvo Trucks inaugurates new truck center in Moscow

On August 26th Volvo Trucks inaugurated a new truck center in Moscow; its fourth truck centre in Russia. The new premises, Volvo Truck Center Moscow-South, means Volvo Trucks Russia now has 46 workshops, which is the widest and geographically most widespread service network in Russia - from Kaliningrad in the West to Vladivostok in the Far East.



With the inauguration of Volvo Truck Center Moscow-South, Volvo Trucks covers a strategically important transportation route from Moscow to the south of Russia with its genuine aftermarket services and sales of new and used commercial trucks.





"The facilities that we operate in are part of the high quality of Volvo Trucks", says Mikael Benzow, Director Commercial Aftermarket and Retail Development, Volvo Trucks Europe. "We have the best service network throughout Europe, and this new workshop is state-of-the-art. We work hard every day to secure that the quality of our service is high and consistent in all of the facilities in Europe".



"We have built this service center with Volvo's complete range of services in less than a year in accordance with the most up-to-date standards acquired by our company", says Alexander Zoria, Director of the Volvo Truck Center Moscow-South.



He continued, "Our task is to take maximum care of our customers’ trucks and to minimize the down-time they spend in the repair area. I know that many of our customers were waiting for Volvo to open a truck center south of Moscow where the busy highway M4 starts - and we did our best to set it in operation as fast as possible".



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Volvo developing a plug-in hybrid bus

Volvo Buses is currently developing a plug-in hybrid bus that can drive long distances silently and exhaust-free on only electricity. Three buses will be tested in Gothenburg, Sweden, supported by the European Union.



Volvo currently has the world’s most efficient hybrid solution for buses and trucks. Volvo Buses has sold more than 250 hybrid buses, which are reducing fuel consumption by up to 35% and thus also reducing energy consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions by an equal amount.





“Reducing the total global energy consumption is the most important measure today and in the future,” says Volvo Buses CEO Håkan Karlsson. “The bus is already today clearly the most energy-efficient vehicle for public transport and our hybrid bus will accentuate its position as the best environmental option.”



“But, we must continue to reduce energy consumption and for us in the bus industry, this involves finding solutions to increase electricity use.”



Supported by authorities including the Swedish Energy Agency, Volvo is developing a plug-in hybrid bus. It is essentially the same Volvo hybrid bus as today, where the brake energy is recycled and utilized by the electric motor. But, with a new type of battery and charging equipment it will also be possible to charge the battery via the electricity network.



The concept is based on placing battery charging stations at the end stations of the bus lines. By charging the battery there for five to ten minutes, it could significantly extend the time that the bus is able to operate only on electricity.



This could entail distances of up to ten kilometers, with the corresponding advantages in the form of silent traffic with no local emissions. It can be controlled so that the bus operates on electricity in densely populated areas or in particularly sensitive environmental areas, while the diesel engine can be used on other parts of the route.



This technology will generate considerable opportunities to significantly reduce energy consumption. The reason is that electric engines have very high efficiency.



“We expect to be able to reduce the energy consumption in a city bus by up to 65% compared with today’s diesel buses,” says Håkan Karlsson. “And, the plug-in hybrid bus will be able to reduce diesel consumption and thus carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 75%.”



Volvo Buses expects to have a prototype bus ready for testing in 2011. The next step will be taken in autumn 2012, when a field test will commence in Gothenburg using three chargeable hybrid buses. The buses will be put in service with passengers.



The field test project will be implemented in cooperation with Business Region Göteborg, the Traffic Office inGothenburgCity, Västtrafik and Göteborgs Energi, which will be responsible for the charging stations. On Friday, the project was granted a subsidy of Euro 1,4 M from the EU’s program that supports environmental ventures, Life+.



“It is important to the environment that we are able to develop new energy-efficient solutions as rapidly as possible,” says Ulf Gustafsson, Head of Public Affairs at Volvo Buses. “We have the opportunity to succeed because we are capitalizing on the collective expertise of companies, organizations and authorities, and they are jointly investing the funds required.”



The field test will commence in autumn 2012, but Volvo Buses does not know yet when the company will be able to offer this bus in the market.



“It will take a few more years,” says Håkan Karlsson. “But, we are convinced that this is a key step on the path to more efficient public transport and an important step in the effort to reduce global energy consumption.”



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Volvo and Siemens launch electric mobility partnership

Volvo Car Corporation and Siemens intend to jointly advance the technical development of electric cars through extensive strategic cooperation.



The focus is on the joint development of electrical drive technology, power electronics and charging technology as well as the integration of those systems into Volvo C30 Electric vehicles.



The first electric cars of this model fitted with Siemens electric motors will be on the test tracks as early as the end of this year. Beginning in late 2012, the Swedish carmaker will deliver a test series of up to 200 vehicles to Siemens, which will then be tested and validated under real-life conditions as part of a Siemens internal test fleet.







Sharpens competitiveness

The two companies' goals and core competencies in electric mobility are perfectly matched.



The partnership gives Siemens the chance to extend its industrial leadership in electric drive technology into the automotive market together with a renowned vehicle manufacturer.



Volvo Car Corporation will be relying on proven and efficient Siemens technology for the electrification of its future vehicles.



"We are very happy to have Siemens as a partner. Their world-leading knowledge and experience will bring the technology in our electric cars up to an entirely new level," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation. He continues: "We are moving ahead quickly in this area. Our aim is to be first with the latest technology within electrification. The partnership reinforces our aim to pursue the fast-growing market for electric cars."



Pioneering electric mobility

Electric powertrain, battery management and charging technology are regarded as key technologies in the development and production of electric cars.



"Co-operation with Volvo is an important milestone in the development of top-quality components and systems for electric cars subsequently intended for series production," says Siegfried Russwurm, Siemens Board member and CEO of the Siemens Industry Sector. "It is our long-term goal to establish Siemens as a global system provider both inside and outside of electric vehicles. We see ourselves as a comprehensive electric mobility pioneer."



Siemens electric motors developed for Volvo have a peak power output of 108 kilowatts with a maximum torque of 220 Nm. The inverter design will be jointly optimised to meet all safety requirements in an automotive application. In addition, Siemens will provide highly efficient and fast on-board and off-board charging systems.



Moving towards series production

Volvo Car Corporation starts small-scale production of the Volvo C30 Electric this year, and next year the company will start selling the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid.



"This means that we are moving from prototypes and small volumes towards series production, starting with the plug-in hybrid. Our upcoming new Scalable Platform Architecture paves the way for electrification throughout our model range," concludes Stefan Jacoby.



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Volvo Car Corporation announces a new brand strategy: "Designed Around You"

At a press conference in Beijing, Volvo Car Corporation today announced a new global brand strategy - "Designed Around You" - as an important part of the brand's global revitalization plan. The management team from Volvo Car China also presented the progress of the China Growth Strategy including a sales improvement of 36 per cent for the first half of 2011.



At a well-attended press conference in Beijing on August 23rd, "Designed Around You" was announced as the new global brand strategy, an important component of Volvo Car Corporation's global revitalization plan.



The strategy points out the direction of Volvo's future brand development, and the key word is human.





"It summarizes our approach to understanding people, giving them a luxury experience that is a little more human-oriented - while at the same time linking firmly to our heritage of building safe and dependable cars.", said Richard Monturo, Vice President Global Marketing, Volvo Car Corporation, and continued;

"We are the most human-centric car brand in the industry. And we need to communicate that to our customers."

The new brand direction will be further demonstrated at the Frankfurt Motorshow in mid-September.



Also present at the press conference was the management team from Volvo Car China. Since last August, Volvo Car China has grown from a national sales company into a full-fledged organization including sales and marketing, manufacturing, purchasing, product development and all other supporting functions, headquartered in Shanghai.



In connection to the press conference, Volvo Car China also celebrated the opening of a new representation office in Beijing to strengthen its presence in the Chinese capital.



The introduction of the S60 sedan and other model year 2012 variants has won positive feedback from the market and sales volume in China surged by 36% to 21,000 units in the first six months of 2011 compared to the same period the previous year. For the first half of 2011, the XC60 crossover was the best selling Volvo model in China, followed by the S80L and the S60 sedans.



The sales network in China is expanding systematically, now totaling 117 dealerships nationwide. Further, the Chengdu plant construction has been kicked off and investigations are ongoing for a potential second plant.



"We now have the right market growth, the robust strategy and the right organization and people to successfully carry out the growth strategy in the Chinese market", said Freeman Shen, Senior Vice President and Chairman, Volvo Car China Operations.



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Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid 2013

The new Black Edition Porsche Cayman S combines performance and style, with a 3.4-liter flat six-cylinder tuned to deliver 330 hp, distinctive alloy wheels 19 "black finish and a luxurious interior. Production is limited 500 copies worldwide, and sales in the UK starts in September 2011. The extra power is produced at 7400 rpm (an extra 200 rpm vs standard car), while peak torque remains unchanged at 370 Nm at 4750 rpm. This additional power is fed directly by the execution of the acceleration a black mid-engine two-seater. 0 to 62 km / h (0-100 km / h) is improved by one tenth of seconds to 5.1 seconds with the manual gearbox six speeds and a 5 0 seconds with the optional Porsche double-clutch (PDK), respectively. With Launch Control enabled on the ability of PDK Sport Chrono Package, a further acceleration improves to 4.8 seconds.

The speed of the Porsche Cayman S Black Edition is a little more mph faster than the Cayman S - 173 mph (279 km / h) with manual transmission and 172 mph (277 km / h) with PDK. In line with the principles of intelligent performance of Porsche, the fuel consumption of Porsche Cayman S Black Edition is identical to the car show, despite the increase in power. The Black Edition Porsche Cayman S with manual gearbox returns 29.7mpg combined and 30.1mpg combined with PDK. Similarly, the CO2 is 223g/km for the manual and 221g/km for the PDK. Helping dynamic performance of the Black Edition Porsche Cayman S Boxster Spyder light is finished in black wheels with a diameter of 19 inches are an inch larger than the wheels of the standard Cayman S, and half an inch wider than the optional 19-inch wheels available on the Cayman S. Tires are size 235/35 ZR 19s equipped on the front axle and 265/35 ZR 19 in the rear.

The characteristics of the Porsche Cayman S Black Edition Standard bi-xenon headlights with dynamic cornering lights and LED daytime running lights, auto-dimming mirrors inside and outside with integrated rain sensor. The front seats are covered in black leather with a Porsche crest in headrest part and a design steering wheel sport. Air conditioning and cruise control add to the overall comfort. Another highlight of the interior Black Edition is the Porsche Communication Management (PCM), including satellite navigation. This is combined with audio interface allows universal connectivity and an MP3 player is compatible with Bluetooth mobile phones.

The color scheme of the Black Edition Porsche Cayman S is uniform across the faces of the panels is black like the gear lever / selector keyboard and buttons on the dashboard. The function of gate guards letters "Black Edition" and are made of stainless steel, the lid of the glove wears a badge noting the limited edition status. Costs Porsche Cayman S Black Edition £ 50,420 (€ 67,807 in Germany, including VAT) and is on sale in the United Kingdom in September 2011. Guests can also explore the potential of your new car, to participate in a free course at the Centre of Expertise Porsche, Silverstone.

NiDa Transport order over 200 Volvo FMX trucks

NiDa Transport, South Africa has placed an order for over 200 of the latest Volvo FMX with the potential of 50 more. The trucks will be delivered during 2011.



“The trucks will be a fine tribute to our expanding transport operation. We considered a variety of alternatives in the local market, but ultimately it was the good uptime on the Volvo trucks, good parts availability and a dealer network that is well spread along the routes on which we will be operating that made us choose the Volvo brand”, says CEO for NiDa Transport, Nico Oosthuizen.





NiDa primarily services the mining industry sector in South Africa and combinations are fitted with side-tipping trailers for the coal and commodity transport applications and flat deck trailers to transport steel.



Currently NiDa is running a mixed fleet of approximately 385 vehicles, 200 of which are Volvo trucks. All the new Volvo FMX vehicles will be on maintenance contracts to ensure maximum up-time through planned and preventive servicing.



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Volvo to develop a supertruck

Under a SuperTruck contract established with the U.S. Department of Energy, Volvo Technology of America, Inc. is scheduled to receive $19m (£11.5m) in federal funding to be used by the Volvo Group’s North American truck-related operations to improve the freight-moving efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and reduce greenhouse gases.



A team of highly skilled researchers and engineers in Greensboro, North Carolina and Hagerstown, Maryland will spend the next five years developing high-efficiency heavy-duty truck technologies aimed at moving more freight with less fuel, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Improved truck aerodynamics and energy conversion efficiency – maximizing the output potential of the energy source – are two areas that hold great promise for Class 8 efficiency gains.







In achieving the SuperTruck program goals, Volvo will draw on established leadership and extensive experience in energy efficiency and reducing heavy-duty truck and engine diesel use. Volvo’s North American truck and powertrain operations have been participating in other DOE- funded heavy vehicle fuel efficiency efforts as well. Being an integrated manufacturer also improves the efficacy of product development and allows Volvo to optimize solutions across product platforms.



“We are delighted to receive this SuperTruck award that builds upon an already strong relationship with the U.S. Department of Energy,” said Ron Huibers, Volvo Trucks senior vice president, sales and marketing. “Freight transportation plays a vital role in our daily lives and the strength of our nation, so it’s essential that we step up our efforts to create the best, most efficient heavy-duty truck solutions possible. This public-private partnership is an important step forward as we continue to expand our technology leadership.”



“We appreciate the Department of Energy’s recognition of Volvo as a global technology leader,” said Peter Karlsten, Volvo Powertrain president, and senior vice president of technology for the Volvo Group. “Our partnership will help drive the development of technologies needed to maximize energy efficiency as we address the reality of a finite supply of petroleum-based resources.”



He added, “Volvo Trucks and Powertrain have committed the internal resources necessary to become fuel efficiency leaders in the Class 8 market and now we’re able to explore some planned fuel efficiency improving technologies earlier in our product development cycle than normally scheduled – and also investigate advanced technologies that normally would not be economically feasible.”



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One million kilometres on the same clutch with Volvo

Phil Moore, an experienced truck driver who works for manufacturer EBC Brakes in Northampton, has just driven 1 million kilometres on the same clutch.

Phil’s seven-year old Volvo FM tag-axle six-wheeler achieved the magic number while he was returning from making a delivery to Holland recently.

With a regular schedule that takes in deliveries as far afield as Leiden in Holland, Bristol, Leeds and Hawick, Phil does in the region of 2,700 kms a week.


The FM, which is Phil’s second Volvo, is equipped with the 9-litre engine rated at 300hp. The truck, which was purchased from new in 2003, is maintained by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia’s Kettering Dealerpoint. Phil puts the long life of the clutch down to his careful driving style.

Phil says: “When I’m driving, I never ride the clutch. When I stop at traffic lights, I always put the handbrake on,” adding, “It’s a great achievement because, according to the Volvo Dealer, a truck like this could have had three or more clutches in the same period.”

| Volvo

10 years of I-Shift by Volvo Trucks

When I-Shift was launched in 2001 it was something that had never been seen before. Back then, few people believed in a transmission system designed exclusively for automatic gear-changing. Today, however, I-Shift is one of Volvo Trucks’ most highly appreciated products worldwide.

This year, I-Shift is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Today no fewer than 80 per cent of Volvo’s FH trucks are equipped with the system, making I-Shift virtually a standard feature. At its launch in 2001, however, things looked very different. There were already a number of so-called AMTs (Automated Mechanical Transmissions) on the market, but they were all based on manual gearboxes adapted to permit automatic gear-changing. They were often not entirely reliable and customers complained. Vehicle manufacturers were forced to face angry customers who had paid a great deal of money for a transmission that caused problems.



Tailored for long-distance operations
However, Volvo Trucks believed in the concept of a transmission system designed from the very outset for automatic gear-changing. The first target was to adapt it for long-distance transport.

The company succeeded and in 2002, just one year after the system’s launch, 14 per cent of all Volvo trucks sold were equipped with I-Shift. This can be compared with its predecessor, Geartronic, Volvo Trucks’ first AMT, which was only fitted to one per cent of all trucks sold by the company.

Sven-Erik Tibb was the main project manager throughout the development of I-Shift. “We created a totally new unsynchronised basic transmission and an integral control unit with all the electronics, sensors and so on. We then added software that was fully tailored for long-distance traffic. This gave us total control of the engine and gear-changing,” he recalls.


The new I-Shift was thus a combination of fairly straightforward, uncomplicated mechanics along with electronic control. “There are many benefits with I-Shift. In addition to lower fuel consumption, the system contributes to safer driving, which benefits everyone," says Ricard Fritz, Senior Vice President Strategic Planning and Business Development, Volvo Trucks.

“The driver is free to fully concentrate on the traffic and does not become tired from all the gear-changing by the end of the working day. I-Shift is also very easy to drive, and this is appreciated by both experienced drivers and those who are not so experienced," he adds.

Other advantages of I-Shift are that it changes gears very quickly compared with other systems on the market, there is no need for a clutch pedal, and there is software optimised for different types of driving.

Second generation
In 2005, when the second generation I-Shift made its appearance, the front and rear parts of the transmission had been redesigned to include a new clutch system and a new range-change unit. This provided greater capacity for higher gross combination weights and, consequently, I-Shift could now be fitted to trucks used for some heavier construction and forestry transport duties. As a result, the transmission also found its way into trucks with the 16-litre engine and not just vehicles with 9- and 12-litre power units.


Launch of third generation
The third generation was launched in 2009 and was tailored to match Euro-5. It featured a number of hardware improvements, together with new software which made the transmission suitable for additional, even more demanding assignments. It was now possible, for example, to rock heavily laden trucks free if necessary.

“From the very start, we had developed programs for different types of operation and customers were able to choose between the various programs. Each new generation added new applications and now even really heavy-duty construction vehicles like the Volvo FMX can be equipped with I-Shift,” says Sven-Erik Tibb, who today is section manager for drivelines and hybrids at Volvo.

Åke Zander, technical director at Volvo Powertrain, was also involved from the start. According to him, I-Shift can keep fuel consumption at the same level as the best driver on his best day with a manual transmission. The electronics make sure that the correct gear is always selected to enable the engine to work as economically as possible.

“The advantage when it comes to I-Shift is that it doesn’t have bad or good days. It provides the same fuel-efficient progress, regardless of who is driving or how the driver feels. What’s more, the driver does not need to apply any force to shift gear,” says Åke Zander.

So what does the future look like?
Euro 6 will soon be making its entrance, and transmission systems will need to be adapted to the new engines. “The next generation will be even more fuel-efficient. What’s more, we are going to consolidate, refine and stabilise what we have already achieved and further expand the applications for I-Shift,” promises Åke Zander.

| Volvo

Volvo continuing developing range extenders cars

Volvo Car Corporation is now taking the next step in the company's electrification strategy by producing test cars with Range Extenders - electric cars that are fitted with a combustion engine to increase their effective range.

The projects, supported by the Swedish Energy Agency and the EU, encompass three potential technology combinations. Tests of the various concepts will get under way in the first quarter of 2012.

"This is an exciting expansion of our increasing focus on electrification. Battery cost and size mean that all-electric cars still have a relatively limited operating range. With the Range Extender, the electric car has its effective range increased by a thousand kilometres - yet with carbon dioxide emissions below or way below 50 g/km," says Derek Crabb, Vice President Powertrain Engineering at the Volvo Car Corporation.



The company's technological developments in this area currently encompass three different technology combinations, with three-cylinder petrol engines being installed to complement electric drive to the front wheels. All the variants feature brake energy regeneration. The engines can run on both petrol and ethanol (E85).

Two of the solutions are based on the Volvo C30 Electric. In both cases, the standard battery pack has been somewhat reduced in size to make room for the combustion engine and its fuel tank.


Technical concept I: Volvo C30 with series-connected Range Extender
This is based on a C30 Electric with a three-cylinder combustion engine producing 60 horsepower (45 kW) installed under the rear load compartment floor. The car also has a 40 litre fuel tank.

The combustion engine is connected to a 40 kW generator. The power it generates is used primarily to drive the car's 111 horsepower (82 kW) electric motor, but the driver can also choose to let the generator charge the battery, thus increasing the car's operating range on electricity.

The Range Extender increases the electric car's range by up to 1,000 km - on top of the 110 km range provided by the car's battery pack.


Technical concept II: Volvo C30 with parallel-connected Range Extender
Here the car gets a more powerful three-cylinder combustion engine at the rear and a 40 litre fuel tank. The difference between this and the first solution is the parallel connection, whereby the turbocharged 190 horsepower engine primarily drives the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. This gives a better fuel efficiency rating when driving with the combustion engine cruising on the highway. Via a 40kW generator the battery can also be charged to give the car increased range on electricity alone.

Here too the electric motor is a 111 hp (82 kW) unit. The two power sources give the car more than 300 hp in total, and acceleration from 0-100 km/h of less than six seconds.

The Range Extender increases the electric car's range by more than 1,000 km - in addition to the range of up to 75 km provided by the car's battery pack.

Technical concept III: Volvo V60 with parallel-connected Range Extender
This is a solution whereby the entire drive package is installed under the bonnet at the front. The 111 hp (80 kW) electric motor is supplemented with a three-cylinder petrol turbo engine producing 190 hp (140 kW), a two-stage automatic transmission and a 40 kW generator. Power from the combustion engine drives the front wheels via the gearbox and recharges the battery pack whenever needed.

Up to 50 km/h, the car is always powered solely by electricity. The combustion engine is activated at higher speeds. What is more, it charges the battery pack when its charge drops below a predetermined level.

The battery pack is located under the rear load floor and it gives the driver a range of 50 km on electricity alone. The car also has a 45 litre tank for petrol or E85.

With this technology, the Range Extender increases the car's total range by more than 1,000 kilometres.

CO2-lean driving pleasure and comfort
The series-hybrid Range Extender in the C30 is part of an EU project in which the Volvo Car Corporation is the only car manufacturer among eight partners. The company's two parallel-hybrid Range Extender solutions are being developed with a grant of SEK 10.8 million (EUR 1.2 million) from the Swedish Energy Agency.

"These three projects allow us to evaluate the Range Extender's various possibilities. As with the C30 Electric and V60 Plug-in Hybrid, the goal is to make the cars exceptionally CO2-lean without compromising on customer requirements such as comfort, driving pleasure and practicality," explains Derek Crabb.

| Volvo

volvo c30

volvo c30

 volvo c30

  volvo c30

C30 was introduced with standard features, but more, including a standard Bluetooth interface for hands-free phone, gearshift buttons with aluminum inlay, leather parking brake cover, trip computer and cruise control.Volvo C30  has two models, the C30 T5 and the T5 R-Design is powered by a 2.5-liter
turbocharged 5-cylinder that produces 227 horsepower. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard while a 5-speed “Geartronic” is automatic with “Auto-stick” function optional. At the front of the Volvo C30 model has been redesigned as a whole, including body panels such as front wings. Chassis, with MacPherson front suspension is optimized to provide exceptional control and precise response to driver input. Although the changes were most numerous in the front, the back also offers a new concept and detailed. Chassis rear suspension uses multilink axle.

To the interior of the Volvo C30 offers a wide selection of new interior. Among others, there is now a combination of colors as Espresso / Music, comprised of the top and dark brown color, fresh blonde on the lower side door. Interior is using the concept of dynamic and elegant with leather seats black and white color combination. There is also a new multimedia system package includes Sirius satellite radio and Dynaudio Premium Sound System with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound, 10 Dynaudio speakers and 650 watts. In addition there is also a Volvo HDD navigation system with real-time traffic, remote control and care maps, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS makes it easy), a power glass moonroof, leather seating surfaces for T5 and various metallic paint color.

  volvo c30

  volvo c30

  volvo c30

2011 Volvo Concept Universe

2011 Volvo Concept Universe

If you wondering how future luxury sedan models will look years from now, then all you have to do is to catch a quick glimpse at the 2011 Volvo Concept Universe model. Interest and clamour for the model has steadily increased since the model was first unveiled in the Shanghai International Auto Show this year.

Using the 2011 Volvo Concept Universe model as a good foundation for the Company’s future luxury sedan styles, Volvo has managed to whet the public’s appetite for more of this line’s products. Without a doubt, future models will be met with the same level of interest and attention.

The opinions and the input of the highest market groups are specifically taken into consideration when the 2011 Volvo Concept Universe was first conceptualised, thereby making it a model that fits almost every single one of the market’s needs. Taking the Asian market as its foremost consideration, the model was then diversified to appeal to the interest of the rest of the world.

Volvo users and executives alike are very much excited for the 2011 Volvo Concept Universe, with models standing to gain from the release of this model. Sales are expected to skyrocket as soon as the models hit the mass market anytime soon.

2011 Volvo Concept Universe interior

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Volvo inaugura el Volvo Truck Center en Polonia

Volvo Trucks Poland has moved its Volvo Truck Center operations in the Kraków area to a completely new Volvo facility in Skawina. The investment proves Volvo Trucks’ commitment to the continuous development and modernisation of its sales and service network with the aim of raising the quality of its customer service even further.

Volvo Trucks has one of the best-developed sales & service networks in Poland. Despite this, the company continuously focuses on further development with the aim of being as close as possible to its customers. It does so in order to be able to meet growing customer expectations and needs, providing them with effective and optimal solutions, so this is the reason why a new Volvo Truck Center in Skawina was brought into the operation.


The new Volvo Truck Center facility will provide customers with the full range of products and services, including sales of new and used trucks, genuine Volvo service for Volvo trucks and Volvo buses, as well as genuine Volvo parts, offered under the total business solutions concept.

The official inauguration of the new premises took place on May 6 and brought together many Volvo customers as well as the company’s business partners, local authorities and media.

“With this new Volvo Truck Center in Skawina we are taking another important step forward in our continuous development. We hope that this will help us further strengthen our position and our offer in this part of Poland,” said Tom Jörning, Managing Director of Region Central-East Europe within Volvo Trucks’ European Division.

The new Volvo premises - which also host Volvo Construction Equipment’s Polish branch office and workshop as well as the Volvo Financial Services office - are housed in a completely new facility designed and built to Volvo standards with regard to equipment, environmental care and requirements for serving specific Volvo needs. It is also a twin facility to the Volvo premises in Pietrzykowice (Wroc?aw), which entered operation in 2009.

The Skawina Volvo Truck Center is one of seven wholly-owned Volvo workshops in Poland. These, in addition to these there are 18 authorised Volvo Truck workshops in Poland, make a total of 25 service points for Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses in the country.

The new Volvo Truck Center is very conveniently located on the Kraków southern ring road and close to the A4 highway.

| Volvo

Volvo presenta su nuevo eje de transmisión que reduce el consumo de combustible

Volvo Trucks is now taking yet another step towards reducing its customers’ fuel costs by introducing a new rear axle for fast, heavy long-haul operations which could cut fuel consumption by up to two per cent, compared with today’s hub-reduction axles.

“Low fuel consumption is always a high-priority issue and for customers working in long-haul operations, whose vehicles may cover several hundred thousand kilometres a month, a reduction of a couple of per cent represents a major cost saving,” says Hayder Wokil, product manager for the long-haul segment at Volvo Trucks.


Intended for high engine power outputs
The new RSS1360 rear axle is a solo axle with single reduction designed for trucks with high engine power and gross combination weights of up to 60 tonnes. In other words, vehicles built for demanding long-haul duties carrying heavy loads and travelling at high average speeds. Food and agricultural produce are two typical cargoes for this application area.

Fast and fuel-optimised
This is a longed-for new feature, particularly among Volvo FH16 customers. For the first time they can now specify a solo axle without hub reduction, making it possible to cut fuel consumption by up to two per cent. The axle has a generous selection of ratios, making it possible to optimise the overall gearing in the best possible way. The RSS1360 can be specified for Volvo’s FH and FM ranges and is available on both rigids and tractor units. The new solo axle will be gradually introduced on various markets during 2011 and 2012, starting in June this year.

“The trend in Europe shows an increasing shift towards more powerful trucks and larger vehicle combinations. The introduction of the new rear axle is one of many measures from Volvo designed to show that fast and efficient transportation can also be very economical,” says Hayder Wokil.

| Volvo