Volvo presents a fresh face

VOLVO has ushered in the release of an updated 2009 model line-up, which extends electronic stability control as standard across the range, introduces a lane departure warning system on selected models and now comprises Executive and R Design editions of its XC90 SUV range.

Supplemented by the addition of limited-edition Volvo Ocean Race versions of the XC70 and XC90, the 2009 model year upgrade sees the entire range adopt the bolder Volvo badging on the rear-end of all models, bringing them into line with the newly-released V70 and XC70, and comes with price rises of between $500 and $3000.

Entry-level 2.4-litre variants of the C30 hatch, S40 sedan, V50 wagon gain the same Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system already standard on the rest of the Volvo range – at no extra cost.

However, Volvo says price rises for most of the rest of the range reflects their subtly different specifications and increased manufacturing costs. The C70 2.4 LE rises by $1000 to $70,950 and the C70 2.5 T5 increases $2000 to $81,950, and while the S60 2.4 LE remains at $49,950 the S60 2.4 AWD rises by $1000 to $60,950.

Left, from top: Volvo XC70 VOR and XC90 VOR.

Volvo’s sole V70 3.0 T6 AWD model rises by $1000 to $68,950, while the biggest price rises are reserved for the flagship S80 luxury sedan. The S80 2.4 D5 rises by $1000 to $72,950, the S80 3.2 AWD increases by $1000 to $76,950 and the S80 4.4 V8 AWD is now $3000 more expensive at $98,950.

XC70 pricing remains unchanged at either side of $60,000 at base level, extending to $65,450 for the XC70 LE 3.2 and $67,450 for the XC70 2.4 D5 LE (both up $500).

While the entry-level XC90 3.2 and D5 both rise $1000 to $70,950 and $73,950 respectively and the 4.4 V8 increases $2000 to $86,950, Volvo has deleted the V8 Sport option that previous added $5000 to the price.

In it place will be new R Design and Executive specification grades that extend beyond the XC90 V8 to the 3.2 and D5 too. The R Design package, which is yet to be announced, comprises unique sports seats and suspension tune, among other things, and adds $6000 to the price of the XC90 3.2, D5 and V8. It will also become available for the V70, at a price that’s yet to be revealed.

The XC90 Executive package, meantime, adds an extra $7500 to the price of the 3.2, D5 and V8, and comprises fully power-adjustable front seats trimmed in perforated leather and complete with a massage function and driver’s memory settings. The XC90 V8 Executive’s front seats are also heated and ventilated.

XC90 Executive customers also receive Volvo's Dynaudio Premium Sound system with 12 speakers and six-stack CD player, plus bi-Xenon headlights with washers, rain-sensing wipers and, on 3.2 and V8 models, Volvo's Interior Air Quality System (IAQS) with dust, pollen and active charcoal filters.

Finally, the new Lane Departure Warning with Driver Alert Control system - which Volvo claims is an Australian-first because unlike similar Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz systems it also monitors driver behaviour between lane markings - is now available as a $2075 option on the S80, V70 and XC70.

Like other systems, it activates an audible alert if the vehicle moves out of its lane without the driver first indicating, and in this case operates at speeds above about 65km/h via a digital camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror, which monitors the vehicle’s movement.

Volvo says it can also detect signs of “inconsistent driver behaviour” or “reduced driver alertness”, thereby improving its fatigue monitoring capability.

According to Volvo, statistics show drivers who fall asleep at the wheel cause about 100,000 accidents in the USA every year, resulting in 1500 causalities and more than 70,000 injured drivers and passengers annually.

Meanwhile, new limited-edition Volvo Ocean Race versions of the XC70 and XC90 reference what is billed as the world’s toughest yacht race, which began in Alicante in Spain on October 4 and will finish at St Petersburg in Russia on June 27, 2009. The eight-month extreme sailing adventure is held every four years, circumnavigating the globe over a distance of 37,025 nautical miles.

The VOR treatment will be available on the XC70 3.2 ($61,200) and D5 ($63,200), plus the XC90 3.2 ($73,200), D5 ($76,200) and V8 ($89,200), all of which are offered in either Ocean Blue or Electric Silver exterior paint colours.

The VOR package includes unique six-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels for the XC90 (17-inch seven-spoke alloys for the XC70) with a silver or grey finish depending on body colour, silver aluminium roof-rails and alloy-look front and rear skid plates. The XC70 VOR also scores the standard XC90’s bright chrome side window trims. Of course both models feature unique VOR badging on their front guards.

Inside, the VOR kit comprises brushed aluminium inlays for the glovebox, rear tunnel and centre console, while seats and door panels are trimmed in Soft Beige or Off Black leather, the stitching for which is said to trace its roots to sail making.

Volvo’s next major launch will be that of the XC60, which will go on sale in March 2009 at a forecast price of around $60,000. Engine options will include Volvo’s 136kW/400Nm 2.4-litre inline five-cylinder D5 turbo-diesel or the twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol inline six offering 210kW and the same 400Nm. Both will come standard with Volvo’s Geartronic six-speed automatic transmission.

Finally, the C30 DRIVe, which is powered by a unique 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine and made its Australian debut at the Sydney motor show direct from the Paris show earlier this month, is also expected to go on sale next year, offering claimed best-in-class CO2 emissions of just 115g/km and Prius-matching average fuel consumption of 4.4L/100km.

Volvo Ocean Race XC pricing:
XC70 3.2 VOR (a)	$61,200
XC70 D5 VOR (a)	$63,200
XC90 3.2 VOR (a)	$73,200
XC90 D5 VOR (a)	$76,200
XC90 V8 VOR (a)	$89,200

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