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The Volvo V70 is an
executive car Executive car is a British term for a large car which is equivalent to the European E-segment and American full-size classifications. Executive cars are larger than compact executive cars (and the non-luxury equivalent mid-size cars), and small ...
manufactured and marketed by
Volvo Cars Volvo Cars ( sv, Volvo personvagnar, styled VOLVO in the company's logo) is a Swedish multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles headquartered in Torslanda, Gothenburg. The company manufactures SUVs, station wagons, and sedans. The company's ...
from 1996 to 2016 across three generations. The name ''V70'' combines the letter ''V'', standing for ''versatility'', and ''70'', denoting relative platform size (i.e., a V70 is larger than a V40, but smaller than a V90). The first generation (1996–2000) debuted in November 1996. It was based on the P80 platform and was available with front and
all-wheel drive An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand. The most common forms of all-wheel drive are: ;1x1 : All unicycles Reflecting one axle with one w ...
(AWD), the latter marketed as the ''V70 AWD''. In September 1997 a
crossover Crossover may refer to: Entertainment Albums and songs * ''Cross Over'' (Dan Peek album) * ''Crossover'' (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles album), 1987 * ''Crossover'' (Intrigue album) * ''Crossover'' (Hitomi Shimatani album) * ''Crossover'' (Yoshino ...
version called the ''V70 XC'' or ''V70 Cross Country'' was introduced. The sedan model was called ''
Volvo S70 The Volvo S70 is a compact executive car produced by Volvo Cars from 1996 to 2000. The S70 was essentially a facelifted 850 saloon. The S70 was replaced with the Volvo S60. Overview Introduced in Europe in late 1996 for the 1997 model year and ...
''. The second generation (2000–2007) debuted in spring 2000. It was based on the P2 platform and, as with its predecessor, was also offered as an all-wheel drive variant marketed as the V70 AWD and as a crossover version initially called ''V70 XC''. For model year 2003 the crossover was renamed to ''XC70''. The sedan model was called ''
Volvo S60 The Volvo Group ( sv, Volvokoncernen; legally Aktiebolaget Volvo, shortened to AB Volvo, stylized as VOLVO) is a Swedish multinational manufacturing corporation headquartered in Gothenburg. While its core activity is the production, distributio ...
''. The third generation (2007–2016) debuted in February 2007. It was based on the P3 platform and marketed as the ''V70'' and the ''XC70''. Production of the V70 ended on 25 April 2016, the XC70 continued until 13 May 2016. The sedan model was called ''
Volvo S80 The Volvo S80 is an executive car produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1998 to 2016 across two generations. It took the place of the rear-wheel-drive S90 as Volvo's flagship sedan. The first generation (1998–2006) was made a ...
''.


First generation (1996–2000)

The first generation V70 was an improved development on the basis of the
Volvo 850 The Volvo 850 is a compact executive car that was produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1991 until 1996. Designed by Jan Wilsgaard, the car was introduced in a saloon body style; an estate style was introduced in 1993. The Volv ...
estate. Its overall design became more rounded doing away with the 850's square edges. Among the many changes were a completely revised front end, fully painted bumpers and side trim and clear indicator lenses all around. Most of the interior was redesigned, with new seats, door panels and dashboard. According to Volvo a total of 1800 changes were made. Standard equipment was improved significantly with remote central locking, heated and electrically adjustable mirrors, two front- and two side airbags, power brakes with ABS and power windows being standard on every car. Trim levels varied for each market as did equipment levels of the most basic trims. In the United States, the badging denoted the engine variant, and to some extent the equipment level, whereas in Europe engines and options could be chosen individually. In all markets more powerful versions received better or upgraded standard equipment. The ''T5'' and ''R'' were the series high-performance models. Small cosmetic and major technical changes were introduced for model year 1999. The Volvo logo on the front grill was redesigned, the square ''XC''-style roof rails replaced the rounded version and black edge stickers on the rear doors were removed. Volvo improved the SRS-system airbags by introducing dual stage deployment logic for the front airbags, and its second generation,
side impact protection system Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) is a passive safety system in an automobile to protect against injury in a side collision, developed by Volvo Cars. History SIPS was first introduced in 1991 for the Volvo 700, 900 and 850 series cars of mod ...
side airbag (SIPS-BAG II), whose volume was increased to offer better protection. A whiplash protection system (WHIPS) was also introduced as part of the standard equipment. New engine management systems with drive-by-wire throttle replaced the mechanical throttle on all petrol turbo models. The
anti-lock braking system An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a safety anti-skid braking system used on aircraft and on land vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. ABS operates by preventing the wheels from locking up during braking, thereby maintaini ...
(ABS) was upgraded from a three-channel to a four-channel system, and an upgraded traction control now called STC (Stability Traction Control) was introduced. All-wheel drive models received thicker rear brake discs and redesigned rear calipers. The 4-speed
automatic transmission An automatic transmission (sometimes abbreviated to auto or AT) is a multi-speed transmission used in internal combustion engine-based motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving c ...
s were upgraded to adaptive shift logic, replacing the previous three-mode selection. For model year 2000 a new 5-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift logic was introduced. It was only available on non-turbo,
front-wheel drive Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longit ...
models and the 2000 V70 R AWD. The naturally aspirated 10V engine was replaced by a detuned 20V variant. Drive-by-wire throttle was introduced for all non-turbo petrol engines. The 2.0L V70 XC was discontinued.


First generation models


V70

The standard V70 was available with a variety of engines, gearboxes and equipment. The standard configuration was
front-wheel drive Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longit ...
. An all-wheel drive version badged as V70 AWD was available. For some markets Volvo offered a diesel version badged as V70 TDI. In countries such as Italy, with high taxes on cars with more than a 2.0L engine capacity, special petrol models with a 2000 cc engine capacity were offered. This included a 2.0T and a 2.0L T5 version, the latter with a slightly lower power output than the 2.3L variant. An optional third row seat increased occupant capacity from five to seven seats while reducing underfloor storage space in the trunk. With the V70 Bi-Fuel Volvo continued to offer a factory
compressed natural gas Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fuel gas mainly composed of methane (CH4), compressed to less than 1% of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure. It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of , usually in cy ...
(CNG) powered car. A tank installed in the trunk allowed for a claimed range of running on CNG only. Due to the bulky tank, rear cargo space was reduced considerably. Drivers could choose whether their car ran on petrol or CNG at the touch of a button. On Bi-Fuel models the temperature gauge in the instrument cluster was replaced by a level gauge for the gas tank. Several options, such as a trip computer and sports suspension, were not available for Bi-Fuel models. Neither Bi-Fuel nor TDI were offered on the North American market. Specialised vehicles, such as taxi and police versions, were also available directly from the factory. Changes included preparations to install additional equipment, a certified calibrated speedometer, uprated brakes with wear indicators and a different level of standard equipment. File:1999 Volvo V70 (MY00) 2.4 20V CD station wagon (2015-07-10) 01.jpg, Volvo V70 (AU) File:1999 Volvo V70 (MY00) 2.4 20V CD station wagon (2015-07-10) 02.jpg, alt=Rear drivers side view of silver RHD V70, Volvo V70 (AU)


V70 XC

The V70 XC, also referred to as the V70 Cross Country, the V70 AWD Cross Country, or the V70 Cross Country AWD was introduced in September 1997 at the
Frankfurt Auto Show The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility shows. It cons ...
for the 1998 model year as a crossover version of the V70. It featured standard all-wheel drive and was available with only two engine and gearbox choices. In the US only the 2.4L turbo engine together with an automatic gearbox was available. A 2.0L version of the V70 XC was available only for markets with high taxes on cars with an engine capacity of more than 2000 cc. Standard ride height was increased overall with more ground clearance compared to the regular AWD model. Total ground clearance is . Visual differences from a standard V70 AWD included a unique front and rear bumper, unpainted sidetrim and sills, a squarer version of the roof rails, a unique front grille and a black decal with white Cross Country lettering across the tailgate. Buyers could also specify a two-tone exterior paint option called Duo Tone. Interior details included thicker floor mats and special canvas/leather upholstery. File:1st Volvo V70 XC 03-21-2012.jpg, alt=Front drivers side view of white V70 XC, Volvo V70 XC (US) File: Volvo V70 XC.JPG, alt=Rear view of silver V70 XC with black 'Cross Country' decal on the tailgate, Volvo V70 XC (CA)


V70 R

As the replacement for the popular 850 T-5R and 850 R, the V70 R was unveiled in May 1997. Similar to the previous generation R models it featured a unique leather/ Alcantara interior with diamond stitching on the seats. Further styling touches were a special front bumper, blue gauge faces for the instrument cluster, two special colours and special alloy wheels. All US cars were equipped with 16 inch alloy wheels, other markets had 17 inch wheels available at extra cost or as standard equipment. Standard equipment was substantially upgraded over normal models with a few options available such as a trunk mounted CD-changer, Volvo's self developed Road and Traffic Information (RTI) navigation system, or an upgraded stereo system. Intended to be the high-performance version of the model range, all R models were fitted with the highest performance engines of the line up, and were available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive with either an automatic or manual transmission. A redesigned suspension with lower ride height and firmer shocks as standard. Three different versions were produced, depending on the model year. For 1998 the R was available in six colours: Black Stone, Nautic Blue, Silver Metallic, Coral Red, Regency Red, Saffron. All, apart from the first one, were metallic or pearl paints with Saffron only available for the V70 R. Versions offered included FWD and an AWD, both with either a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. Cars with the automatic transmission were rated at , while manual transmission cars were equipped with a bigger turbo increasing power output to and torque to . The FWD manual transmission equipped R featured a viscous based
limited-slip differential A limited-slip differential (LSD) is a type of differential that allows its two output shafts to rotate at different speeds but limits the maximum difference between the two shafts. Limited-slip differentials are often known by the generic tr ...
. In the US neither FWD nor manual transmissions were offered. For 1999 the R was available in 8 colours: Black Stone, Classic Red, Nautic Blue Pearl, Silver Metallic, Cassis, Venetian Red Pearl, Dark Olive Green, Laser Blue. All except the first two were metallic or pearl paints with Laser Blue only being available on the R. FWD and manual transmission versions were discontinued, only AWD in combination with a 4-speed automatic were available. Cars were badged V70 R AWD. Power was increased to 250 PS. Blue engine covers were introduced for R models. For 2000 the R was available in 6 colours: Black Stone, Nautic Blue Pearl, Silver Metallic, Venetian Red Pearl, Dark Olive Green, Laser Blue. All, apart from the first one, were metallic or pearl paints with Laser Blue only being available on the R. A new 2.4L engine was introduced and power increased to by use of a larger turbo and
variable valve timing In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing (VVT) is the process of altering the timing of a valve lift event, and is often used to improve performance, fuel economy or emissions. It is increasingly being used in combination with varia ...
(VVT). The newly introduced 5-speed adaptive automatic was offered but some markets such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore received the more robust 4-speed auto as used in the 98–99 MY, rear brakes were upgraded to vented discs unique to the R. A dual outlet exhaust ( a first for Volvo ) was fitted as standard with the rear bumper modified to accommodate it. Areo changes included a reshaped front spoiler with supple black lower air intakes together with recessed spotlights plus a shaped spoiler running the length of the tailgate. The interior could be ordered in a two-tone design which paired white Alcantara and black leather for the seat covers. File:Volvo V70R AWD (6073666554).jpg, alt=Front view of a saffron coloured V70 R, Volvo V70 R (SE) File:Volvo V70R AWD (6073666568).jpg, alt=Rear drivers side view of a saffron coloured V70 R, Volvo V70 R (SE) File:VOLVO V70 MK1.JPG, alt=Interior view of an RHD V70 R with anthracite leather-alcantara seats, V70 R interior (UK) File:VOLVO V70 1997-2000.JPG, alt=Interior view of the dashboard of an RHD V70 R with anthracite interior and walnut wood trim, V70 R interior showing blue faced gauges (UK)


Engines

Engines for the first generation all had five cylinders. The petrol versions were part of the ''Volvo Modular Engine'' family, the diesel engines were purchased from VAG.


Safety

A driver airbag was standard on all V70 models, depending on the market a front passenger airbag was either always included or a no-cost option. Buyers could choose to not have a passenger airbag to be able to install a forward facing child seat. Seatbelt pretensioners, with load limiters, for both driver and front passenger were always part of the standard equipment. Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) was standard on all V70 models. Standard side airbags incorporated into the front seats supplemented the system.
Euro NCAP The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme (i.e. a New Car Assessment Program) based in Leuven (Belgium) formed in 1996, with the first results released in February ...
evaluated the S70 (saloon variant of V70) in 1998 awarding it four out of four stars for adult occupant protection. The S70 scored seven of 16 points in the front test and 16 of 16 in the side test. The car received two of two points available in the pole test. The S70 received a total of 25 of 37 points and therefore four stars (25–32) in Euro NCAP's evaluation. The S70 scored five out of five stars for front impact protection for driver and front passenger in the U.S.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA ) is an agency of the U.S. federal government, part of the Department of Transportation. It describes its mission as "Save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes" rela ...
(NHTSA) safety testing, and four out of five stars for driver and rear passenger side impact protection. The
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a U.S. nonprofit organization funded by auto insurance companies, established in 1959 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle traffic collision ...
(IIHS) granted the 850/S70 their highest rating of "good" for front crash protection. Rear crash protection was rated as "good". The 1999 model year and later vehicles minimized or prevented whiplash with an energy absorbing seatback hinge mechanism that is standard equipment.


Second generation (2000–2007)

Volvo released the second generation V70 to most markets in early 2000, and for the model year 2001 in North America. Based on the
Volvo P2 platform The Volvo P2 platform is a global full-size unibody automobile platform developed and produced by Volvo. It is designed for single wheelbases and is adaptable to front- or all wheel drive configurations. It was developed by the automaker before ...
, the second generation shared major mechanical and styling commonality with the
Volvo S60 The Volvo Group ( sv, Volvokoncernen; legally Aktiebolaget Volvo, shortened to AB Volvo, stylized as VOLVO) is a Swedish multinational manufacturing corporation headquartered in Gothenburg. While its core activity is the production, distributio ...
saloon, offered frontal area of and a
coefficient of drag In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient (commonly denoted as: c_\mathrm, c_x or c_) is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment, such as air or water. It is used in the drag e ...
of .30. The new generation featured adhesively bonded construction as opposed to spot welding in key areas, with Volvo claiming the new body to be 70 per cent more rigid than its predecessor. Critical aspects of the design for the second generation were completed before Ford acquired Volvo in 1999. With a increase in width and height, a longer wheelbase, a slightly shorter overall length than its predecessor, and a slightly increased interior cargo volume, it went on sale in early 2000. The interior featured raised seating in the second row, a hard point on the passenger's side of the center console to provide support for a range of optional accessories — e.g., an optional shopping bag holder. A rear-seat table, waste basket and cargo net were integrated into the rear seat backs. Standard interior features included a coat hook integrated into the side of the front passenger's headrest, glove compartment with pen holder and toll card, configurable center console and rear seating with a two-position backrest — one favoring cargo — the other favoring comfort. All P2 platform Volvos received a minor facelift across all markets for 2005. The front fascia was redesigned, tail and head lamps were changed to clear covers, the center console and dashboard received detail changes. Some minor changes were made to the electrical system and some engines, such diesel engine models received a particle filter. A new 6-speed automatic transmission was introduced, available in both AWD and FWD configurations. Production of the second generation V70 and XC70 ended with the 2007 model year.


Styling

The second generation V70 was styled by British designer
Peter Horbury Peter D. Horbury (born 27 January 1950)Uzel, Susan, ''The Yorkshire Post'', "Profile - Peter Horbury: Vice president’s lifelong hobby of making cars better by design", 29 Nov 2011 accessed 1 May 2020 is a British car designer who is Executive V ...
, who said "the design challenge involved marrying sports car style at the front with the necessary limitations of a wagon back." More specifically, he described the concept as the "front end of a Jaguar E-Type married to the back end of a Ford Transit van."


Second generation models


V70

A second generation V70 Bi-Fuel was made available.
Liquefied petroleum gas Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG or LP gas) is a fuel gas which contains a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases, specifically propane, propylene, butylene, isobutane and n-butane. LPG is used as a fuel gas in heating appliances, cooking e ...
(LPG) storage capacity was increased to a total of , split into one tank and two litre tanks. Unlike previous models the tanks were installed on the underside of the car, keeping all of the trunk space available. Bi-Fuel models were only sold with the 2.4L (140PS) non-turbo engine, and a choice between a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission. File:Volvo V70 -- 01-07-2012 front.jpg, Volvo V70 pre-facelift (US) File:Volvo V70 -- 01-07-2012 rear.jpg, Volvo V70 pre-facelift (US) File:2007 Volvo V70 SE Sport Diesel 2.4 Front.jpg, Volvo V70 post facelift (UK) File:2007 Volvo V70 SE Sport Diesel 2.4 Rear.jpg, Volvo V70 post facelift (UK) File:2007 Volvo V70 cargo area.jpg, Volvo V70 load area with rear seats folded flat (UK) File:VolvoV70Instrumentpanelen.jpg, Volvo V70 Interior (EU)


V70 XC / XC70

At its introduction, the second generation V70 XC received a major upgrade. It featured better ground clearance of thanks to a raised suspension, different bodywork with unpainted bumpers and fender extensions, and AWD as standard. An interior grab handle for the front passenger was installed only on this model. Early V70 XC featured special rear view mirrors, a feature that was discontinued after 2003. Engine and gearbox choices were limited. Only the petrol 2.4L low pressure turbo, or the D5 diesel engine with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission were available. No diesel version was offered for the North American market. For 2003 the model was renamed the XC70, in keeping with Volvo's newly introduced
XC90 The Volvo XC90 is a mid-size luxury SUV manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars since 2002 and now in its second generation. The first generation was introduced at the 2002 North American International Auto Show and used the Volvo P2 platfor ...
. Petrol 2.5L low pressure turbo engine replaced the 2.4L low pressure engine. File:2004 Volvo XC70 (MY04) LE 2.5 T station wagon (2015-06-15) 01.jpg, Volvo XC70 pre-facelift (AU) File:2004 Volvo XC70 (MY04) LE 2.5 T station wagon (2015-06-15) 02.jpg, Volvo XC70 pre-facelift (AU) File:'05-'07 Volvo XC70 Cross Country.JPG, Volvo XC70 post facelift (CA) File:Volvo XC 70 2.5T Cross Country 2006 (15630001269).jpg, Volvo XC70 post facelift (CHL)


V70 / XC70 Ocean Race

In 2001, to mark their sponsorship of the just renamed
Volvo Ocean Race The Ocean Race is a yacht race around the world, held every three or four years since 1973. Originally named the Whitbread Round the World Race after its initiating sponsor, British brewing company Whitbread, in 2001 it became the Volvo Ocean Rac ...
, special Ocean Race editions of the V70 and V70 XC were announced. Released for model year 2002, the cars came painted only in a unique shade of blue. Silver exterior trim and roof rails, special Ocean Race floor mats as well as assorted badging, set the models apart from non-OR models. To coincide with the 2005–2006 Volvo Ocean Race, Volvo revived the V70 and XC70 Ocean Race Editions. These were unveiled in early 2005, and once again were painted only in a unique shade of blue. They had upgraded standard equipment and special styling touches such as specific alloy wheels, blue interior trim, leather seats with contrast stitching and Ocean Race badges on the outside. File:Volvo XC 70 blue vl.jpg, alt=Drivers side view of blue V70 XC OR with silver door trim , Volvo V70 XC Ocean Race pre-facelift (DE) File:2005-03-04 Motorshow Geneva 124.JPG, alt=Passenger side view of blue XC70 OR with silver door trim, rocker trim and roof rails, Volvo XC70 Ocean Race with 2005 VOR route displayed in the background.


V70 R

As with the previous generation, Volvo offered a high-performance variant called the V70 R AWD. Based on the PCC2 concept car from 2001, the model was unveiled at the 2002 Paris Motor Show on 26 September. Released in 2003, the model pioneered many firsts for Volvo. It was only available with a Haldex based all-wheel drive system and a 2.5L turbocharged five cylinder engine rated at and of torque. This allowed for a time of 5.9 seconds. It had an electronically limited top speed of . The R was available with a M66 six-speed manual or a Aisin AW55 five-speed automatic transmission. The 2005 facelift saw the five-speed automatic replaced by a more modern six-speed unit. Large brakes made by
Brembo Brembo S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. Its head office is in Curno, Bergamo, Italy. History Brembo was established in Paladina, Italy on January 11, 1961 ...
provided high-performance braking capabilities in line with the car's high-performance characteristics. The V70 R came as standard with Volvo's 4C multi-mode suspension developed with suspension experts
Öhlins Öhlins or Öhlins Racing AB, is a Swedish company that develops suspension systems for the automotive, motorcycle, mountain bike and motorsport industries. Approximately 97% of all production is exported and Öhlins has distribution in over 5 ...
. The driver could choose from three different settings to vary the car's handling depending on driving style and conditions. In a 2006 article titled "The Manwagon", ''
The Wall Street Journal ''The Wall Street Journal'' is an American business-focused, international daily newspaper based in New York City, with international editions also available in Chinese and Japanese. The ''Journal'', along with its Asian editions, is published ...
'' linked the V70R to a trend "to lure speed-crazy guys with kids," saying "car makers are trying to transform the dowdy old family hauler into something new," and that "consumer research had unearthed a surprising number of family men who thought wagons could be cool, if only they had more guts." A total of 3407 V70Rs were shipped to North America: 2004–1,565; 2005–823; 2006–674; 2007–345. File:Volvo V70 R (9618322974).jpg, alt=Passenger side view of a seafoam green pre-facelift V70 R, Volvo V70 R AWD pre-facelift (SWE) File:Volvo V70R.jpg, alt=Front drivers side view of a gray post facelift V70 R in a parking spot, Volvo V70 R AWD post facelift (US)


Engines

Engines for the second generation all had five cylinders. The petrol versions were part of the ''Volvo Modular Engine'' family. Early model years still used a five-cylinder diesel purchased from VAG which was phased out in favour of Volvo's own five-cylinder diesel from the ''D5 Engine'' family. Second V70 generation engine radiators featured an optional "ozone-eating" catalytic coating, marketed as PremAir, which converted ground-level ozone into pure oxygen during normal vehicle operation. The maximum effect was achieved in urban traffic and strong sunlight.


Safety

Euro NCAP evaluated the S60 (saloon variant of V70) in 2001 awarding it 4 out of 5 stars for adult occupant protection. The S60 scored 10 of 16 points in the front test and 16 of 16 in the side test. The car received two of two points available in the pole test. The S60 received a total of 28 of 37 points and therefore four stars (25–32) in Euro NCAP's evaluation. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluated the Volvo S60 (saloon variant). The S60 was granted the IIHS's highest rating of "good" in front and rear tests. The S60 was awarded the Institute's second highest rating of "acceptable" in the side test. However, an improvement in the driver dummy's pelvis/leg rating from "marginal" to "acceptable" would yield an overall "good" rating in the side test.


Third generation (2008–2016)

On 2 February 2007 Volvo debuted the third generation for model year 2008. Based on the Volvo P3 platform it shared numerous elements as well as general styling with the second generation
Volvo S80 The Volvo S80 is an executive car produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1998 to 2016 across two generations. It took the place of the rear-wheel-drive S90 as Volvo's flagship sedan. The first generation (1998–2006) was made a ...
. Compared with its predecessor, rear-seat legroom was increased by and a revised tailgate design increased the load area volume by 55 L. The V70 was offered for the first time with four- and six-cylinder engines. The high-performance V70R AWD models were discontinued with this third generation, only a mostly cosmetic R-Design package was made available. After model year 2011, Volvo discontinued sales of the V70 in North America, instead marketing the FWD variant of the XC70. The Sensus Infotainment System from the
Volvo XC60 The Volvo XC60 is a compact luxury crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Swedish automaker Volvo Cars since 2008. The XC60 is part of Volvo's 60 Series of automobiles, along with the S60, S60 Cross Country, V60, and V60 Cross Country. ...
was made available in 2011 for the V70 and XC70. For 2012 the V70 and XC70 received a minor facelift. The front received a redesigned bumper with chrome accents, the Volvo logo on the front grill was enlarged. The indicators in the side mirrors were redesigned and changed to LED, and the rear light cluster redesigned. New optional alloy wheels and exterior paint options were added.


Third generation models


V70

File:Volvo V70 D5 (III) – Frontansicht, 28. Mai 2011, Hilden.jpg, alt=Front drivers side view of black V70, Volvo V70 pre-facelift (DE) File:Volvo V70 D5 (III) – Heckansicht, 28. Mai 2011, Hilden.jpg, alt=Rear drivers side view of black V70, Volvo V70 pre-facelift (DE) File:Volvo_V70_R_Sport_(2593214804).jpg, alt=Front drivers side view of red V70 R-Design with matte silver trim, mirror caps and foglight surrounds, Volvo V70 R-Design (SE) File:Volvo V70 D5 (III) – Frontansicht, 3. März 2014, Düsseldorf.jpg, alt=Front drivers side view of silver V70 with chrome window trim, Volvo V70 post first facelift (DE) File:Volvo V70 D3 Linje Svart (III, Facelift) – Frontansicht, 2. Mai 2015, Düsseldorf.jpg, alt=Front drivers side view of white V70 with glass black trim, Volvo V70 post second facelift (DE) File:Volvo V70 D3 Linje Svart (III, Facelift) – Heckansicht, 2. Mai 2015, Düsseldorf.jpg, alt=Rear drivers side view of white V70 with gloss black trim, Volvo V70 post second facelift (DE) File:2008VolvoV70Interior.jpg, alt=Top down view of V70 drivers area with beige interior and glossy wood trim, Interior pre-facelift (US)


V70 Plug-in Hybrid

As part of a
joint venture A joint venture (JV) is a business entity created by two or more parties, generally characterized by shared ownership, shared returns and risks, and shared governance. Companies typically pursue joint ventures for one of four reasons: to acces ...
with
Vattenfall Vattenfall is a Swedish multinational power company owned by the Swedish State. Beyond Sweden, the company generates power in Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The company's name is Swedish for "waterfall", and ...
, a Swedish energy company, Volvo converted two Volvo V70 to diesel-electric
plug-in hybrid A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid electric vehicle whose battery pack can be recharged by plugging a charging cable into an external electric power source, in addition to internally by its on-board internal combustion engin ...
demonstrators that have been in field testing in
Göteborg, Sweden Gothenburg (; abbreviated Gbg; sv, Göteborg ) is the second-largest city in Sweden, fifth-largest in the Nordic countries, and capital of the Västra Götaland County. It is situated by the Kattegat, on the west coast of Sweden, and has ...
, since December 2009. Vattenfall offered customers participating in this trial a supply of
renewable electricity Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. It includes sources such as sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. Although most renewable energy ...
generated from
wind Wind is the natural movement of air or other gases relative to a planet's surface. Winds occur on a range of scales, from thunderstorm flows lasting tens of minutes, to local breezes generated by heating of land surfaces and lasting a few hou ...
or
hydropower Hydropower (from el, ὕδωρ, "water"), also known as water power, is the use of falling or fast-running water to Electricity generation, produce electricity or to power machines. This is achieved by energy transformation, converting the Pot ...
. This test allowed participants to experience the
all-electric range All-electric range (AER) is the maximum driving range of an electric vehicle using only power from its on-board battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of an all-electric vehicle, it means the maximum range per recharge. For ...
at low temperatures, which has been a disadvantage of plug-in vehicles. The V70 PHEV test car uses an 11.3 kWh
lithium-ion battery A lithium-ion or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery which uses the reversible reduction of lithium ions to store energy. It is the predominant battery type used in portable consumer electronics and electric vehicles. It also se ...
pack. As reported by the test drivers, the V70 Plug-in Hybrid demonstrators have an all-electric range between . The demonstrators were built with a button to allow test drivers to manually choose between electricity or diesel engine power at any time. The first phase of the field trial ended in June 2010 and included 16 families, all employees of Volvo or Vattenfall, who had the car for 1.5 weeks to one month. A second phase of the test was to run from July to December 2010 with Vattenfall employees in Göteborg and
Stockholm Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...
. Among the key findings of the first phase are: *Most drivers chose to use electricity in city traffic at lower speeds, but switched to diesel for highway driving. *Test drivers found that 20 to 30 km was not enough all-electric range, and called for at least , some wanted and others up to . *All of the test drivers charge on a daily basis but none ever used the public
charging station A charging station, also known as a charge point or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), is a piece of equipment that supplies electrical power for charging plug-in electric vehicles (including electric cars, electric trucks, electric ...
installed for the trial. *Before the test trials, drivers were concerned about being a danger to pedestrians and cyclists due to the quietness of the electric-drive vehicle. After the test several of them changed their opinion and said that this issue was less of a problem than expected. Volvo announced in 2009, and confirmed in 2010, the launch of
series production Mass production, also known as flow production or continuous production, is the production of substantial amounts of standardized products in a constant flow, including and especially on assembly lines. Together with job production and batch ...
diesel-electric plug-in hybrids as early as 2012. Volvo claimed that its plug-in hybrid could achieve , based on the European test cycle. Ultimately production of the V70 Plug-in Hybrid did not commence, and the model was never commercially available. Instead, Volvo opted to introduce the V60 PIH in 2012.


XC70

As with previous generation models the XC70 features increased ground clearance, optional all-wheel-drive and some cosmetic differences from the normal V70. On the outside there are XC-only front and rear bumpers, side skirts, wheel arch extensions and additional exterior door trims all in unpainted black plastic. The optional roof rails feature an embossed "XC" and are only available in black. Various unique alloy wheels are offered only for the XC. For the third generation XC a new feature called hill-descent-control was introduced that limits vehicle speed when driving down a steep embankment. File:2008-Volvo-XC70-front.jpg, Volvo XC70 pre-facelift (US) File:2008-Volvo-XC70-rear.jpg, Volvo XC70 pre-facelift (US) File:XC70 III.jpg, Volvo XC70 post facelift (SWE) File:2014 Canadian International AutoShow 0060 (12645183643).jpg, Volvo XC70 post facelift (CA)


V70 / XC70 Ocean Race

In 2011 Ocean Race Edition versions of the V70 and XC70 were unveiled to coincide with the 2011–2012 Volvo Ocean Race. All cars featured special interior trim, decor and details. Exterior colours were limited to Ocean Race Blue Metallic or Electric Silver Metallic. Engine choices were limited to the D5 or T6. For 2014 Ocean Race models were updated with detail changes such as different door sill plates, high gloss black mirror caps and front grill to accompany the 2014–2015 Volvo Ocean Race.


Engines

The V70 and XC70 were available with four-, five- and six-cylinder engines.


Comfort

Third generation V70 and XC70 models initially had Volvo's RTI navigation system available and have included Volvo's Sensus Infotainment System console from model year 2012 onward. As usual with Volvo, front seats and rear bench are of orthopedic design. Dolby Pro-Logic systems are standard, and speaker upgrades and sub-woofers are also available. The standard audio system includes a CD player; optional audio has a USB connector for MP3 players, Bluetooth streaming and the ability to import music files to the car's hard disk. From production week 46 in 2013, map upgrades can be performed by the owner via USB, rather than the previous DVD-based system. DVD navigation with map data and remote control is standard on higher specifications. Options include a rear seat DVD entertainment system with two headrest monitors, Xenon headlights with headlamp washers, integrated child booster seats, an integrated home link remote control garage door opener, rear-door child-safety locks, front and rear park assist, power-adjustable front seats with 3-position memory and lumbar support, heated front and rear seats, an integrated grocery bag holder, an integrated sunglass holder, a frameless auto-dimming rear view mirror with rear view mirror compass, a power glass moonroof, 12 volt power outlet in the trunk, leather seats, rear tinted windows, rain sensor and an engine block heater. Anti-submarining seats and overhead-mounted seat belt reminder lights come standard. From model year 2014 onward, a TFT dashboard replaced the analogue instruments. Included as a standard feature beginning in 2007 was the inclusion of Volvo on call roadside assistance for four years, rear window deactivation, safe approach and home safe lighting. File:2014 (15MY) XC70 Sensus console.jpg, Volvo's Sensus console introduced in model year 2012 File:2014 (15MY) XC70 Sensus console side view.jpg, The console has a "floating" effect (all model years) File:2014 (15MY) XC70 TFT dashboard 2.jpg, TFT instrument cluster introduced in model year 2014


Safety

As standard, the vehicle is equipped with driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags. Also featured is the WHIPS whiplash prevention system on the front seats. Third generation V70s are available with the BLIS blind-spot sensor system, which can detect a vehicle otherwise hidden from a driver's view because of its position just off to one side of the car. As is typical for Volvos, all models feature
daytime running light A daytime running lamp (DRL, also daytime running light) is an automotive lighting and bicycle lighting device on the front of a roadgoing motor vehicle or bicycle, automatically switched on when the vehicle's handbrake has been pulled down, wh ...
s to improve
driver visibility A blind spot in a vehicle or vehicle blind spot is an area around the vehicle that cannot be directly seen by the driver while at the controls, under existing circumstances. In transport, driver visibility is the maximum distance at which the dr ...
. Safety options include active-bending xenon headlights, auto dipping main beam, City Safety (which includes pedestrian and cyclist recognition software), Collision Avoidance, adaptive cruise control and traffic following, driver alertness monitoring and lane departure warning. Traffic sign recognition is also available. The latest revision of the XC70 includes DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control), which is standard on all models and combines the functions otherwise known as Electronic Stability Programme and
traction control A traction control system (TCS), also known as ASR (from german: Antriebsschlupfregelung, lit=drive slippage regulation), is typically (but not necessarily) a secondary function of the electronic stability control (ESC) on production motor vehicle ...
. Euro NCAP evaluated the V70 in 2007 awarding it 5 out of 5 stars for adult occupant protection. The V70 scored 15 of 16 points in the front test and 16 of 16 in the side test. The car was penalised one point of two points available in the pole test for improper deployment of the curtain airbag in both the original test and the re-test. The V70 was granted an additional two points for seat belt reminders of three available in this category. The V70 received a total of 34 of 37 points and therefore five stars (33–37) in EuroNCAP's evaluation.


Notes


References


External links

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