Volvo Concept Coupe may see limited production

Despite the impressive production debuts from Porsche and BMW at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show - the 918 Spyder and the i8, respectively - there was one car that captured the attention of the press and the public alike, enough so that we awarded it our overall top pick of the show: the Volvo Concept Coupe. Most concepts never make it to production, but the car's reception has been so positive that Volvo's board of directors is considering to produce it in limited quantities, Auto Bild reports. Italian coachbuilder Bertone could handle the limited production run.

Styled after the classic P1800, the Volvo concept was similar to the new Porsche and BMW in that it was equipped with a high-performance hybrid drivetrain. But Volvo took a different route from there, giving the sleek coupe a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor at the rear axle. All in, the combo is good for 400 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque.

If the Concept Coupe makes it to production, it may not get the trick hybrid drivetrain mentioned above, Motor Athority reports, but a milder plug-in hybrid setup or even just a conventional fuel-burning engine. In any case, it would be a treat if Volvo produced a fully functional, street-legal Concept Coupe, though at that point we're thinking it would be due for a name change.

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Watch this Volvo truck drive up a quarry road using hamster-powered steering

'THE HAMSTER STUNT': CHARLIE THE HAMSTER STARS AS TRUCK DRIVER IN NEW VIDEO FROM VOLVO TRUCKS

"I know it's hard to believe a hamster could drive a truck, but Charlie the hamster did it. What you see in the film is the real thing" says Lars Terling, Vice President Marketing Communications, Volvo Trucks.

Exactly a year after launching viral film 'The Ballerina Stunt', Volvo Trucks is back with a series of new stunts. Last week Volvo Trucks released teaser-video 'The Hook', which has already claimed over 2 million views on YouTube. Today premiers the next daring film: 'The Hamster Stunt'.

The film features Charlie, a tiny hamster, steering a Volvo FMX construction truck up and out of a hazardous quarry – demonstrating how easy it is to manoeuvre the 15-tonne construction truck.

"We were highly sceptical to begin with, but at the same time we could see it was a fun way to show how easy it is to steer with Volvo Dynamic Steering" says Lars Terling.

Charlie was chosen in a careful casting procedure and had undergone several weeks of training prior to the test. The supporting role is played by precision driver Seon Rogers, who has his feet on the pedals and a carrot to keep Charlie from driving them over the edge.

"It was a big challenge. The driver had to hold the carrot in just the right way so he could lead the hamster. If he held it too high or too low Charlie would lose interest," explains animal trainer Grace Dickinson

The film was shot in a closed-off quarry at Los Tres Cunados, Spain, and was directed by Jamie Rafn, known for his one-take spot 'Walk'. #TheHamsterStunt is part of a live-test strategy to dramatise the technical innovations of Volvo Trucks.

"More films are on the way this autumn that show our trucks undergoing tests in conditions that are unusual, to say the least," reveals Claes Nilsson, President of Volvo Trucks.

See the film 'The Hamster Stunt': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N87uxyDQT0

See the film 'The Hook': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf_wKkV5dwQ

See the film 'The Ballerina Stunt': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zXwOoeGzys

Follow 'The Hamster Stunt' on Twitter: #TheHamsterStunt and @VolvoTrucks

View the original article here

Watch this Volvo truck drive up a quarry road using hamster-powered steering

'THE HAMSTER STUNT': CHARLIE THE HAMSTER STARS AS TRUCK DRIVER IN NEW VIDEO FROM VOLVO TRUCKS

"I know it's hard to believe a hamster could drive a truck, but Charlie the hamster did it. What you see in the film is the real thing" says Lars Terling, Vice President Marketing Communications, Volvo Trucks.

Exactly a year after launching viral film 'The Ballerina Stunt', Volvo Trucks is back with a series of new stunts. Last week Volvo Trucks released teaser-video 'The Hook', which has already claimed over 2 million views on YouTube. Today premiers the next daring film: 'The Hamster Stunt'.

The film features Charlie, a tiny hamster, steering a Volvo FMX construction truck up and out of a hazardous quarry – demonstrating how easy it is to manoeuvre the 15-tonne construction truck.

"We were highly sceptical to begin with, but at the same time we could see it was a fun way to show how easy it is to steer with Volvo Dynamic Steering" says Lars Terling.

Charlie was chosen in a careful casting procedure and had undergone several weeks of training prior to the test. The supporting role is played by precision driver Seon Rogers, who has his feet on the pedals and a carrot to keep Charlie from driving them over the edge.

"It was a big challenge. The driver had to hold the carrot in just the right way so he could lead the hamster. If he held it too high or too low Charlie would lose interest," explains animal trainer Grace Dickinson

The film was shot in a closed-off quarry at Los Tres Cunados, Spain, and was directed by Jamie Rafn, known for his one-take spot 'Walk'. #TheHamsterStunt is part of a live-test strategy to dramatise the technical innovations of Volvo Trucks.

"More films are on the way this autumn that show our trucks undergoing tests in conditions that are unusual, to say the least," reveals Claes Nilsson, President of Volvo Trucks.

See the film 'The Hamster Stunt': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N87uxyDQT0

See the film 'The Hook': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf_wKkV5dwQ

See the film 'The Ballerina Stunt': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zXwOoeGzys

Follow 'The Hamster Stunt' on Twitter: #TheHamsterStunt and @VolvoTrucks

View the original article here

Spy Shots: 2015 Volvo XC90 mule spotted testing in the snow

The Volvo XC90 was a big step for the Swedish automaker in 2003, but the midsize crossover has changed very little since its introduction. All that's about to change as Volvo starts its initial development on the 2015 XC90, which we see for the first time in these spy shots showing a cobbled-together XC70.

Like the current XC90, the next-generation model will be both longer and wider than the XC70 – judging by the modifications made to this mule's body – which will continue to allow Volvo's flagship crossover and provide three rows of seating. The next XC90 will ride on a new platform that will eventually make up around two-thirds of all Volvo sales, called the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA).

Our shooter managed to find out the registration number for this mule, which indicated that it was powered by a five-cylinder diesel, but we expect the automaker to start stepping away from its current powertrains with a big push toward smaller engines courtesy of the new Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA). Rumor has it that the future engine lineup for the XC90 will rely heavily on turbocharged four-cylinder engines and eight-speed automatic transmissions, which will likely eliminate or lessen some of the current mills available like a straight-six or V8.

The automaker previously stated that the new XC90 would debut in late 2014, but it sounds like delays could push the launch into early 2015.

View the original article here

Spy Shots: 2015 Volvo XC90 mule spotted testing in the snow

The Volvo XC90 was a big step for the Swedish automaker in 2003, but the midsize crossover has changed very little since its introduction. All that's about to change as Volvo starts its initial development on the 2015 XC90, which we see for the first time in these spy shots showing a cobbled-together XC70.

Like the current XC90, the next-generation model will be both longer and wider than the XC70 – judging by the modifications made to this mule's body – which will continue to allow Volvo's flagship crossover and provide three rows of seating. The next XC90 will ride on a new platform that will eventually make up around two-thirds of all Volvo sales, called the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA).

Our shooter managed to find out the registration number for this mule, which indicated that it was powered by a five-cylinder diesel, but we expect the automaker to start stepping away from its current powertrains with a big push toward smaller engines courtesy of the new Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA). Rumor has it that the future engine lineup for the XC90 will rely heavily on turbocharged four-cylinder engines and eight-speed automatic transmissions, which will likely eliminate or lessen some of the current mills available like a straight-six or V8.

The automaker previously stated that the new XC90 would debut in late 2014, but it sounds like delays could push the launch into early 2015.

View the original article here

Official: Volvo confirms unnamed US model reveal for NY show

VOLVO V60 PLUG-IN HYBRID STARS IN NEW YORK AS ONE OF THREE CANDIDATES FOR THE WORLD GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR

The world's first diesel plug-in hybrid - the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid - will make its American display debut and take centre stage at the New York International Auto Show. The plug-in hybrid is one of three remaining candidates for the prestigious 2013 World Green Car of the Year award.

The winning environmental car, which is selected by 66 top motoring journalists from 23 countries around the world, will be announced at the New York International Auto Show on 28 March.

The Volvo Car Group press conference in the Jacob Javits Center at 10:30 AM on 28 March will also include the world premiere of Volvo's latest R-Design models as well as the announcement of a new and exciting addition to the North American Volvo model line-up.

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid in detail

The groundbreaking V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid. It includes two complete drive trains and a powerful battery. The driver can select the preferred driving mode via three buttons that give the car three entirely different temperaments: Pure, Hybrid or Power.

"The ingenious on-demand possibility makes the V60 Plug-in Hybrid superior to all other hybrids on the market. Thanks to the Pure, Hybrid and Power modes, the car is the perfect choice for the uncompromising customer who wants to minimise his or her carbon dioxide emissions but maximise driving pleasure," says Doug Speck, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Car Group.

Pushing the Pure button gives the driver up to 50 kilometres (31 miles) on pure electric power.
In Hybrid mode, the carbon dioxide emissions are 48 g/km. This corresponds to fuel consumption of just 1.8 l/100 km (NEDC certification driving cycle for hybrids), translating into 130 mpg.
The Power mode releases the combined capacity of the diesel engine and electric motor, creating a veritable driving machine with a total power output of 215+70 horsepower and maximum torque of 440+200 Nm. The electric motor's lightning-quick torque delivery contributes to the car's acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds.

Successful introduction

The outstanding properties of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid have been confirmed by several achievements since the car was introduced in 2012. The first year's batch of model year 2013 cars was sold out even before the car reached the showrooms.

In 2012, the new Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid achieved the highest ever Euro NCAP score for an electrified car. The five stars in the test, which included a frontal offset collision at 64 km/h (40 mph), demonstrate that the V60 Plug-in Hybrid has the same high safety standards as a conventionally powered V60.

"Over 50 per cent of the Plug-in Hybrid buyers are conquests from competitor brands. The access to two drive trains and three driving modes makes it the perfect choice for consumers who want green motoring without compromises," says Doug Speck. "The success of the plug-in hybrid is probably the most powerful signal of the revitalisation of the Volvo brand since we began our independent journey in 2010."

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the synthesis of close cooperation between Volvo Car Group and Swedish electricity supplier Vattenfall. The two companies have financed the development project jointly.

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