irishcar.com - Volvo V70 estate

They say God loves a trier. Even a perfunctory glance at Volvo’s CV and it becomes very evident why Ford wanted this carmaker so much.

The Swedish manufacturer comes across as one of the hardest-working companies out there and its new V70 shows that all its toil has been worthwhile.

Volvo have always been renowned for building exceptionally large, solid, safe and roomy estate cars. The admiration I have for this company and the new V70 stems from the fact that Volvo has held its head in the large estate market at the same time as exploring different motoring sectors.

Not alone have the Swedes been brave, but they were successful in facing down the odds and producing a top executive car in the form of the S80. Volvo’s S40/V40 range has a strong following, too, and the company has even entered the convertible sector with the C70.

BREAD AND BUTTER
Volvo did all this without taking its eyes off the all-important bread and butter (as far as it was concerned) estate market.

Despite the fact that estates accounted for 70 per cent of the company’s revenue, the company also has become adventurous in the style and design areas as well as technically.

From the 900 onwards, the company moved from rear to front-wheel-drive with the 850 and from having sedate engines, began to produce exciting turbo-charged multi-valve units. Now you may begin to understand why not only God, but Ford also, loves a trier.

So far this year Volvo V70 sales have accounted for a massive 60 per cent of the large estate segment; Paddy Power would hardly give odds against the new V70 extending this share of the market.

EXTENDED RANGE
Initially Volvo launched the V70 in 2.4T and T5 guises. Since this test it has extended the range to include a new two-litre turbo, 2.4 litre normally aspirated and 2.5 litre turbo-diesel. The range will be complete later this year with the introduction of their new V70 Cross-Country.

Volvo decided not to build an estate version of their S80 simply because research showed it would be too expensive. Since most drivers were living happily with the old V70 - which started life as the 850 estate - Peter Horbury (Volvo’s British-born design director) and his team decided the new V70 would be a scaled down version of the S80.

Retaining a resemblance to the S80 with its broad shoulders, vee-shaped bonnet, steeply raked windscreen and prominent grille, the new V70 shares most of the S80’s underbody parts including the multi-link rear suspension. The new V70 is shorter, wider and taller, but feels more spacious than its predecessor.

While the new V70 bears a family resemblance to the old 850/V70, the new estate’s waistline is higher, hence reducing the amount of glass. The use of more steel than glass on the side has, I can gladly report, not restricted visibility. Parking the new alongside the old could have you believe the contrary.

PRACTICALITY
This pretty, less square but exceptionally practical estate has a structure which is over 50 per cent stiffer than its predecessor. It also offers more room for spring travel which, when boiled down, means it offers better, more comfortable ride and handling properties.

The use of the S80’s multi-link system has paid dividends, too. Powered by the 2.4 litre light pressure turbo five-cylinder engine, the new V70 produces 200 bhp.

The new shape and the power and tone of this engine shows the advances Volvo has made even over the last decade. Performance figures show the V70 capable of covering 0-62 mph in under eight seconds and reaching 130 mph. I found the engine’s power-to-weight ratio extremely relaxing and rewarding.

PERFORMANCE
This family carrier-cum-workhorse relays a feeling of a top saloon car, such is its performance and ability to handle. Economy worked out at 29.6 overall, a figure I can easily say could be increased upon. The V70 relays a sensation of beautiful solidity and a feeling of excellent engineering.

Volvo claims this is the safest estate car ever built. Looking at the standard of safety items, I’m not in a position to contradict them. As one now expects, Volvo has incorporated all the latest safety devices including what is known as smart airbags. These have a dual stage inflation system depending on the severity of the impact. There are also inflatable side curtains and side airbags in addition to whiplash protection.

Experience shows when the load-carrying capability of the V70 is examined, there is even a switch to fold the headrests so they do not have to be removed when the rear seat is folded. This is a car with so many thoughtful creature comforts included that it will make any journey seem shorter than it actually is: items like aircraft style tables and cup holders, hooks for rubbish bags, trays under the seats and provision to secure shopping.

CLEVER TOUCHES
As well as offering practical space, Volvo added a number of small, yet rewarding clever touches. A very notable difference between the new V70 and the old model is the much improved seating. Lower in front, the seats are much more comfortable and supportive. Even the rear seats, which have Isofix child seat attachments, have been raised to allow children have a better view.

Available in S or SE trim, all models feature air conditioning and ABS as standard. Volvo offers numerous option packs which customers can also tailor-build to their own requirements.

The new V70 has proved to be one fine estate car. I hope this is one sector Ford leaves well enough alone. Volvo can unashamedly claim to be the experts in this field.

Volvo show way again with new V70 estate	June 2000 by Tony Conlon
They say God loves a trier. Even a perfunctory glance at Volvo’s CV and it becomes very evident why Ford wanted this carmaker so much. The Swedish manufacturer comes across as one of the hardest-working companies out there and its new V70 shows that all its toil has been worthwhile. Volvo have always been renowned for building exceptionally large, solid, safe and roomy estate cars. The admiration I have for this company and the new V70 stems from the fact that Volvo has held its head in the large estate market at the same time as exploring different motoring sectors. Not alone have the Swedes been brave, but they were successful in facing down the odds and producing a top executive car in the form of the S80. Volvo’s S40/V40 range has a strong following, too, and the company has even entered the convertible sector with the C70. BREAD AND BUTTER Volvo did all this without taking its eyes off the all-important bread and butter (as far as it was concerned) estate market. Despite the fact that estates accounted for 70 per cent of the company’s revenue, the company also has become adventurous in the style and design areas as well as technically. From the 900 onwards, the company moved from rear to front-wheel-drive with the 850 and from having sedate engines, began to produce exciting turbo-charged multi-valve units. Now you may begin to understand why not only God, but Ford also, loves a trier. So far this year Volvo V70 sales have accounted for a massive 60 per cent of the large estate segment; Paddy Power would hardly give odds against the new V70 extending this share of the market. EXTENDED RANGE Initially Volvo launched the V70 in 2.4T and T5 guises. Since this test it has extended the range to include a new two-litre turbo, 2.4 litre normally aspirated and 2.5 litre turbo-diesel. The range will be complete later this year with the introduction of their new V70 Cross-Country. Volvo decided not to build an estate version of their S80 simply because research showed it would be too expensive. Since most drivers were living happily with the old V70 - which started life as the 850 estate - Peter Horbury (Volvo’s British-born design director) and his team decided the new V70 would be a scaled down version of the S80. Retaining a resemblance to the S80 with its broad shoulders, vee-shaped bonnet, steeply raked windscreen and prominent grille, the new V70 shares most of the S80’s underbody parts including the multi-link rear suspension. The new V70 is shorter, wider and taller, but feels more spacious than its predecessor. While the new V70 bears a family resemblance to the old 850/V70, the new estate’s waistline is higher, hence reducing the amount of glass. The use of more steel than glass on the side has, I can gladly report, not restricted visibility. Parking the new alongside the old could have you believe the contrary. PRACTICALITY This pretty, less square but exceptionally practical estate has a structure which is over 50 per cent stiffer than its predecessor. It also offers more room for spring travel which, when boiled down, means it offers better, more comfortable ride and handling properties. The use of the S80’s multi-link system has paid dividends, too. Powered by the 2.4 litre light pressure turbo five-cylinder engine, the new V70 produces 200 bhp. The new shape and the power and tone of this engine shows the advances Volvo has made even over the last decade. Performance figures show the V70 capable of covering 0-62 mph in under eight seconds and reaching 130 mph. I found the engine’s power-to-weight ratio extremely relaxing and rewarding. PERFORMANCE This family carrier-cum-workhorse relays a feeling of a top saloon car, such is its performance and ability to handle. Economy worked out at 29.6 overall, a figure I can easily say could be increased upon. The V70 relays a sensation of beautiful solidity and a feeling of excellent engineering. Volvo claims this is the safest estate car ever built. Looking at the standard of safety items, I’m not in a position to contradict them. As one now expects, Volvo has incorporated all the latest safety devices including what is known as smart airbags. These have a dual stage inflation system depending on the severity of the impact. There are also inflatable side curtains and side airbags in addition to whiplash protection. Experience shows when the load-carrying capability of the V70 is examined, there is even a switch to fold the headrests so they do not have to be removed when the rear seat is folded. This is a car with so many thoughtful creature comforts included that it will make any journey seem shorter than it actually is: items like aircraft style tables and cup holders, hooks for rubbish bags, trays under the seats and provision to secure shopping. CLEVER TOUCHES As well as offering practical space, Volvo added a number of small, yet rewarding clever touches. A very notable difference between the new V70 and the old model is the much improved seating. Lower in front, the seats are much more comfortable and supportive. Even the rear seats, which have Isofix child seat attachments, have been raised to allow children have a better view. Available in S or SE trim, all models feature air conditioning and ABS as standard. Volvo offers numerous option packs which customers can also tailor-build to their own requirements. The new V70 has proved to be one fine estate car. I hope this is one sector Ford leaves well enough alone. Volvo can unashamedly claim to be the experts in this field.

Volvo show way again with new V70 estate