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Volvo will stop selling its mid-size sedan, the S40, and its station wagon “twin”, the V50, in the USA during the 2012 MY. The reason? You guessed it; poor sales. According to Volvo spokesman Dan Johnston, US deliveries of the two models were disappointingly low with the S40 down 29% in 2010, while the V50 fared even worse, with its sales dropping by more than 50%. Read more »

Volvo will stop selling its mid-size sedan, the S40, and its station wagon “twin”, the V50, in the USA during the 2012 MY. The reason? You guessed it; poor sales. According to Volvo spokesman Dan Johnston, US deliveries of the two models were disappointingly low with the S40 down 29% in 2010, while the V50 fared even worse, with its sales dropping by more than 50%.

And by “King of Overkill” we mean, of course, the….how should we put this delicately… excessively ornamented Porsche Cayenne SUV photographed outside a dollar store in Ontario, Canada, last week by Carscoop reader Jonathan Fernando.

This blonde Swedish diva [aka a previous generation Volvo S40 finished in a yellow hue] was spotted all dressed up and ready to meet the king of her dreams at a parking lot in Toronto, Canada, by another one of our readers, James Dong.

Read more »

And by “King of Overkill” we mean, of course, the….how should we put this delicately… excessively ornamented Porsche Cayenne SUV photographed outside a dollar store in Ontario, Canada, last week by Carscoop reader Jonathan Fernando.

This blonde Swedish diva [aka a previous generation Volvo S40 finished in a yellow hue] was spotted all dressed up and ready to meet the king of her dreams at a parking lot in Toronto, Canada, by another one of our readers, James Dong.

Volvo is starting production of the all electric version of its compact-size hatchback which, unsurprisingly, is named the C30 Electric. After testing about 50 cars since autumn 2010, mainly internally, the Swedish automaker plans to build about 250 cars by the end of 2012 (or more if there is enough interest), which will be leased in a number of European countries, including Sweden, Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands. Read more »

Volvo is starting production of the all electric version of its compact-size hatchback which, unsurprisingly, is named the C30 Electric. After testing about 50 cars since autumn 2010, mainly internally, the Swedish automaker plans to build about 250 cars by the end of 2012 (or more if there is enough interest), which will be leased in a number of European countries, including Sweden, Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands.

For the second time in a month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Volvo is recalling certain 2012 model year S60 sedans because of a potential problem with the fuel pump assembly. This time, the recall affects 448 S60 saloons built from January 18, 2011, through January 28, 2011.

The Swedish automaker informed the safety agency that the male part of the fuel line quick connector end shape was produced with dimensions out of specification and could detach from the engine. If this were to occur, the engine could stall while the driver may also notice a fuel smell and leakage, which could result in a fire.

Read more »

For the second time in a month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Volvo is recalling certain 2012 model year S60 sedans because of a potential problem with the fuel pump assembly. This time, the recall affects 448 S60 saloons built from January 18, 2011, through January 28, 2011.

The Swedish automaker informed the safety agency that the male part of the fuel line quick connector end shape was produced with dimensions out of specification and could detach from the engine. If this were to occur, the engine could stall while the driver may also notice a fuel smell and leakage, which could result in a fire.

Volvo is to test a kinetic energy recovery system for its cars that could reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent.



Known as Flywheel KERS, the set-up is designed to be both lightweight and cheap. Fitted to the rear axle, braking energy causes a 20 centimetre carbon fibre flywheel to spin at 60,000 rpm. The resultant stored energy can then be transferred to the rear wheels via a dedicated transmission.

As the internal combustion engine is switched off during the braking phase, and Flywheel KERS will be able to get the car moving again for a short distance, dramatic reductions in fuel burn are expected. Indeed, it’s reckoned that the internal combustion engine would be idle for around half the time under New European Driving Cycle conditions.



Alternatively, the system could give an acceleration boost in the same way that Formula 1 cars employ their KERS. Used in this way, Volvo estimates it could be worth an extra 80 horsepower.



The testing programme is due to begin during the second half of 2011. If the predicted figures can be realised, Flywheel KERS should be a viable alternative to full hybrid powertrains.



Related post:

Volvo V60 diesel hybrid

Volvo is to test a kinetic energy recovery system for its cars that could reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent.



Known as Flywheel KERS, the set-up is designed to be both lightweight and cheap. Fitted to the rear axle, braking energy causes a 20 centimetre carbon fibre flywheel to spin at 60,000 rpm. The resultant stored energy can then be transferred to the rear wheels via a dedicated transmission.

As the internal combustion engine is switched off during the braking phase, and Flywheel KERS will be able to get the car moving again for a short distance, dramatic reductions in fuel burn are expected. Indeed, it’s reckoned that the internal combustion engine would be idle for around half the time under New European Driving Cycle conditions.



Alternatively, the system could give an acceleration boost in the same way that Formula 1 cars employ their KERS. Used in this way, Volvo estimates it could be worth an extra 80 horsepower.



The testing programme is due to begin during the second half of 2011. If the predicted figures can be realised, Flywheel KERS should be a viable alternative to full hybrid powertrains.



Related post:

Volvo V60 diesel hybrid

Swedish carmaker Volvo is expanding its lineup with the introduction of two new models, the top-end S80 Executive sedan and the sportier loooking V70 R-Design station wagon.

Starting with Volvo’s premium sedan model, a special badge on the C-pillar hints at the enhanced features inside, which include a leather wrapped instrument panel, ventilated soft leather seats with massage function, leather-covered door panels, an aluminum center console storage compartment and an analogue clock on the dashboard. The extra thick carpets and an optional fridge in the rear seat that comes with a set of Swedish crystal glasses round off the equipment upgrades.

Read more »

Swedish carmaker Volvo is expanding its lineup with the introduction of two new models, the top-end S80 Executive sedan and the sportier loooking V70 R-Design station wagon.

Starting with Volvo’s premium sedan model, a special badge on the C-pillar hints at the enhanced features inside, which include a leather wrapped instrument panel, ventilated soft leather seats with massage function, leather-covered door panels, an aluminum center console storage compartment and an analogue clock on the dashboard. The extra thick carpets and an optional fridge in the rear seat that comes with a set of Swedish crystal glasses round off the equipment upgrades.