| In the past, Volvo is known as a conservative car | | | | it. Although not boxy, the V70 and the XC70 are built |
| manufacturer. They are known for boxy cars with | | | | to give passengers the sense of safety that one |
| conservative styling cues. Although the safety of their | | | | normally finds in a Volvo. Reliability of Volvo vehicles is |
| cars is well-known, the conservative styling of past | | | | also a strong selling point for the V70 and the XC70. |
| Volvos failed to attract the attention of younger car | | | | The two wagons, after all, are made by the same |
| buyers. The past decade though has seen Volvo | | | | people who engineered the reliable Volvo 780 parts |
| making a big change in the design of their vehicles, | | | | that we find in the market. |
| making them look more radical but these Volvo | | | | Ride comfort and handling are also improved |
| products still has safety as the main concern. That is | | | | compared to previous wagons made by the Swedish |
| very much true with the new Volvo V70 and XC70 | | | | car manufacturer. With European engineering, the V70 |
| vehicles. | | | | and the XC70 both have a responsive handling and a |
| The two new offerings from the Swedish car | | | | real good stability that can be experienced and noted |
| manufacturer have been redesigned by Volvo for the | | | | even on tight turns. With these characteristics, both |
| 2008 model year. Both vehicles received new | | | | wagons have what it takes to lead their respective |
| platforms, new engines, new transmission and new | | | | segments. |
| technologies. With the upgrading of the XC70 and the | | | | The wagons are now offered with six-cylinder |
| V70, Volvo is looking to attract more family car buyers. | | | | engines. In the past, Volvo has stirred clear away from |
| Although crossover SUVs are the most popular | | | | V6 engines. Today though, six-cylinder engines are |
| vehicles in the market these days, Volvo decided not | | | | becoming standard for their vehicles. This is an effort |
| to go with the flow and instead focus on the | | | | to compete with other car manufacturers such as |
| development of the new wagons. According to the | | | | BMW and Mercedes-Benz in terms of the power that |
| car manufacturer, the 2008 version of the V70 will be | | | | their vehicle’s engine produces. |
| released in the fall while the XC70 is expected to hit | | | | The standard engine for both wagons is a 3.2-liter inline |
| showrooms by February next year. | | | | six-cylinder engines. The same engine is used on |
| The V70 and the XC70 were designed using the | | | | Volvo’s flagship - the Volvo S80. The said engine |
| Volvo S80 as an inspiration. Both wagons are | | | | can produce as much as 235 horsepower and 236 |
| incorporated with styling cues and features found on | | | | lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed |
| the luxury sedan. The V70 and the XC70 will be | | | | sequential transmission - the engine can propel the |
| directly competing with the Audi A6 Avant, the | | | | wagons to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in just 8.5 |
| Volkswagen Passat Wagon, and the Subaru Legacy | | | | seconds. |
| Wagon. With its segment not as crowded as the | | | | A drawback though is that the level of noise during |
| crossover segment, it is possible that the V70 and the | | | | acceleration is far from excellent. With not so good |
| XC70 will carve their niche in the market. | | | | engine acoustics technology, engine noise still manages |
| While the V70 and XC70 are offered with new | | | | to enter the cockpit of the vehicles. All in all though, |
| designs and new features, it still has that Volvo feel to | | | | both vehicles are a good choice for car buyers. |