Lexus launch in India confirmed

Toyota has officially confirmed that it will introduce the Lexus brand in India by 2013. The Japanese carmaker has been evaluating the feasibility of its luxury brand in India for several years now and has finally decided to go ahead with the launch. “We have been watching India with keen interest and we are happy to announce that we will bring Lexus to India in 2013” confirmed Yukitoshi Funo, executive vice-president of Toyota Motor Corporation.

The Lexus range will be sold through dedicated dealerships, though several Toyota dealers are likely to take up the franchise to take advantage of their service set up that requires common equipment for both brands. However, Toyota will take a very cautious and diligent approach to appointing dealerships. “We would rather have a few, quality dealerships than a large number of mediocre outlets” said Funo who also emphasised that he wanted to differentiate Lexus from its German rivals. Last month Kazuo Ohara, who oversees the Lexus brand globally, made a visit to India and gave the green light after intense market research, which included studying the dealer and service outlets of other brands.

Toyota plans to follow a top-down strategy and the initial plan is to introduce the LS saloon and RX SUV, both premium luxury models. This is likely to be followed by the GS executive luxury saloon which competes directly with the E-class and 5-series.

The company will initially bring the Lexus range as imports or completely built-up (CBU) units to test the market before considering local assembly. “We need consider local production to compete with the others in the market, but this is still being studied,” said Funo. It is likely that the compact IS models will be locally assembled in time.

The initial feedback and market studies for the Lexus brand have been very encouraging. “The Indian consumers’ awareness of Lexus is quite surprising and much more than we anticipated,” said Funo. However, the challenge will be to price the cars competitively, especially since Lexus will initially import cars and will be at a cost disadvantage in comparison to rival luxury brands that locally assemble and hence pay lower duty. Also, there is no diesel engine in the Lexus range which could be another disadvantage. However, Lexus will introduce its hybrid technology, which could click with customers looking for the ultimate in refinement.

2012 Volvo XC60 RSpec Technology

Safe. A Volvo must be safe. It doesn’t matter if the subject of the safety wand is a big sedan, compact wagon,or mid-size crossover like the 2012 Volvo XC60. Now gripped in Chinese automaker Geely’s chopsticks, the very-Swedish Volvo proves it has the spice and comfy rice that today’s youthful upscalers demand.When Lexus, Acura, and others began introducing luxury crossovers, cautious Volvo wasn’

2011 Volvo Universe Review

In the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show, Volvo Car Corporation shows a masterpiece of Scandinavian design car buyers with exquisite tastes.

Volvo Concept universe is a large luxury sedan with a design language human-centered news pays tribute to the beautiful lines of classic Volvo models.

"Volvo Universe Concept offers the world a taste of what people can expect from our next top-the-line sedan," said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.

long-term strategy of Volvo Car Corporation is to be internationally successful company with products designed around our customers needs and lifestyle.

Scandinavian design is to understand and meet the people. Volvo Car Corporation aims to be the brand that truly reflects what buyers want modern luxury car.

Volvo Universe Concept was designed to provoke an unconscious desire and a sense of timeless beauty.

He goes ahead with its roof of a coupe and contemporary full-back but he is also the proud heritage of Volvo true by borrowing design elements of classic models from the past.

"As luxury items very well, this design is in hand and feels sturdy enough to withstand the test of time," says Peter Horbury, executive vice president of design at Volvo Car Corporation. "We will compete with the best our particular kind of Scandinavian design. It's the same performance and technology, but without superficiality or a complication."

2011 Volvo XC60 Luxury Concept Sporty Car

The new 2011 Volvo XC60 offers a choice of two engines for North America: the base 3.2-liter V6 which produces 240 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, and the turbocharged T6 which produces 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. The base 3.2 trim level and 3.2 R-Design both come standard with front-wheel drive, and have available all-wheel drive. Opting for the range-topping T6 will give you

2011 Volvo S60 Dynamic Concept Technology

The concept 2011 Volvo S60 exterior gives a clear indication of what customers can expect of the all-new 2011 Volvo S60. On the inside we’ve been even more daring there the focus has been on creating a vision of the future in the slightly longer perspective,” says Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin. The front of the S60 Concept naturally sports the enlarged iron mark in the trapezoidal

2010 Volvo XC90

Volvo does things a little differently from other premium brands in the automotive world. For this Swedish manufacturer, safety and kid-friendliness are just as important as luxury amenities and driving performance, and in no vehicle is this more apparent than the Volvo XC90, a mid size seven-passenger SUV.Innovative safety features aside, the 2010 XC90 is merely adequate relative to the premium

Volvo Concept Universe

At the Shanghai Auto Show 2011 presents the Volvo Car Corporation, the extravagant vehicle study, Concept Universe. It is an impressive luxury sedan, which shows a new design language, but also the elegant lines of classic Volvo models considered.The study Universe Concept was developed under the proviso to meet the highest standards of design, comfort and luxury. She glances into the future with

Volvo S60 R

Although Volvo built its reputation on safe--and boxy--vehicles, that hasn't stopped the company from producing the occasional stormer. The 2006 Volvo S60 R sedan is the latest in a line that included 1995's cult classic, the T-5R. But the S60 R ups the ante with a host of computer-controlled functions to both produce speed and keep it under control. With styling befitting its capabilities, especially when outfitted with our test car's Sport Body Package, the S60 R looks the part both inside and out. Fortunately, the driving doesn't disappoint. A microprocessor-controlled six-speed automatic drives all four wheels via Volvo's Four-C (continuously controlled chassis concept) adaptive suspension, with three chassis settings available depending on conditions and mood. A Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DTSC) system is standard on the R model for braking slipping wheels and reducing power if necessary.

The R-specification engine is a 2.5-liter straight-five that makes happy use of turbocharging to produce a satisfying 300hp. Dual overhead cams featuring continuously variable timing on both the intake and exhaust valves keep the engine from wheezing before the turbo spools up. But Volvo didn't completely take leave of its brand identity in outfitting the S60 R, as a host of safety and a few green features round out the otherwise brawny package.

Our test car was equipped with the $2,400 Premium package: a glass moonroof and an HU-850 audio system with a six-CD in-dash changer. It also had the six-speed automatic with manual gear selection, a $1,250 option, but it lacked the $2,120 navigation system. Sticker price with options came to $43,735.

The provocative and comfortable 2006 Volvo S60 R evinces the dual nature of this performance car from the safety company. The gauges, unique to the R models, have familiar readable Volvo digits in silver on a soft-blue background and silver watch-dial bezels, a nice combination. An aluminum cover for the automatic shifter is another R-only touch, as are the power-adjusted full leather sport seats, which were black in our car, with blue stitching matching the exterior. The pleasantly thick steering wheel has audio and cruise controls at thumb's reach. Dual-zone climate controls are well laid out, with a pictogram and large buttons to direct airflow without any fuss.

Volvo S60 Facelift

Refined Volvo S60 with sportier profile
The Volvo S60 is being further refined, with the sights firmly set on sharpening the sedan model’s already sporty profile. When it comes to design, the front spoiler (option) has been redesigned to get a more pronounced and protruding contour at the bottom.

The Volvo S60 is being further refined, with the sights firmly set on sharpening the sedan model’s already sporty profile.

“We’re making the S60 even sportier in every respect,” says Gerry Keaney, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service “We’ve both spiced up the design and fine-tuned the chassis to create a car with even greater driving appeal.”

The front spoiler (option) has been redesigned to get a more pronounced and protruding contour at the bottom. On optional variants the entire front spoiler, including the sills and rear lower bumper, are colour coordinated with the car body. The boot lid can also be specified with a sporty new wing spoiler.

The 2007 model also gets a new grille with a larger and more pronounced Volvo emblem in the form of the classic but rejuvenated iron symbol.

Volvo S40

Volvo cars starts production of the Volvo S40 in China
The Volvo Car Corporation will start producing cars in China. The new Volvo S40 will be built at Volvo Cars’ partner Changan Ford’s production plant in Chongqing.

The 40 Series cars were equipped with four-cylinder engines, such as a 1.9 turbo diesel or 1.6 (1588 cc), 1.8 (1731 cc), 2.0T (1948 cc), 1.9 T4 (1855 cc) or 2.0 (1948 cc) fuel-injected gasoline engines all of which are derivatives of the modular whiteblock engine series that started life in the Volvo 960 and carried in both 5 and 6 cyl formats in Volvo's bigger FWD cars. There was also a 1.8 L (1834 cc) Gasoline direct injection engine provided by Mitsubishi as part of the platform sharing between the 40 series and the Carisma.

Volvo Hot Rod Concept

Has Volvo gone mad? Perhaps. But that's about the only word to describe the hand-built hotrod based on Volvo components and a twin turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine from a car manufacturer more widely known for safety and functionality. But that's what the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer Association's annual trade show is all about. Drop in the glittering lights and over-the-top excess of Las Vegas and suddenly the Volvo T6 Roadster fits right in.

"The car came to our attention from its owner, Leif Tufvesson," said Anne Belec, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA). "And when we saw the pictures, and the level of detail and quality that Leif put into this vehicle, we knew it had a place on the stand at SEMA." Sitting next to VCNA's other SEMA entry, the XC70 AT, the two cars are a study in contrast. But Leif is a former Volvo employee, having spent time at the prototype department in Gothenburg, Sweden, and knows that quality is a hallmark of the brand.

It's the quality and care for the details that makes Leif's T6 roadster stand out from the crowd of lowered small cars with mega-wattage stereos at the 2005 SEMA show. Built entirely by hand in his garage, with his own tools, painstaking effort went into every part. You won't find a mail-ordered headlight or a grille from a Prowler on the T6 Roadster. What you will find are OEM Volvo parts including a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter inline 6-cylinder engine borrowed from an S80. "This engine has a few other tweaks," says Leif, "that probably bumps the horsepower from 268 to around 300."

Where you find the engine, however, isn't under the hood. It's in back, located just behind the supportive leather bucket seats that were also lifted from a Volvo S80. The gearbox is a 5-speed Geartronic transmission that sends the power to the rear wheels. To help keep the engine cool, the rear decklid automatically lifts when a preset temperature is reached inside the engine compartment. Up front is a small compartment containing the mechanicals for the functioning ABS brakes and the top-notch audio equipment.

The custom fabricated tubular steel frame was hand formed and utilizes rear subframes from the donor S80. Leif fabricated stainless steel A-arms for the fully independent front and rear suspension systems. Volvo C70 spindles, custom carbon-fiber leaf springs and a shortened S80 steering rack can be found up front. Around back are S80 front spindles and lower trailing arms with remote-reservoir Ohlins shock absorbers. The rear coil-over shocks, incidentally, are centrally mounted in the engine compartment. Braking up front is handled via 6-piston calipers and 330-mm discs while the rear discs are carried over from the Volvo S80. The front wheels are 8.5 inches wide and 20 inches in diameter, the rears are a full 10-inches wide and 22 inches in diameter.

Inside, the T6 Roadster looks as if it rolled off the Volvo factory line in Torslanda, Sweden. Aside from the seats, the instruments, headrests, shifter handle and pedal assembly can all be found in the Volvo S80. A steering wheel from a Volvo S60 adds a sporty look, while the instrument panel has been hand fabricated to locate the gauges centrally in the passenger compartment.

Leif began building his masterpiece way back in 1998. He placed the engine and transmission on a chassis jig in his shop and built the tubular frame around the mechanicals. The body came next. Consisting mostly of 1.5-mm aluminum, the entire car weighs just 2,400 pounds. His idea with this project was to design and build a car utilizing different Volvo forms. The rear hood is shaped like the Volvo P 1800, the rear lights like the old Volvo PV 444, the grill like the new Volvo XC70, and shape of the sides like old Volvo Amazon and the new C70, S60, S80.

"It's really exciting to have my car on display at SEMA," says Leif. "This is such a great show, and it's an honor to have the recognition from VCNA. If anyone is interested in a T6 Roadster for their own garage, look for me on the stand at SEMA!"

Volvo Extreme Gravity Car

(from Volvo Press Release) Don't let the curvaceous body fool you, the Volvo Extreme Gravity Car is all about speed – in a straight line. It's also designed to be "human centric" as Doug Frasher, Senior Strategic Designer at Volvo Cars, describes the highly stylized soap-box-derby racecar. "In most derby cars, the human form is hidden from view behind smooth panels and Plexiglas. I've designed the Volvo Extreme Gravity Car to show off the human form, to accentuate the body's natural aerodynamic lines."

Built for charity, the Volvo Extreme Gravity Car will compete head to head against five other gravity car designs from Mazda, Porsche, Bentley, General Motors and Nissan on August 21st at the 2004 Extreme Gravity Competition in Irvine, California at the Ford Motor Comapany's Premier Automotive Group headquarters. This year marks the fourth time the race has run, but it's a first for Volvo.

The race, founded by Don MacAllister of America Works for Kids, is a charitable event that raises money for foster children to help them become independent, working young men and women in the community. Additionally, through Gravity Series, Inc., foster children will gain valuable, paid work experience as they become involved in all aspects of the event.

Volvo's Extreme Gravity Car breaks almost all the rules of a typical soap-box-derby racecar. Take the rider's forward facing "rumps-up" positioning for example. Traditional derby cars lay the rider back in a recumbent position with their feet leading the way. Volvo's Extreme Gravity Car mounts the rider in the prone position, allowing for a very small frontal area and aiding in the car's aerodynamic shape. The fiberglass faring rests on the rider's shoulders, giving the car its taught, skin-tight appearance. The car and driver are almost one with each other. With the right body proportions, the human being and the mechanical vehicle mate perfectly.

"Obviously, this car is made for a fairly limber and tall driver," continues Frasher, "because you have to literally get down on your hands and knees and crawl into it." Inside, the Volvo Extreme Gravity Car continues to break all the rules. Steering the vehicle is accomplished via small aluminum handlebars hidden beneath the faring. The car is braked via a bicycle style handbrake that slows the rear wheel.

To reduce weight, the Volvo Extreme Gravity Car's frame is constructed of high-strength, water-jet-cut aluminum, while the aerodynamic fairings are comprised of fiber carbon. Weighing in at a spry 35 pounds (without ballast), the car is just one inch shy of 8 feet in length, 22 inches wide and 20 inches high. "Rolling resistance is a gravity car's worst enemy," says Frasher. "To reduce resistance I've located the two main wheels in-line with each other. The smaller outboard wheels simply provide additional stability." Frasher estimates that the Volvo Extreme Gravity Car could hit nearly 35 miles per hour by the time it reaches the end of the 64-foot long ramp. The rider will definitely feel the speed, too. With just an inch or so between the rider's nose and the car's front wheel, the experience will "be fairly hairy," comments Frasher with a wry smile.

Volvo Takes Design Award

After weeks of design work, engineering and testing the Volvo Extreme Gravity Car finally got the chance to go head-to-head against competition from five other major design studios. The results: Grand Prize for design, 3rd place overall, a strong showing considering it was Volvo's first attempt at the fourth annual charity race to benefit foster children.

"I'm very pleased with how the car performed," commented Volvo Strategic Design Chief Doug Frasher, creator of the Volvo Extreme Gravity Car. "Our design was unconventional, to say the least, so we knew we were breaking a lot of the conventional wisdom of soap-box-derby racing."

Grudge-match-style qualifying races allowed the Volvo to outrun the entries from Nissan, Bentley and Mazda. "We noticed that our car was always first to the bottom of the ramp, and were excited by this hint that our design has some great potential," said Frasher.

The transition point between the ramp and street, however, subjected the car to repeated impacts. In a move to ensure safety, team Volvo removed all 45 pounds of ballast from the vehicle's rear section to minimize the risk of breaking something critical at the bottom of the ramp. Even so, there were increasing signs of stress on the car after each race and action in the Volvo pits was intense.

In the end, the entry from General Motors took the checkered flag with the Volvo taking home the "Best Design" award. "We were thrilled to be the recipient of the Best Design award since it was judged by our fellow competitors," noted Frasher. "Overall, we loved the event. It was a fun day of racing and the seeing the expressions on the faces on the kids during their races made the whole effort worthwhile."

The Extreme Gravity Competition, founded by Don MacAllister of America Works for Kids, is a charitable event that raises money for foster children to help them become independent, working young men and women in the community. Additionally, through Gravity Series, Inc., foster children will gain valuable, paid work experience as they become involved in all aspects of the event.

"We are developing the most exciting extreme gravity racing series in the world and really appreciate the support of these professional car design teams,” said MacAllister. “A portion of proceeds from the sale of each team’s original design renderings, as well as racing merchandise will be donated to support inspirational training workshops for foster kids."

Volvo is already preparing for next year. "We have another car that's already in development," Frasher said. "And I think we'll see the checkered flag in 2005."

Volvo C70

Volvo C70 - What the Auto Press Says

The 2011 Volvo C70 ranks 18 out of 21 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 51 published reviews and test drives of the Volvo C70, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

After benefiting from a mild redesign, the 2011 Volvo C70 is no longer an aging hardtop convertible. Although newer, sportier droptops are heating up the competition, the Volvo holds its own with an impressive-looking exterior, innovative safety features and comfortable cabin.

2011 is going to be an exciting year for upscale midsize cars. That’s because Volvo is not the only automaker to update its hardtop convertible offering. Its competition – the BMW 3-series, Infiniti G37 and Lexus IS C – has taken the opportunity to give their folding steel roof droptops a fresh look too.

Given that the Volvo C70 was one of the first four passenger convertibles boasting a hardtop, it has a leg up on its rivals. However, its competitors have raised the bar. The C70 still has virtues, but trails most of its class from a performance standpoint.

Regardless, the C70 remains a good choice if you are looking for a convertible that's not just for burning rubber. The Volvo C70 boasts a set of safety features that its competitors still can’t match, and the C70 has the largest rear seat and trunk of any hardtop convertible. Practically speaking, the Volvo is ahead of the pack.

Other Cars to Consider

The Volvo differs from most of its challengers because it features a less powerful engine and its drivetrain is front-wheel drive. This means that the Volvo is not a sporty handler. If performance is essential for your convertible, it would be wise to test drive the BMW 3-Series or Infiniti G37. Granted, more power and fun comes with a higher price: the 3-Series convertible starts at about $5,000 more than the C70 does, and the G37 Convertible starts at more than $4,000 more than the C70.

Volvo C70: The Details

Boasting a fresh look, the 2011 Volvo C70 has undergone some extensive changes on both the exterior and interior. This includes all-new front and rear faces – with updated headlights and LED taillights, – a new center console, standard Sovereign Hide leather, standard Sirius Satellite Radio, two new exterior colors and one new interior color.

For 2011, buyers say goodbye to the 2010 C70's premium package and the manual transmission.

The 2011 Volvo C70 only comes in one trim: turbocharged five-cylinder, front-wheel drive, automatic.

Other than the cosmetic modifications on the 2011 C70, it is largely the same vehicle as the 2010 C70. As more reviews come out, we will bring you the most up-to-date information on the 2011 Volvo C70.

Volvo C30 Concept by IPD

Volvo C30

World Premier of the new VOLVO C30 Concept Car by HEICO SPORTIV, named HEICO HS3 THOR
In cooperation with Volvo Cars North America, HEICO SPORTIV has created a versatile version of Volvo's new compact C30 model before the model hits the streets in North America. The World Premier of HEICO HS3 THOR was today at this years SEMA Show (Specialty Equipment Market Association) in Las Vegas, Nevada