Volvo Concept Truck 2020

Swedish manufacturer Volvo Trucks recently unveiled the Volvo Concept Truck 2020 design concept, The Volvo Concept Truck 2020 displays a long distance vehicle, which can be combined in length, equipped with autopilot. The Volvo Concept Truck 2020 will be able to drive non-stop in nose-to-tail convoys that run at 90 km/h (56 mph) while the cars communicate with each other via a wireless connection.

Moving on to driver’s comfort, the driver’s seat looks more like a modern office chair with a thin ventilated mesh backrest. Behind the driver seat you will find a futon sofa which can be turned into a wide comfortable bed. The luxury experience is further complemented by the customizable lighting that can be changed as per in-cab tasks or resting. The driver may also control the privacy screening and blackout electronically.

Outside, the concept truck features LED headlamps and turn indicators that are integrated into the front of the vehicle. The rear-view mirrors have been replaced by cameras, while images are projected onto the inside of the windscreen.

The Concept Truck 2020 has rear-view cameras that project an image onto the inside of the windscreen and helps the driver to orientate better, LED headlamps and indicators, and collision protection panels on the truck's nose.




Press Release

TRUCKS OF THE FUTURE; CLOSER TO REALITY THAN YOU THINK

Progress is getting ever faster. In just ten years' time trucks are going to be a lot different to those of today. At least that is according to Rikard Orell, Design Director at Volvo Truck Corporation and one of the brains behind Concept Truck 2020, the Volvo Truck Corporation's bold vision for the future.

Long distance haulage for the future: long combinations, controlled by autopilot, driven non-stop in nose-to-tail convoys on green super-motorways linking the continents.

This is the vision of the future that generated the ideas behind the Volvo Concept Truck 2020 design concept. But will it really look like this in just ten years?

"That is the whole point," says Rikard Orell Design Director at Volvo Trucks. "Progress is getting ever faster. Because of this our vision for the future is not that far away. Much of the technology in the Volvo Concept Truck 2020 is already available; other technology needs to be developed. One needs to dare to stride firmly into the debate, demonstrating what one can and will do. Just tinkering at the edges runs the risk of progress slipping away."

Safer and more efficient commercial transport

As road transport expands it must also become safer and more efficient. Volvo's design concept contains ideas about how that can be achieved. Some of these ideas can be integrated into production today, while others are there to arouse interest and start a discussion.

One of the more startling ideas is to link vehicles together wirelessly into long road-trains that rush across the continents at 90 km/h (56 mph).

"This will be possible when the transport sector's vision of green corridors becomes reality," says Rikard Orell. "Here heavy goods vehicles are separated from other traffic, driving in their own lanes, rather like a railway, but without the rails."

There are many advantages. Road safety increases, transport services require less space and wear and tear on the roads decreases. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions drop thanks to reduced drag when a truck is in the slipstream of the vehicle in front. In addition the driver can rest behind the wheel while the truck effectively drives itself. If this is counted as idle time, transport times can be cut, deliveries will be made more quickly and drivers can get back to their friends and families earlier.

Spacious and airy driver environment

The driver is at the centre of Volvo's world. It goes without saying that a design concept from Volvo Trucks contains a great many ideas about the development of the driver environment. In the Volvo Concept Truck 2020 the driver's environment is spacious, airy and free of disruption.

"We have replaced the traditional dashboard with a thin film panel on which information is tailored to suit the driver," says Rikard Orell. "The panel is operated like a touchpad, just like an iPhone. We have saved a lot of space that way."

Another space-saving idea is the sleek driver's seat with its thin, ventilated mesh backrest, more like a modern office chair than a traditional driver's seat. Behind the driver is a futon sofa which folds out into a wide, comfortable bed in the evening.

The lighting in the cab is divided into zones customised for the driver's various in-cab tasks, or for resting. Around the driver are large areas of glass providing good visibility out of the vehicle and even into it. This benefits eye contact between the driver and other road users preventing accidents. Privacy screening and blackout in the evening are also controlled electronically.

Aerodynamic collision protection

The design team also aimed for a sleek look for the exterior, reducing the perception of the vehicle's size. The LED headlamps and indicators are integrated into the front of the vehicle. The rear-view mirrors have been replaced by cameras that project their images onto the inside of the windscreen.

The lower section of the front of the vehicle features integrated collision protection projecting forwards about half a metre. This ‘nose' is gentler on oncoming cars in the event of a head-on collision and has also been shown to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

As Rikard Orell points out, "Because the nose is a safety function, our starting point has been that it does not count as part of the maximum permitted vehicle length, just as rear-view mirrors today are outside the maximum permitted width."

Some things you just do not change. The ‘Globetrotter' sign on the roof is still there, but has been redesigned so that it harmonises with the lines of the vehicle and reduces drag. The driver can also change the text on the sign from the instrument panel.

The rear end is the next stage

So work on the external design focuses largely on aerodynamics, but by how much is it really possible to reduce drag on a truck ?

"We have come so far with the front of the vehicle that further changes to the basic shape provide only marginal improvements," says Rikard Orell. "However, a lot will happen when we start work on the design of the rear end of the vehicle. There is a great deal of untapped aerodynamic potential there."

A Volvo car ride can ease allergies

As wonderful as the spring is for many people, it is also sheer torture for others. A person suffering from asthma or allergy has few sanctuaries during the pollen season. However, a ride in a Volvo car may make life easier.

"The filters we fit to clean the passenger compartment air also remove the particles that cause allergies. A ride in a car can actually make breathing easier for many sufferers when the problem becomes acute," says Andreas Andersson, manager of allergy-optimised car interiors at Volvo Cars.

The filters that clean the air have two functions - one blocks particles and the other is impregnated with active carbon, which neutralises gases. The air in the car's passenger compartment is monitored by an air quality system that measures the amount of gases in the incoming air. Well before the levels get too high, the air intake to the passenger compartment is shut entirely automatically without any input from the driver. For this reason, the air inside the car is in principle always cleaner than the air outside.

Automatic ventilation
One factor that contributes to the clean in-car air is the automatic ventilation system, which airs out the car when the driver unlocks it. This system is currently found in the Volvo S80, XC60, V70, XC70 and S60 but will gradually be introduced in all the company's models.

Volvo Cars is in the lead in the development of allergy-optimised cars. Uniquely in the car industry, the textiles used in all the company's models meet the stringent Öko-Tex* standards, while the leather upholstery is entirely free of chromium.
What is more, nickel seepage from all metal-finish interior trim components has been minimised. As a result, five Volvo models with nine different interior trim alternatives have interior air of such high quality that they are recommended by the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association.

Several Volvo models have also received high ratings by Healthy Car in the US, an independent organisation that bases its results on research and studies of harmful substances in vehicles.
"We know that 35-40 percent of people in the western world suffer from some form of oversensitivity or allergy. This is a major problem for many people and it is therefore important that we as a car maker offer a clean environment inside our vehicles," says Andreas Andersson.

Filter to tackle small particles
The researchers at Volvo Cars are now working on the development of filters that can stop even the tiniest of particles.

"It is the small particles that are the most dangerous. They may not result in immediate symptoms like the larger ones do, which cause allergies to blossom. However, small particles can cause negative health effects in the longer term," concludes Andreas Andersson.

Jan Olson, marketing manager at the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association, is both grateful for and highly satisfied over the organisation's cooperation with Volvo Cars.
"We haven't received any negative feedback from users since we defined the criteria for allergy-optimised air quality, and several of Volvo's models have been approved in accordance with these standards. This means we have pitched our standards exactly right," he explains.

"It's difficult to give an exact figure, but we do not see any tendency for the problem to tail off. And the level is roughly the same throughout Europe," adds Jan Olson.

DRIVe Towards Zero
The development of an allergy-optimised in-car environment is part of the vision that Volvo Cars presented under the heading DRIVe Towards Zero, where the aim is to develop cars that are entirely free from harmful particles and carbon dioxide emissions. Thus far, China is the only country that regulates in-car air quality with enforced legislation. In Japan there are regulations for domestic car manufacturers.

IAQS (Interior Air Quality System), automatic ventilation and removable floor-mats are all grouped together under the heading of CZIP, which stands for Clean Zone Interior Package. IAQS is available as an option on all Volvo's car models.

Volvo Cars models that can be ordered with CZIP and are recommended by the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association:
Volvo S80
Volvo V70
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC70
Volvo S60 (the tests are being carried out this spring but the model meets the same standards as the other recommended models)

*International Oeko-Tex® Association is a collection of 14 reputable textile research and test institutes in Europe and Japan that conduct independent tests of harmful substances.

Source:Volvo

All-New Volvo S60 in the Belgian Touring Car Series

The new Volvo S60 gets ready for its racing debut. The Swedish carmaker revealed today that a racing version of the sedan will enter the 2010 Belgian Touring Car Series (BTCS).

The race version of the Volvo S60 has been developed in accordance with the BTCS regulations, meaning it has a tubular chassis, the same type of front and rear suspension and aerodynamics.

Power is provided by a mid-mounted 3.5-liter V6 engine with 410 hp (306 kW / 416 PS) and 412 Nm (304 lb-ft) of torque. It motivates the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential transmission.

"The all-new Volvo S60 sports sedan is Volvo's most exciting driving experience so far and there is no better way to show this than by bringing it to the race track. Volvo and the all-new S60 have a special place in the people's hearts here as several Volvo models, including the new S60, are built in Belgium at the Volvo Cars Ghent plant."






Press Release

Ready for the race track

Volvo Cars enters the all-new
Volvo S60 in the Belgian Touring Car Series

Just weeks after the all-new Volvo S60 was introduced to the public, the
latest Volvo model is also being unveiled in a racing version. Volvo Cars
Belgium will enter the new car in the 2010 season of the Belgian Touring Car
Series. Volvo fans will not need to wait long to see the latest model in
action since the premiere takes place on April 11.

"We are very happy about this development," says Bart Crols, Managing
Director at Volvo Cars Belgium. "The all-new Volvo S60 sports sedan is
Volvo's most exciting driving experience so far and there is no better way
to show this than by bringing it to the race track. Volvo and the all-new
S60 have a special place in the people's hearts here as several Volvo
models, including the new S60, are built in Belgium at theVolvo Cars Ghent
plant."

The new Volvo S60 race car has been developed in record time locally by
Volvo's Belgian S60 Racing Team. It has been developed in accordance with
the BTCS Silhouette S1 regulations which put a major emphasis on
standardised features. All cars must use a tubular chassis, the same type of
front and rear suspension and aerodynamics. A uniform type of engine
specification is also available but manufacturers are allowed to use own
engines.

The Volvo S60 Racing Team will also operate the car at all BTCS races and
the drivers are Vincent Radermecker and Eric Van De Poele.

Its maiden track test will take place on April 1 (today) on the Belgian
Zolder track.

"It has been a hectic period, but we have received great assistance from
Volvo Cars' Motorsport department" says Thomas Neri, Team Manager for the
Volvo S60 Racing Team. He continues: "Our main objective is to get up to
speed and to compete well in the various heats. Next season we hope to put
our own in-house developed engine in the car."

BTCS - low cost, high-performance racing

The BTCS is an endurance racing championship with six competitions on
tracks such as Spa-Francorchamps, Zolder and Dijon. Each race consists of
two 90-minute heats and there is also one 12-hour race in Spa. The all-new
Volvo S60 will face intense competition from the likes of BMW, Audi, Jaguar
and VW. BTCS has grown rapidly in terms of both competing brands and numbers
thanks to its low-cost, high-performance combination and, not least, the
fact that the cars have considerable visual appeal. The race series is
televised in several countries and is gaining in popularity.

"We will support and follow our development in this series very closely
as several other national championships are considering similar standardised
regulations in the future," says Derek Crabb, Motorsport Director at the
Volvo Car Corporation. "This BTCS campaign will give us a good understanding
of what these types of regulations can mean for Volvo."

Technical Specification Volvo S60 BTCS

• Regulation: BTCS Silhouette S1


• Chassis: Tubular frame


• Front Suspension: Independent with 3-way adjustable shock absorbers


• Rear Suspension: Independent with 3-way onboard adjustable shock
  absorbers


• Brakes: 6-piston callipers, 380 mm discs at the front and 6-piston
  callipers, 355 mm discs at the rear


• Engine: Mid-mounted standardised 3500 cc V6


• Engine Power Output: 410 hp with 412 Nm at 5500rpm


• Gearbox: Six-speed sequential. Rear-wheel drive


• Wheels: 10" X 18" front and 12" X 18" rear


• Tyres: Michelin 27/65/18 front and Michelin 30/65/18 rear

2010 Racing Calendar for the all-new Volvo S60 in the BTCS series

• April 9-11 Zolder


• April 30-May 2 Dijon-Prenois


• June 4-6 Spa-Francorchamps


• July 9-10 Spa-Francorchamps


• September 17-19 Spa-Francorchamps


• October 8-10 Zolder

More information about the Belgian Touring Car Series:
http://www.btcseries.be/

Video: Volvo Cars increases the development of cars powered by electricity - builds electric test fleet

At the Detroit Motor Show, Volvo Cars is presenting a complete battery electric Volvo C30 with a range of 150 km.
The next step forward is to build a test fleet of at least 50 electric Volvo C30s, which will be used in real-life traffic from 2011.

Volvo presented a driveable electric car prototype in September 2009. The C30 now being shown in Detroit takes the company one step further in the development process. It features both a complete interior and full instrumentation, as well as enhanced battery packaging.

"The first prototype helped us identify the main technological challenges, such as battery packaging and safety issues. We have addressed these challenges without compromising the C30's cool and fun-to-drive personality. I am very happy with the result. The electric C30 in Detroit is a much more complete product," says Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.

The next step in 2010 is a factory-built series of test cars. Selected users will drive the test fleet during a two-year trial period in order to provide Volvo Cars with valuable experience. Not just technical but also behavioural.
The Swedish Energy Agency is supporting the project by contributing SEK 150 million towards its funding.


Valuable field data

A pure electric car has different characteristics compared to a car with an internal combustion engine. Now Volvo's experts will have the opportunity to study how users handle these differences.

"Our test fleet data will be valuable in Volvo Cars' development of electric cars. It will also provide crucial input for the infrastructure planners and help define which services are needed to make rechargeable cars the most attractive choice in the future," says Lennart Stegland.


New instruments and graphics

The electric C30 looks like a regular Volvo C30 and it offers the very same safety, comfort and roominess as the standard car.

The most obvious difference inside the car is the new instruments facing the driver. The gauges and graphics are somewhat different to those in a conventional Volvo. The cool and user-friendly combined instrument shows in principle only road speed and energy consumption. However, it also integrates a number of new symbols such as a gauge for battery charge status and other relevant information for this type of vehicle.

The driving experience is also different to that in a conventional car. The electric C30 has no gears and the motor's power is delivered seamlessly, with full power available immediately.

"Sailing along virtually without a sound is a very special experience. The power is there instantaneously. We need to spend a lot of time verifying a transmission system that is both comfortable and safe for the driver to handle and at the same time utilizes the battery's capacity optimally at different speeds," says Lennart Stegland.


Like a regular C30 - all the fun but with no emissions

An electric motor uses about one-fourth as much energy as an engine running on fossil fuels. This superior energy efficiency suggests that interest in electric cars will increase as fuel prices rise and demands for low CO2 emissions become increasingly stringent.

The Volvo C30 shown in Detroit is powered by Lithium-Ion batteries that can be recharged via either a regular household power socket or special roadside charging stations. Charging the battery fully takes about eight hours. If the car is recharged with renewable electricity, CO2 emissions could be almost zero in the well-to-wheel perspective.

Top speed with a fully charged battery pack is about 130 km/h (81 mph). Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes less than 11 seconds. The car's range is up to 150 km (94 miles). This covers the daily transport needs of more than 90 percent of all motorists in Europe.


As safe as all other Volvos

The electric motor is fitted under the bonnet while the batteries (24 kWh) are installed in the propshaft tunnel and in the space normally occupied by the fuel tank, outside the passenger compartment and away from the deformations zones.

"What is more, they are well encapsulated and the structure around them has been reinforced. Electric cars represent yet another interesting challenge in our dedication to building the world's safest cars. An electrically powered Volvo must be as safe as all other new Volvos. And the very same standards also apply to ownership, driving and protection in the event of an accident," says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Cars.


Market prospects for electric power

When it comes to electric-only cars, there are several factors that determine their appeal in the future.
"The consumers must feel that this type of car is attractive both to drive and own. That is why electric cars have to be as comfortable and safe and offer the same sort of performance as cars with other power sources," says Paul Gustavsson, Director of Electrification Strategy at Volvo Cars.


He continues:
"We believe in this technology and our field test aims to demonstrate that electric cars have considerable market potential. However, offering an attractive car is not enough. What is also needed initially is a system of subsidies to make the electric car's expensive battery technology financially viable for the car buyers. We hope that the authorities and the rest of the society will follow Volvo Cars in our "Drive Towards Zero" - Volvo Cars' journey towards zero emissions."


Technical specification Electric C30

Car model:	Volvo C30 - full four seater
Main engine:	Electric engine 40/82KW
Power output:	Electric engine 82kW, 111 bhp
Acceleration 0-100 km/h:	10.5 seconds
Charging duration:	Charging via standard power socket, 230 V, 16 ampere: <>
Range on electric power:	150 km (NEDC cycle)
Battery energy content:	24 kWh nominal energy, of which 22.7 kWh used to power the car
Battery weight:	280 kg
Carbon dioxide emissions (tailpipe):	none

More Photos

Volvo announces pricing for the new 2011 C30 T5 and C30 T5 R-Design

The biggest changes in the new Volvo C30 T5 R-Design are actually hidden beneath the skin. While the car's extroverted body kit and design cues are easy to see, it is the chassis and the steering that have been the main focus of attention. The aim is to create a sporty driving experience and a sophisticated feeling of comfort.


The R-Design chassis has been modified in several areas. Stiffer bushings allow for more precise steering. The steering ratio is lower, giving 10 percent faster response to driver input. Spring stiffness has been increased by 30 percent in order to better maintain the C30 T5 R-Design's poise during enthusiastic driving. The mono-tube dampers are stiffer and build up pressure much more quickly. The roll stabilizers are stiffer to reduce any leaning tendency when taking corners.


The new sport chassis has made the C30 R-Design a better-balanced and more agile car. Road contact is more distinct and feedback from the wheels is faster and clearer, promoting a more alert feeling while driving.


The most noticeable design change is an all-new body kit featuring a redesigned front and rear. The body kit is monochromatic, giving a visual impression that the car has been lowered by much more than the actual 10 mm reduction in ride height. The new C30 R-Design is also equipped with 18-inch "Midir" diamond cut alloy wheels, just like the rest of the R-Design range. The interior is now available with dramatic new black upholstery as an alternative.


Pricing and Options

2011 C30 T5 - $24,600*
2011 C30 T5 R-Design - $26,950*

Preferred Package - $1,800
Power driver seat
Power passenger seat
Keyless drive (R-Design only)
Power glass moonroof
Aluminum Inlay (T5 Only)

Climate Package - $900
Heated front seats
Headlight washers
Interior Air Quality System (IAQS)
Electronic climate control
Rainsensor windshield wipers

Multimedia Package - $2,000
Dynaudio premium sound system with Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound
Navigation system with real-time traffic
2 complimentary map updates

Stand Alone Options
Metallic paint - $550
Premium Electric Silver Metallic Pain (R-Design only) - $675
5-speed automatic transmission with Geartronic - $1,250
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) - $700
SIRIUS satellite radio with complimentary 6-month subscription - $400
Dual Xenon Active Bending Lights (ABL) - $800
Portable navigation system - $750
Leather seating surfaces - $1,200
Exterior styling kit (C30 T5 only) - $1,445
Interior styling kit (C30 T5 only) - $295

The 2010 Volvo Cars model lineup includes the award-winning S40 and its wagon counterpart the V50; the award-winning XC90; the flagship S80 luxury sedan; versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70 (Cross Country); the stunning C70 retractable hardtop convertible; the dynamic C30 and the new XC60 with standard City Safety.

*prices do not include destination charges of $850






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Heico Sportiv Tunes Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe Facelift

The new Volvo C30 stands for individualism and ecologi-cally friendly driving. Volvo tuner HEICO SPORTIV is sharpening this profile... in every respect.

"The future of our business model lies in the intelligent combination of performance-oriented products and ecological sustainability," explains HEICO SPORTIV general manager, Holger Hedtke.

A philosophy that accompanies every step of the new Volvo C30 product development process. With the Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe, HEICO SPORTIV will be launching the economy model as the basis for the extensive individualization program.

The standard factory specifications of the Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe already offer a wide range of innovative technologies such as start/stop driving with brake-energy recovery, reducing fuel consumption to 3.9 liters/100 km* (* Combined, in accordance with prescribed measurement technique (RL80/1268/EWG)). "This is our basic starting point for proving that ecologically friendly action and the pleasure of driving don't need to be mutually exclusive," says Holger Hedtke. "In doing so, aerodynamically optimized components such as the radiator grille or under-floor intentionally remain untouched."


After all the consumption cutting measures have been considered, the reprogramming of the original engine control unit generates a maximum power of 92 kW/125 bhp (for the 80 kW/109 bhp model) and maximum torque of 280 Nm (240 Nm). As a result, the Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe does zero to 100 km/h in just 9.2 seconds, beating its series-produced counterpart by 2.1 seconds! A maximum speed of 200 km/h is also attainable, 10 km/h faster than the series version.

Particularly striking are the remodeled design elements at the front and rear. In redesigning these, HEICO SPORTIV pursued its "subtle evolution" philosophy here, as well. The HEICO SPORTIV front spoiler - which replaces the original lower base section of the bumper - consists of fiber-strengthened polyurethane and is fixed using the existing anchorage points.

The same applies to the rear valence which mimics the front spoiler's laterally arranged air vents and has a centrally placed diffuser element. The rear valence serves to accommodate the HEICO SPORTIV four pipe stainless steel exhaust system.

Additionally to these, HEICO SPORTIV also offers a range of further design possibilities.

Product summary:

	Sport wheel rim program VOLUTION® with exclusive five (V.) and ten spoke design (X.) for 18 and 19 inch wheels in the colors Silver, Titanium and Black Diamond Cut with classy diamond polish
	Differential lock for superior traction
	Stainless steel double and quad pipe exhaust system with “HEICO SPORTIV Sound Guarantee” for gasoline engines
	Sport suspension for lowering the vehicle by ca. 30 mm
	4-cylinder sport brake system for maximum deceleration
	Range of interior applications in aluminum or leather – such as the door pin set, shift stick grip, parking brake handle, pedal set and foot rest
	And last but not least: tuning for the Volvo C30 T5 (max. 191 kW/260 bhp and 380 Nm) and all turbo-diesel engines (1.6D, 2.0D and D5)

The Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe is available from HEICO SPORTIV with a starting price tag of ca. EUR 29,900; the parts will naturally also be deliverable individually from spring 2010.

2011 Volvo V60 Rendered

Based on the same platform as the S60, the new V60 wagon is expected to debut late next year as a 2011 model and follow in the footsteps of previous Volvo wagons like the V40, V50 and V70 lines. It would also serve as a more stylish rival to other premium wagons like the BMW 3-Series Touring, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate, Audi A4 Avant and the upcoming Acura TSX Sport Wagon.


Wearing the bold lines of Volvo’s new family styling, the V60 would likely feature the same engine options as the S60 sedan - although Volvo remains tight-lipped on the specifics for now.
Looking to take a larger slice of the prestige market, Volvo will likely aim the V60 at the likes of the BMW 3 Series Touring, Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes-Benz C-Class estate.
The 2011 Volvo S60 sedan is scheduled to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March, and while there is no official word on a wagon variant, March is a long time away…


Powertrain options will almost certainly be shared with the S60. One option is likely to be a new 1.6-liter gasoline unit with turbocharging and direct-injection technologies--a spinoff of a Ford EcoBoost mill.
via:motorauthority