Last year, Volvo introduced a line of vehicles in Europe capable of running on E85 fuel which it refers to as the FlexiFuel range. Already available in the C30, S40, V50 and V70 and S80 models with engines ranging from 1.8 to 2.5 liters, Volvo has seen fit to add a new police-specific V70 to its range of flexible fuel vehicles.

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The stunning Volvo C70 is two cars in one; a spacious 4-seater coupe with eye catching style and, in just 30 seconds, a striking convertible; simply perfect for whirling away those summer days. The car’s good looks, class leading safety standards, refined driving experience and high quality equipment levels are now joined by two more tempting features. RTI Navigation System and Keyless Drive, worth £2,200 are available on all new C70’s at no extra cost from April this year.

Enhancing the C70 ownership experience further, Volvo’s comprehensive RTI Navigation System maps a myriad of routes throughout the UK and Europe quickly and efficiently. The system also features RDS based TMC (Traffic Management Control) that will identify any traffic incidents on route and, if possible, will find an alternative way. Another Volvo convenience feature is Keyless Drive, which makes it possible to lock, unlock and start the car without the need for a key which can be left safely stored away in the driver's pocket or bag.

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The 2008 Volvo C30 is a 2-door compact hatchback with seating four, inspired by the vintage Volvo 1800ES coupe design. The 2008 model is the first C30 to hit the United States market, specially designed for first-time Volvo buyers and a younger market. Volvo is a division of the Ford Motor Company, and the C30 uses the same Ford C1 platform as the Ford Focus and Mazda3.

I drove a 2008 Volvo C30 with a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 227-horsepower. It had front wheel drive (FWD) with a 6-speed manual transmission. Aside of a long list of safety and security, plus comfort and convenience standard features, it also came with extra optional equipment that bumped the price up by almost $4,000 for a total vehicle cost of $29,350.

The 2008 Volvo C30 is very sporty and sleek looking and embodies the word aerodynamic both inside and out, but the design is based on vintage ideas so it is representative of an evergreen style. The large hatchback glass that gets the most eyeballing equates to excellent visibility for the driver.

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The Volvo S80 and XC90 Executive models both receive new features for the 2009 Model Year to reinforce and add to their luxury appeal. These models are available to order imminently, with prices to be confirmed ahead of the start of production in May. A new unique combination of relaxing massage and ventilation functions in the front seats will make journeys even more soothing, while a range of enhanced materials and trim details add to the high quality of the cars.

These two Volvo Executive models have been created for customers who want to relax after a demanding day at work or want to get to work alert to tackle the day ahead. These cars are also often used for employment purposes and this imposes extra demands on comfort, aesthetics and materials. The new massage function consists of five inflatable pockets which have been built into the front seats and are pumped up and drained sequentially to create a wave-like motion (adjustable at two levels) that massages the lower back and wafts away feelings of tiredness and stiffness on long journeys. Together with the built-in ventilation, the new massage function keeps the occupant’s body and clothing pleasantly fresh, while the inflatable cushions also double up as a new lumbar support.

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The other day I was given a lift home by a police pursuit driver who works in the London area.

We chatted a bit, and during our conversation I asked him which car was the best police chase car. He reckoned you wouldn't go far wrong with a Volvo, so when I said I had a C30 T5, his eyes lit up. He hadn't actually driven a C30 so I told him about a Volvo trip to the Arctic Circle where the car was put through its paces on the snow and ice. He was suitably impressed.

Then, after that we moaned a lot about driving standards in the UK and concluded that all motorists should go on a winter driving school before being let loose on the UK's roads. We had put the world, or rather Britain, to rights.

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Volvo is introducing the striking R-DESIGN Sport as the new entry level specification on the Volvo C30 SportsCoupe. From just £14,995 OTR for the 1.6 petrol R-DESIGN Sport, this desirable model is now within the reach of many more aspiring Volvo owners and is available to order now. Extending the appeal even further, Volvo is also offering 0% APR typical* finance over 3 years with a 30% minimum deposit and 12 months free insurance**.

The R-DESIGN exterior incorporates an exclusive sports bodykit, rear spoiler, R-DESIGN logo on the grille and alloy wheels. Inside, the unique interior is upholstered in off-black T-Tec fabric with contrasting cream leather embossed with the R-DESIGN logo and is complemented by eye-catching blue instrument dials, a leather sports steering wheel, aluminium ridged sports pedals and gear knob with aluminium inserts.

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Volvo made its enterance into the fastest-growing segment in the North American market with their new 2009 Volvo XC60. According to Volvo’s press release, the ’smal premium utility’ is growing quickly and is expected to expand by 75 percent to 443,000 cars by 2009.

Power comes from 6-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine that produces 235-hp. That’s the only variant that will be availabe in the XC60 when it arrives in U.S. in early 2009. All Wheel Drive (AWD) with Instant Traction is standard.

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Volvo and Saab are both co-operating with Swedish electricity supplier Vattenfall and Swedish battery manufacturer ETC in a research programme to develop plug-in hybrids and test a fleet of 10 prototype vehicles.

Plug-in hybrids allow owners to recharge the batteries to give an extended range running on electric-only power, but retain a small conventional engine for highway driving and high-speed, high power-use operation.

Volvo revealed a plug-in hybrid concept, the C30 Recharge, at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year.

This combined a 1.6-litre ethanol-compatible engine with a battery pack and a motor in each wheel, and was capable of 60 miles in all-electric mode.

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Plug-in hybrid cars are being pointed out as the next step toward sustainable mobility and Volvo has already made a significant breakthrough with the Recharge, a C30-based vehicle that uses one electric engine in each wheel. This sort of technical arrangement will very likely be the one most cars in the future will use, since it presents many advantages: it frees space for luggage and passengers, since the engine compartment is not used and it eliminates the need of a steering system (turns are made by rotation differences among the wheels). Volvo and Saab have also announced a cooperation agreement, along with Vattenfall (Swedish electricity provider), ETC (Swedish batteries and fuel cells company) and the Swedish State, to develop plug-in hybrid vehicles. The news linking these two facts is that ten vehicles will be build to test the technology and there is one already on driving tests. Guess which one? The video will tell you, in case you have any doubts left.

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Volvo is giving a three-year service deal with its V50 compact estate.

The deal, worth almost £700, includes parts, labour and all fluids for scheduled services at authorised Volvo dealers. It is transferable to subsequent owners if the car is sold within three years. The V50 range currently starts from £15,995.

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Who said Volvos had to be sensible? Here is the Hot Rod Jakob, a quirky two-seater created for the Swedish firm’s 80th anniversary.

It’s a tribute to the first Volvo to roll off the production line, the 1927 OV4 ‘Jakob’. Each panel is hand-made from aluminium – in keeping with the techniques Volvo used 80 years ago – but under the skin is a modern 261bhp 2.5-litre turbo engine.

The interior is sparse, but has amazing attention to detail. Take the starting procedure, for example. Touch a dial to the right of the steering wheel, and it glows red, push the clutch and it turns purple. Press the dial one more time and the engine fires – while the colour goes blue!

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Volvo starts the countdown to the next round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race with the launch of special Volvo Ocean Race editions of the V70, XC70 and XC90 at the Geneva Motor Show today.

A unique Ocean Blue pearlescent paint immediately differentiates the Volvo Ocean Race editions from the standard models and the appearance is further enhanced with a new, more exclusively designed Volvo Ocean Race emblem and chrome exterior details. The special edition cars are also available in Electric Silver. All the cars feature full Ocean Race leather upholstery and are available in Soft Beige or Off Black with the centre console and other details in silk matt aluminium inlays.

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Volvo is offering Ocean Race editions of its V70, XC70 and XC90 to mark its ongoing sponsorship of the international nine-month Ocean Race. These models come with pearlescent blue paint, chrome exterior trim, aluminium interior trim details and a choice of beige or off-black upholstery. The stitching on their upholstery is said to be similar to that used in sail-making, and the design of the wheels has been inspired by waves, apparently.

The Ocean Race models will come with a choice of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, with UK sales from June. The Ocean Race itself starts from 4th October in Alicante, Spain, finishing in St Petersburg late June 2009.

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Ford has confirmed it won’t be selling Volvo anytime soon but that doesn’t mean it will be heavily involved in the day-to-day running of the company. Instead, the Blue Oval is expected to play a more limited role in Volvo’s future with officials currently developing a new business plan that includes Volvo operating on a more stand-alone basis.

At a recent presentation, Ford officials displayed slides stating that it wants to “establish appropriate business arrangements to allow Volvo to operate on a more stand-alone basis.” It also said a “top priority is to return Volvo to sustainable profitability,” reports Automotive News.

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Thatcham, the UK’s insurance organisation renowned for conducting research and development to promote safer cars, recently invited media, insurance companies and government agencies to a demonstration of three selected new technologies that can mitigate or prevent low-speed accidents. The one that made the greatest impression on all who attended was Volvo City Safety, which will be a standard feature on the new Volvo XC60.

“We were contacted by Thatcham, who offered to arrange a demonstration of City Safety. It is naturally extremely gratifying for us when a third party confirms the great potential of the City Safety function,” says Thomas Broberg, technical advisor at Volvo Cars’ Safety Centre.

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