1999: Volvo Approaches the Millenium

on a High Note

ROCKLEIGH, NJ -- As little as five years ago, industry pundits were predicting the demise of Volvo Cars, calling it in effect, a form of economic Darwinism. After all, hadn't all of the other car companies, both larger and certainly smaller, been absorbed or were looking to be? And to top it all off, hadn't the abortive merger with French-giant Renault had set Volvo's product development back years in an era of unprecedented number of new product introductions?

The signs did not look bright, and that is a fact. Then came the response. First came the Volvo 850, a car of which it can justifiably be said, that saved the company. Then came the S40 and V40 that have proven to be smash hits in every market in which they are sold. Stunning C70 Coupe and Convertible, two cars that while clearly defining a new stylistic image for Volvo maintained and reinforced the core values of the Volvo brand, followed this up. The S70 and V70, extensive re-developments of the venerated 850 added additional fuel to the stylistic fire. That brings us to 1999 and one of the most crucial Volvos of the millenium, the S80.

As such, the dynamically styled S80 bristles with so many innovative engineering features that it represents a Volvo "Tour d' Force." In essence, the S80 is the culmination of everything Volvo has learned about the art of car making over the last 72 years. Among the features intended to enhance performance, safety and passenger comfort, are:

· A body structure with a torsional rigidity that's more than 60 percent stiffer than the current S70 and V70 models.

· Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) to help minimize whiplash injuries to front seat occupants in rear-end collisions.

· Inflatable Curtain (IC) to help protect front and rear seat occupants from head injuries in the event of a side impact.

· Stability and Traction Control (STC) to help provide sure acceleration from a stand still and at speed on slippery roads.

· Antilock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution to maximize brake performance under all conditions and all loads.

· A transversely mounted 201-hp naturally aspirated 2.9-liter in-line six cylinder engine and electronically controlled four-speed transmission.

· A T6 version with a transversely mounted 268-hp twin-turbocharged 2.8liter six-cylinder engine with Geartronic automatic transmission for clutchless, manual shifting.

· An electrical system based on multiplexing to reduce the amount of wire needed in the car and to speed response of all electronic controls.

For 1999, Volvo has continued its philosophy of constant improvement through the evolution of design and engineering and the integration of new technologies to existing product lines. Major improvements have been made to the engine and its management systems, the electrical system and to the braking system. Perhaps most importantly, Volvo has once again taken a major step forward in the area of occupant protection with a major evolutionary up-grade to SIPS, Volvo's patented, award-winning side impact protection system. The focal point of SIPS, the side impact air bag, was pioneered by Volvo in 1994.

Volvo's current nomenclature system, which debuted with the 1998 model years vehicles, is based on platform designations that denote both the types of model and its series lineage. This numbering system continues to expand for 1999 with the introduction of the new S80 series. The letter "S" signifies the model is a sedan, while "V," representing versatility, indicates the vehicle is a wagon ("C" denotes both coupe and convertible). The number following the letter provides a sense of the platform size. For example, the S80 is larger than the S70, which is in turn larger than the S40, Volvo's small platform offering which is not currently available in North America. The S90 and V90, after a run of nearly 16 years dating back to the 740 series, introduced in 1982, ceased production in the spring of 1998.

Nowhere is Volvo's philosophy of continual evolution more apparent than in the improvements made for 1999 in the areas of product diversity and both passive and dynamic safety. They include:

· The addition of an All-Wheel-Drive version of the S70 to go along with the fabulously successful V70 AWD and XC models.

· System and performance up-grades made to its world-famous Side Impact Protection System (SIPS).

· Two trigger settings for front air bags deployment.

· Automatic door unlocking feature with air bag deployment.

· Stability and Traction Control (STC) to provide sure acceleration from a stand still and at speed on slippery roads (T5 turbocharged 2-wheel-drive only).

· Volvo Traction Control System (TRACS) available on all non-turbocharged front-wheel-drive models.

· Antilock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution to maximize brake performance under all conditions and all loads.

· Fender mounted turn indicators.

· Clutch interlock system (manual gearbox only).

· Cruise Control "On" in-dash indicator light

THE C70 COUPE AND CONVERTIBLE

Once known as the last bastion of the 'shoebox' school of automotive design, Volvo has, in recent years, broken through with fresh, aggressive, yet elegant styling. Introduced during the 1998 model year, the C70 Coupe and Convertible confirmed Volvo's position as an industry style leader.

While these image-building vehicles were all-new less than 18 months ago, Volvo has continued to develop and enhance their performance, comfort and most of all, safety, both passive and dynamic. Those include:

· The Environmental Priorities System (EPS), a system by which environmental impact of every material element in each vehicle is quantified in order to make the best possible production decisions.

· The MOTIV Chemical Database, which details the environmental and health impact of each and every chemical used in the manufacture of Volvo products, as well as more than 2000 others that have been deemed hazardous.

· The Environmental Car Recycling in Scandinavia (ECRIS) program which focuses on the dismantling of vehicles in a manor which generates the least amount of environmental impact.

THE Volvo SELECT PRE-OWNED PROGRAM

Volvos have long been considered among the most durable cars on the road. One only has to look to Irv Gordon and his 1.6 million-mile P-1800 for proof! So it only stands to reason that well kept, low-mileage "used" Volvos would make some of the most durable and desirable pre-owned cars as well. Starting October Ist, Volvo will enhance its Select Pre-Owned program and highlights of the new program include the addition of free scheduled maintenance for the first 20,000 miles driven after purchase and 12 months or 12,000 mile of "On-Call" road-side assistance and a three-day or 300-mile "no questions asked" return policy. This is all in addition to the affordable financing which has always been part of the Volvo Select Pre-Owned program.