THE VOLVO S70 AND V70 NEW CARS, NEW NAMES, NEW FEATURES
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Volvo kicks off the 1998 model year in January 1997 by introducing its new nomenclature to North America with the new S70 and V70 series, which replace the 850 sedan and wagon. However, the S70 and V70 offer far more than just two new names. The models were restyled inside and out, with new safety features, improved road dynamics and comfort, and an entirely new interior featuring refined Scandinavian styling. A total of over 1,800 changes make these cars an exciting evolution of the Volvo 850's award winning concept. Volvo's new nomenclature is based on platform designations that denote both the type of model and its series lineage. 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 S90 is larger than the S70, which is in turn larger than the S40, Volvo's small platform offering which is not available in North America.
Designing the New Volvo
The front and rear of the Volvo S70 have the more rounded, elegant styling which has become the hallmark of the new Volvo. This has been achieved with a new, sloping V-shaped hood which merges with the signature upright grill and the new headlights, indicator lights, and bumper. At the rear, the tail lights are larger and the styling of the trunk is more modern. Together with the new rear bumper, this creates a more cohesive design. The Volvo V70 retains its characteristic rear section with no modifications. The Volvo S70 and V70 are also entirely color-keyed. In other words, the moldings, rear view mirrors, door handles and bumpers are painted the same color as the car. While the S70's overall length has increased by 2.4 inches, the color-keying creates the illusion that the car is smaller than its predecessor.
Scandinavian-Style Interior
The interior design of the S70 and V70 is also entirely new, intended to create feelings of greater space and comfort. The new front seats offer improved height adjustment and more effective heating, and are upholstered in new patterns. The new dashboard, which can also be found in the exclusive C70 coupe, is characterized by simplicity and functionality in true Scandinavian style. Ergometrically-designed instruments and switches help keep the driver informed without creating visual stress and confusion. Controls were redesigned to make them easier to use and to reinforce the feeling of quality.
Volvo World Famous Safety: Improved for 1998
Volvo, the inventor and patent holder for the three-point seat belt system, has never presented a new model without offering improved safety features. The Volvo S70 and V70 are no exception, even though their predecessor, the Volvo 850, has often been referred to in the media as "the world's safest car." Volvo's world-famous Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) has been enhanced. The Bpillars, the most important link in the system, have been reinforced in order to help further reduce the risk of severe chest injuries. Additionally, the interior panels on these pillars have been given softer padding to help provide more effective head protection. The seat belt pretensioners have also been enhanced, enabling them to react more rapidly in certain types of collisions.
More sophisticated methods are being used at Volvo to measure forces acting on the human body in a collision. This has led to the introduction of a new steering column in the S70 and V70 that is split at three points and, as a result, collapses further away from the driver in the event of certain types of collisions. The risk of knee injuries has also been reduced as the knee guard in the driver's area now has more space to deform. Another new safety feature is the eye-level Light Emitting Diode (LED) brake light on the rear window. As LED lights come on far more rapidly than a standard light bulb, road users behind the car are given an earlier warning that the brakes are being applied. On the other end of the car, new headlights feature two internal reflectors and illuminate the road with ten percent more light than their 1997 counterparts.
For 1998, all Volvos have the following safety equipment:
Optimized Driving Pleasure
One of the Volvo 850's most impressive characteristics has been its dynamic road handling. Volvo believes the driver should "feel" the road, since an informed driver is better prepared to react to emergency driving situations. Volvo has done a tremendous amount of work on the S70 and V70 to further improve suspension characteristics. The emphasis has been placed on enhancing comfort while simultaneously improving driving characteristics. Even the optional sport suspension has been reworked to enhance driveability without sacrificing comfort. On the standard and sport suspensions, this has been primarily achieved by optimizing shock absorber and stabilizer bar characteristics. The unique Delta-Link rear axle adds to the final result: one of the best chassis in the world.
New Engine for 1998
Borrowing from last year's 850R, but adding some spice, all S70 and V70 T5s will have the high pressure turbocharged 850R engine, rated at 236 hp, with 243 lb/ft of torque. The torque has been increased by 22 lb/ft over the 1997 "R" engine. Also, for the first time, all T5s will be available with either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission. The base S70 and V70 engine is naturally aspirated with 168 horsepower and is available with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. The S70 and V70 GLT features a High Torque/Low Rev engine with 198 horsepower and 199 lb/ft of torque that is available at 1800 rpm.
New All-Wheel Drive V70
Tracking straight for the SUV market, Volvo introduces the very versatile V70 All-Wheel Drive. While SUV's are known for their traction on loose road surfaces, they also come with a host of drawbacks. Volvo has melded its famous safety engineering, with desirable creature comforts, on it's proven V70 Sportswagon platform, and integrated all-wheel drive technology into an almost unstoppable Sportswagon. Three key components direct torque, as needed and without driver intervention, to the wheel that provides best traction in almost any given situations. Up front next to the modified automatic transmission is a transfer differential. Just in front of the rear differential is a viscous coupling, the major element of the AWD drive system. Finally the rear drive unit is a modified independent rear differential assembly from the S90/V90 series. The viscous coupling directs torque to either the front or rear wheels depending on wheel slippage. AWD operation is totally transparent to the driver, in fact it is a kin to an automatic transmission. While SUV advertisements would lead us to believe that we all drive in jungles, ford streams, and routinely transverse sand dunes, the reality is that a group of everyday drivers need assistance when road conditions deteriorate making travel difficult. Volvo's V70 AWD is an attractive alternative to SUV's. While providing a level of comfort, safety engineering and traditional Volvo values not commonly found in the truck like offerings.
C70 Coupe
Embodying Volvo's future, the C70 Coupe brings a new level of styling to what was once considered `boxy styling'. Pure in form, with strong, aggressive overtones, the C70 is as quick as it is agile. With 236 horsepower and 243 lb/ft of torque the powerful enough to take on most super sedan or coupes. The C70 is available with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Personalizing a Volvo
New to the 1998 models, the Volvo S70 and V70 are being sold through a flexible model system in which customers can combine a wide variety of equipment in order to have cars that match individual preferences, needs and budgets. With the S70 and V70, Volvo is aiming to reach customers with high requirements for design, safety, driving pleasure and quality. Volvo expects its customers to be modern, active people who take responsibility, not simply for themselves but also for other people and for the environment.
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