Volvo V70 2.5T AWD RANGE
Volvo Obviously Ignored The Maxim About Powers Ability To Corrupt. This Four-Wheel Drive V70 Is Virtuosity Itself. Andy Enright Reports
Its taken a while, but Volvo finally seems to have twigged that putting serious power through the front wheels isnt a recipe for enjoyable driving. Given that the Swedes get through a fair bit of winter driving its doubly puzzling that the take up of all-wheel drive didnt come sooner. Nevertheless, the Volvo V70 AWD could well be the winter wonder wagon wed always wished for.
Remember the Volvo 850 T5 estates of the eighties? With an engine developing 225bhp, rock hard suspension and super-low profile tyres youd have thought it would have made mincemeat of most hot hatches on a twisty road. Yes, they rubbed a few noses in the gravel traps on the Touring Car circuits, but the road car was a different kettle of fish. Unleash the power and youd see the revs rise, hear the front tyres scrabbling desperately for grip and watch the speedometer needle make no appreciable progress whatsoever. It was even worse in the wet, whilst anybody who even managed to negotiate their driveway in snowy conditions in a T5, or worse still a T5-R, deserved a medal for outstanding car control.
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In short, the car appeared good on paper, but the traction shortcomings meant it was an absolute misery to drive in poor conditions.
"It would probably get from A to B in marginal conditions a lot quicker and more safely than a
Volvo T5 could ever contemplate."
Having learned their lesson from this, Volvo started to develop cleverer differentials and traction control systems to help harness the power, but in reality it found itself faced with a position that
Audi surmounted twenty years earlier. With an increasingly powerful range of cars all based on front-wheel drive architecture, the only practical way forward is through the provision of four-wheel drive. The latest Volvo V70 AWD range puts 200bhp through its four contact points, and is comfortably more powerful than the 140bhp and 170bhp versions of the V70 that rely on the front wheels to take care of power deployment and steering. The AWD also has a choice of manual or Geartronic automatic transmission.
It uses a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine but does without the XC-models macho body addenda and lofty ride height. The light-pressure turbocharger aids traction by doing away with the sudden rush of torque that old-school turbos developed, instead softening the power delivery and creating a far less spiky throttle response. The traction gets another important boost via the use of Volvos TRACS anti-spin system which automatically transfers power from spinning wheels to any offering grip so ensuring smooth progress on loose or slippery surfaces.
Of course, the V70 2.5T AWD doesnt compete with the fireball Volvo estates of the past, but a top speed of 130mph and the ability to hit 60mph in 7.8 seconds in wet or dry conditions give it a greater range of tools at its disposal. Its a far more mature proposition, the exterior devoid of any go-faster affectations, although it would probably get from A to B in marginal conditions a lot quicker and more safely than a Volvo T5 could ever contemplate.
The price of such progress is £27,418 for the S trim level, £29,268 for the jazzed-up Sport derivative or £29,918 for the largely similar SE. The S models get ABS, twin front and side airbags, all-round electric windows and air conditioning, wood-effect trim, alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel, an eight-speaker stereo system and cruise control. The Sports adds the usual large alloys, lowered suspension and spoiler. The SE variants meanwhile, also boast climate control, front foglamps, a trip computer and leather upholstery.
For those that arent in such a hurry, D5 diesel versions of the V70 AWD are also available and for those that are, the V70 R has an up-rated version of the 2.5-litre turbo engine along with AWD. Aside from the subtle badging, the AWD is much as youd expect from the increasingly popular V70 range. This estate-only model range shares much with the flagship S80 saloon, though its some 110mm shorter and 30mm narrower overall on a wheelbase shrunk also by 30mm.
Much has been made in Volvos advertising of the cars good looks but what customers in this sector really care about is load-lugging ability. They get it. Volvo claims a rear-seats-down capacity of 1,641 litres in a boot that is longer, wider and taller than that of the old V90, for so long the king of the Volvo estate castle. Nor has style been sacrificed at the altar of practicality.
Where the old V70 was all sharp angles and boxy looks, the new one is curvy all over. British designer Peter Horbury has cleverly decreased the amount the side glass curves from front to rear, for maximum style at the driving end and maximum carrying ability at the business end. A recent set of revisions has left few areas of the V70s make-up untouched. Amongst the cosmetic changes is a more streamlined bumper and grille set with clear rear lights being fitted to all models.
Volvos second-generation Four-C suspension system is available for the first time as an option on the V70 allowing the driver to choose Comfot or Sport settings. The cabin has also been spruced up. Safety? Take top-spec for granted; this is a new Volvo, after all. From previous models you get SIPS side impact protection, WHIPS whiplash protection, an inflatable curtain of head-level side airbags and the DSTC anti-skid system.
With the new V70 come dual-stage airbag inflation (determined by impact severity) and Isofix mountings for the optional rear-facing child
seat to ensure correct fitting every time you install Junior. The latest models also get a passenger airbag cut off switch and the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). This acts much like an extra set of eyes and utilizes digital camera technology mounted in the door mirrors to monitor the areas 3m to each side and up to 9.5m behind the driver, producing a warning light if theres anything lurking there.
The V70 2.5T AWD is a step in the right direction for a company that sells on safety. Quick, composed and reassuringly expensive, it wont be a big seller, but buyers will be satisfied with the V70 AWDs composure, power and bulletproof feel.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volvo V70 2.5T AWD range
PRICES: £27,418-£29,918 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 14
CO2 EMISSIONS: 250g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 7.8s /Max Speed 130mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 21.6mpg/ (extra urban) 39.2mpg/ (combined) 30.1mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver's airbag, side airbags, ABS, whiplash protection, Isofix child seat mounts
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4710/1804/1488mm
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