Volvo V70 D5 RANGE
Want Volvos D5 Diesel Engine In One Of The Swedish Makers Classic Large Estates? The Choice Is Narrowed To A V70. Not That Youll Feel Hard Done By In Any Way, As Andy Enright Reports
Think of
Volvo and you automatically think of estates capable of swallowing a supertanker and polishing off a quarter of a million miles whilst hardly breaking a sweat. Top-notch diesel engines, on the other hand, have never really been the Swedes forte. Volvo look to have rectified this last oversight with the V70 D5 diesel range.
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Of course, weve seen
Volvo diesels in the past, but theyve never been state-of-the-art. In fact, theyve never actually been Volvo units, sourced instead from other manufacturers such as
Renault. Two factors have forced the Swedish company to act. With rising fuel prices and a public perception of Volvos being thirsty cars, sales of their V70 estates had started to slump.
The second factor was the consequent rise in sales of diesel cars in this sector. An increasing proportion of sales are being won by diesel cars, due in no small part to the excellence of the best diesel engines around today. Volvo looked long and hard at the sector and realised that
BMW,
Audi and Mercedes were all making excellent diesel units and, not wishing to be left behind, they embarked on a programme to punch their weight in the diesel marketplace. Bankrolled by the bottomless pockets of paymasters
Ford, Volvo came up with an engine that nailed the bullseye straight away.
"Volvo have come up with an engine that looks to have nailed the bullseye straight away"
Based on their 2.4-litre all aluminium five-cylinder engine, the D5 has in recent times received more power (up from 163 to 185bhp) and additional strengthening to cope with the torque loading and stresses of a diesel unit and Volvo seem to have got things admirably right first time. Talking torque, the D5 now generates a healthy 400Nm at just 1750rpm, which is very comparable to the 260bhp T5 petrol unit. Dont be tempted to think that this amount of lugging power comes at the expense of refinement.
Twist the key and youll get a slight thrum thatll remind you which pump to pull up at but nothing thats going to make you invest in an uprated stereo system to drown out the din. On a par with the better diesels from Audi and Mercedes, if not quite BMW standard, engine noise is well controlled even when ascending the rev range, when the engine takes on an impressive, albeit muted, induction roar like a very powerful petrol engine. Unleashing all 185bhp is certainly an impressive exercise, as unlike so many diesel engines, theres a useable amount of flexibility to be had near the top end of the rev band, although a bit of a hole exists at the bottom end. So, a diesel that revs like a decent petrol engine and sounds like one too does it have the performance to match? To be frank, no it doesnt.
Those chaps at Volvo may be clever but they cant manage the impossible, especially when you factor in the V70 D5s 44mpg average economy figure. Still a sprint to 60mph in 8.5 seconds is hardly lethargic and a top speed of 140mph will be enough for all but the most speed addled. Its also worth remembering that theres an AWD (All Wheel Drive) version of the V70 D5 for more secure handling.
The engine features a number of firsts. Not only is it Volvos first stab at an oil burner, but its also the first to use Boschs second-generation common rail fuel injection system boasting higher injector pressures. This means a more consistent injection cycle, better fuel economy and fewer emissions. Buyers choose between three different trim levels S, Sport or SE but whichever model you choose, expect to find it decently equipped at prices starting from £25,913.
There are 163bhp 2.4D models on offer from around £1,000 less if budget is an issue. 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. Sport chips in with the expected bigger alloys, spoiler and sports suspension.
The SE variants meanwhile, also boast climate control, front foglamps, a trip computer and leather upholstery. Volvo claims a rear-seats-down capacity of 1641 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, this 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 cutoff 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 D5 diesel puts the big Volvo estate back on the map.
Whilst the V70 has always been an excellent car, its relevance was starting to be called into question. Heres an estate that reminds us how Volvo came to become a byword for large load luggers.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volvo V70 2.4 D5 diesel range
PRICES: £25,913-£29,558 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 179g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.5s /Max Speed 140mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 31.4mpg/ (extra urban) 51.4mpg/ (combined) 41.5mpg
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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