Volvo V70 RANGE
The V70 Range Has Evolved To Keep Abreast Of The Best Of The Rest. Andy Enright Spots The Differences
The V70 is rapidly becoming the iconic
Volvo model. Yes, the Swedish company can dally with coupes, 4x4s and Focus-sized saloons but ask anybody what car embodies the true essence of Volvo and it would definitely be this big estate. Think of it as Volvos equivalent of Porsches 911 a car that has become an indestructible totem of the marque. Both companies know that in order to maintain such a core products desirability, it needs to be kept in shape and the latest V70 comes equipped with a whole raft of improvements.
Not that theyre all particularly easy to spot. The key modifications most will notice include a more streamlined bumper and grille set with clear rear lights being fitted to all models. The old wiper system for the front lights has been replaced by a high pressure jetwash instead and the light lenses themselves are a lightweight plastic that offers better resistance to stone chipping. Volvo have also taken strides to increase the level of visual differences between S, SE and Sport trim levels.
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Sport and SE versions feature body coloured side mouldings, bumpers and spoilers while the SE versions additionally feature chrome strips on the bumpers. Prices start from £22,683. Theres more to this generation V70 than just some cosmetic tweaking, however, and its under the skin that most of the changes have been wrought. Volvos second-generation Four-C system is now available as an option on the V70.
This system enables drivers to choose from Comfort and Sport settings with resultant changes to the suspension and steering feel. The fire-breathing T5 version of the V70 has also been given a performance boost with a change from the old 2.3-lire engine up to 2.4-litres.
An extra 10bhp is also on offer, upping the peak power to a not inconsequential 260bhp and peak torque also rises to 350Nm (up from 330). Naturally this has an effect on the performance figures, the V70 T5 managing the sprint to 60mph 0.3 seconds quicker than before at 6.3 seconds and
Volvo being Volvo, the brakes have also been beefed up to cope with this additional urge.
It isnt just those who opt for the sportier V70 models who will feel the benefits. Buyers of 2.4-litre petrol or D5 diesel variants are also treated to a revised chassis setup that offers a livelier drive and better feedback. For the first time, speed-dependent power steering is also offered on D5 and BiFuel versions.
The D5 now has 185bhp to play with, while an additional 163bhp 2.4D diesel variant has been introduced for those not requiring the extra urge. Buyers of petrol-powered Volvo V70s will be pleased to hear that service intervals now stretch to 18,000 miles. Given the average period of Volvo V70 ownership, this should save quite a fair amount of cash in the long term.
"The V70 has become an indestructible totem of the Volvo marque"
Most of the V70 redesign budget has been blown on interior refurbishments. Rather than knock up an MDF finish and paint everything white, Volvos designers have gone further than offering a superficial makeover. A passenger airbag cutoff switch has been fitted in response to customers looking to carry child seats up front and theres another Volvo safety innovation that will doubtless find its way into many other rival cars. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) 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. If a vehicle enters this area, a symbol appears on the windscreen pillar near the rear view mirror to indicate that somethings there when you take a quick look towards the mirror. Active at speeds above 10km/h, this system isnt the only safety benefit buyers of the latest V70 enjoy. Special water repellent glass is fitted to the mirrors and side windows.
Water beads up on the glass and the airstream quickly clears it, leaving unimpeded visibility. The V70s cabin has also been spruced up with a revised aluminium trim and the deletion of the rather unconvincing wood effect trim in favour of genuine Californian walnut. The audio systems have been upgraded and the centre of the dashboard and the centre console both offer superior build quality and features with an armrest that doubles as a tray and cupholder. IKEA fetishists will probably like the sound of the V70 Sports revised
seat trim, Vestborg, finished in leather and silverweft.
Fortunately you arent expected to assemble said seats with a wholly inadequate Allen key. Height adjustment goes up by 12mm, the head restraints are slimmer and the adjustment controls are easier to fathom and smoother to operate. Theres also the option of Sovereign Hide soft feel leather on all V70s. Still, many V70 owners expect a little pampering.
Market research has shown the V70 to be a favourite second, third or even fourth vehicle amongst very high earners attracted by its low-key image and Scandinavian pragmatism. The V70 bears more than a passing resemblance to the flagship S80 saloon and there are a fair number of bits that are directly interchangeable. However, its some 110mm shorter and 30mm narrower overall on a wheelbase shrunk also by 30mm. Not a lot of difference then, but enough to drop their biggest estate one class size by Volvos measurements.
Its said that Volvos British-born design director Peter Horbury once penned a vehicle that combined a
Jaguar E-type front with a
Ford Transit rear. Luckily for estate car buyers, the V70 is no such horror. Certainly the tail is squared off but if you want an estate, dont you want load-lugging ability? And you get it, with Volvo claiming 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. Style has not been sacrificed at the altar of practicality.
Where the original first generation V70 was all sharp angles and boxy looks, the post-2000 model is curvy all over. Designer Horbury 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. That rear, as before, is distinguished by Volvos now-usual pillars of tail lights. The latest V70 is a real step forward for Volvo.
Virtually everything you can touch inside the latest car has been improved beyond recognition, Volvos reputation for solid but slightly clunky interiors having been ditched with the introduction of the slick S40/V50 twins. Now the V70 is up to speed and the changes are far reaching. They dont turn it into a drivers car of any great repute but the core values are now expressed stronger than ever before. You just dont mess with an icon.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volvo V70 range
PRICES: £22,683-£38,133 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 13-20
CO2 EMISSIONS: 177-261g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.5T AWD] 0-60mph 7.8s /Max Speed 130mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.5T AWD] (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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