Volvo Cars have a long and amazing history that spans over years and decades. Starting from 1927, to today, they have been manufacturing cars for over eighty years. And over the years, they have only improved.

Volvo Company, founded by Assar Gabrielson and Gustaf Larsson, produced its first car in a small factory at Hisingen, Gothenburg on the 4th of April in the year 1927. It was an open car with a four- cylinder engine and was called the Volvo OV4. They also produced the PV4 saloon. However, they were not successes and only 297 models were sold in that year. This was followed by two successful years with the PV651, the TR671 and the TR672 being released. Also, a more luxurious version of the PV651, called the PV652 was released. Volvo also bought the Hinsingen Factory where the cars were made.

In 1932, they passed a manufacturing landmark when they manufactured the 10,000th car. They made the first Volvo bus as well, which was called the LV70B. From 1933 to 1943, many new cars, buses and taxis were released. These were more modern and had many features that are seen in cars today. However after this, there was a difficult period for Volvo. The Second World War had broken out and this restricted the production of cars. But the year 1944 saw a significant change in the form of the Volvo PV444 and PV544. These dominated the Volvo car production till around the mid 1960’s and even caught the interest of the American market. They also released the popular Volvo 120 which was also called the Amazon.

These cars were far safer and security was even then, a main concern. The first car produced the Volvo company was the P1800, which rose to fame with Roger Moore. By 1964, the Volvo Company was pretty much booming. They had set up a company in Sweden that was capable of producing 200,000 cars a year. In 1966, the Volvo 140 family came into the market and the company hoped to secure their position with them. There were both saloon and estate models of these released, hoping to catch different people in the market.

The Volvo Company was also evolving and many new features like crumple zones, rear facing child seats, collapsible steering columns, side collision protection, and three way catalytic converter. In the 1970’s, Volvo sales soared with the release of the Volvo 240 and Volvo 340 series. In 1982, the Volvo 700 took the company into an exclusive market. The Volvo 400 replaced the 340 series and was extremely popular as it had more interior space and excellent road handling facilities.

In 1991 a new Volvo was released called the Volvo 850. It was the first front-wheel executive car and had a five-cylinder engine. It was a pleasure to drive and won great praise. They had proposed a merger with Renault but that did not come through. However, this turned out to be a boon for Volvo. This allowed the Volvo Company to develop the sleeker and smoother S40 and V40, which were instant hits. They merged safety, style and comfort and all of the other traditional values of the Volvo Company. With the 1998 Volvo S80 sedan the 1999 V70 wagon, they brought new meaning for the phrase ‘traveling in style’. In 2000, the Volvo S60 came out and in 2002, the Volvo XC90 was released. In 2003, the Volvo S40 and V50 were produced and in 2005, the C70 was released. The year 2006 saw the release of the Volvo C30.

By: N Baulch

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Along with their long history of car making, Volvo Cars have also evolved as a company that makes and sells only those cars that are prime examples of their philosophy. At eVolvoCars Neil Baulch looks at the Company and it’s cars.

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Positioned as Volvo’s entry to the “small premium utility segment” the Volvo XC60 being releasing late Feb 2009 will take on the likes of Audi Q5, BMW X5, Acura RDX, and the Infiniti EX35. Building upon its “safety first” tagline, the company has added a variety of features that maximizes performance, safety and fun to its newest model. It emphasizes high-tech content, style, and unbeatable capability.

Luxurious Styling on the Inside Out
The Volvo XC60 being released on late Feb 2009 reflects the company’s new design goals. Sporting a larger logo, a broader shoulder line, and a grille, the XC60 presents a bold and muscular appeal. Yet, despite its more pronounced styling, the new automobile cannot be mistaken for anything but a Volvo. It integrates traditional styling cues that the company is renowned for. The exterior of the XC60 is eye-catching but it would be a mistake not to look into its interiors.

The vehicle’s interior features the slim center stack which was first introduced in the S40. It is furnished with your choice of brushed metal or matte wood. The seats are upholstered with the X-theme, a two-tone leather stitched pattern that provides a choice of “cross county”, “cross city”, and “cross over”. As is expected from Volvo, the seats of the XC60 not only provide sufficient support, it is very comfortable as well.

Using a contrasting mix of materials including wood, brushed metal, soft-touch plastics, and leather, the surface inside the cabin is undeniably luxurious and appealing. There is plenty of headroom in all seats as well as sufficient rear legroom. In addition, the Volvo XC60’s rear tailgate opening is designed to be the widest in its category. If the second row upright, the model provides a generous 30.8 cubic feet of cargo. And if it is folded flat, you will have enough space for almost anything you need to haul to and from your home.

Power and Performance
Sharing the basic architecture with its XC70 and S80 cousins, the Volvo XC60 being releasing late Feb 2009 has an engine that is transversely mounted as well. The 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine has a six-speed automatic transmission, an available sport mode, and the capability to produce 281 hp. The 295 lb-ft of toque provides plentiful power in the rev engine. Acceleration is expectedly smooth and flawless.

Focus on Safety
Volvo automobiles are known for safety because of a reason: safety is its primary consideration. Although the Volvo XC60 being releasing late Feb 2009 is not a small car, it provides a balanced ride that defies its built. Its steering is precise, the chassis is designed to minimize body roll, and the braking performance is excellent. The Four-C option active chassis system will also provide drives with three settings including Advanced, Comfort, and Sport. It allows the driver to adjust the setting according to personal preference and road condition.

Research shows that 75% of accidents occur at low speeds. In an effort to mitigate these accidents, Volvo introduced a feature aptly named “City Safety”. It uses a laser sensor that detects cars and other objects that are within 13 feet of the front bumper. The system will automatically apply the brakes if it determines that a collision is probable. The Volvo XC60 also uses other safety systems at high speeds. These features include a collision warning, lane-departure warning, and trailer-towing stability system.

By: Robert Foster

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Melanie Datu is a writer and a car enthusiast who has been relying on Macarthur Automotive for a good quality vehicle investment. She had purchased one car from Macarthur Automotive and is looking to purchase another one from them. Melanie had recommended Macarthur Automotive to her friends and to those who are looking for quality used and new cars in Sydney.

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Tony is an online marketer and writer. He is currently researching new Volvo cars and the New Volvo C30

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