Volvo C70

It was a good year in 2005 for Volvo. Volvo Car Australia improved sales by better than three percent for the second year running.

In particular, all-wheel-drive XC70 and seven-seat XC90 performed strongly leading the premium SUV segment in year-on-year growth.

For 2006, Volvo Car will continue its winning ways with the introduction of several new model specifications – namely the S40 S and V50 S – to sharpen the value position for its sedan and wagon range. In effect, Volvo Car will widen its potential customer base by providing a consistent price walk through its model range – beginning with the S40 S (with Geartronic automatic) at $39,950 to the XC90 T6 at $79,950.

"An economist may have an impressive term for our value repositioning," said Alan Desselss, General Manager of Volvo Car Australia. "I call it a smart business move which will introduce new customers to Volvo."

"I look at the four essential elements – safety, quality, performance and value – and Volvo is well positioned with each model across the premium segments," said Desselss. "With those elements in place, we're confident in 2006."

S40 S & V50 S

At $39,950, the S40 S will play an important role in Volvo's aggressive strategy and offer genuine consumer appeal. The S40 S offers a long list of comfort features as well as Volvo's proven safety features such as the highly praised whiplash WHIPS system, Inflatable Curtain (IC) and side-impact SIPS occupant protection system.

The 125kW, 2.4-litre five-cylinder engine and five-speed Geartronic automatic give S40 S and V50 S a legitimate performance edge in a market segment populated by four-cylinder competitor models.

Volvo V50 T5 AWD

The S40 S is joined by the V50 S wagon at $42,950. Both the S40 S and V50 S are built in Europe at Volvo's Ghent plant in Belgium. It is true to say Volvo is European designed, European engineered and European built.

S40 T5 AWD & V50 T5 AWD

Topping the S40 and V50 range, Volvo Car Australia introduces all-wheel-drive agility to the already quick, turbocharged 162kW S40 T5 and V50 T5. All-wheel drive is achieved using a computer-controlled Haldex-Volvo coupling to engage drive to the rear differential.

The all-wheel-drive S40 T5 AWD and V50 T5 AWD replace the front-drive T5 sedan and wagon immediately.

V70 LE wagon
The V70 LE wagon rejoins Volvo's MY06 model range at $52,950.

V70 LE is powered by a 125kW, inline 2.4-litre five-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic. With world-leading occupant protection, leather upholstery, leather steering wheel, power driver's seat with memory, wood interior inlay, 60/40 split rear seat with luggage net, in-built child booster cushions, IAQS cockpit air filtration system, and an exceptional sound system, the V70 is functional, versatile and excellent value.

Seen as the quintessential Volvo, the V70 LE is expected to immediately regain sales dominance in the premium wagon segment.

S60 LE and S60 AWD Repositioning
In keeping with the value and specification adjustments to the S40 sedan range, the larger S60 LE and S60 AWD also receive attention. The S60 LE is now priced at $49,950, while the 154kW, turbocharged 2.5-litre S60 AWD is realigned at $59,950. Both models are equipped with leather interior, five-speed automatic, IAQS, power driver's seat with memory, and world-leading occupant protection.

Volvo sedan price walk:
S40 S – $39,950
S40 LE – $44,950
S60 LE – $49,950
S40 T5 AWD – $54,950
S60 AWD – $59,950
S80 2.5T – $75,950

Volvo wagon and SUV price walk:
V50 S – $42,950
V50 LE – $47,950
V70 LE – $52,950
XC70 SE – $56,950
V50 T5 AWD – $57,950
XC70 LE – $64,950
XC90 LE – $69,950
XC90 T6 – $79,950

C70 Convertible
The all-new C70 Convertible will be revealed at the Melbourne Motor Show on February 9. The unique three-piece metal hardtop converts the C70 from coupe to convertible at the push of a button. The three-metal roof panels tuck away neatly; yet still allowing for storage space.

The C70 will arrive in Australian dealerships during the third quarter. Two performance and specification levels will be offered: the 125kW C70 2.4i and turbocharged 162kW C70 T5.

While the C70 was designed totally in-house at Volvo Car (Southern California and Gothenburg design centres), the all-new convertible will be built in Sweden at the Uddevalla plant by Pininfarina Sverige AB, a joint-venture company 60 percent owned by Pininfarina and 40 percent owned by Volvo Cars.

© Copyright 2006 Driveguide.com.au

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