Volvo 2000 Models (1) S80 Series
Packed with the most advanced Volvo technology, the S80 Series made its debut in May of last year, developed as a serious entry into the luxury saloon field. Representing a tireless effort to achieve a new Volvo design, the world's top level of safety comfort, and outstanding engine performance while considering the environment, the S80 is the "ultimate in Volvo perfection." Its safety technology includes features adopted into this series for the first time, such as the WHIPS anti-whiplash safety seat and an Ôinflatable curtainÕ airbag that protects the passenger head area in the event of a side collision. The results of the Side Collision Tests published in July of this year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency (NHTSA) of the United States Department of Transport awarded the S80 (1999 model) its top score of five stars. It was the first and only one of the 91 models subjected to the test to have obtained five star rating for both the driver's seat and the rear passenger seats.
It was the first and only one of the 91 models subjected to the test to have obtained five star rating for both the driver's seat and the rear passenger seats.
The introduction in September last year of the S80 T-6 and the S80 2.9 versions incorporating a transversely mounted in-line six cylinder engine that delivers high performance was followed in February of this year by the Japan launch of the S80 2.4 version sporting a transversely mounted in-line five cylinder engine. Although the 2000 models do not represent a radical departure from the previous year's models, Volvo's latest DSTC (dynamic stability and traction control) has been newly introduced into the traction control system of the in-line six cylinder versions, the S80 T-6 and the S80 2.9.
Lineup of 2000 Model S80 Series
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Line-up
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Vehicle list price (yen)
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Engine/total displacement (cc)
Maximum power & maximum torque
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Steering wheel location
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Transmission
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S80 2.4
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5,100,000
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DOHC in-line, 5-cylinder (transverse, 20-valve)/2,434 cc
170 ps/5,700 rpm, 23.5 kgm/4,500 rpm
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Right
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5 speed
automatic
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S80 2.9
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5,800,000
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DOHC in-line, 6-cylinder (transverse, 24-valve)/2,921 cc
200 ps/6,000 rpm, 28.6 kgm/4,200 rpm
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Right/left
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4 speed
automatic
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S80 T-6
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6,500,000
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Twin turbo-charger with intercooler
DOHC in-line, 6-cylinder (transverse, 24-valve)/2,782 cc
272 ps/5,400 rpm, 38.7 kgm/2,100-5,000 rpm
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Right/left
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4 speed
automatic
(Geartronic)
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DSTC
Volvo's advanced DSTC traction control system has been adopted in the S80 starting with the model year 2000 cars. In this system, sensors within the wheel constantly monitor the wheel rotating speed, while other sensors simultaneously monitor the yaw angle, steering wheel movement, and acceleration on the side of the car during cornering. A processor picks up the information (actualbehavior) from these sensors and compares it with the ideal vehicle movement. A system one might call the Ôinvisible hand,Õ detects when the steering movement does not match the vehicle movement, and, interlinked with the advanced ABS braking system, it controls the traction of the vehicle before it begins to slide sideways, appropriately correcting the vehicle's direction.
Volvo 2000 models (2) 70 and 40 Series
The 2000 model lineup will include nine versions of Volvo's mainstay 70 Series and another six versions of Volvo's 40 Series compact model. The topics here are the inclusion of dramatically improved engines and the addition to the lineup of special specification cars. These offer substantially improved Ôvalue for moneyÕ in the form of the V70 Nordic with a vehicle list price of ´4.7 million and the V40 Nordic priced at ¥3.45 million. The Nordic versions are models symbolizing the Volvo identity, reflecting the tradition and culture of Northern Europe and, more specifically, of Scandinavia itself.
Furthermore, volvo has sought to further enhance safety by equipping as standard its entire lineup with WHIPS anti-whiplash seats and by adopting side air bags with a reinforced head protection function in the 40 series as well.
V70 Nordic
This model entered the lineup from model year 1999. Incorporating a 2.4 liter DOHC 20 valve engine, it debuted as a special specification car including equipment such as a roof spoiler, redwood paneles special aluminum wheels and an AM/FM cassette stereo with a built-in CD player.
The 2000 model comes with a low friction engine featuring a variable valve mechanism, delivering a maximum power of 170 ps at 6,100 rpm and a maximum torque of 23.5 kgm at 4,800 rpm, coupled with a five-speed automatic transmission. Despite the addition of extras such as the WHIPS* whiplash prevention system, STC (stability and traction control)** advanced traction control system and a pollen filter* that prevents particles from entering the vehicle, the price has not increased.
* Provided as standard equipment in all 70 series cars from 2000 year models.
** Provided as standard equipment in all 70 series cars from 2000 year models, excluding full four wheel drive models.
V40 Nordic
The V40 Nordic is a special specification car that has been newly added from the 2000 model series. Compared with the similarly priced 1999 model V40 2.0, it comes with a redesigned low friction engine with a variable valve mechanism, providing a maximum power of 136 ps at 5,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 19.4 kgm at 4,000 rpm. Additional standard equipment includes attractive and advanced items such as WHIPS*, newly-designed SIPS side air bags* featuring a head protection function, a power-driven driver's seat, black wood panels, a pollen filter*, a roof spoiler, remote controlled door locks*, and an AM/FM cassette stereo with a built-in CD player, making its value-for-money performance the best yet.
* Provided as standard equipment in all 40 series cars from 2000 year models
Adoption of redesigned engine and five-speed automatic transmission
The naturally aspirated engines in the 70/40 Series lineup of the 2000 models have all been improved and redesigned (RN engine: low friction engine with a variable valve mechanism, previously incorporated in the S80 2.9 and S80 2.4). This engine has been equipped with a CVVT (continuous variable valve timing) system on its air intake cam shaft that improves combustion efficiency and contributes to enhancing driving characteristics, quietness and better fuel consumption. In addition, the five-speed fully automatic transmission with a newly developed self-learning function, previously used in the S80 2.4, has been adopted into the models of the 70 Series incorporating the NA engine (S70 2.4, V70 2.4 and 70 Nordic).
Other Display Topics
New ISOFIX compatible child seats
One of the areas where Volvo has been accumulating research for many years is in assuring the safety of children in cars. In 1972, long before laws regarding child seats were enacted in many countries, Volvo developed and introduced its own rearward facing child safety seat. Since then, while vigorously pursuing research and development of a number of new products in this area, Volvo has put together a child safety program, based upon the company's own safety standards, that meticulously supports children's ages and body types.
At the 1999 show Volvo will be exhibiting a new ISOFIX (International Standardization Organization) compatible child seat that is the latest fruit of their research, which both simplifies the assembly of the seat and prevents incorrect installation. The Volvo rear-facing child seat is composed of an ISOFIX frame and two types of seat modules. This frame can be used for both seat modules, with the smaller seat intended for infants up to a maximum of nine months, while the larger seat is for toddlers ranging from nine months to around three years of age
