Smart Auto Moto

Volvo Releases 2008 C70 Pricing

For 2008 Volvo reinvents its hardtop convertible C70 with more horsepower technology and some fine detailing.

Under the hood of the 2008 C70 is a ninehorsepower bump. The turbocharged 2.5liter inline five now has 227 horsepower from 218 hp on the previous version. For the front driver the customers can choose between a sixspeed manual and a fivespeed automatic gearbox.

The C70′s folding hardtop mechanism is new for the model year. And instead of the aluminum trim of the first model year the 2008 model uses Laminated Oak wood trim has been added to the center control panel console and door handle surrounds. On the steering wheel are leather trim and the gearshift knob. For a more durable arrangement the handbrake has been improved. Aside from this the clock has moved it is now seen on the information screen.

For better performance handling and safety Volvo also placed a standard tirepressure monitoring system as well as improved air vents. On the hardtop convertible button a brighter finish is definitely observable. Moreover the Volvo “iron mark” has been added to the remote key fob another distinctive feature from the car maker.

As to the paint colors Ice White paint is now offered for the latest model alongside Pearl White. The car also now comes with a premium Sovereign Hide leather trim.

To those who want to grab a 2008 car from this Swedish supplier you can now budget the total cost as Volvo released pricing on many of its 2008 models.

The C30 and the new T6 turbo engine in the S80 sedan are introduced for the said year. For the T5 “Version 1.0.” the C30s pricing will start at 22700 while the “Version 2.0″ has an MSRP of 25700 both having a turbocharged fivecylinder engine that yields 227 horsepower. Since the new T6 turbo in the S80 sedan is the major change for 2008 it definitely gets the major change on the engine. The T6 AWD model whose price starts at 42045 comes with a 3.0liter inline sixcylinder engine that yields 285 hp. For the 3.2 frontwheeldrive version prices remain at 38705. But the price for the allwheeldrive S80 with V8 engine increases almost 2000 from 47350 to 49210.

From 39090 this year the C70 for 2008 now costs 39240.

The prices of the aforementioned cars exclude the freight cost of 745.

Major reinventions plus a 9hp increase to 227 hp are seen on the S40 and V50 wagon whose prices for 2008 begin at 24365 for the S40 and 26815 for the V50. As to the top AWD T5 versions of the two models they are priced respectively at 30365 and 31565. The current V50 models have the price range of 26690 to 30190.

According to Volvo their company will release next year the pricing for the 2008 V70 and XC70.

About Volvo

Based in Sweden Volvo Group is a supplier of commercial transport solutions. They produce products such as trucks buses and construction equipment drive systems for marine and industrial applications and aerospace components and provide financial services. Maker of quality Volvo oxygen sensor Volvo was then an auto manufacturer that was founded on April 14 1927 in the city of Gothenburg.

In Latin Volvo means “i roll” combined from “volvere”. In May 1911 the name Volvo was originally registered as a separate company within SKF AB and as a registered trademark along with the intention to be used for a special series of ball bearing. However this idea was only used for a short period of time because the SKF decided to use “SKF” as the trademark for its entire bearing products.

In August 10 1926 SKF Sales Manager Assar Gabrielsson and Engineer Gustav Larson set up the carmanufacturing business Volvo AB within SKF group. So in 1935 Volvo AB was introduced at the Stockholm stock exchange and SKF then decided to sell its shares in the company.

Volvo V 4 the first series produced Volvo automobile left the factory on April 14 1927. In effect this became the official date of Volvos foundation.

About the writer:  Zeke Gervis has a degree in Human Resource Management. He is an F1 fanatic and is a collector of racing memorabilias. At present he enjoys working at a consulting firm in Iowa.

Volvos New Safety Technology

The Volvo renowned for its safety vehicles is back with new safety technology which is guaranteed so as they claimed to reduce car accidents.

Volvos treasure trove of safety features includes the first laminated windscreens which were introduced in 1944 the lapsash seatbelt launched in 1959 and the drivers airbag in 1987. These safety features have been around for many years and have been implemented by various automakers as standard safety features of their vehicles. Volvos safety features were created before any legislative requirements were made. Through the years the Swedishbased subsidiary of Ford has continuously improve its car safety technology which are employed to its latest range of Volvos.

Among the new safety features that Volvo has created are the following: Driver Alert Control system which alerts tired as well as inattentive drivers the LDW system or the Lane Departure Warning system and a collision warning system with an automatic brake function that prevents fronttorear impacts.

The aforementioned safety features are now being implemented on Volvo vehicles. Take for instance the new S80 which is equipped with a collision warning system with brake support. According to the Swedish automaker the next in line is an auto brake system. The LDW is offered separately from the blindspot camera system which is offered as an option for local Volvos.

Todd Hallenbeck Volvo Cars Australia spokesman said that the Swedish automaker has recently become particularly focused on safety particularly in terms of preventive safety.

Volvo has based the development of its new safety technology on the research that shows around 90 percent of all crashes attributed to drivers being distracted. The DAC system together with the LDW system are samples of the safety features that Volvo created to address such particular problem. These safety features are part of the option package called the Driver Alert System which was introduced late last year in Europe particularly for Volvo models such as the S80 V70 and the XC70.

Ingrid Skogsmo Volvo Cars Safety Centre Director said that safety is the key philosophy of the company. She also said as quoted by Cars Guide: “When it comes to preventive safety we have the same approach as when we develop protective systems. In other words Volvo’s safety research and technical development focuses on areas where new technology can create significant positive results in reallife traffic.”

Volvo the producer of high quality Volvo grilles has created the DAC after studies showed that driver fatigue is a major safety concern around the world. The studies were conducted by Monash University Accident Research Centre in 1998. Their studies showed that around 25 percent and 35 percent of fatal crashes in Australia were attributed to fatigue. And basing on the data theyve collected the figures are likely to go higher especially for some types of crashes such as those similar to fatal singlevehicle semitrailer crashes.

The DAC system is activated at 65km/h and continues to be active even above 60km/h. the camera sensors as well as the control unit monitors the behavior of the driver. The camera also measures the distance between the car and its relation to the road lane markings.

And if for some reason the driver swerve off the road an audible signal is given alerting the driver. There is also a text message that appears in the cars information display such as a coffee cup symbol which means that driver should take a break.

The DAC works handinhand with the LDW which the Swedish automaker claimed can prevent around 30 percent to percent of singlevehicle crashes between 70km/h and 100km/h. The LDW gives off a warning chime whenever a driver crosses the road markings for no reason. Likewise the collision warning with autobrake function slows down the car whenever it senses an imminent impact.

About the writer:  Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.

Dos And Donts For Maintaining Your Classic Cars

Restoring a classic car back into its elegant shape is just the beginning of your hard work. In order to retain the value of the car and to keep it in proper shape you need to engage in maintenance work.

Maintenance is the part that’s most often overlooked by classic car owners. Some may think that cleaning and detailing a car is as simple as washing it and waxing away. The truth is improper practices might lead to a degradation of your car. In order to avoid that just read and keep in mind this very simple guide to maintaining your classic.

1. Do keep a schedule for maintenance work. You don’t need to do it everyday since it might take up a lot of time. Once a week will be fine for light maintenance like surfacecleaning the exterior and twice or once a month for vacuuming applying wax polishing and cleaning your engine.

2. Do wash your car first. If you apply polishers or wax on a dusted car there’s a good chance that you’ll ruin the paint. Use great cleaning products that wash and catch dirt and dust while still being pHbalanced.

3. Don’t airdry the classic car. If you airdry the car you will find yourself in a bigger mess than what you possibly have started with. Waterspots will form. Use cotton detailing cloths and wipe off the excess water. These cloths are nonabrasive and could soak up water real good.

4. Don’t use siliconebased protectants when cleaning the rubber and vinyl of the interior. Siliconebased protectants leave oily residues which serves as a magnet to dust. Use waterbased protectants instead.

5. Do clean every inch of your interior even the vents. Use a small brush specialized for cleaning the small parts of the car. Any other brush will just leave hairs behind and could probably clog up a vent. And don’t forget the floor matsshake them off and vacuumclean them.

6. Don’t use polishers unless the paint won’t shine even with all the cleaning. Polishers work by scraping’ off the surface paint thus revealing a new layer. If you use it too often the paint will thin down too much.

7. Do wax the car especially after polishing. Wax protects your classic car’s paint. What would be better is if you apply a paint sealant first and apply car wax after. This will protect your car for a good two months at the least and if your sealant is a good one maybe even up to six months. But of course you still need to clean your car.

8. Do clean your engine. Degrease the engine first with a good engine degreaser and wash it using a specialized engine brush and cleaning formulations. Dry your engine afterwards and apply wax and protectants.

9. Do clean the glass last. This is to avoid recontaminating it when cleaning the other parts of the classic car. Look for cleaners which are free from ammonia. Household glass cleaners are a big nono. They contain ammonia which dries out leather plastic and vinyl. Not too good for the other parts of your car or the glass itself especially if it’s tinted.

10. Don’t clean your car while it’s still hot. Make sure that the engine is cool and the paint has not been exposed in the sun for too long. Cleaning a hot car will only be more damaging.

11. And finally do use a properly fitted car cover to protect it from weather effects and dust. An enclosed garage is not enough. Car covers will make your paint last longer as well as keep dust and bugs away. It will save you much time as you won’t need to clean your car as frequently.

Maintenance is a lot of hard work but it really pays off. Follow these simple maintenance tips for your classic car and you will surely have a dazzlin’ and shinin’ ride.

About the writer:  Want to have your own classic car? Visit http://www.classicvehicleauction.com and find the widest variety of classic car deals. You’ll surely find one within your budget. Peter Grizzly is an ageold classic car enthusiast. He makes his living now by being a classic car trader.