Volvo developing 300-hp C30 with AWD

Rumors of a new Volvo hot hatch have gotten hot again with talk of a new 300-horsepower C30 for Europe. According to reports, the new model would be powered by the same 2.5-liter inline-five cylinder turbo engine that powers the new Ford Focus RS. One difference between the two cars, which share a similar platform, is that the Swedish beauty would be offered with a Haldex all-wheel drive system in contrast to the Blue Oval's torque-steer inducing front-engine, front-drive layout. Larger 20-inch wheels ought to fill out the arches quite nicely, and a special body kit should bring the whole look closer to the tarmac. To keep demand high, Volvo may limit the new model to 4,500 units worldwide, though we have no idea where it will offer the hatch besides the U.K. Considering that the Swedish automaker has diluted its R-nameplate, we're also not certain what this performance-minded C30 will be called, but we're sure it'll be the most fun we've had in a Volvo for quite a long time.


[ Via: Autocar ]
[ Tag: volvo, volvo c30, volvo c30 hatchback, volvo c30 r, volvo c30 r-design, volvo c30r, VolvoC30, VolvoC30Hatchback, VolvoC30r, VolvoC30R-design ]

Volvo looks to locusts to prevent accidents

If you think your morning commute looks (and feels) like a bunch of insects randomly swarming toward a multitude of random destinations, you'd be mostly right. But only mostly. Research by the Insect Vision Laboratory shows that like your fellow rush-hour drivers, swarming African locusts are busy calculating the position, direction and speed of the other travelers around them. Unlike all those other drivers, African locusts never run into each other. We'd be willing to argue that's definitive proof most drivers are dumber than common insects.
Volvo, however, sees more than just the obvious. Instead, they see a possible way to keep all those clueless drivers safe by studying just how those locusts are able to avoid collisions.
But there's a lot of work to do before the automaker can put nature to work on the streets. The researchers theorize that the bugs can easily miss hitting each other because they're somehow able to send information straight from their sensory organs to their wings, completely bypassing their simplistic brains. That ability to instantly translate data into action keeps the locusts crash free. The problem is that currently automotive technology can't match the locusts' data-processing talents. So for at least the immediate future, have a little sympathy for those other guys out there. They actually are less intelligent than the bugs stuck in your grille.

[ Via: Wired ]
[ Tag: automotive safety, AutomotiveSafety, volvo, volvo safety, VolvoSafety ]

Ain't No Mountune High Enough: dealer-installed performance kit for Ford Focus ST

Click above for high-res gallery of the Mountune Ford Focus ST

After driving the hot Focus ST at Ford's Lommel Proving Grounds, we returned with a big smile on our faces... and an eager anticipation for the upcoming Focus RS. British customers are also anxiously awaiting the even hotter hatch, and Ford's Team RS knows it. That's why they've teamed up with ROUSH's British subsidiary Mountune again to offer a dealer-installed package to pump up the existing ST, JUST like the one they rolled out earlier this year for the smaller Fiesta ST, and also while the orders roll in for the full-fat Focus RS.

The package includes a bigger intercooler, high-flow air filter and recalibrated ECU, all good for an additional 34 hp to boost output from 225 PS (222 hp) to 260 PS (256 hp). The extra power promises to drop the 0-60 sprint down to a scant 5.9 seconds and on to 100 in just 14.1 seconds. The best part for British enthusiasts is that the £1,120 package can be installed to any new or used Focus ST at a range of dealerships across the Isles. Ford and Mountune promise an accompanying suspension package in the near future and further mods for additional Ford models before the year's through. Follow the jump for the press release and check out the images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Mountune Ford Focus ST

[ Via: Tags: european ford ]
[ Tag: european ford, EuropeanFord, ford, ford focus, ford focus st, ford mountune, ford roush, ford uk, FordFocus, FordFocusSt, FordMountune, FordRoush, FordUk, mountune, mountune focus st, mountune ford focus st, mountune roush, MountuneFocusSt, MountuneFordFocusSt, MountuneRoush, roush ]

Volvo to shed 900 jobs in Sweden

Amidst constant rumors of a sale of the Volvo brand, and the constant denials from Ford, the brand has seen some massive sales declines, both in Europe and in the United States. Even if Ford does choose to keep the brand, which does seem likely at the moment, fewer cars to sell means fewer workers needed. The latest round of cuts is said to amount to about 900 jobs in 2009, all of which could come from its home country of Sweden. An entire shift will be canceled at its plant in Goteborg in the western side of the country, which may or may not include a portion of those 900 job losses. It would appear that new president and CEO Stephen Odell has his work cut out for him as he attempts to turn the automaker around.


[ Via: The Detroit News ]
[ Tag: goteborg, goteborg sweden, GoteborgSweden, volvo, volvo job, volvo job cuts, volvo jobs, VolvoJob, VolvoJobCuts, VolvoJobs ]

Paris Preview: Volvo ultra efficient diesel DRIVe trio

Volvo's presence at the Paris Motor Show next month will center around three new ultra-efficient diesel-powered models that maximize fuel efficiency and, in turn, reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The DRIVe C30, S40 and V50 models are all motivated by a 1.6-liter turbo-diesel inline-four mated to a five-speed manual transmission with longer gear ratios in 3rd, 4th and 5th to maximize efficiency. While that's nothing new (the 1.6-liter has been around for some time), what's unique is the attention to aerodynamics, most of which were originally previewed on the C30 ReCharge concept from the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The trio of Volvos all benefit from a 10mm lower ride height, a covered radiator to reduce air turbulence, wind deflectors ahead of the front wheels and unique rollers wrapped in low rolling resistance Michelin tires. The S40 and V50 cribbed the T5's front spoiler and the C30 gets a new rear bumper design, hatch-mounted spoiler and underbody trays.
All this adds up to 76 mpg in Europe's combined cycle testing, and, perhaps just as important to customers abroad, emissions of less than 120 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
After the three models debut in Paris, production will begin in November and sales will start in Europe at the beginning of 2009. Best of all, the DRIVe equipment only commands a 150 to 450 euro premium over the standard 1.6-liter diesel model. Check out Volvo's full press release below the fold.

[ Via: Autoblog (Volvo) ]
[ Tag: ]

Stephen Odell appointed Volvo CEO and President

The last time we heard the name Stephen Odell, it was in connection to a list of possible replacements for current CEO Alan Mulally. While we aren't here to report on the top executive position at Ford, Odell has been tapped as Fredrik Arp's replacement as CEO of Volvo. Arp, who is leaving the automaker for other pursuits, had been serving as Volvo CEO and President since his appointment in October of 2005. Starting in October of this year, Odell will be responsible for leading Volvo towards "sustained profitability", something not seen by the Swedish automaker in quite a while. According to the newly-appointed CEO, the Volvo brand will continue to stand for "safety, environmental concern and its Scandinavian design." Frederik Arp is the third Ford exec outside the U.S. to leave in the last few weeks, following Bill Osborne -- the previous President of Ford Australia -- and Barry Engle, who had been serving as Ford of Canada's top official.
PRESS RELEASE
STEPHEN ODELL APPOINTED PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF VOLVO CAR CORPORATION

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 2, 2008 – Ford Motor Company today announced the appointment of Stephen Odell as president and chief executive officer of Volvo Car Corporation, replacing Fredrik Arp, who has decided to leave the company.

Effective Oct. 1, Odell, 53, will be responsible for Volvo's global operations out of its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, and lead the company's drive toward sustained profitability through continued restructuring and the accelerated development of high-quality, fuel-efficient and safe vehicles in the premium end of the market.

Odell, who has played a key role in Ford of Europe's resurgence as its chief operating officer, will report to Lewis Booth, executive vice president of Ford Motor Company and chairman of Volvo Car Corporation, who will continue to oversee the strategic direction of Volvo.

"Stephen Odell brings to Volvo a wealth of experience of strong leadership in the automotive industry," said Alan Mulally, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company. "Given his strong track record at Ford, Jaguar and Mazda, the time is now right for Stephen to take up this new challenge at Volvo. I believe that Stephen is the right person – together with Lewis Booth and the Volvo Cars Management Team – to take Volvo forward and to return the business to sustainable profitability."

Booth thanked Fredrik Arp for his leadership of Volvo over the past three years, a period in which Volvo reduced costs and strengthened its product lineup despite a difficult business environment and challenges presented by adverse currency exchange rates and other external factors.

"Fredrik has steered the Volvo team through some difficult times since joining the company three years ago. His wide experience in business has been a strong asset in helping to develop and implement Volvo's plan to improve its business results.

"Fredrik has decided that now is the right time to hand over to a new president and CEO, Stephen Odell, who will lead the Volvo team through the next stage of its recovery."

Odell said he is excited to lead Volvo at an important time in the company's history.

"Volvo is one of the great iconic automotive brands," Odell said. "The very attributes that make Volvo distinctively Swedish – its heritage of safety, environmental concern and its Scandinavian design -- appeal to customers around the globe. Our strategy is to enhance the premium nature of Volvo by further strengthening these attributes. Volvo really is the auto brand for today's customers.

"We have a restructuring plan in place that will help to deliver a more competitive business and that enables Volvo to continue to build upon its core strengths. Volvo will adopt a more stand-alone approach within Ford Motor Company, while still leveraging product development and purchasing synergies with other Ford operations."

Before he was appointed chief operating officer of Ford of Europe in April 2008 responsible for product development, manufacturing, purchasing, and marketing, sales and service operations, Odell served as Ford of Europe's vice president of marketing, sales and service for nearly three years.

Prior to that, he held several senior level positions at Mazda Motor Corporation from 2000 to 2005. From 1997 to 2000, Odell was vice president, marketing and sales, Jaguar North America. Stephen Odell joined Ford of Britain in 1980 as a graduate trainee. A native of London, he is married with two children.

# # #

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 230,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

[ Via: Autoblog (Volvo) ]
[ Tag: stephen odell, StephenOdell, volvo, volvo ceo, volvo president, VolvoCeo, VolvoPresident ]