The 2005 Volvo V50 Wagon

[turbocon86]

Not sure what Volvo is planning for this car. Possibly a mid-priced version of the V70?

See it here:
http://www.freep.com/autos/photos/autoshow_2004/05volvov50/index.htm

[Pennhaven]

Simply stated: V50 is to S40 as V70 is to S60. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

So it's more of a smaller sized lower priced cousin of the V70 as opposed to a lower priced version.

The new XC50 will be interesting too. The "SUV" of the smaller line, but looks more SUVish than the "crossover" XC70, more akin to the XC90.

[slender]

[quote=Pennhaven,Jan. 08 2004,11:50]Simply stated: V50 is to S40 as V70 is to S60. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Shouldn't that be V70 is to S80?

If you want an estate S80 you buy a V70. If you want a booted V70, check out the S80. I'm led to believe that is how the V50/S40 will be marketed.

Depending on what you read/believe the XC50 is finished before it started/the new Land Rover Freelander/due out in 2005. I hope it's the latter.

Perhaps this thread is one for Off Topic/2004+XC50??

[Raynald]

Looking at cars dimensions, I think Pennhaven is right about his match S40/V50 and S60/V70. Would'nt be surprised that 2005 be the last year of present S80 either.

http://xc70.com/iB_html/uploads/post-1-95954-sizediff.jpg

[slender]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Raynald @ Jan. 08 2004,13:05)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Looking at cars dimensions, I think Pennhaven is right about his match S40/V50 and S60/V70. Would&#39;nt be surprised that 2005 be the last year of present S80 either.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Hmmm, I&#39;m not sure. As a rear seat passenger hop out of a V70 and into the back of a S80 and apart from a lack of an estate rear the difference is negligible. Hop out of a V70 into the back of a S60 and (if the drivers seat is set back and you are older than 12) you will be nowhere near as comfortable - that&#39;s if you can get in at all.

[Chipshot]

I&#39;m with Pennhaven and Raynald. &nbsp;I had a 2001 S80 and it was noticeably wider inside than the V70. &nbsp;The S60&#39;s roofline (I think the design goal was to make it look more like a coupe than a sedan) resulted in rear seat room that feels tighter to me than an S40&#39;s. &nbsp;The S60 and V70 also have very similar (if not identical) instrument panels and consoles. &nbsp;Aren&#39;t the S60 and V70 done off the same platform as the S80, only shrunken a bit?

[Pennhaven]

The way I understand it, the estate (wagon) and SUV versions are &quot;10&quot; higher than the sedan they are based on. So the estate version of the S80, if there was one, would be the V90, but there is only an XC90 SUV and no wagon version of the S80.

However, if the counter argument was true and the wagon/SUV model were 10 lower than their sister sedan, there would need to be an S100 sedan to compliment the XC90.

[Outrageous]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Pennhaven @ Jan. 08 2004,11:50)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The new XC50 will be interesting too. The &quot;SUV&quot; of the smaller line, but looks more SUVish than the &quot;crossover&quot; XC70, more akin to the XC90.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
When is the XC50 expected, and could anyone post a link to photos and info?

[Pennhaven]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Outrageous @ Jan. 08 2004,17:04)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">When is the XC50 expected, and could anyone post a link to photos and info?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
There already is a forum here for the XC50. The timing is now uncertain.

XC50 Forum (http://xc70.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=9;t=8)

XC50 Concept Photos (http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000127429.cfm)

[coastal]

Moving to XC50 forum.

And of note, I hope to have some information within the next 24 hours about the XC50.

Fingers crossed http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[AWD*V70XC]

[quote=Pennhaven,Jan. 08 2004,19:50]Simply stated: V50 is to S40 as V70 is to S60. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Hang on a minute, since when was the V70 anything to do with the S60 or the S80 for that matter.

The V70 (came from the 700 series) and is the largest of the 70 family, its sister is the S70 (with a trunk) and its half sister is the open top C70.

S80 &amp; XC90 replaced the 900 series ie 940/960 as they must have felt there was no need for a big estate like the 965 when the XC90 was due to be released. There will be no C80 or V80.

The 40 was developed from the DAF and became booted S40 and estate V40 pitted against the Saab to test the water.

With the new sports version coming on stream next year to compete with the Smart Roadster the 40 is being moved up a notch to 50 to compete against the Ford Escort (UK Escort/Focus model) and will have stable mates S50 and C50 as well.

The XC50 is dead, X3 saw to that.

The present XC70 (2005) will be upgraded to a higher spec, ie raised up to true 4X4 to complete with the X3.

The present XC90 will be up spec&#39;d to complete against the Range Rover, Landcruiser, Porche and Lexus.

Now run that V70 - S60/S80 by me again. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sleeping.gif

Volvo have a lot of changes in the pipeline, have a look at the press pack section.

You could also enter the competion, if you can read Swedish for a some goodies in the USA.
Volvocars.se (http://www.volvocars.se/sportstour)

I think we can drop the XC50 forum as a future car but it is handy to have a different slant on what might happen.

Back to you Coastal. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[coastal]

Don&#39;t be so sure about the XC50 being dead AWD*V70XC. &nbsp;Though they&#39;re reasonably reputable, AutoExpress.co.uk is the only source claiming this vehicle has been axed.

I have no new information at this time but I&#39;ll be sure to post back if I find out anything new over the next day or so. Personally I think the XC50 is a GO&#33;

Cheers&#33;

Taylor.

[Pennhaven]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AWD*V70XC @ Jan. 08 2004,18:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Now run that V70 - S60/S80 by me again. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sleeping.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Sorry, I didn&#39;t mean to get anyone&#39;s knickers (I think that&#39;s they&#39;re called over there?) all in a twist. I was simply trying to draw a simple analogy, which I still believe to be correct.

You are apparently a long term Volvo cognoscenti, with more knowledge of the history of the mark than I. So I apologize if my analogy offended you. But I think what may be escaping you is that these days auto manufacturers rely on &quot;platform engineering&quot; to share chassis and components across models as much as possible in order to save costs. So while the V70 may once have been the estate version of the 700 sedan, unless I have been misinformed, it now shares the same chassis (and of course much componentry) with the S60.

My sources are my Volvo sales rep, who is a long term car nut and Volvo afficiondado, and recent reports here in the automotive press related to the new 2005 Ford 500 sedan and Freestyle &quot;crossover&quot; wagon. These new vehicles are both built on the same chassis (or platform), and it has been reported here that it is the same Volvo designed chassis that is used for the S60 and V70.

It&#39;s also possible, although I haven&#39;t seen confirmation, that the S80 and XC90 are built on a &quot;stretched&quot; version of this same platform, in which case the analogy is not quite so tidy.

In any event, all I was trying to do in response to the original question, was get across the concept that the V50 has much more in common with the S40 than it does with the V70.

[slender]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Pennhaven @ Jan. 09 2004,08:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">In any event, all I was trying to do in response to the original question, was get across the concept that the V50 has much more in common with the S40 than it does with the V70.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

I fully agree with that, Pennhaven. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

[slender]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (coastal @ Jan. 08 2004,16:01)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Personally I think the XC50 is a GO&#33;[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I hope you&#39;re right, Taylor. I reckon the XC50 could be a superb seller on these shores - potentially the best seller from the XC range. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Raynald]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AWD*V70XC @ Jan. 08 2004,15:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">... The present XC70 (2005) will be upgraded to a higher spec, ie raised up to true 4X4 to compete with the X3. ...[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Would&#39;nt bet on that ....Would you ? http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[AWD*V70XC]

Lastest news-flash http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif

Plans in the pipeline for NEW 30 series due for release in 2004/5 consisting of S30 and V30.

There is no mention of a V30XC or any other diviations from S30 &amp; V30.

Could this be the poor mans Volvo aimed at the kids who cannot join the higher marques.

As soon as I get more it will be posted.

AWD*V70XC reporting high above Torslander. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

[Pennhaven]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Pennhaven @ Jan. 09 2004,11:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">It&#39;s also possible, although I haven&#39;t seen confirmation, that the S80 and XC90 are built on a &quot;stretched&quot; version of this same platform, in which case the analogy is not quite so tidy.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Report in The Detroit News (newspaper) January 11 - 2004 North American International Auto Show - Consumer Guide should put provide a definitive answer to this &quot;controversy&quot;:

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Ford Freestyle
Ford refers to this new seven-passenger model, a companion to the Five Hundred sedan, as a &quot;crossover&quot;, but it really resembles a domestic version of the Volvo Cross Country wagon. Features include all-wheel drive, fold in floor third-row seating and full length side curtain airbags that protect all three rows. The chassis is derived from the Volvo P2X platform, which underpins the V70 wagon, as well as the S60 and S80 sedans. (emphasis added)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

[AWD*V70XC]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">With the new sports version coming on stream next year to compete with the Smart Roadster the 40 is being moved up a notch to 50 to compete against the Ford Escort (UK Escort/Focus model) [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Sorry about the mix up you were talking about with &#39;platforms&#39; etc I was looking at the car and # rather than what they build it on.

As for my quote above, the 50 will not be pitted against the Focus etc as I said it will be a new car called the 30 as in C30, V30 and H30 but it looks like the V30 will be dropped in favour of the H30, a first for Volvo entering the &#39;Hatchback&#39; market. (see other post)

[Chipshot]

I went to the NAIAS (still known by many around here as the &quot;Detroit Auto Show&quot;) this morning. &nbsp;The V50 was on a turntable, so I couldn&#39;t get inside it, but I did sit in an S40. &nbsp;It&#39;s a very tidy car with a stunning interior. &nbsp;I had hoped for a bit more rear seat room; I can&#39;t imagine anyone taller than about 5&#39;0&quot; sitting behind me if I was driving. &nbsp;The new Mazda3 was nearby (I doubt intentionally), and some commonalities were obvious. &nbsp;Both cars appear to be very good values.