Comments on: 2008 Volvo V70 T6 first steer

By: Anthony Y

Anthony Y — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:17:45 +0000

For those interested in real-world fuel economy, I drove my V70 T6 from Melbourne to Port Lincoln and back last week at around speed-limit speeds and averaged 9.3 l/100km (carrying 2 adults, 1 child, 1 dog and a fair load of gear). I don’t think thats particularly good or bad, it is what it is. However, the car is supremely comfortable and has ample power for swift-passing the Canadian B-Doubles and double bottom road trains which tend to amble along at around 105 km/h. As is typical of Volvo, the climate control is superb in 40 plus degrees Celsius temperatures. And the Dynaudio sound system is good. Don’t believe the nonsense which some journalists seem to peddle about the V70′s suspension. It is designed for the real world and, like the rest of the car, excels at what it does. What the V70 T6 is not is a frugal every-day city-commuter car. But why would you buy one to use it for that? I use a MB A180CDI, which is perfect for that task.

By: selP

selP — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:32:36 +0000

greencoopers, did you go the R36 or V70 T6?

By: greencoopers

greencoopers — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:48:54 +0000

what’s the verdict- passat r36 vs volvo t6? same money

By: TonyB

TonyB — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:21:04 +0000

Weirlo, if I had to make a decision right now, I would also take the V70 T6 over any current XC70. If the XC70 T6 does make it to Aust, all things (ie spec level) being equal the XC70 T6 should be cheaper than the V70 T6 because of the import duty concession the XC70 has over the V70. However it remains to seen whether Volvo Aust will bring in the XC70 T6 and then at what spec level. I agree if you spec up the current XC70 LE to the same spec as the V70 T6 then yes it becomes more expensive – but that only because of the high cost of the factory options.

One word of advice if you go with the V70 (or even XC70) path – make sure you tick the option box for the speed-sensitive power steering. For a vehicle of this weight (and cost) it should be standard.

And yes I also agree on the state of the Volvo Aust website – its not the best maintained.

By: weirluo

weirluo — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:22:56 +0000

well, I have to be honest. Volvo Au website is very poorly maintained, outdated info, always shown as oversea models, lack of information, and the website is down again, for example, try to click on “features and options” for V70. it sounds like Volov staff never open their own website to find out what’s wrong.

This is just a point that can be expanded to the Volvo Au marketing/management team. Judging from their performance, they have done a very poor job. Get rid of them and grab some real marketing talents, the Volvo sale will fly up!

It’s a pity that there are many people loving Volvo cars but being poortly treated.

TonyB, V70 is definitely the one for me to buy if I don’t buy other brands (also considering X5 but feel it’s over priced and there too many X5s on Melbourne Street). even a new T6 XC70 is out next year, it will be much more expensive than V70 if same equipemtns are fitted.

By: TonyB

TonyB — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:01:46 +0000

Weirlo,
I must admit I agree with you on the petrol vs diesel issue – in the end the difference in overall cost of ownership probably isn’t that big compared with the initial cost of the car. On the issue of the T6 engine, its largely a matter of timing. The 3.0 litre T6 engine – which is a development of the 3.2 litre non-turbo engine – is relatively new and I suspect its has been a case of limited supply. You also have to appreciate that in most overseas markets the V70 actually outsells the XC70. Thus the focus has been to get the T6 into the V70 (and the S80 in some O/S markets) with the focus only now switching to the XC70 – largely driven by the poor sales of the 3.2l XC70 in Volvo’s key US market where they don’t have the D5 diesel.

By: weirluo

weirluo — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:53:11 +0000

TonyB,
I am not very concerned about “petrol vs diesel” arguement. In the end, the cost differences (purchase+running) wouldn’t be a number big enough to change my preference on car selection. A T6 XC70 equiped similarly as V70 would be a no-brainer buy! I don’t understand why T6 XC70 comes out so much later. Do V70 have exactly the same engineering structure as XC70?

Golfschwein, Golf is great car, but it’s a too small car for a famil.

By: Golfschwein

Golfschwein — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:27:28 +0000

Through two and a bit years of Golf ownership, diesel fuel has always had a 15-20% price premium over 91RON petrol, much less over the 95 and 98 brews.

Nothing’s changed. Pick what you want and go for it.

By: TonyB

TonyB — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:58:56 +0000

Weirluo,
Have you sat down and done the economics on diesel vs. petrol. 12 months ago diesel may have had an edge. Today even against premium unleaded diesel is no longer economic. The one other advantage turbo-diesel offered was the “driveability” factor – the wide flat torque curve gives impressive rolling acceleration. Against non-turbo petrol engines it wins hands down. But the turbo-charged T6 gives the same or better performance so that argument also bites the dust.
I too am in the position of deciding between the D5 XC70 and the great value-for-money V70 T6. My personal opinion of the D5 XC70 was that it simply doesn’t have what it takes to lug around something that weighs 1.9 tonnes. However as I also like the advantage of higher ground clearance even for city driving (speed bumps, low profile roundabouts etc), I’m currently hanging out for the hope Volvo Aust will bring in the XC70 T6 (the T6 XC70 is confirmed for the left-hand drive US and Canadian markets next year).

By: weirluo

weirluo — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:36:16 +0000

also considering Passat 4-motion wagon and Audi A6 allroad quattro. But passat comes short on reliability records and A6 quattoro is really poor value with its more than $120,000 on road cost. Hope Volvo Au will bring V70 R here when it’s out!