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Operating solely on battery power at lower speeds, the rear wheels are driven by an electric motor, while at higher speeds, a five-cylinder turbo diesel drives the front wheels (much the same as any FWD car), which can also be employed to take care of harder work as required (such as hill starts and towing).

A plug-in variant is also in the pipeline and Volvo’s Magnus Jonsson says this technology will arrive “very quickly” after the initial hybrid and will use household current to recharge the battery eliminating the need for petroleum based fuel.

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The smallest Volvo, the C30 D5 we had on test has had the engine from the S80 D5 and the V50 D5 shoehorned into it. It seems like a reasonable proposition on paper. Plenty of torque locked into a capable chassis, and being a smaller hatch, it should have plenty of get-up-and-go.

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The system is expected to eliminate low speed front-end collisions. If the XC60 is is being driven at speeds of equal or less to 30km/h and the speed differential between the car infront is no more than 15km/h, then accidents will be avoided thanks to the car’s ability to automatically brake.

The system uses a set of lasers to monitor cars up to six metres in front and brake in case of the XC60 is approaching another vehicle too quickly. Volvo says that accidents might still happen (depending on distance to the car in front and weather conditions) although the severity of the accident will be reduced.

“Surveys indicate that three-quarters of all reported front-end collisions occur at speeds below 30km/h, and in 50 per cent of those cases the driver doesn’t brake at all, front-end collisions often occur at roundabouts, intersections and car parks. They can result in vehicle occupant injury, as well as seemingly minor but expensive-to-repair front-end damage.” Volvo managing director Alan Desselss said

The introduction of the system will mean Volvo is once again the leader in modern safety technology, becoming the first manufacturer in the world to offer this type of safety feature as standard across the globe.

The company anticipates that the benefits are more than just accidence avoidance, the insurance industry is expected to offer reduced premiums for owners of cars equipped with the system.

The planned live demonstration at the Sydney motorshow involves the XC60 driving towards an inflated car-sized obstacle, simulating a real-life situation.

“Volvo’s City Safety demonstration will add an additional dynamic element to the event and is part of plans to make the show much more than simply a display of new cars,” said Australian International Motor Show event manager, Robby Clark.

The Australian International Motor Show will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour from 9 to 19 October. More information on the show will be available closer to the date.

CarAdvice will also be attending so expect full and live coverage from the show.

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Scoring seventh fastest in testing at Brands Hatch last weekend, the brand new Volvo C30 Green racer was looking to match it with the world’s best touring car entries before being hit from behind by the outqualified veteran, Rydell.

It was a huge effort by Volvo driver Robert Dahlgren, who was fighting for tenth position with James Thompson, before he was forced off the road.

All the more impressive when you consider the car was using a totally new tyre compound, and had a 42-45 kilo weight disadvantage due to the ethanol in the tank.

Clearly, the C30 is a threat given that a top ranked factory driver had to crash into it, to get past.

Let’s hope the head honchos at Volvo give the team a second car for any further WTCC rounds. Maybe they’ll even win a couple if they can steer clear of the traffic.

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Not only that, it will do so, running on the green fuel E85.

If you think I’m kidding, think again. In the Swedish Touring Car Championship where it’s also the only E85 powered car, the C30 “GREEN RACING” entry has already scored three pole positions in just seven races. And just for the record, it’s also led almost half of all laps driven!

The C30 is still in the early stage of development and the Brands Hatch event should see it up against the best cars in the business. That’s strong teams from Honda (Accord Euro R)

BMW (320si)

Seat (SEAT Leon TFSI)

and Chevrolet (Chevrolet Lacetti)

The WTCC is an International Touring Car Championship sanctioned and organised by the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’automobile) and kicked off in 1987 but only lasted a year due to the FIA’s concern that it’s popularity would steal some thunder from Formula I racing.

But by 1993 the Supertouring category had gained a large following so the FIA put together the World Touring Car Cup which was an annual event attracting drivers from around the world. Our own Paul Radisich, driving a Ford Mondeo, won that inaugural race. He won it again in 1994 again, in a Mondeo.

The current WTCC series is limited to cars of 2000 cc without the modern driver aids such as; traction control, ESP, ABS, VVTi etc.

Good luck to the C30. We’ll be sure to let you know how it goes in the race.

VOLVO C30 E85 SUPER 2000 – TECH SPECS
Body:
A standard C30 body reinforced by a safety cage and side impact protection on the driver’s side, developed in collaboration with Caran.
Aerodynamics:
Front splitter and a rear spoiler wing developed by Polestar in Volvo’s wind tunnel.
Engine:
All aluminium, transversely mounted, 5-cylinder, inline, four-valve, 1999 cc. Minor modifications on the cylinder block, and cylinder heads, while valves, cam shafts, pistons, connecting rods, and the crankshaft have been replaced by racing components.
Oil: Castrol 5W-30
Output/torque: 280+ hp at 8,750 rpm. 230 Nm at 7,300 rpm
Fuel: E85
Exhaust System:
Stainless steel with catalytic emission controls, manufactured by Ferrita.
Driveline:
6-speed sequential gearbox with straight-cut gears, manufactured by Hewland. Front-wheel drive. Mechanical differential with a torque controlled ramper and friction discs. SACHS 184mm two-disc carbon fibre clutch.
Weight: Min weight 1,134kg including the driver (58-60kg)
Front wheel suspension:
Ohlin’s McPherson struts developed with Polestar. Race-specific support arms and adjustable anti-roll bar
Rear wheel suspension:
Multilink system with coil springs and Ohlin’s dampers and adjustable anti-roll bar.
Front brakes:
Performance Friction, 4-piston callipers with radically and axially ventilated discs 332×32 mm.
Rear brakes:
Alcon 2-piston callipers with axially ventilated discs 290×10 mm.
Steering:
Servo-assisted rack and pinion.
Wheels:
17×10 BBS
Tyres:
Michelin 17” slicks or rain tyres

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Both Chery and Ford have declined to comment on the issue. Ford states the companyis more focused on building Volvo rather than selling it. Meanwhile analysts indicate that Volvo could cost Chery more than 30 billion yuan ($4.6 billion), it said.

Chery cars will soon be well known in Australia, following Ateco’s announcement that Chinese cars are only months away from our shores. Chery is a state-owned firm set up by the government of Wuhu city in Anhui province in the 1990s.

Recently it was reported that Renault is also in talks to acquire Volvo.

How will Chinese ownership affect the Swedish brand?

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Sources say the talks are still progressing but at very early stages. Nonetheless, Renault isn’t the only manufacturer interested. Ford has also held discussions with China’s third-largest automaker, Dongfeng Motor Group, as a potential partner for Volvo.

When contacted, Ford U.S. spokesman Mark Truby declined to discuss the rumours but said: “We announced earlier this year that Volvo is not for sale and that we are focused on improving Volvo’s business results.”

At the end of May Volvo had sold 2,117 cars in Australia (year to date), which is an improvement of 184 units over the same period last year. A great result for the brand considering the general downward trend for similar European brands.

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Ignore them I did. Especially as in this tester’s eyes, it’s a damn fine looking car. The chrome around the glasshouse, with the black metallic paint means it looks mean. Some people have mentioned that the wheels look a bit small too, but again, water off a ducks back.

And speaking of water, in duck-friendly weather, the AWD grip is appreciated. Sure the balance on turn in initially communicates a nose-heavy tendency, but when you’re really on it, the Haldex system gets the rears pushing just that bit more, to maintain a neutral stance.

Particularly at higher speeds does the V70 feel at home. This is the perfect car to lope across the countryside in. The term GT comes to mind, however let’s not kid ourselves - it’s not a sports car. The V70’s role is as a family hack. But oh, what luxury the kids and the dog have.

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And that pretty much sums up the styling of this car. You see, Volvo has paid homage to one of its classics, the 1800ES. Not that that’s a bad thing. In its heyday, the 1800ES, along with the P1800 coupe, was a masterpiece of design. It was certainly different.

The slanted rear glass panel, the concave waistline; The 1800ES was a nice piece of metalwork. And to my eyes at least, the C30 is also a fine looking automobile.

So yes, it’s very bum oriented, but I reckon that’s a good thing. It certainly gets everyone talking anyway. And people talking and pointing is better than apathy - Volvo has to score points for polarising the people.

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“I’m very confident that (Mulally’s plan) is the answer, and I think you’ll see that he’ll put Volvo on the market within the next year and a half,” York said. “There’s no rational reason for keeping Volvo or Mercury.”

Ford was quick to deny such plans, noting that Volvo is not for sale and that the company continues to invest in Mercury.

Tracinda currently owns 4.7 percent of Ford’s shares outstanding. The investment group has had a long history of pushing for change and cost cutting in other automotive brands, with past investments in Chrysler and General Motors.

However the Ford family still owns 40 per cent, making it rather difficult for any massive changes to take place.

Volvo has shown great growth in the last few years with a revamped model lineup and a cleaner, sexier image.

Should Ford sell Volvo and concentrate on its own business?

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Working together with Swedish electricity provider Vattenfall, fellow Swede Saab Automobile (which currently has its range of Bio Power cars), the ElectroTechnological Centre and the Swedish government, Volvo is in the process of launching a joint research venture to put Sweden on the map for plug-in hybrid cars.

The Swedes hope the project will demonstrate the next generation of hybrid cars, moving away from traditional Prius-type hybrids and more towards the plug-in while you sleep kind.

Volvo will initially make 10 plug-in hybrids to begin testing the technology in Sweden. The project is expected to take 5 years and cost over $2 billion AUD.

“I see this project as a positive further development of sustainable personal transport. We have a unique opportunity to take the lead when it comes to innovations for advanced green-car technology. We want to be involved in setting up the rules for the future and to help build up broad-based competence in Sweden in this vital area,” Fredrik Arp, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation said

Yes, five years is a long time, by then the Big T will have its own plug-in hybrids and a new generation of cars running around. In order to compete in the interim, Volvo will sell a new range of hybrid variants similar to the Prius (electric motor + combustion engine without plugin support).

The main benefit of plug-in hybrids is their ability to run on no fuel for a set distance. For example: after a nights charge, you will be able to get around 100-200kms on electricity alone which will most likely cover you for the entire day, meaning you won’t use a drop of fuel!

 For most of us who don’t travel more then 100km a day, having a car which can be recharged every night makes oodles of sense. Besides, plug-in hybrids are expected to put out 65 percent less CO2 emissions than today’s hybrid cars!

If you want to get completely carbon neutral, you can get your car charging via hydroelectric power or wind-generated power, resulting in near negligible CO2 emissions.

The future is a green one, let’s just hope the cars of tomorrow don’t forget the most important thing - the driver experience.

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