Volvo V70 AWD

2001 April: Volvo is to release a new V70 all wheel drive (AWD) in Europe - this is the car, just a couple of cm taller than the 4x2, not the cross country 4x4, which continues.

2000: The Volvo V70 T5 - new model. There are low-boost 2.4 litre `T' (147 6000, 330 2400 - 5000) and high-boost 2.3 litre `T5' (184 5200, 330 2400 - 5200) versions.

August 2000, Volvo (au) plans to introduce a naturally aspirated V70 and, in November, a new Volvo V70 XC with the low-boost engine.

The new naturally aspirated engine (125) will join the range in July as part of Volvo's programme to revise its engines to `RN' level with lighter crankshafts, reduced friction and revised combustion designs, and CVVT variable valve timing. Here's an interesting snippet: "The RN engines use a short skirted piston with the gudgeon pin located nearer to the ring pack to allow the use of a longer connecting rod. A longer connecting rod is beneficial for several reasons. A longer rod reduces piston-to-bore friction, and improves efficiency and combustion by holding the piston at TDC for longer duration. At BDC a longer connecting rod promotes better cylinder fill, and finally, a longer connecting rod produces better torque by providing a better mechanical advantage."

V70 manual prices, 3/2000 (auto' +2K to +2.5K): 2.4 20V CD 54,971, 2.4 20V SE 55,935, 2.4 T SE 65,935, 2.4 T SE Sport 66,935, XC 72,486, R 87,489 (auto' only). New V70: 2.4 T 67,937, T5 77,937 (auto' +2K).
- 4wd.sofcom.com/4WD.html

• Manufacturer's data: station wagon, 5-seats, 4-doors, ABS, airbags
• loa: 4710mm, width: 1804mm, height: 1488mm
• turning radius: 5.45m
• weight: 1528kg (unladen)
• 2.4T
  • 2435cc, petrol 95-RON, 5-cyls, mpfi, 4-valves/cyl, dohc, variable exhaust valve timing, turbo-charged
  • bore: 83mm, stroke: 90mm, c.r.: 9.0:1
• T5
  • 2319cc, petrol 95-RON, 5-cyls, mpfi, 4-valves/cyl, dohc, variable exhaustvalve timing, turbo-charged
  • bore: 81mm, stroke: 90mm, c.r.: 8.5:1
• transmission: 5m / 5a "geartronic", front wheel drive, manual 3.39:1, 1.91:1, 1.19:1, 0.87:1, 0.70:1 (rev 3.3:1), diff ratio 4.0:1, auto': 4.77:1, 3.0:1, 1.96:1, 1.32:1, 1.02:1 (rev 3.23:1), diff ratio 2.44:1
• suspension: MacPherson strut / multi-link, brakes: disc/disc ABS EBD
• tyres: 205/55R16 (2.4T), 215/55R16 (T5), fuel-tank: 80L
• fuel consumption: 2.4T manual: 10.2L/100km city - 6.6L/100km highway (auto 11/7.3), T5 manual: 10.2L/100km - 6.7L/100km highway (auto 11.3/7.5)
• prices: 55K - 80K ( 5/2000)

1997: The Volvo V70 station wagon and S70 sedan are based on the previous Volvo 850. The V70 comes with an all wheel drive (AWD) alternative to the standard front wheel drive vehicle.

Power is provided by Volvo's 2.5 litre five cylinder engine with a "low pressure turbo boost". Volvo claims acceleration figures of 8.5secs for 1-100kph and a top speed of over 220kph.

The drive system incorporates electronic traction control (TRACS) on the front differential to prevent one front wheel spinning. The drive shaft to the rear axle incorporates a viscous coupling to transfer torque to the rear wheels if the front end looses traction. The rear differential is a limited slip type. The V70 AWD is about 170kg heavier than the 4x2 wagons and has a slightly larger turning circle.

The V70 AWD has a five speed manual gearbox with plans for an automatic to be released in 1998. ABS is standard.

Driver and passenger airbags are fitted together with Volvo's side impact protection system (SIPS) i.e. side airbags for the front occupants. A SIPS bag bursts out of the side of a front seat between the occupant's shoulder and the door to reduce injury in a side impact. The B-pillars have a chunky look to them and are indeed reinforced to give the body-shell extra rigidity to resist side impacts.

1998 October: V70 AWD dropped in Australia in favour of the Volvo V70-XC.

Volvo V70 AWD 1998, 1997

• station wagon, 5 seats, 4 doors, airbags SIPS ABS
• turning radius: 5.65m
• weight: 1659kg (unladen)
• 2435cc, petrol, 5-cyls, turbo-charged, efi self adjusting anti-knock, 4-valves/cyl, DOHC
• bore: 83mm, stroke: 90mm, c.r.: 8.5:1
• transmission: 5m, front traction control, viscous coupling drive to rear axle with LSD
• suspension: indep-coils/multi-link-coils, brakes: disc/disc (ABS)
• tyres: 205/55R16W, fuel-tank: 73L
• (rr prices: 83,950 Aus, 1997)
• rr prices: 76,500 (manual), 78,950 (auto) (Aus, 1998)

Go to the V70 XC and Volvo pages