Volvo XC90 V8 – power and pleasure also in extreme winter
conditions
The new V8 model reinforces the Volvo XC90’s position as one
of the most successful SUV models in the premium segment –
and the new XC90 V8 is comfortable in all driving
conditions, no matter if we are talking about hot deserts or
the extreme winter above the Polar Circle. The entirely new
power train combines power and pleasure with a stable and
predictable behavior also in the toughest conditions
The new V8 engine marks a new turning-point in Volvo Cars’ history. It is
the first V8 the company has produced since it was founded
in 1927, and the Volvo XC90 is the first model to be powered
by the new engine.
“An SUV in the premium segment needs a V8, especially on the
North American market where we sell about 60 percent of all
the XC90s we make,” explains Hans Wikman, Vice President,
Vehicle Line Large Cars.
V8
tailor-made for the XC90
In order to
maintain overall compactness, all the ancillary units such
as the alternator are fitted directly onto the engine itself
without any space-stealing brackets. The starter motor is
fitted above the transmission for the same reason.
“We’ve tailored this V8 specifically for the XC90,” confirms
Hans Wikman. The result is a V8 that is just 754 mm long and
635 mm wide – the most compact on the market compared to
engines of equivalent volume.
As a result of these compact dimensions and the fact that both
the block and cylinder head are cast in alloy, Volvo’s new
V8 weighs just 190 kg – an important consideration when
aiming for low fuel consumption.
First launch of gas V8 to meet ULEV II
The new engine from Volvo is the cleanest gas V8 on the
market today. It meets the American ULEV II (Ultra Low
Emission Vehicle, stage II) – which no other petrol V8 has
yet managed. The result is extremely low emissions before
the catalytic converters are activated – which takes place
just 15 to 20 seconds after the engine starts up. It is
during these 15–20 seconds that the majority of the
emissions of environmentally harmful substances take place.
Distinct V8 sound
The Volvo XC90 V8 produces 315 horsepower and its torque –
the most important characteristic of a V8 engine – is a
massive 440 Nm at 3900 r/min. And at the sort of revs at
which most driving takes place, around 2000 r/min, no less
than 370 Nm of torque is at the driver’s disposal.
Acceleration
from 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.3 seconds and fuel consumption is
13.3 litres/100 km (5-seater). Top speed is limited to 190
km/h in the USA.
New 6-speed
automatic transmission
The power from Volvo’s V8 engine passes through an entirely
new 6-speed automatic transmission dimensioned to handle the
high torque. This unit too is of particularly compact
dimensions so as not to interfere with the car’s overall
structure. Sixth gear is a pure overdrive ratio to ensure
quiet cruising and low fuel consumption.
The new 6-speed transmission is of Geartronic type, which
means that it can also be shifted manually. There is also a
possibility for Lock-up, and slipping Lock-up, on all gears.
To ensure the optimum balance between driving properties,
performance and fuel consumption the engine and transmission
are treated as one unit. This is achieved with new software
developed by Volvo, called CVC (Complete Vehicle Control).
CVC is part of the integrated software package used, both in
the engine control module and the transmission control
module.
Among the many benefits of this approach was the possibility
of integrating an overdrive 6th gear while still maintaining
good driving performance by adjusting functionality, gear
and torque to suit current conditions.
AWD with Instant Traction™ – a world innovation
The third ingredient in the new Volvo Cars V8 power train is
the electronic AWD four-wheel drive system, which now
features Instant Traction™. This new technology – which
Volvo Cars is the first automaker in the world to introduce
–improves the scope for quick getaways and provides enhanced
traction on slippery surfaces. It has been developed by the
Swedish company Haldex.
A non-return valve allows us to use software to control the
base torque that is programmed into the AWD system. When
starting off from standstill, 80 Nm of torque is pre-charged
in the system since the non-return valve prevents the unit
from becoming totally drained of hydraulic fluid.
Electronically controlled clutch
The All Wheel Drive system automatically synchronizes the
front and rear wheels to create maximum traction.
The power is distributed between front and rear via an
electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. As soon as a
front wheel tends to slip a fraction of a revolution, power
is transferred to the rear wheels.
The system is intelligent.
A few examples:
If the driver brakes, or lifts the foot off the gas pedal,
or the DSTC anti-spin system decides to cut in, the All
Wheel Drive system knows what to do to help keep the vehicle
stable, for instance by releasing the driving on the rear
wheels.
Predictable driving in all conditions
The multi-link suspension in the rear is not just about
comfort. The constant track contributes to a stable,
predictable behavior - and provides stable braking also in
the curves thanks to a slight toe-in when braking
The relatively long wheel-base also helps provide a stable
feeling. The geometry in the front has been carefully
balanced for quick, precise steering response. The ZF
steering system gives light, distinct and controlled
steering feedback.
TRACS for enhanced starting traction
The electronically controlled All Wheel Drive system on the
Volvo XC90 V8 works together with the traction control
system, TRACS.
TRACS operates independently on the front and rear axle. It is
a starting aid that works in low speeds. If one wheel starts
to spin the brake cut in and slows it down to make sure that
the wheel with the best traction gets the power. The aim is
to get the best possible starting traction.
DSTC for enhanced driving safety
The Volvo XC90 V8 is also
equipped with the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control
System (DSTC).
In short this system compares the ideal behavior of the
vehicle with the real situation at the moment.
By checking steering angle, lateral acceleration, wheel speeds
and yaw speed DSTC can detect any deviation from the ideal
situation and help to correct it immediately.
• If
the car under-steers when cornering, the system reduces
engine power and brakes the inner wheels to help get it back
on the desired track.
• When
over-steering the outer front wheel brakes to help prevent
the rear from sliding sideways.
Specific V8 exterior design
“Masculine
without being macho, powerful without being aggressive.”
That was how Volvo Cars’ chief designer at the time, Peter
Horbury, characterized the appearance and stance of the
Volvo XC90 at its launch in 2002.
On the new XC90 V8, a V8 badge appears in the grille and on
the tailgate to indicate the power under the hood. But there
are also other design details that set the XC90 V8 apart.
• New
18" wheels
• Side
moldings and door handles painted in the car’s body color
• Graphite-grey
grille
• New
chrome-plated trim around the bumper air intake
• New
twin exhaust pipes
Volvo’s design department has also taken
considerable care over the appearance of the engine itself.
The V8 is the first example of a new design language for the
engine compartment in Volvo’s coming models.
“We want there to be no doubt that this is a V8, and a modern
and technically advanced V8 at that. We therefore chose not
to hide the engine beneath large covers but instead to
enhance the V-configuration and the eight inlet pipes,” says
Anders Myrberg, head of engine compartment design at Volvo
Cars.
On the inlet manifold, Volvo’s classic ‘iron’ symbol can be
clearly seen in relief against a background of brushed alloy
and complemented with an elegant V8 emblem
For more information, please
see: www.volvocars.com/militarysales
Volvo
Car Corporation, Accessories - Wireless hands-free function in
Volvo cars with Bluetooth® and a mobile telephone
• Automatic connection to the car’s
loudspeaker system
• The system recognizes up to four different telephones
• Easy to switch between hands-free and telephone
• Voice dialing promotes traffic safety
It
is now possible to connect a Bluetooth-capable mobile
telephone to a Volvo car’s audio and loud-speaker system –
totally wirelessly. With the help of the new accessory Volvo
Hands-free with Bluetooth®, a mobile telephone becomes an
integrated hands-free system with voice dialing.
Volvo
Hands-free with Bluetooth® can be fitted in most late-model
Volvo cars. The system consists of an electronic control
module, a module with function buttons, a dedicated microphone
located near the rear-view mirror, and the necessary wiring. The
mobile telephone used must be Bluetooth-capable. Once a paired
link has been set up with the car’s Bluetooth module,
the telephone is recognized and connected automatically when
the owner enters the car. Story
Volvo
Models Best in Interior Air Quality According to New Study
An independent survey carried out by the Ecology Center in
Detroit shows that the interiors of Volvo’s cars emit lower
levels of toxic substances than other car makes.
The Ecology Center recently
presented a study (Toxic at Any Speed: Chemicals in Cars &
the Need for Safe Alternatives) of the toxic chemicals used in
building car interiors. Flame retardant PBDE and phthalates,
whose main use is as a softener in plastics, were included in
the study. These chemical substances can migrate from plastics
and textiles, particularly at high temperatures. The car’s
occupants may thus be exposed to these substances, for
instance through the respiratory system. Certain types of
phthalates and flame retardants can for instance promote
genetic mutations and can subject car occupants to health
hazards. The survey reveals that the concentrations of PBDE in
dust and on the windscreen are up to five times higher than in
the homes of most people, and since many people today spend a
lot of time in their cars, car interiors thus have a
significant effect on human health. For
More
Volvo
iPod Adapter - Volvo opens up to iPod users
Now it
will be possible for iPod users to plug their entire music
archive into their Volvo’s audio system. Together with
supplier PhatNoise Inc and Apple, Volvo Cars has developed an
adapter kit for installation in the Volvo S80 from model year
1999 on and in the S60, V70 and XC70 from model year 2001.
iPod is the world's number one digital music
player and allows music lovers to carry their entire music
collection with them on the go.
Now with the Volvo iPod Adapter, they can play their music in
their Volvo.
Volvo
Seats Get Top Scores in 2006 Thatcham Whiplash Tests
Once again, Volvo has
achieved top scores in the latest, 2006 model year new car
whiplash ratings by the UK's Motor Insurance Repair Research
Centre in Thatcham¹ which conducted the tests on behalf of
the International Insurance Whiplash Prevention Group (IIWPG).
In
fact, Volvo was one of only two manufacturers to achieve top
'Good' scores for every model tested² thanks to its
supportive seats which have a fixed head restraint position to
ensure they are always in the correct position to offer the
best support, and the Volvo Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)
that moves the entire backrest to absorb the impact during a
rear-end collision to help reduce the forces on the neck.
Story
