Volvo has made some interesting changes to its S60, V70 and XC70 models, but Canada won't see them until late in the year.
The delay will give the country's Volvo dealerships a chance to sell off the 2004 models they have in stock (which probably explains why Volvo North America hasn't released details on the new cars yet).
But Sweden and the Volvo operations in Europe have explained the changes which include "significant safety, convenience, performance and dynamic improvements," as well as "detail interior enhancements and exterior design refreshments."
The technical changes involve: A blind-spot information system; the second generation of the company's Four-C active chassis system, with comfort and sport settings; water-repellent glass for improved visibility through the side windows; a passenger airbag cutoff switch; longer periods between required servicing; and more power for the T5 engine.
As for the new exterior styling, in general, Volvo wants to increase the model differentiation, so many of the changes are meant to accomplish that.
The major changes for 2005 include new bumpers, alloy wheels, "soft nose" and front-grille designs, and new-look front and rear lights with clear lenses.
On the inside, there's a new design for the centre console, stereo and integrated phone, which feature aluminum and walnut trim.
There's also a "superior" centre console and a multifunction arm rest design, as well as updated front seats and improved trim for the doors, A-pillars and dashboard materials for less reflected glare.
The engines are apparently unchanged, except for the T5 option, which goes to 2.4 litres from 2.3, and gets dual-variable valve timing on both inlet and exhaust sides, as well as a larger-capacity turbocharger.
The engine has been tuned to give "sportier throttle characteristics and engine response, with better low-end torque and improved emissions without increasing fuel consumption," Volvo says.
Horsepower has gone to 260 from 250, with the maximum torque level going to 260 lb-ft, but revised tuning now delivers this power at lower engine speeds. As a result, it will now take only 6.5 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h, a reduction of 0.3 seconds.
The front-disc brakes and calipers on the T5 have increased in size to also improve performance, with a new, six-speed manual gearbox with a revised aluminum "Space Ball" gear lever (now available in the V70 and S60) or Volvo's Geartronic transmission.
Volvo's active Four-C (computer-controlled chassis concept) system now provides fully active damping with two distinct operating ranges to give a "pronounced difference in ride, handling and steering characteristics."
The "comfort" setting gives higher levels of the same name, but with lower body movement, Volvo promises, while in "sport," the ride is said to be firmer with a higher level of road feel and feedback.
Volvo says Four-C will automatically adjust to stabilize the car during any extreme manoeuvres, no matter which setting is selected, and compensates for heavy loads for improved stability.
The blind-spot system (BLIS) operates when the car's going more than 10 km/h by using digital camera technology in the door mirrors to monitor surrounding traffic. The cameras take 25 pictures per second to register when another vehicle is moving in the car's blind-spot zone, which Volvo plots as within three metres of each side of, and up to 9.5 metres behind, the car.
An amber light on the driver's side front pillar warns the driver if BLIS detects other traffic.
BLIS is programmed to work day or night, Volvo says, but it's programmed not to react to static objects such as parked cars. A warning message alerts the driver if the system cannot function in poor visibility, such as heavy fog or snow.
If the driver wants to, she or he can push a button on the dashboard to turn the system off.
The water-repellent glass on the side windows and door mirrors is meant to improve visibility when driving in rain, thanks to a hydrophobic surface treatment that turns water into small beads which airflow will blow away.
This is the first time a passenger airbag cut-off switch will appear in a Volvo. It is controlled by using the ignition key in a switch on the side of the dashboard and illustrated by a warning symbol above the rear view mirror.
