Sweden's largest automaker, grouped now beneath the corporate umbrella of Ford Motor Company, for 2006 adds equipment to cars in six alphanumeric classes.

In Volvo nomenclature, S signifies a sedan, V denotes a five-door wagon and XC means all-wheel-drive (AWD) outdoor versatility vehicle. Platforms use two-digit numbers to denote size in descending order from the Volvo SUV at 90 to mid-size 80 sedans, 70 series wagons and 60 series sedans plus compact-class 50 sports wagons and 40 sports sedans.

Volvo's mid-size estate wagons for 2006 include the V70 2.4 FWD and 2.5T FWD plus V70 R AWD the performance version. A flexible cabin design makes room for up to seven riders plus cargo. Posh appointments mark the cabin, with power-operated controls and a high caliber of equipment in the mode of European touring sedans.

Entry issue V70 2.4 FWD draws from Volvo's 2.4-liter in-line-five rated at 165 hp and tied to a manual five-speed or optional five-speed electronic automatic transmission. V70 2.5T FWD brings a more powerful 2.5-liter light-pressure turbo five for 208 hp through a five-speed automatic with Geartronic sequential shifting. Quick V70 R AWD carries the 2.5-liter engine primed with turbo-charger and twin inter-coolers to turn out 300 hp. A six-speed close-ratio manual or new six-speed Geartronic automatic go to the R, which also stocks Volvo's FOUR-C suspension controller and Brembo disc brakes.

Also called the Cross Country, this estate wagon variation off the V70 ties with the XC90 as a Volvo outdoor versatility vehicle. It's hiked in suspension so it can travel over non-paved terrain, then outfitted with AWD and the new quick-traction feature. Structural elements and mechanical hardware come from the V70, although the XC70 stretches an inch longer and is wider because the front wheel track increases by several inches. It's also almost three inches taller due to the elevated chassis.

Safety gear includes Volvo's side impact protection system (SIPS) with side air bags plus curtain-style air bags positioned above side windows. Muscle to propel XC70 2.5T AWD flows from Volvo's 2.5-liter light-pressure turbo for 208 hp. The DSTC vehicle stability system plus FOUR-C shock damping are new options for XC70, and a new premium package brings a power glass moonroof, leather seats and wood inlays.

Volvo's largest sedan is also the line's most luxurious model. There are two trims in 2006 -- S80 2.5T FWD and S80 2.5T AWD. Both employ Volvo's 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo worth 208 hp, and one has front-wheel-drive (FWD) traction while the other gets AWD with "Instant Traction" action. More standard equipment goes to these two S80 models, such as leather seats and real wood for cabin trim, power controls for both front sport bucket seats, a wood-trimmed steering wheel and power moonroof, plus 17-inch alloy wheels.

Active safety tools, designed for an alert driver to guide the S80 away from danger, include quick-action rack and pinion steering and disc brakes connected to anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), traction control (TCS) and on the FWD model optional Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system plus the FOUR-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) shock damping. (CONTINUED...)