2009 VOLVO NEW CAR & SUV MODEL GUIDE

Volvo of Sweden, grouped beneath the corporate umbrella of Ford Motor Co., for 2009 shows cars in ten alphanumeric orders. In Volvo nomenclature, S signifies a sedan, C represents the coupe/convertible, 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 a mid-size 80 sedan, 70 series wagons or coupe/convertible and 60 series sedans, plus a new XC wagon, the compact-class 50 sports wagons, 40 sports sedans and 30 hatchback coupes.

S80
The flagship sedan from Volvo is also a luxurious car, yet the 2009 editions score more amenities across the board. Recast in 2007 with a larger package and the five-seat cabin packing more comforts, S80 for 2009 offers three engine options — a big 4.4-liter V8 kicking 311 hp, a 3.2-liter in-line-six with 235 hp or the 3.0-liter straight-six turbo worth 285 hp. S80 3.2 employs front-wheel-drive (FWD) traction, but T6 and V8 versions have the Haldex AWD system aboard. A new Executive Package for T6 installs wood inlays, leather seats and aluminum strips in the cabin.

C30
The smallest vehicle from Volvo is a slick hatchback coupe of subcompact size packing a zippy turbo-charged engine and the cabin with seats for four plus lots of on-board safety equipment. Volvo's 2.4-liter five-cylinder light-pressure turbo engine in the C30 makes 227 hp. Six air bags, ABS with EBD and DSTC are standard safety features on both C30 models — C30 T5 and T5 R-Design. Lots of options invite customizing with numerous paint choices and add-ons like dual xenon headlamps, BLIS cameras and a Dynaudio audio kit.

C70
The sleek two-door C70 works as a swoopy coupe or breezy convertible with the conversion from hardtop to drop-top occurring with push-button ease. Extensive safety systems are aboard, including inflatable curtain-style air bags concealed in side doors. Engine is Volvo's 2.4-liter five-cylinder light-pressure turbo boosted to 227 hp. An automatic five-speed is available, or the manual six-speed. Aluminum inlays now dress the center console and doors, handle surrounds and a Premium Package adds fine leather to the seats. The Dynaudio Package brings Dolby ProLogic II Surround Sound audio with 12 Dynaudio speakers.

S40 / V50
Volvo's compact-class cars — S40 for the four-door sports sedan and V50 for a five-door wagon — measure smaller than most other Volvos but contain the performance and safety hardware that define the larger models. Entry point is the 2.4i with a 2.4-liter plant netting 168 hp with a standard five-speed automatic transmission. T5 gets Volvo's 2.5-liter low-pressure turbo delivering 227 hp, and T5 AWD adds all-wheel grip via Haldex. To each S40 and V50 model for 2009 there are multiple equipment packages available plus optional BLIS cameras for detection of blind-spot vehicles.

S60
These Volvo sedans appear as three models in 2009 with the S60 2.5T FWD, S60 2.5T AWD and S60 T5 FWD. The 2.5T models employ Volvo's 2.5-liter light-pressure turbo through a five-speed automatic with optional Geartronic mode. T5 stocks a 2.4-liter high-pressure turbo tuned to 257 hp with the five-speed Geartronic automatic. For 2.5T editions, a former T5 Advanced Package become standard issue with premium leather seating and a deluxe sound kit with Dolby ProLogic II Surround system and a six-disc CD changer. Also standard are active bi-xenon headlamps.

V70
Volvo's mid-size wagons emphasize passenger safety — particularly children riding in rear seats. A reinforced structure surrounding the passenger compartment uses high strength steel on flanks to minimize side penetration from a collision plus the curtain-style side air bags are rigged with two separate chambers — one shielding the hips and another for the chest. Powertrains come from the S80 including a 3.2-liter in-line-six for 235 hp. The list of options for 2009 models includes a collision warning system with adaptive cruise control, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) cameras and a Technology Package which includes active bi-xenon headlights.

XC70
This variation of the V70 wagon has AWD and the suspension hiked for travel over non-paved terrain. Safety gear includes Volvo's side impact protection system (SIPS) with side air bags plus dual-chamber curtain-style air bags positioned above side windows. XC70 uses the Haldex AWD traction system and Volvo's FOUR-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) shock damping with three settings — comfort, sport and advanced. New gear for 2009 ranges from a Bluetooth hands-free phone interface to a new 3.0-liter turbo in-line-six engine rated at 281 hp. The Volvo Navigation System with DVD map data is on the option sheet.

XC90
Volvo's mid-size crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is svelte in design, expansive in size (a third-row bench option raises seat capacity to seven) and loaded with safety systems plus optional AWD traction. XC90 3.2 totes a 3.2-liter in-line-six rated at 235 hp with a six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission. XC90 V8 with Volvo's 4.4-liter V8 delivers 325 hp and has standard AWD traction. New models for 2009 are the XC90 3.2 R-Design and XC90 V8 R-Design, each bringing tuned suspension and steering, the prow marked by a R-Design grille and the cabin with leather upholstery plus watch-dial instruments.

Detailed Volvo pricing and ownership information.

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