Although overall new car sales stalled globally in 2020 due to Covid-19, sales of electrified models substantially grew, writes David Miles. In Europe electrified models outsold diesel powered cars for the first time and the demand for SUVs continues. Now by electrified I mean, plug-in pure electric powered models, PHEV plug-in hybrid petrol/diesel electric vehicles, self charging … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volvo V90 B6 AWD
While SUVs now tend to grab sales and headlines we cannot overlook estates, writes Robin Roberts. Volvo has built a sound reputation on its estate cars and the V-series has won many awards from business and family judges. In fact some estates have morphed or developed into what’re often termed crossovers, sitting in size and style between a boxy estate and taller SUV. Some believe the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V60 Recharge
Volvo is now well known for their commitment to full electrification of all their models by 2025, writes David Miles. They have recently confirmed they will develop and assemble their own electric motors at their powertrain plant in Skovde Sweden. The very first Volvo from 1927 was powered by a petrol engine from the same factory. Currently many vehicle manufacture’s electric motors are … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo XC40 B5 AWD R-Design Pro
To their credit Volvo Cars was the first established car maker to commit to all-out electrification and is the only brand to offer a plug-in hybrid variant of every model in its line-up, writes David Miles. I was scheduled to test drive Volvo’s latest award winning SUV, the compact XC40 but in its PHEV plug-in hybrid form.Unfortunately, Covid arrangements at the Volvo vehicle … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volvo XC60 T8 twin engine
Volvo saw record UK sales in 2019, led by its SUV family including the XC60 series, writes Robin Roberts. British registrations went up 12% to over 56,200 with the compact XC40 taking 15,445 and the XC60 recording 11,766 sales as the brand out performed some other premium rivals in 2019. Globally sales topped its 93-years history with over 700,000 sales. This year will see more PHEV and BEV … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo S60 T8 plug-in hybrid
The new Volvo S60 premium mid-sized saloon range was introduced in the Spring of this year and its arrival heralded two important moves, says David Miles. Firstly it is the first modern day Volvo car range not to include a diesel engine. Secondly it is the first model to be built in Volvo’s US manufacturing facility in Charleston South Carolina continuing the brand’s rapid expansion … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo XC90 B5 diesel R-Design
The second generation Volvo XC90 large SUV with 4x4 traction and seven seats is the flagship of the revitalised Volvo range, writes David Miles. It was introduced in 2014 and recently it has undergone its mid-term revisions to keep it relevant in today’s expanding SUV market sector. It was the sales and image success of the premium brand XC90 that led Volvo to producing similar in style the XC60 … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest:Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription AWD
If you asked anyone to name three famous Swedish icons I bet you’d hear them mention Volvo. Whether that came before or after ABBA and IKEA is debatable and older generations may substitute SAAB somewhere, but the fact is Volvo has become more than a car brand. It’s a global representation of Sweden and the Swedes tend to do things differently, their own way, with a particular style and flair … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo S60 T5 R-Design Edition saloon
In five years the Swedish Volvo premium brand has transformed from roomy, solidly built, conservatively-styled models appealing to older buyers into dynamic SUVs, estates and saloons with much more kerb appeal whilst retaining their high safety reputation, writes David MilesThe latest new model is the S60 mid-sized four door saloon range, in essence a saloon version of the highly rated V60 … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V60 D4 AWD Cross Country
Although it’s Volvo’s range of SUVs, the XC90, XC60 and the new XC40 that hog the limelight of the Scandinavian brand’s significant popularity and sales growth in the premium car market, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Volvo has excelled for over 60 years in producing estate cars, David Miles reminds us. With the large V90 estate firmly established, more recently the mid-sized V60 … [Read more...]
