Oh dear ...
http://www.news.com....i-1225809563120
Volvo hopes Twilight will give it star sales
VOLVO is hoping its tie-up with the hit Twilight vampire movies will lead to increased sales.
Aided by product placement in the movie, Volvo Australia chief Alan Desselss is hoping some of the celebrity will rub off on improved sales for the refreshed C30, S40 and V50, particularly among female fans.
For 2010, Volvo Cars Australia has axed the expensive five-cylinder turbo-diesel in the trio and replaced it with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel shared with some Ford models.
Rejigging the engines has also helped trim prices. For 2010, the 2-litre diesel in the C30 will set you back $37,950, a saving of $7000.
S40 and V50 pricing has come down $3500 for the same engine.
The S40 is $42,950 and V50 now $45,950.
Like the Ford Focus, the Volvo 2.0D is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch Getrag gearbox and develops 100kW and 320Nm.
The Volvo trio is still available with the two petrol engines, a 125kW/230Nm 2.4-litre in the S and LE and 169kW/320Nm 2.5-litre turbocharged T5 version.
Desselss believes the 2.0D volumes will still be relatively small but the range is now more price competitive.
Desselss describes the 2.0D as a "frugal diesel rather than a performance diesel".
In the C30, the diesel returns a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.9 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 156g per km. In the S40 and V50 the combined fuel figure is 6.0 litres per 100km and 159g per km.
The Swedes don't bang their tambourines as loudly as the Germans when it comes to cars.
Volvo is happy to let its German rivals squabble over market share and who's better, while they just keep churning out solid, safe - and today - very desirable cars.
The C30, S40 and V50 are prime examples of Volvo's softly, softly approach.
Sales are not huge here but the more time you spend in them the more they make sense, which is why the D5 five-cylinder diesel in these models just did not add up.
The D5 was expensive, lacked refinement and potential buyers picked up on that, staying away in droves.
With the arrival of a much more sensible 2-litre turbo-diesel and six-speed Powershift gearbox, not only have prices come down but the sweet engine is a better match to the cars.
We opted for the S40 2.0D, thinking it would be the volume seller.
However, Desselss says the C30 2.0D is likely to be the most popular. Even so, in the family-oriented S40 the little oil burner is a treat.
There are no surprises with power or torque. With 100kW and 320Nm it's line ball with other small Euro cars.
It will hit 100km/h in 9.6 seconds and returns 5.9 litres per 100km. However, the Ford/Volvo diesel is particularly quiet and refined.
There is no discernible turbo lag, and once cruising about 100km/h engine and road noise is suitably muffled. Gear changes are virtually imperceptible.
The S40 2.0D feels a more balanced car than the five-cylinder diesel.
The engine is really at its best above 70km/h. It will deliver a solid shove in the back when overtaking and does not feel as though it will run out of steam.
The cabin is typically Volvo - well executed, if a little plain. Families with small children may prefer the stylish V50 rather than the sedan.
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Nothing says "I want to live forever" like owning a Volvo. Then again, the target audience IS women ...
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