Volvo C70 S70 V70 V70XC XC70

Late in 1996, Volvo introduced a new estate car to the market, the V70.

The Volvo V70 was developed from the concept of the successful 850 Estate which had then been on the market since February 1993.

The exterior of the new V70 showed softer styling than its predecessor, but still carried a strong Volvo identity including the typical almost vertical rear end. Inside the car, the dashboard was new, as was most of the interior. As regards safety, a number of important improvements were also made.

An interesting and successful addition to the V70 models was the all-wheel drive XC70 models.

The Volvo V70 was produced until 2000, when it was replaced by the second-generation Volvo V70, and then eventually the third generation Volvo V70 was released for 2008.

To ensure that Volvo V70 is an optimal estate car, it is only available in this body version. unlike its competitors, it has been designed exclusively as an estate car, with no saloon derivative being available.

Volvo V70 fulfils high environmental goals thanks to such features as the ‘Prem-air’ catalytic system, which eradicates ozone near the ground.

Naturally, Volvo V70 is one the safest cars in the World, owing to excellent road holding and active safety characteristics, as well as a near perfect passive safety level.

The performance is ‘sufficient’, with a top speed of up to 250 km/h being available in the top R-versions. With any of the diesel engines available, business drivers can combine high performance with excellent economy and environmental care.

For the driver who wants to be able to reach distant places without being restricted to the tarmac, the Volvo XC70 (Cross Country) all-wheel-drive version is a natural choice.

Through the years, Volvo have offered exclusive coupé cars to discerning customers who want to combine exclusivity with comfort, safety, high performance and good roadholding characteristics. The P1800, the 262C and the 780 deserve mention as predecessors to the Volvo C70 Coupé

When Volvo started the design of the Volvo C70 Coupé the development work was carried out jointly by Volvo and Britain’s TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing), to make sure that beautiful looks were combined with performance levels until then unheard of in connection with a Volvo car.

The new Volvo C70 Coupé was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1996, and brought enthusiastic reports from both journalists and prospective customers.

The Volvo C70 Coupé offers maximum performance (with top speeds of up to 250 km/h) together with first-class roadholding and the comfort of perfect ergonomics in connection with exclusive interior materials like real leather and genuine wood, and audio equipment of the first order

The Volvo C70 Coupé was produced until 2002.

The story of Volvo convertibles is as old as the Volvo car itself. In 1927, the first Volvo car was an open car, the ÖV4. During the 1930’s a number of convertibles was built on different Volvo chassis by independent specialist coachbuilders. In 1956 – 57, the famous Volvo Sport (P1900) was produced in a very limited number of 67 specimens, of which most have been preserved to this day.

Many were surprised when the Volvo C70 Convertible was presented in 1997, as this was by far the most exclusive and expensive car with a Volvo badge until then.

However, the Volvo C70 Convertible was far from being just beautiful. First and foremost it was an exciting ’drivers car‘ with almost the same roadholding characteristics as the C70 Coupé, and with top speed and acceleration far beyond the figures obtained by most so called ’sports cars‘.

Technical Specifications
Model: V70 / V70 XC -00
Variants: XC, AWD, Classic
Produced: V70: 1996 week 50- 2000 week 19 V70 XC: 1997 week 35- 2000 week 19
Volume: V70: 319832 XC: 53.857
Body: 5-door estate
Engine: 5-cylinder in-line DOHC 1,984 2,435 cc or Di Turbo Diesel 2,435 or 2,401 cc.
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic.
Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes all round
Dimensions: Wheelbase 276 cm

Technical Specifications
Model: S70
Variants: AWD, Classic, R
Produced: 1996 - 2000
Volume: 243078
Body: 4-door sedan
Engine: 5-cylinder in-line DOHC unit, 1,984 cc to 2,435 cc or 5-cylinder in-line 2,461 cc SOHC turbo-diesel
Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, FWD or AWD.
Brakes: Hydraulic, all-round disc brakes
Dimensions: Overall length 467 cm Wheelbase 267 cm

Technical Specifications
Model: C70 Coupé
Produced: 1996-2002
Volume: 24395
Body: 2-door coupé
Engine: 5-cylinder in-line DOHC 1,984 2,435 cc.
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4- or 5-speed automatic.
Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes all round
Dimensions: Wheelbase 266 cm

Technical Specifications
Model: Volvo C70 Cabriolet/Convertible
Produced: 1997-2013
Volume: Production running
Body: 2-door convertible
Engine: 5-cyl in-line DOHC, 1.984, 2319, 2.435,
Transmission: 5-speed, 5-speed automatic
Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes all round
Dimensions: Overall length 472 cm, wheelbase 266 cm

Source: Volvo Car Corporation.

Brief background to the V70

Brief background to the XC70

Brief background to the V70R

Brief background to the C70

Register Keeper's reports. This page contains a series of articles of technical and general interest by the club official who specialises in this particular Volvo.

C70 Convertible soft roof damage. Cause and repair

Volvo Brochures These contain technical and general specifications.

S70/V70 Range Information on the 850 and S70/V70 Series

S70R/V70R and V70RAWD Information on the and S70R/V70R and AWD Series

C70 Coupe Information on the C70 Coupe

C70 Convertible Information on the C70 Convertible

Service light reset Procedure on resetting the service light on the 850/70 models

The KALMAR UNION 1397 850/S70/V70/C70 Performance Tuning in the UK

TME Swedish site offering high performance products for many of the newer Volvo models, 850, S70, V70, C70 Series

Volvo Service Schedule The approved Volvo service schedule for the 850 and S/V70 and TDI models

850/70 series starting problems Some of these cars suffer difficulties starting.

70 Series performance problem Volvo have free ECU upgrade for the cars affected. See this report for chassis numbers affected.