Background to the Volvo V70XC and XC70
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Source: Volvo Car Corporation.
V70/V70XC 2000 - / XC70 1999 -
For Volvo, design can never replace function. This first seemed to be a major problem, when the new generation of the practical V70 estate car was being planned. How could an aerodynamically clean high-performance car offer a spacious and practical cargo area?
The design team under the leadership of Peter Horbury solved the ‘problem’. The front of the car was made exceptionally aerodynamic, with a strong family likeness to the S80 saloon. Despite this, the ‘cargo compartment’ in the rear part of the car is comparable in size to a classic estate car like the Volvo V90, something that not obvious from the outside.
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 XC70 (Cross Country) all-wheel-drive version is a natural choice.
Volvo V70 and XC70 appeared in updated versions during 2004. This includes a new rounder shape of the front end with new grille and bumper as well as new lights front and rear, a more powerful engine for T5 and a six speed manual transmission. The advanced electronically controlled chassis system FOUR-C is made available for Volvo V70 models.
In the area of safety, BLIS, was introduced. A system to detect objects in the blind angle with a small camera close to the outer rear view mirrors. A warning light close to the rear view mirror tells the driver that there is something hidden.
Model: Volvo V70/V70 XC 00- / XC 70
Variants: XC, AWD and R-version
Produced: V70 from week 43 1999 on, XC from week 08 2000 on
Volume: Production running,
Body: 5-door estate
Engine: 5-cyl in-line DOHC, 1.984, 2.435, 2.521 cc or DI Turbo Diesel 2.401 c
Transmission: 5-speed or 6-speed manual,
Dimensions: Overall length 471 cm, wheelbase 276 cm
Launch
The Volvo XC70 was developed in parallel with the second-generation Volvo V70 and was launched in autumn 2000, badged as the Volvo V70 XC. It was not Volvo’s first Cross Country model, but it did give the XC concept a stronger profile than before. The Volvo XC70 is a robust and flexible car designed for enhanced freedom of movement and demanding conditions.
The Volvo XC70 features electronically controlled All-Wheel Drive. It has the ability to make its way on very poor roads, even when towing a horse-box or boat trailer.
Design
Cross Country – five-door estate car offering enhanced flexibility.
The Volvo XC70 has much in common with the Volvo V70, with a gently rounded nose section, a roof line that extends straight all the way to the rear of the car and an abrupt tail section. However, the higher ground clearance, larger tyres and specially designed panels and protective shields give the XC model a tough profile all its own. The grille too is unique to the Volvo XC70.
The tail lamps follow Volvo’s modern form and sweep up towards the roof panel.
The body, haunches and track are far wider than in previous XC models, in order to promote a more powerful stance, reassuring driving manners and a spacious interior.
Thanks to Volvo’s powertrain concept based on a transversely installed in-line engine, the driver’s compartment has been able to be located far forward. As a result, the passenger compartment benefits from generous length, offering plenty of space for five occupants and bulky luggage. Each passenger seat features a fold-flat backrest. The rear seat in the Volvo XC70 features a three-way split for maximum flexibility. With the seats folded down, the load compartment floor is entirely flat.
Safety
Volvo Cars adopts a holistic view of safety that encompasses both Preventive and Protective safety.
Preventive safety is closely linked to the car’s driving properties. The body of the Volvo XC70 features immense torsional rigidity and the car has a sturdy chassis, a combination that results in consistent, predictable behaviour on the road (see also under "Powertrain and Chassis").
Volvo Cars has developed various information systems designed to help the driver while on the move. One such system is IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System) which for instance delays incoming phone calls in complex traffic situations that require the driver’s undivided attention. Protective safety in the Volvo XC70 is structured around a network consisting of exterior and interior safety systems that interact with one another to reduce the risk of occupant injury in a collision. The exterior systems have the task of distributing and absorbing incoming collision forces so that the passenger compartment remains as intact and undamaged as possible. The body is therefore built in the form of a metal cage where all the components interact with one another to ensure controlled deformation.
The interior safety systems aim to keep the passengers securely in place and also to reduce the risk of serious injury. In order to provide the most effective protection possible, Volvo Cars has developed a number of in-house systems, such as WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System), SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) and IC (Inflatable Curtain). All are fitted as standard in the Volvo XC70. What is more, all five seats are equipped with three-point inertia-reel seat belts, belt pre-tensioners and head restraints. The highest possible safety requires that all the car’s occupants always use their seat belts.
Powertrain and chassis
The engines in the Volvo XC70 are five-cylinder, transversely installed in-line units. A five-cylinder engine gives low vibration and smooth operation. Together with large displacement, the five-cylinder configuration provides high torque across a broad rev band, and thus also swift acceleration and excellent driveability within a wide speed range.
The engine range in the Volvo XC70 encompasses two turbocharged engines – one petrol-driven and featuring a light-pressure turbo, and the other Volvo’s advanced D5 turbodiesel with particle filter.
The chassis, with spring struts at the front and Multilink axle at the rear, is set up for stable, reassuring driving manners and alert steering response. The Multilink rear axle is an independent rear suspension system featuring a number of links and it is designed to offer a good combination of controlled wheel movements and high ride comfort. Some of these links have the task of providing a certain degree of anti-skid steering effect. A long wheelbase and wide track, together with a very torsionally rigid body, contribute to the predictable, controlled driving manners. There is extra-high ground clearance for added get-you-there capability.
The Volvo XC70 has Volvo’s electronically controlled All-Wheel Drive system with Instant Traction for fast and effective distribution of traction even when moving off on a slippery surface. Volvo’s advanced DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) stability-enhancing system is fitted as standard. DSTC cuts in and helps stabilise the car if it registers any tendency to skid. An active chassis with advanced Four-C technology is available as an option. With this system, the chassis settings are adjusted automatically to suit the current driving conditions, thus improving both handling and ride comfort. Two alternative chassis settings are programmed into the system. At the touch of a button, the driver can thus alter the car’s behaviour to suit driving conditions and personal taste.
The environment
The Volvo XC70 is designed and equipped to impact as little as possible on the global environment and to offer a clean and healthy interior climate.
A petrol engine with low internal friction, efficient combustion and advanced exhaust filtration technology results in low emissions. An energy-efficient diesel engine with particle filters produces low emissions of carbon dioxide and soot particles.
The engines in the Volvo XC70 can be optionally specified with a catalytic radiator coating known as PremAir®. This system converts harmful ground-level ozone into pure oxygen as the car drives. Its benefits are greatest in dense city traffic and in strong sunlight.
Volvo’s IAQS (Interior Air Quality System) effectively reduces the amount of particles, pollen, gases and certain unpleasant odours in the air entering the cabin. All the textiles and leather upholsteries are certified according to ÖKO-TEX 100, an international standard that ensures that the interior trim is free from allergy-producing and hazardous substances.
Production
The Volvo XC70 is made at the Volvo Cars Torslanda factory in Göteborg, Sweden.
Technical specifications
Drive Permanent four-wheel drive with electronically controlled hydraulic
clutch- All-Wheel Drive with Instant Traction.
Chassis Front suspension with MacPherson spring struts. Independent
Multilink rear axle.
DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) is standard.
Active chassis with Four-C as an option - with two alternative chassis
settings.
Dimensions mm:
Length 4733
Width 1860
Height 1562
Track, front/rear 1599/1536 (with 16" wheels)
Wheelbase 2763
Aerodynamic coefficient, Cd 0.34
Frontal area m2 2.35
Engines
Petrol
Configuration, Displacement cc, Power kW/hp, Torque Nm
2.5T I5 2521 154/210 320
Turbodiesel
D5 I5 2401 136/185 400
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