S40 awards. S40 V40 first with direct fuel injection. V70 Torsland

The pages linked from here are extracts from earlier copies of the club magazine Volvo Driver. The pages are left here for historic reference. More information on news from the Volvo Car Corporation are on our Volvo Press pages.

Summer 1998

’Superior Safety’ scoops another accolade for Volvo’s S40

Volvo has underlined the class-leading safety position of its S40 models by winning yet another prestigious award. Now added to the roll of honour already achieved by the S40 is a coveted 1998 What Car? Safety Award. Says Editor, Mark Payton: "This award recognises a maker who brings exceptional dedication and expertise to the business of keeping you alive. The S40 is tangible proof of Volvo's superiority." This latest trophy complements safety awards won worldwide by the Volvo S40/V40 range including the Prince Michael Award for Road Safety. Features that have helped the car set new standards include Volvo's unique SIPS side impact protection system, side airbags, anti-lock brakes and seat belt pre-tensioner; on all models. The car also scored the only maximum four star rating in the recent Euro NCAP crash test programme and was awarded the highest safety score by the Consumer's Association in their recent Which? survey. But Safety chiefs at Volvo are not resting on their laurels. Says Stefan Nilsson at the Safety Centre: "We are already developing even more safety innovations for our new products, including an inflatable curtain to protect against head injuries in side impacts and a new seat aimed at achieving a significant reduction in whiplash injuries in low speed, rear-end collisions."

The Volvo S40 1.8i and V40 1.8i - the first European cars with direct injection

The Volvo S40 1.8i and V40 1.8i are the first European car models with direct injection petrol engines. Direct injection, which combines the benefits of low fuel consumption and high power output, can be seen as the first step towards the 25 per cent reduction in total fuel consumption that Volvo has undertaken to achieve by the year 2005. Volvo petrol direct injection is based on the technique of injecting the fuel directly into the combustion chamber straight into each cylinder - instead of injecting the mixture via an inlet duct. The result is more efficient combustion and thus lower fuel consumption. The technology demands certain conditions in order to work in an optimum way. With the Volvo S40 1.8i and V40 1.81, the smooth and economical driver can expect a substantial improvement in fuel consumption:
- up to 10 per cent on country roads
- 10-15 per cent in city/urban traffic
The direct -injection Volvo is a four-cylinder 1.8-litre engine that was originally developed by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and has been modified by Volvo for the S40/V40 models. The power output is 125 bhp and peak torque is 174 Nm. Deliveries of the engine will begin in March and the first cars are expected to be on the market in the spring of 1998.

Volvo’s new V70 Torslanda

Volvo, the manufacturer of the UK’s best selling large estate cars - has added two new models, priced at under £20,000, to its versatile and popular V70 range. The new V70 Torslanda arrived in the UK with two engines - a 126 bhp 2.0 litre and a 144 bhp 2.5 litre - and is available in six colours. The highly specified interior boasts power steering, electric windows, RDS radio cassette with 6 speakers and electrically adjustable door mirrors. The V70's seats are supportive and ergonomically designed and feature the new exclusive Andorra upholstery. The Torslanda can also be tailored to individual requirements from a wide range of Volvo accessories. The V70 Torslanda features class leading safety including SIPS (side impact protection system), SIPS airbags, driver's airbag, front seat belt pre-tensioners, five three-point seat belts, five head restraints, ABS and a high level LED brake light for increased visibility. Volvo’s V70 has been voted "Estate Car of The Year" for three years in succession by the top selling motoring magazine Auto Express. Judged by the magazine on the following criteria, accommodation, driveability, economy, refinement, safety and value for money, the Volvo V70 won against stiff competition including the BMW 5-series Touring and the Peugeot 406.

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