For immediate release
TORONTO - A modified 2004 Volvo V70 R sports wagon that will be highlighted at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Feb. 13-22, is being called a concept car with a difference.
"The difference is most concept cars start as design ideas and take the form of a vehicle that may or may not be produced," says Bill Buchka, manager of vehicle special sales for Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA). "In this case, we've taken a popular car we already build and looked at how it might evolve in the future."
The sport wagon concept vehicle was built by Volvo Special Vehicles in Sweden to look at ways to capitalize on the success of the acclaimed V70 R, producing a wagon that delivers the safety and comfort of classic Volvo models along with enhancements to expand its credentials as a purebred sports car.
The recently introduced V70 R is already well equipped to perform like a true sports car with its 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, semi-active suspension with three dynamic chassis modes, electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system, a six-speed manual transmission and Brembo brakes, front and rear.
The most obvious modifications to the concept car include ultra-light 19-inch BBS magnesium wheels with centre-nut design, aerodynamic front and rear bumpers with sill spoilers, a V70 roof spoiler, bi-xenon headlamps and an Eibach lowered suspension.
The interior of the V70 R concept is trimmed in Atacama soft leather and equipped with a Volvo Rear Seat Entertainment system with twin screens, wireless headphones and remote control plus a 13-speaker Dolby™ Pro-Logic sound system with RSE DVD player.
"It's not easy to improve on what is already a successful formula," Buchka concedes, "and there's no commitment to including any of these changes in future models. But it's always a good idea to challenge our imaginations to see what it takes to make a great car even better."
With its custom PPG Laser Blue paint scheme, the V70 R concept car was displayed at the 2003 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas in November. It will be part of the Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd. display in Toronto, and share the spotlight with the 2005 Volvo S40 and V50.
Volvo Cars of Canada is part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Göteborg, Sweden. The company provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to the 43 Volvo automobile retailers across the country. The 2004 Volvo vehicle line includes the flagship S80 luxury sedan, versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70, exotic C70 convertible, the sporty S60 sedan, compact S40 and V40, and the award-winning Volvo XC90 sport utility vehicle, described as "the next generation SUV."
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Contact:
Doug Mepham
1 877 975 1572 office
416 727 4543 mobile
Media website: www.volvocars-pr.ca
