Press Releases

A hotrod with a Volvo heart

 

For immediate release

 

 

LAS VEGAS, NV (October 31, 2006) – Leif Tufvesson is one of Sweden’s most skilled specialist car constructors, with many of his custom cars having received serious international acclaim. But the hottest – and latest – of his projects is the new Caresto V8 Speedster, a mid-engine car with an ethanol-powered Volvo V8 that was unveiled today at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) custom car and tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

Tufvesson, who in 2004 won the prestigious “Hotrod of the year” award from Hotrod Magazine, previously worked for Volvo Car Corporation’s Concept Center. This was followed by a six year stint at Swedish sports car manufacturer, Koenig. Today, he constructs and manufactures his own custom cars which have won world-wide recognition and a great deal of acclaim at the SEMA show – the largest exhibition platform for specialist car constructors in the world.

 

The Caresto V8 Speedster is completely constructed of aluminium and carbon fibre, sports an advanced sports car chassis and is fitted with Öhlin shock absorbers. But Tufvesson sees his creation as more than just a Hot Rod.

 

"Actually, it’s a sports car with a design idiom that is a development of the classic Hot Rod theme,” says Tufvesson. “Perhaps it could establish a new school of thought and coin the term Sport Rod. My idea was to build a car that was as much fun to drive as it was to look at. Road-holding characteristics have never been the hallmark of traditional Hotrods."

 

Tufvesson says that Sport Rods, on the other hand, are designed with handling in mind, with an ideal 60/40 (back/front) weight distribution

 

The Caresto V8 Speedster is extraordinarily well built, impeccable attention to detail in every part of the bodywork. The leather interior is crafted with a nostalgic and retrospective feel. The steering wheel, instruments and gear selector come from Volvo vehicles, as does the V8 engine, the 6-speed automatic transmission and the car’s electrical system. But the engine is tuned with the environment care in mind, and has been converted to run on ethanol by Scandinavia's leading car tuning company BSR.

 

Tufvesson built and designed the car himself, but with a little help from contractors for paint finish, interior fittings and CAD-milling. The rest was manufactured and assembled in Tufvesson’s workshop outside the city of Ängelholm in the south of Sweden.

 

In less that two years, Tufvesson build two cars: the SEMA display car and a second display unit. Tufvesson says he had two objectives when building the cars: "On one hand the aim is to sell the cars and it is my hope to build at least six examples of this particular model. On the other hand it is, in fact, for my own enjoyment’s sake, because I love building cars. It’s my hobby and at the same time, it’s my job."

 

With a retail price of 2.5 million Swedish kronor (approximately $338,000), prospective buyers would also be able to tailor the car to their unique tastes.

 

Of special note, the removable composite hardtop is a great example of Tufvesson's craftsmanship. The car strikes a imposing presence with a unique rear lighting system and CAD-milled aluminium details such as wheel spindles, exhaust panel, interior details and the lamp housing for the Xenon headlights. Tufvesson also considered the practical aspects of running the car with three rear-view cameras and a hood scoop that opens and closes to regulate engine temperature.

 

Finally, Tufvesson also spent a considerable amount of time tuning and inspiring exhaust note from Volvo’s new V8 engine, perhaps the hallmark of a real Sport Rod.

 

Volvo Cars of Canada Corp. 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 company’s product range includes the elegant C70 hardtop convertible, the versatile V70 wagon, the S60 sport sedan, the compact and sporty S40 and V50, and an XC-line of vehicles that includes the rugged XC70 and the award-winning XC90 sport utility vehicle. For 2007, the company is introducing two new models: the second-generation S80 luxury flagship sedan and the stylish and sporty C30.

 

- 30 -

 

Photos are available at:

http://www.volvocars-pr.ca

Contact information:

Lennart Ström

Volvo Car Corporation

+46 31 592100

 

Leif Tufvesson

Caresto

+46 70 55 04 315

Keywords:
C30 Design Concept, Product News
Descriptions and facts in this press material relate to Volvo Cars's international car range. Described features might be optional. Vehicle specifications may vary from one country to another and may be altered without prior notification.