Volvo offers 2009 S60 SE for the U.S.

The popular Volvo S60, is one of the company's top-selling models. Since its launch, more than 580,000 cars were built and sold worldwide. Last month, the production of the Volvo S60 finally halted, marking the end of an eight year product cycle. Before the all-new model arrives next year, Volvo is set to release a very limited number of well-equipped S60 ‘SE’ models, exclusively designed for the United State.

Only 880 Volvo S60 SEs will be offered when the car goes on sale this month. And It’s priced from $30,950 for the FWD model and $32,750 for the AWD version. Both will come with a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine rated at 208hp (155kW) and 236lb-ft (320Nm) of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard and features a sporty Geartronic mode that allows the driver to manually shift.

The FWD model will be EPA rated at 19mpg in the city and 28mpg on the highway, while the AWD model will return at 18mpg city and 26mpg highway.

Other standard features including leather seating, electronic climate control, moonroof, sporty 17in aluminum wheels, heated seats, rain sensing windshield wipers and headlamp washers. Aluminum mesh inlays adorn the interior and reinforce the car’s sporty theme.

Incidentally, the S60 will be replaced by a new model which will be released in early 2010. "The Volvo S60 was an important model for Volvo Cars Gent. Now we will focus on a flawless launch of the new S60," Derek Jessiman, Volvo Cars Ghent managing director said in a release.

"The sporty design gives visual promise of an enthusiastic drive and I can assure you here and now that the all-new S60 will live up to that promise. The driving properties are better than in any previous Volvo. The car's technology will help you to be a better and safer driver," said Volvo CEO Stephen Odell when the wraps came off the concept last December.

Volvo announces 2010 XC60 R-Design

VOLVO has introduced its sporty R-Design variant of the ever-popular XC60 crossover, --- 2010 Volvo XC60 R-Design SUV. Set to go on sale shortly after its debut at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show, the XC60 R-Design gets an enhancement of the looks further and also a better driving experience.

The R-Design chassis is stiffer and the dampers have been revalved to firm up the ride. Furthermore, the steering ratio has been tightened up to improve steering response and help drivers feel more connected to the road.

The XC60 R-Design is targeting the young and the restless. "The R-Design model boosts the XC60's already sporty aura and gives the car an even more refined character in terms of both driving experience and design." says Lennart Stegland, president of Volvo Special Vehicles. "These are properties that we know appeal to the discerning buyers of this type of cars."

From the outside, it's easy to recognize the typical R-Design attributes: door mirror housings, trim mouldings and trim in matte silk metal finish, skid-plates and twin chrome tailpipes. The five-spoke 'Cratus' aluminum wheels are also unique for the R-Design models. In standard form they measure 18in but there's also the option of a 20in set. Another new feature is that the lower section of the car is now colour-matched to the rest of the body instead of the matte black design of the standard model.

For the interior Volvo has continued to make it stylish while sporty, adding aluminum inserts in the steering wheel, door mouldings and the stylized center stack. The standard pedals have also been replaced with aluminum units, while the seats have been covered with a new dual-tone leather design. Finally, the sports steering wheel has been trimmed with perforated leather and features an engraved R-Design emblem sitting center.

The price is not revealed yet.

Volvo anounced diesel-electric Plug-In Hybrid coming in 2012

Under the company's over-riding vision - DRIVe Towards Zero, Swedish automaker Volvo announced that it will team up with Swedish energy utility Vattenfall to create a new plug-in hybrid vehicle by 2012. In fact, the two companies began working together since 2007 to explore the technology that makes plug-in vehicles a reality.

Although still three years off, Volvo has also announced that it will launch three Volvo V70 demo models in Europe this summer. These demo cars will be use to learn more about their customers' attitudes. Vattenfall is looking for the fastest, and most efficient methods to charge vehicles, while Volvo will be trying to get a better feel for driving habits. Over time, the electricity utility also hopes to figure out how to reduce charging time to a minimum.

Volvo and Vatenfall plan to use an electric motor deriving power from a lithium-ion battery pack. Depleted batteries would charge in about five hours, presumably from a 220V wall socket. Their vehicle will use regenerative braking to also help keep the batteries charged. An extensive range is not expected. Any vehicle created looks to be specifically for routine distances.

"Most car journeys are short trips, for instance to and from work. We will be able to offer a product that fulfils this transportation need. In order to cover longer distances as well, the car will also be equipped with one of Volvo's fuel-efficient diesel engines," writes Volvo head Stephen Odell. Any car created will have at least an all-electric range of 50 km per charge. This number would likely need to rise if their project is to be taken seriously.

However, the two companies acknowledge that any vehicle coming out of the partnership will be more expensive than a conventional car. The reasons for this include the high price of batteries, and the cost of research and development. Although electricity in Sweden costs a fraction of the cost of conventional fuels, getting customers to pony up extra cash up front in this economy will be difficult. The two companies are hoping things will turn around by the time their new vehicle is released. They also hope that a €3 per 100km running cost will be a big selling point.

Still, the environment will be a big selling point for any new Volvo plug-in hybrid. As such, Vatenfall will allow customers to only purchase electricity from "green" sources, like windpower and hydropower. Meanwhile, the utility claims they are working on reducing emissions across their entire electricity production lineup, in a push to be more sustainable.

"Through electric power, we avoid the emissions from each individual car. Instead of petrol or diesel, the energy is derived from a few large power sources and Vattenfall is working hard to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from all electricity production. In Sweden, virtually all Vattenfall's electricity production is emission-free," said Vattenfall chief Lars G Josefsson.