volvo

Parrot's bringing the lessons learned when developing its Asteroid series of car stereos to the next generation of Volvo cars with the Android-based Sensus Connected Touch platform.

Like the Parrot Asteroid Smart that I recently reviewed, the Sensus Connected Touch is a touch-screen interface that is based on a heavily modified version of Android (likely version 2.3) and will connect to the Internet via a Bluetooth-paired smartphone, Wi-Fi tethered access point, or USB-connected 3G/4G dongle. Also like the Asteroid Smart, Sensus will give its users access to a variety of vehicle specific apps available in Parrot's Asteroid Market, … Read more

Volvo long staked its reputation on safety, so you would not expect a hot hatchback to come from the Swedish automaker. But fit the little C30 with Volvo's R-Design trim and give it the new Polestar engine software, and the car becomes a delight to shoot down a twisty road.

The car did not make any more noise than a standard C30, the only things announcing the extra power being a blue badge on its butt and ample response to the gas pedal. The side-grip shifter for the six-speed manual slipped through the gate with European precision, but the … Read more

From the Infiniti Emerg-E to the rather hideous Toyota FT-Bh, we've got something to say about every high tech car CNET saw at the 2012 Geneva auto show.

In its annual list, Wards Auto lauds what its editors perceive as the 10 best engines powering cars today.

The 2011 Ward's 10 best engines list pays homage to electrification, including both the mixed gas and electric system driving the Chevy Volt, and the pure electric motor in the Nissan Leaf. One diesel also made the list, Volkswagen's TDI. Among the gasoline engines, most feature forced induction. Direct injection also makes an appearance. But big displacement has its place, as seen in the 5-liter V-8s from Ford and Hyundai.… Read more

Volvo's V60 plug-in hybrid gets outstanding mileage but still has some spunk.

The company today said that the diesel electric "sport wagon" will be available early next year priced at 57,000 Euros, or $75,500 . It expects that 80 percent of the buyers will be companies, rather than individual consumers.

Volvo has taken a unique path in building a plug-in electric vehicle with a diesel engine. The car will drive about 30 miles in pure electric mode and then the 215 horsepower diesel engine, which powers the front wheels, will kick in.

The combination yields mileage … Read more

The Volvo C30 Electric is already out on the roads in Europe, but this week the Swedish automaker released 10 video clips documenting the development of new technology for the C30.

According to Volvo, the C30 Electric had a short development time, and the process involved about 100 research and development specialists.

Click on the links below to view videos two through 10, to learn more about testing, safety, engineering and other aspects of the C30's development.

The films include "A Milestone in the Automotive Industry" (below), "Battery System," "Electrical Architecture and Electrical Safety,&… Read more

We drive the Volvo S60 T6, get features in Sync that Ford promised years ago, look forward to GM cars driving themselves, announce the EPA numbers for the Fisker Karma, and advise you not to pay more for a used car than a new one!

• Get your Ford Sync system update

• Put Siri on your Android phone in the car (virtually)

• GM has aftermarket box for self driving cars

• CNET review of the Volvo S60 T6 R-Design

• Many used cars selling for more than new!… Read more

BMW has its M, Mercedes-Benz its AMG, and Audi its RS, and now Volvo fits the new S60 sedan with a performance badge, R-Design.

The S60 R-Design features a solid set of tuner upgrades, from a chipped engine to custom 18-inch alloy wheels. But it hardly competes with the likes of other European automaker performance divisions. Boasting 25 more horsepower out of the same engine as a stock S60, albeit with a reprogrammed engine control module, the S60 R-Design turns in thrilling acceleration.

Cornering is less professional, as the special sport-tuned suspension does not feel all that capable. And the six-speed automatic proves too slow to shift for power gear selection. … Read more

Volvo has announced it will begin sales of its diesel-electric hybrid plug-in V60 model for the European market next year.

Last year I drove the electric version of the Volvo C30, which showed an unexpectedly advanced level of power train development from the Swedish automaker. Production for that vehicle has not been announced yet, but the electric drive technology is being applied to a new hybrid version of the V60 wagon launching next year.

Volvo did not release full specifications for the hybrid V60, but revealed some intriguing details.… Read more