Volvo powers up wagon

VOLVO will follow up its Performance Concept Car unveiled last year with a second edition - which just happens to be a wagon - due to be displayed at the upcoming Frankfurt motor show.

Like its sedan predecessor, the Performance Concept Car II is equipped with an advanced continuously adjustable chassis, electronically controlled four-wheel drive and a 220kW powerplant.

What is unique about the Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept (FOUR C) is its ability to collect huge amounts of information about the way in which the car moves and to respond instantly by adjusting the damper characteristics to suit.

Every alternate millisecond, that is to say 500 times per second, the system's microprocessor monitors the precise position of each wheel. It assesses its degree of grip and alters the damping characteristics of each individual wheel accordingly.

Under the bonnet of the laser blue car is a potent version of the Volvo five-cylinder, 2435cc engine.

This engine produces 220kW and no less than 400Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed, four-shaft manual gearbox developed in-house.

"Last year we wanted to provide a taste of what a future high-performance saloon car might look like. Now we're exploring the future in a different direction, this time with the Volvo V70 wagon," the head of design at Volvo Cars, Peter Horbury, said.

"Both models have a discreet yet powerful racing aura that communicates refined sportiness "We demonstrated back in 1994 that a family car could more than hold its own against the fiercest competition, when we entered the British Touring Car Championship with a Volvo 850 wagon."