The new Chicago S80 Volvo model is out and there is plenty to say about it, especially after getting the chance to test drive one!  I love test drives and the hands on feedback that comes back to our loyal readers!

One area that really impressed me was the interior.  Like the Chicago S60, the time spent in the drivers seat was oh-so comfortable.  The car has plenty of leg and head room.  The test drive confirmed my wondering if this S80 would be good enough for my long trip to Texas.  Also, the gauges on this car were pretty user-friendly, as they are diagram-based buttons.

The engine options in the Chicago S80 include a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder making 235 horsepower, the 3.0-liter T6 turbocharged six-cylinder engine, and the a powerful V8 with 311 HP.  I drove a model with the base engine, and I felt that it drove pretty well.  I wouldn’t say it packs a punch like a more sporty Jag or BMW, but I don’t believe that’s its intent.  A few other highlights of my drive were the excellent brakes, and the overall competent handling of the car.

Like the Chicago S60, the new S80 has great safety features.  Safety is an area that Volvo feels very strongly about, and that is a good thing!  Volvo S80 has what’s called a Collision Warning System.  When the car senses that a crash is very close, it gets the brakes working!

Also, the Personal Car Communicator (PCC) is a safety feature that no other auto can rival at this time.  The PCC uses a small light on the keypad to tell you what state the car is in.  If it is locked or unlocked, a light will flash.  If the alarm goes off, the system goes to work to see if there’s a human heartbeat in the car, and then it warns you from a distance.  This is simply amazing that this can be done to keep you safe, especially if you are walking to your car alone, late at night!

The Chicago S80 was a treat to drive.  I would definitely consider driving one.  Would you?

The Chicago C70 is a solid model for Volvo…The 2011 model will be out soon and it’s got a nice price tag, too!

According to reps from Volvo, the base price for the 2011 model will be around $4,000 less (starting around $39K) than the 2010 C70 that is equipped very much the same.  The C70 is a coupe/convertible with a retractable hardtop.

The exterior of the C70 has been redesigned with a new look not found on most Chicago Volvo used cars.  The front bumper/nose of the car has a 3-dimensional look, as some of the lines have been altered vertically and horizontally.  The car’s headlights have an attractive look, they are angled.   Moving to the rear, the bumper looks lower and incorporates the deep line look.

Safety features  make their way into this coupe.  The Chicago C70 has an Inflatable Curtain (IC) to protect drivers and passengers in case of a side collision or rollover.  The IC is found in the door and has a stiff design.  The curtain is placed in the door because the coupe does not have a roof rail.  It will help protect the head when the window is open.  Moreover, it doesn’t deflate rapidly, which helps provide protection if the car happens to roll over.  The IC is certainly a great safety feature a driver is lucky to have!

The 2011 C70 comes standard with a 5 cylinder, 227 HP turbocharged engine.  The transmission is automatic and has five speeds.  The C70 has a front wheel drive that is made great by the standard Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system.  These systems put in place by Volvo help maximize the performance and safety of the auto.

The 2011 C70 will no doubt be a nice coupe to own with the added bonus of a convertible…Definitely getting the most for your money!  If this style isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps one of the Chicago Volvo used cars will suit your fancy?!?!

A few Volvo Chicago models are about to become a little more friendly to our precious environment.

The S80 and V70 are being set up with Volvo’s DRIVe technology, which helps reduce CO2 emissions.  These new options are a welcome change, since many countries around the world are cracking down on the amount of carbon dioxide a car can legally emit.

The DRIVe system works in the following way.  Unfortunately, this is not found in all Chicago used Volvo models.   In the S80 and V70, an intelligent battery charging feature allows the alternator to charge the battery when it’s operating at a lower load.  This happens when a car is traveling down a hill, for instance.    Furthermore, the belt that controls the alternator and air conditioning compressor gets less friction, which in turn lessens emissions and gives better fuel economy.  In fact, the cars emit around 119 g/km of CO2 and can get just under 63 mph.  Awesome!

The S80 has a lot of other great features too.  The designers for Volvo wanted to create a car that was “compact, but youthful and elegant.”  The interior has been redesigned, using what engineers call “Scandinavian Luxury”.  For example, the wood used to trim the interior of this Volvo Chicago has a matte finish.  It also comes with a variety of engines, including a “straight 6-cylinder”.

What’s on tap for the V70 DRIVe model?  The V70 is one of the larger cars for Volvo, categorized as a Sport Wagon.  A good option if you have several children to schlep around, or you like to take adventurous road trips complete with camping gear, etc.  Some features on the DRIVe  model include a lowered suspension and low-resistance tires.  You’ll also find electric rather than hydraulic steering assistance and a handy gearshift indicator.  The upgrades on the V70 I wish were on other Chicago Volvo used cars!

Kudos to Volvo for creating more environmentally friendly cars that are still stylish and contain that “Classic Volvo look and feel”.   Visit your Chicago used Volvo dealer soon to see a S80 or V70 DRIVe for yourself!

A new Volvo Chicago electric car was on display at Detroit’s Auto Show in January.  The new model, C30, looks to be an electric car worth seeing if you are interested in a hybrid-type model.

The C30’s lithium ion-battery can be charged at a home outlet, or a roadside station.  The auto takes approximately 8 hours to fully charge.  This Volvo’s battery weighs 617 pounds and helps power the car from 0 to 60 in 10.5 seconds.  When the battery is fully charged the car’s top speed hits 81 mph and the travel distance is 93 miles.  I am really considering a trip to my local Chicago Volvo dealership once the C30 comes to the US market in 2012.

An area that Volvo will still keep up it’s standards in is safety.  Many of their models, such as the Chicago C70, have received high marks in safety features.  In fact, crash testing on some C30 prototypes is in the process.   Let’s hope the tests gets the highest marks possible!

This Volvo Chicago model will seat 4 people and offer the same comfort features as other models, like the Chicago C70.  Another advantage is that the C30 is designed to give off  0 grams of carbon emissions, which is awesome for the environment.   The cost of owning an electric vehicle is less than a gasoline powered auto over time too.  Saving money is rarely a negative!

Right now, the C30 is in the concept and developing stage, so it won’t go on sale at your Chicago Volvo dealership for a few years yet!  Until then, new and used Volvo Chicago autos are waiting to be bought!

A list of the most affordable cars of 2010 was recently published by Forbes.  This list included cars, SUV’s and Crossovers that gave the overall best value for their money in that class,  not necessarily the cheapest sticker price on the lot.  The data and results were complied by Vincentric, an auto consulting firm in Michigan. The XC70 by Volvo received this award in the Wagon category, making the staff at your Chicago Volvo dealership very proud to sell this vehicle!

Vincentric uses several variable in helping come up with their results.  These include total cost of fuel over 5 years, maintenance, repairs, national insurance rates, depreciation, interest, opportunity costs and taxes.  The fuel costs are based on the following approximations per gallon for a Chicago used Volvo: $2.60 for regular fuel, $2.86 for premium, and $2.75 for diesel.

For the Volvo XC70,  the sticker price (MSRP) is $42,800 (for the T6, AWD turbocharged 6-cylinder, six-speed automatic model) and the total cost of ownership is around $58,000.  What makes this Volvo wagon a good buy, opposed to choosing other Chicago Volvo used cars?

The 2010 XC70 is a great off-road choice, for those families seeking adventure!  This vehicle is known for stability and safe transporting on rough terrain, when weather creates treacherous road conditions, or when driving on a trail.  Sounds like a fun wagon to own.

To build on that, the wagon has quite a few safety features applied to it.  One is the Hill Descent Control.  It is a button that is pushed if the XC70 is going down a hill.  The system will apply brakes to each wheel, so the driver can focus on steering the car.  The HDC can be overridden, by pushing the gas pedal or accelerator, when needed.   Also in this wagon are side curtain and side impact airbags, Bluetooth communication that is hands free, and a 4-wheel ABS system.  Volvo has applied these features to help make your driving experience  safe and exciting at the same time.

The XC70 is simply a great wagon for an adventurous family.  I have seen both new and Chicago used Volvo models of this wagon and they are extremely popular with drivers.  Visit your Chicago Volvo dealership today and see one for yourself!