Review: Volvo Mk.3-I V70 (2008-10)

Overview

Released in April 2008, the Volvo Mk.3 Phase I (Mk.3-I) V70 was a five-seat, all-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Torslanda, Sweden, the Volvo V70 was powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six cylinder petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a sequential shift function.

B6304T2 engine

The 3.0-litre B6304T2 inline six cylinder engine had aluminium-alloy construction, a twin-scroll turbocharger, double overhead camshafts, Variable Cam Timing (VCT) for both intake and exhaust valves, Cam Profile Switching (CPS) for variable valve lift, four valves per cylinder, a Variable Intake System (VIS) with two throttle flap valves and a compression ratio of 9.3:1.

Volvo Mk.3-I V70 specifications
Variant	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
T6 AWD	2953 cc B6304T2 turbo petrol I6	6sp auto	210 kW at 5000 rpm	400 Nm from 1500-4800 rpm

AWD system

The Volvo V70 was fitted with a Haldex all-wheel drive system with a multi-plate clutch. In normal conditions, the system provided a 95:5 front:rear torque split. The clutch was also be pre-tensioned such that torque could be directed to the rear wheels when sensors detected that it was required, i.e. before wheel slip actually occurred. When the coupling’s clutch plates were engaged, up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque could be directed to the rear wheels.

Dimensions and body

Compared to the Volvo Mk.2 V70 , the Mk.3 V70 was 113 mm longer (at 4823 mm), 86 mm wider (1890 mm), 169 mm taller (1540 mm) and had a 61 mm longer wheelbase (2816 mm). Furthermore, the body achieved a 15 per cent increase in torsional rigidity, partly due to the increased use of high-strength steel.

Suspension and stering

The Volvo Mk.3 V70 had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. The suspension, however, included Volvo’s ‘Four-C’ active chassis system which used inputs from sensors to vary damping resistance according to conditions; the driver could also select from Comfort, Sport and Advanced settings.

The Volvo V70 had rack-and-pinion steering with hydraulic power assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volvo V70 included dual front airbags (with two-stage inflation), front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints, anti-submarining seats, front and outer rear seatbelt pretensioners and front seatbelt load limiters. The V70 was also fitted with a height-adjustable integrated rear child booster seat.

An optional radar-based cruise control system and collision warning system was also offered. Utilising a radar and camera, the cruise control system could maintain a set distance from the car in front, while the collision warning system would warn the driver of an imminent collision and autonomously brake the vehicle if a collision was determined to be inevitable.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a Volvo V70 fitted with a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.2 out of 37. There was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the driver in the frontal offset test and maximum points were awarded in the side impact test. In the pole test, the side airbags fired late and prevented the curtain airbags from fully deploying – Volvo subsequently developed a fix for this problem, applying it existing and new vehicles. However, the same problem occurred when the V70 was re-tested as the airbag failed to deploy correctly.

Whiplash tests were subsequently conducted to assess the V70 under Euro NCAP’s updated methodology , in which the V70 received a five star safety rating which included an 88 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 84 per cent child occupant protection rating.

Features

Standard features for the Volvo V70 included 18-inch alloy wheels with Ohlins active suspension (with selectable ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Advanced’ settings), a twelve Dynaudio speaker sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD player, MP3/WMA-compatibility and auxiliary input, leather seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, bi-xenon headlights with washers, front fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, 40/20/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, automatic park brake, 12 volt power outlet, a self-opening tailgate, trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

V70 R-Design edition

In November 2009, an R-Design edition was released; compared to the standard V70, the R-Design edition added 18-inch ‘Cratus’ alloy wheels, sports-tuned suspension (with higher-rated anti-roll bars and bushings), two-tone leather seats, contoured sports seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and aluminium interior highlights. Visually, the R-Design edition could be identified by its matte satin finish grille and exterior mirrors, body-coloured rear spoiler and 90 mm chrome exhaust pipes.