Despite Volvo’s intentions to unveil the first pictures and details of the very crucial XC60 on February 20 (see here), an image gallery of all-new Swedish compact SUV/Crossover was leaked into the net today.

We don’t have any technical details in our hands, but the images reveal that Volvo remained loyal to the XC60 Concept that was first seen at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show.

Set to go on sale during the second half of the year, the new XC60 will compete against the BMW X3 and forthcoming Mercedes GLK and Audi Q5 SUV/Crossovers. Read more »

If there’s one attribute Swedish premium automaker Volvo is known for, it’s safety. Throughout the history of the company, Volvo has prided itself on making cars that exceed safety regulations, also a key marketing component for the automaker.

Now, Volvo has announced three new technologies it is developing to take road safety to a new level: Automatic braking, automatic steering, and car-to-car communication.

Volvo’s Collision Warning with Auto Brake — recently introduced in the Volvo S80, V70, and XC70 - already issues visual and audible warnings, begins to apply the brakes, and increases brake hydraulic pressure when sensing an likely collision with another vehicle But Volvo is developing the technology one step further by detecting people with wide-angle radar technology that allows the vehicle to “see” people. Read more »

The Lamborghini Reventón has been named L’Automobile più Bella del Mondo. Translation: The World’s Most Beautiful Automobile.

It earned this honor in the Special Models category of this annual automotive fashion show, recently held for the fifteenth time at the Castello Sforzesco in Milan, Italy.

There are eleven categories in all, though the Special Models category is generally considered to be the big winner. Other cats include your various sizes of sedans, coupes, convertibles, station wagons, crossovers, sports cars and concept cars. Read more »

Earlier this month we brought you a rumor that BMW was in talks with Ford to buy Volvo. Then just this week the rumor popped up again, in a Swedish newspaper. Now Ford comes out to officially quash the story, saying, “Ford Motor Company is not in discussions with BMW or any other company regarding an interest in the Volvo Car Corporation.”

That should take care of it, right? Well, not with everyone. Reuters quotes several industry analysts saying such a sell wouldn’t surprise them. Ford could make a load of much-needed money by getting rid of Volvo, and one analyst said he would expect Ford to look at all serious offers.

A Merrill Lynch analyst told Reuters Ford might get as much as $8 billion for Volvo, if, of course, it were for sale.

We’ve already stated our thoughts on BMW buying Volvo, but with the sale of Chrysler to a private equity group, could Volvo be the next Cerberus target? A Chrysler/Volvo team could be the halo marque the automaker needs, and Chrysler could also benefit from Volvo’s safety first image.

Such a matchup might also mean a Magnum-based Volvo wagon. Interesting.

Thanks for the tip, SobeSVT!

[Source: Reuters via Yahoo]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) just wrapped up its own version of a clinical demolition derby on some of the newest drop tops around, and when the airbag dust settled, the Saab 9-3 and the Volvo C70 earned the Institute’s Top Safety Pick award.

Both vehicles scored “good” in front, side and rear crashes, while others, like the Pontiac G6, didn’t fare quite as well.

[Source: IIHS] Read more »

Earlier this month, Autocar reported that BMW had expressed significant interest in buying the Volvo brand from Ford Motor Company early in 2007. The report claimed BMW had gone so far as to request financial data about the Swedish automaker.

Yesterday, the Swedish newspaper Goteborgs Posten threw another logo on this rumor’s fire by reporting that sources within Ford have confirmed that BMW is exploring the possibility of purchasing Volvo. Another source has even claimed BMW and Ford have already begun informal talks.

Our previous post already touched on all the questions that need answering, including why BMW, which became the go-it-alone automaker after owning Land Rover left a bad taste in its mouth, would jump back into the ownership game. Also, while BMW and Volvo have distinct identities (the Ultimate Driving Machine versus the ultimate safety machine), there would at least be some overlap in their respective lineups.

Finally, while Ford has stated that nothing is sacred when it comes to its Premiere Automotive Group, of which Volvo is a member, why would it sell one of PAG’s most promising brands? We have an answer for that one: Volvo’s actually worth something. While many, including Ford itself, might hate to see Volvo leave the fold, the Swedish brand would likely catch a premium price on the market and help Ford fund its turnaround.

Would a BMW/Volvo ticket capture the consumer’s heart? This armchair analyst is hardly qualified to give an answer, except to say that Volvo is a brand on the verge of some big things (C30 anyone?) and requires a patient parent company with deep enough pockets to see it through.

Thanks to everyone who sent us the tip!]

[Source: Reuters]