Volvo has been teasing what appeared to be a new car announcement, but it turns out that it was teasing a new music video from DJ trio Swedish House Mafia that features the new Volvo XC60.

“We found a great connection in our joint Scandinavian roots and have built the project around this.” said Per Carleö, Marketing Manager at Volvo Cars. The new video will be the leading theme in Volvo’s upcoming global launch campaign for the XC60.

SEE ALSO: Volvo XC60 Revealed at 2013 Geneva Motor Show

The XC60 is a small crossover that Volvo says is focused on utility, and getting out of the city for an adventure. The Swedish House Mafia song, Leave the World Behind, is said to represent both the XC60′s nature as well as the group’s exiting the music scene, as they performed together for the last time at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami on March 24, 2013.

The campaign and music video kicks off today at 2:30 p.m. Check back for the updated post later today.

GALLERY: Volvo XC60 with Swedish House Mafia

Discuss this story at volvoforum.com

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) is growing closer to calling for laws making automatic braking systems in cars mandatory. 

Automatic braking systems use radar and cameras to monitor what is ahead of the vehicle, and will operate the brakes if a collision is deemed imminent.

Some companies, such as Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, already offer these types of systems, which NHTSA says save lives. In a study undertaken by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, people put in insurance claims 16 percent less often for S60 sedans equipped with the feature when compared to other mid-size luxury sedans.

In 2011, NHTSA ordered automakers to install electronic stability control on every single vehicle, and it looks as though automatic braking systems will be next.

[Source: Automotive News]

Volvo released a mystery teaser today revealing that something new, likely a new XC90, will be revealed in two days on May 17. 

Based on the timing, it seems like this teaser must be for the new XC90, which is due for a full redesign. Volvo did update the XC90 in 2013, but the changes were minimal.

The new XC90 will be based on the companies new scalable platform architecture, a setup which will also carry the next generation S60, V70, XC60 and S80. One of the brand’s new four-cylinder engines is almost assured to find its way under the hood linked to an eight-speed transmission, while diesel and hybrid power are both possible options for the new XC90.

SEE ALSO: Volvo XC90 Spy Photos

Design wise, the XC90 is expected to take its influence from the Volvo You Concept, which has foreshadowed the redesign for many of Volvo’s newer models.  Early design sketches (seen above) have already been released by the brand, showing off some of the new styling cues the XC90 will take.

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Volvo has announced that a new group of engines has started production, ready to be used in cars as early as this fall.

The new four-cylinder engines are developed and produced in house at Volvo, and are expected to deliver better performance than today’s six-cylinder units, while offering lower fuel consumption than the current crop of four-cylinder motors. The engine family, dubbed the new Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA) are all built on the same line, in an effort to higher efficiency production

“This marks a milestone in Volvo Cars’ history. With our new engine family we are focusing on two additional vital properties – driving pleasure and fuel efficiency,” says Derek Crabb, Vice President Powertrain Engineering. “During the development, the starting point was our customers and what we wanted to offer them in regard to good fuel economy, low environmental impact and immense driving pleasure at an attractive price.”

The new engines will be seen in cars as early as this fall. Expect them to be in the Volvo S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80. The new family of engines is expected in both diesel and gas versions, as well as electric-hybrid variants.

Volvo is working on a car sized to rival the Volkswagen Golf that will come as both a hatchback and a sedan.

According to Automobile magazine, the Swedish maker has begun development in partnership with Chinese parent company Geely. The car will not ride on its Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA), which apparently can’t be crunched down further than the V40.

Instead, the two makers are working on a new architecture that will rival cars sized like the Golf — although that seems strange because the V40 really is sized similarly to the Golf. In fact, the Volvo’s wheelbase is about 0.4 inches longer.

SEE ALSO: Volvo Flagship Sedan Not Coming: CEO Says

Meanwhile, it sounds like SPA will underpin the V40 at the small end. A new XC40 is also apparently on the way. Automobile also reported that an S90 will be built, although brand boss Hakan Samuelson said last month that the brand will not build a flagship to compete with cars like the BMW 7 Series, due in large part to the segment’s large engine status quo.

[Source: Automobile]

Volvo has completed testing of new kinetic flywheel technology that the brand claims can improve fuel economy by up to 25 percent. 

“The testing of this complete experimental system for kinetic energy recovery was carried out during 2012,” says Derek Crabb, VP of Powertrain Engineering at Volvo Car Group. “The results show that this technology combined with a four-cylinder turbo engine has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by up to 25 per cent compared with a six-cylinder turbo engine at a comparable performance level,” said Crabb.

The system is known as Flywheel Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), and is fitted to the rear axle to capture the power of the car when under braking. When the brakes are used, the combustion engine is shut off and a carbon-fiber flywheel is spun at up to 60,000 rpm in a vacuum to reduce friction. The power generated is then transferred back to drive axle when the driver accelerates using a special transmission.

“The flywheel’s stored energy is sufficient to power the car for short periods. This has a major impact on fuel consumption. Our calculations indicate that it will be possible to turn off the combustion engine about half the time when driving according to the official New European Driving Cycle,” explains Derek Crabb.

The setup is especially efficient in the city, or when the vehicle is constantly starting and stopping. When operated in conjunction with the combustion engine, the KERS system can also boost max hp by about 80, shaving seconds off any car’s 0-60 mph time.

 Discuss this story at volvoforum.com

Volvo is preparing the C30 EV for launch in Europe, and the brand announced today that thanks to its quick charger, the car can be fully juiced up in just 1.5 hours. 

Developed in partnership with Siemens, the new 22 kW fast-charger is fitted inside the car, and is designed to use a three-phase outlet for quick charging times. When hooked up to a regular European 230V power supply, the C30 EV still takes 8-10 hours to fully fill up with power.

“Adding the innovative fast charging solution will radically improve the time and mileage for the daily usage of the car. This will drastically improve the cost of ownership since the customer will now be able to drive many low cost kilometers per day,” says Lennart Stegland,VP of electric propulsion systems at Volvo. “Even a quick 10-minute plug-in adds power for another 20 kilometres of driving,” he finished.

The car is powered by a 120-hp electric motor, that motivates the C30 EV from 0 to 70 kph (43 mph) in 5.9 seconds, a seemingly random measure of speed in America, which must mean something in Sweden.

Starting in the summer of 2013, Volvo will begin leasing a fleet of 100 C30 EVs to European customers, and will begin taking feedback on the technology which the brand hopes to implement in a future series production vehicle.

Discuss this story at volvoforum.com

Volvo won’t build a flagship sedan to compete with cars like the BMW 7 Series and says its customers wouldn’t be interested in a segment where V8 and V12 engines are the norm. 

Rumblings of such a vehicle stirred after the brand was sold by Ford to Chinese company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., but Stefan Jacoby – then CEO – insisted it would be an incongruous product for Volvo. But Hakan Samuelson, the current CEO, replaced him after Jaocby suffered a mild stroke last year. Despite that, it doesn’t seem as if the attitude toward large luxury has changed.

Instead the brand unveiled its V40 hatchback over the weekend, which debuted in Europe in 2012 and will be sold in China later this year.

Volvo is honing its focus on the Chinese market as are many other European luxury brands.

It and Geely are co-developing a compact car platform, which is China’s largest market segment. Meanwhile, Volvo is also increasing its retail presence from 150 stores to about 250 over the next couple of years.

Ambitious as it may seem, the brand is also still aiming to reach 200,000 unit sales in the country by 2015, despite being on a sales downswing last year with about 42,000 units sold.

[Source: Automotive News]

Discuss this story at Volvo-Forums.com

Pack your things and head Down Under if owning a Volvo S60 Polestar is really important to you – it might be your only chance. 

That’s because a production version of the crazy 508-hp, six-cylinder concept is being released exclusively in Australia for a trial period. But before you go booking a one way ticket to Brisbane, it’s far less potent than the concept. Instead, you’re looking at a 350-hp version of Volvo’s turbocharged six-cylinder engine, capable of roughly 370 lb-ft of torque.

“We have built a car that we, as car enthusiasts, want to drive,” Christian Dahl, managing director of Polestar said. ”This is a driver’s car, bringing out the very best of the already competent Volvo S60 chassis with our experience and technology from motorsport.”

SEE ALSO: Volvo S60 Polestar Performance Concept Packs 508-HP

Aside from the engine, Volvo’s new performance sedan borrows equipment from Polestar race cars including larger brakes, Öhlins dampers and a specially-tuned S60 chassis.

The car also gets aerodynamic enhancements including a front splitter, rear spoiler and diffuser. Volvo says the car can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds using a Polestar-tuned six-speed automatic transmission, launch control and all-wheel drive, although it’s electronic limiter won’t let you exceed 155 mph.

Volvo says the limited Australian production run will serve as a pilot project to determine if the car will reach other markets.

GALLERY: Volvo S60 Polestar production car

Discuss this story at Volvo-Forums.com

Costco has teamed up with Volvo  to allow members to purchase or lease models from its Auto Program.

“Over the years, the Costco Auto Program has proven to be an excellent promotion to offer exclusive pricing and great value to all Costco members,” said Tassos Panas, vice president, marketing and product planning, Volvo Cars of North America. “This year, we are expanding the offer to include our entire lineup, allowing members to select whichever new Volvo best fits their needs and lifestyle.”

The Volvo Limited-Time Offer will extend Volvo Employee Pricing to Costco members and complements the deal with a $500 Costco Cash Card for completing a Costco Auto Program satisfaction survey after purchasing or leasing an eligible 2013 or 2014 model year Volvo.

Costco has joined forces with Volvo six times to bring exclusive offers to members, but the current promotion is the first to include the entire lineup from the Swedish automaker.

Members will essentially receive Volvo Employee Pricing on all 2013 and 2014 model Volvos, with an additional $750 off for 2013 models. To qualify, the Costco member must first register to participate and then purchase, lease, or factory order an eligible vehicle between April 12, 2013 and July 31, 2013.

Discuss this story at VolvoForum.com

Once upon a time the automotive market was radically different. Just a few decades ago things were much simpler for consumers than they are today. Unless they’re shopping for a new Tesla, buyers face a borderline-absurd number of choices when they walk into a typical dealer showroom. This is why we’re here. Ask AutoGuide’s expertly trained, nationally certified Oracles are ready, willing and usually able to help new-car shoppers in distress. Think of them as caped crusaders fighting for what’s right… as long as they don’t have to get up from their desks or change out of their Velcro Hush Puppies.

Along with traditional sedans and pickup trucks modern vehicle lineups include automotive oddities like minivans and crossovers, not to mention the paradoxical four-door coupe, a half-breed that’s akin to the mythical liger (bred for its skills in magic). Car-based utilities are on the front-line of this sea change. Slowly but surely they’re starting to dominate the market like the Soviets dominated Eastern Europe, but instead of communism and an iron curtain think of trips to Costco and a new shower curtain.

This proliferation is good for consumers in need of spacious vehicles that deliver respectable fuel economy, but given how they’re multiplying like bacteria in room-temperature egg salad, choosing the right one is a monumental challenge.

This week Tammy sounded the alarm. She’s looking for a premium crossover and has about $50,000 to spend. That narrows things down to just about every car-based utility on the market today. Thankfully she has other criteria. Quality and reliability are important to her as are fuel economy and safety. She’s also looking for blind-spot monitoring, a roof rack and navigation, among other things. Giving our experts a general direction to head in, she mentioned vehicles like the Audi Q5 Hybrid, Lexus RX and Toyota Highlander. Vast amounts of cargo space are not a priority so compact luxury is the way to go.

Few things excite the Oracles like an automotive challenge and this is a big one. Hopefully they get as amped up about Tammy’s question as they do about scheduling an appointment with the allergist.

Suggestion #1: 2013 Volvo XC60

Sweden is the land of Viking warriors, social welfare and ABBA. This Nordic country dangles above the European mainland like a salami hanging in a deli; it’s even got its own natural casing, which consists of Norway to the west and the Baltic Sea to the east. In wintertime this barrier even crunches like a cured hog intestine.

Sweden is also famous for its high standard of living and its auto industry. The former comes courtesy of sensible government policy, the latter of bankruptcy and Chinese ownership. Saab ran out of gas a year or two ago, succumbing to an unstoppable one-two punch: the Great Recession and GM’s blundering management. With the Griffon brand on the receiving end of a Viking funeral the only automaker left to wave the blue and yellow standard is Volvo, the most ‘we’re not dead yet’ automaker in Sweden.

The company’s offering in the premium small crossover segment is the capable and safe XC60, a vehicle Tammy may not have considered. It offers a comfortable cabin, lots of nice features and a touch of Scandinavian luxury, which is understated and elegant, unlike, say, German luxury, which is demanding an opinionated.

The XC60’s base price is a little more than $35,000, well within budget. Loaded up with the necessary options that figure grows by a substantial amount… like 11 grand. With blind-spot monitoring, heated seats and a navigation system the car’s MSRP just about hits $46,000.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Volvo XC60 R-Design Review

One interesting feature offered on the XC60 is called City Safety. It’s an advanced driver-support technology that’s designed to prevent costly fender benders. It works at low speeds in stop-and-go traffic. If the driver isn’t paying attention and the vehicle ahead is stopped City Safety will automatically slam on the brakes to prevent a rear-end collision. If the motorist is doing their job the technology is completely invisible; it only intervenes when necessary. In demonstrations the system is quite effective, and best of all it’s standard on every XC60.

Shelling out nearly 50 large gets you a front-wheel-drive model with a 3.2-liter straight-six under the hood. It develops 240 horsepower and nearly as much torque. It’s matched to an automatic transmission with half-a-dozen gears. On the efficiency front this stylish Swede should average 21 miles per gallon in mixed driving; that’s 19 MPG city and 25 on the open road (not the best numbers in its class).

If all-wheel drive or additional performance are called for plan on spending more. An up-level turbo engine belts out either 300 or 325 horsepower depending on how it’s tuned, but even in base trim Volvo’s Dancing Queen is comfortable and plenty capable.

Get full Volvo XC60 details here

Suggestion #2: 2013 Acura RDX

More is less with the Acura RDX. When the company redesigned this luxury crossover a year or so ago they replaced the previous generation’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a big, honkin’ V6. Against the odds, fuel economy actually went up. The RDX’s combined rating improved by two miles per gallon, and that’s with more than 30 extra horsepower! This is eye-opening, especially at a time when manufacturers like Ford are aggressively downsizing their engines and bolting on the boost.

Like its Swedish competitor the RDX starts in the mid-$30,000 range. That gets you a 10-way power driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support, a premium sound system, Bluetooth connectivity and a lot more.

To get the coveted navigation system one has to step up to a model equipped with the Technology Package, which is $3,700 extra compared to the base car. That’s a hefty chunk of change, a truckload of rolled quarters, but it’s more than just navigation. It includes a nifty multi-view rear camera, which can show three different views on the display screen as the vehicle backs up, AcuraLink real-time traffic and weather plus Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights that turn night into day.

Under the hood Acura offers drivers a choice, they can opt for a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 273 horsepower or they can buy a different vehicle. The engine is matched exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission; like a canoe it can be controlled with paddles… paddle shifters, that is. All-wheel drive is available for, you guessed it, more money.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Acura RDX Review

With efficient front-wheel drive this Acura should be able to make it 20 miles on a gallon of gasoline in city driving. Naturally it does considerably better on the highway, returning up to 28 MPG.

The RDX is quite entertaining to drive, relatively spacious inside and it’s attractively styled (Tammy even said she liked the looks of it in her initial e-mail). But best of all under its fancy bodywork and leather trim it’s a Honda, meaning it’s practically guaranteed to deliver problem-free driving until she trades it in for a hydrogen-fuel cell car in 2030.

Get full Acura RDX details here

Suggestion #3: 2013 Lexus RX

Just like Honda, Toyota’s reputation is built on a foundation of quality. It’s not something that’s sexy, and it isn’t fun, but reliability and longevity are extremely important factors to consider when purchasing a vehicle.

Lexus is Toyota’s crown jewel, a pure expression of sound engineering and automotive quality. Year in and year out this luxury brand is at the top of various surveys such as the annual J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, which measures problems per 100 vehicles. In the latest edition of the survey, which was released a couple months ago, Lexus drove away with just 74 reported issues; the worst was Land Rover with 220! Interestingly from a quality standpoint the RX was the highest-rated vehicle by J.D. Power.

Base price for the entry-level RX350 is considerably richer than the competition here; it starts at 40 grand. At that level it comes standard with 10-way power-adjustable front seats, dual zone automatic climate control and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column. As for safety, the RX’s 10 standard airbags turn the cabin into children’s bounce house in the event of a crash.

In order to get a nav system you have to step up to a model with all-wheel drive. That’s adds a bit to the bottom line, but the real kicker is that navigation is part of an $8,000 options package. It includes other features like a heavy-duty radiator, heated AND ventilated front seats as well as rain-sensing windshield wipers. That pushes the vehicle’s price to $49,905, just $95 short of the limit. Talk about brinksmanship.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Lexus RX350 F Sport Review

Like the Acura RDX the similarly-named Lexus RX is powered by a 3.5-liter V6. It delivers a decent 270 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. Following the industry standard it’s matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel economy is something that’s also important to Tammy and the RX is pretty efficient. According to Uncle Sam’s minions at the EPA, it stickers at 18 miles per gallon city and 24 highway, numbers that give it a combined score of 20 MPG. But blowing those out of the water is the hybrid version of this Lexus crossover.

All-wheel-drive models of the RX450h average 29 miles per gallon, stickering at 30 in the city and 28 on the highway. Those scores make it sizably more efficient than the standard version, but that added fuel economy comes at a price. All-wheel-drive hybrids start at more than $47,000. The most basic package with navigation adds another 8 grand on top of that, bringing the total to almost $57,000 – it’s a real budget buster. On top of that the added cost of the hybrid system is suspect; sure you’re saving the environment ,but in real world driving don’t expect to recoup the extra cash any time soon..

Get full Lexus RX details here

Suggestion #Honorable Mention

So far the Oracles have presented a trio of high-end crossovers, any one of which should suit Tammy’s needs. These frontrunners offer high levels of technology, lots of luxury amenities and decent fuel economy. But there are so many offerings in this vehicle class a couple more are worth mentioning.

The BMW X3 is one of the sportiest compact luxury crossovers. It’s offered with two different turbo engines: an efficient four-cylinder and a powerful straight-six. For Tammy a model with the base powerplant would be plenty. It serves up 240 horsepower and is matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Downsides to the X3 are relatively few. It gets expensive quickly and it probably won’t be as reliable as the Acura or Lexus, but still, it’s a fine choice.

Not to be outdone by other luxury nameplates, Mercedes-Benz also fields a compact luxury crossover. The GLK is a rugged, handsome-looking vehicle; it’s probably one of the most stylish in its class. Under that chiseled bodywork the powertrain consists of a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 302 horsepower as well as a tried-and-true seven-speed automatic transmission. Starting price is about $37,000 but optioned up to Tammy’s liking it stickers for about $46,000. Like the BMW complaints are few and center on long-term reliability.

IN CONCLUSION

With such a rich menu of offerings what’s the best vehicle for Tammy? Should she go with beluga caviar, Kobe beef or just sip on a glass of Romanée-Conti La Tâche? In truth she can’t make a mistake; all of the crossovers presented by the illustrious AutoGuide Oracles are first-rate choices. They each come with long lists of strengths and will almost certainly serve her well for years to come.

The Volvo XC60 is a solid choice. It’s safer than an artillery bunker and offers some very interesting technology in the form of the company’s City Safety autonomous-braking system. This comparison’s lone Swede is even wrapped in a stylish suit, but the XC60 is not without a few downsides. It’s interior, while a pretty swanky place is getting dated at this time. Rear seat legroom isn’t plentiful either. It’s a great luxury crossover but it’s probably not the best.

The Lexus RX is another stupendous choice. It’s reasonably powerful and efficient, it’s loaded with comfort and convenience features and it’s one of the most reliable vehicles ever built. It will probably still be running strong after the sun explodes. It’s also quite large for this class of crossover, which could be an added bonus, though Tammy says cargo room isn’t her number one priority.

Unfortunately all that quality doesn’t come cheap. Whether it’s the base RX350 or the even more expensive hybrid model the RX is pricey. Technically it’s still within Tammy’s $50,000 budget, but barely.

More engaging to drive than the Volvo and a better value than the Lexus, Acura’s RDX is a strong contender, which is why the Oracles are recommending it to Tammy, plus everyone else already drives an RX. It’s a quality piece of engineering that gets pretty good fuel economy and offers lots of technology. Acura gets the nod in this week’s installment of Ask AutoGuide.

As always, good luck in your quest for a new car and thanks again for taking the time to Ask AutoGuide.

If you need a little assistance shopping for your next vehicle feel free to do the same. Send a short message to ask@AutoGuide.com. Let us know the basics of what you’re looking for. How many seats do you need? What size of vehicle do you want? How much are you willing to spend? With some of those fundamentals out of the way we’ll get busy to come up with two or three must-see vehicles that you’ll have to put on your test-drive list.

Volvo is introducing new fuel injection technology which is set to make its four-cylinder diesel engines more efficient than ever.

“We will create smaller, more intelligent engines with so much power that they will turn V8s into dinosaurs,” said Derek Crabb, VP of powertrain engineering at Volvo Car Group.

In autumn 2013, Volvo is introducing its Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA) engine family, that uses new individual pressure feedback sensors on each cylinder know as i-ART.  These sensors will continuously measure pressure in each cylinder and adapt fuel injection per combustion individually, rather than work on a common sensor as these diesel engines do now.

Along with the new engine tech, Volvo’s VEA family of engines will be hooked up to a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

“Our four-cylinder engines will offer higher performance than today’s six-cylinder units and lower fuel consumption than the current four-cylinder generation. On top of that, electrification will bring us up into power figures in today’s V8-territory,” Crabb said.

GALLERY: Volvo VEA Engines