Volvo to Roll Out Cars in India

Volvo Cars announced last Thursday that it will roll out top product lines in India by the year-end. Product lines include the Volvo S80 and the XC90.

"The Indian premium segment is very positive and it continues to grow fast. By the end of the year we intend to launch our sedan S80 and SUV XC90," Volvo Cars India Managing Director Paul de Voijs said. He said the company would import the vehicles directly from Sweden in three engine variants each. Engines include a 2.5 liter turbo diesel, a 3.2 liter and a 4.4 liter petrol unit.

Asked about the pricing, he said that it was too early to comment. "When we import, the vehicles will attract a duty of 112.5 per cent. We will bring only one luxury line and our cars will be in direct competition with Mercedes, BMW and Audi," Voijs said. He added the company has already appointed three dealers - one each in Delhi, Chandigarh and Mumbai for its kick-off in India.

The Volvo S80 is a midsize luxury executive car, launched in 1999 as a replacement for the 960/S90 sedan, features a new 3.2 L straight-6 or 4.4 L V8 engine in combination with available four-wheel drive. The second-generation of the car is the first Volvo sedan to offer transversely fitted V8 with a power output of 315 horsepower and 440 nm of torque. With four catalytic converters and advanced electronics, this engine is one of the cleanest V8s available these days.

The all-new S80, based on the EUCD platform, is sharing the platform with its siblings - Ford's S-MAX and Galaxy large MPVs. Notwithstanding the platform used, majority of the Volvo S80 parts are made by Volvo alone. The exterior of the car is likened to that of the first generation but is greatly enhanced with higher strength boron steel in the body to augment safety offers. The interior is made comfy and luxurious that ,Weathertech may not be necessary.

The sedan also offers the Personal Car Communicator remote control as an optional feature. Before a driver gets in the car, he is able to review the security level and know whether he has set the alarm and if the car is locked. It also offers a heartbeat sensor that warns if someone is hiding inside the car.

The Volvo XC90, a mid-size luxury crossover SUV, is based on the Volvo P2 platform. The SUV was updated with a subtly-restyled front and rear. It was also given a more luxurious interior. A new V8 engine that produces 311 horsepower was added in 2005.

Already Volvo has applied for homologation at the Automotive Research Association of India, Pune, and the process could take three months to complete, he said. Asked if the company was looking to utilize the facilities of its parent company Ford in India, Voijs said: "As of now we do not have any intention for such a thing." He said, despite Volvo Cars India being under the legal umbrella of Ford India, it would continue to take its own decision on product introduction and marketing.