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With this trajectory, Volvo comes the launch of its latest model, the Volvo V40, replacement of existing S40 and V50, besides making design and architectural concept in the security paradigm, with the addition of a whole series of catalog electronic driving aids and a world first, the premiere of the first airbag to pedestrians.

In any version of this system is present in the case of a violation desirable never fired a pyrotechnic air bag deployment emerging from the top of the hood to cover the hardest parts around the windshield.

The air bag is inflated almost simultaneously acting device which lifts the engine hood to prevent the pedestrian receives the impact of the upper motor.

This system is to subtract severity of injury in an accident, but it may not be necessary, because the Volvo V40 also incorporates a new pedestrian detection with full auto brake.

The pedestrian detection with automatic braking, not available anywhere else V40 car segment, is based on a radar integrated into the grill of the vehicle, shared by other vehicle safety systems, and a camera in front of the inside rearview mirror and a central control unit.

The radar's task is to detect any pedestrians or vehicles in front of the car while it calculates the distance between them, and the camera determines what type of object it is. Detects pedestrians than 80 inches high, minimum.

The system, in an emergency, sends the driver an audible warning together with a flashing light that appears on the windshield, and if the driver does not react to the warning and impact is imminent the device directs all braking power up to the car, where the situation is less than 35 km / h. If the speed is higher, the system will break the car every effort to mitigate the impact.

The criterion is the same for the anti collision system City Safety urban, and premiered at the XC60, but in this case to avoid scope improved faster, up to 50 km / h (prior to 30 km / h).

The Volvo equipped with City Safety are involved in approximately 20% fewer accidents than cars with rear automatic braking.

And this system, like the rest of the board, makes a generation Volvo such as the V40, reduces up to 50% the chance of getting hurt in an incident.

This conclusion is proven by the extensive database of traffic accidents handled by the technical department of the company that inspects every crash that involving a Volvo. This result was reached after analysis of data collected since 2000.

Volvo says the V40 is the most intelligent and secure vehicle in its history, complete with a long list of driving aids, such as adaptive cruise control and distance control, the warning system touch lane change, assist device for parking, traffic sign recognition, active high beams and a radar system in the cross traffic alert rear cars approaching from either side of the car in gear maneuvers back.

Besides security paradigm, the Volvo V40 is a weapon full of arguments to meet the high-end models in the compact segment.

A powerful argument is the design, with which the mark is capable of hybridizing a traditional concept like sedans three bodies and four doors, the familiar format "station wagon" and the five-door compact car.

The design is an extension of characterizing the XC60 and V60, but with some of its features even more pronounced, especially those that define the shape front and shoulders and the backplane.

The lines on the hood, the shape of the headlamps and its location at the ends, enhances the car's width and mark the beginning of the character line that draws a silhouette that goes low to high, giving a cut to coupe Fig.

In the rear property line is the highest plane crash, to the waist line, to fall from there vertically. In that line of intersection of the two backplanes is very pronounced curvature of the shoulders, accentuated by the stroke of the rear lights, more pronounced than the range of 60.

The interior bears the unmistakable signature of Volvo. The seats, for one, can be classified as the best in the segment. Ergonomics is very similar to all models of the brand. They are an unmistakable signature in Volvo and its great virtue is to treat the position like no other, especially the back.

Inside The big news is the new instrument panel, which is the hallmark of being virtual. The instrument panel is based on a glass screen which is a TFT active repackaging of information that is customizable in content and presentation, with three different lighting modes.

Elegance mode shows an amber light, the Eco-Meter displays an echo in the left side of the box and consumer information and the light turns to green when driving is efficient, and how performance is shown in red tone with a tachometer in the center that replaces the speedometer of the other modes and an indicator informs the driver how much power is available and how much is being used.

And on top of the center stack screen 5 to 7 inches, depending on the options chosen, provides multimedia information systems and configuration of some devices, such as City Safety and Pedestrian Detection.

On the drive, the version tested corresponds to the basic and most reasonable range, given the performance during a long trial of over 2,000 kilometers.

It is equipped with the 1.6 diesel engine 115 horsepower, one of the engines developed jointly by Ford and PSA when Volvo belonged to the first (now the Swedish brand is owned by Chinese automaker Geely).

With this engine, achieves a performance Volvo official fuel consumption figure of 3.6 liters and 94 grams of CO2 per kilometer, an excellent brand in the real world, with a varied driving, city and highway, rises to just over 5 liters. Contributes to low consumption, no doubt, the start-stop system Start and Stop.

With fuel prices like this, this is the smartest option, enriched by very agile dynamic performance, the engine and the whole set.

This engine, characterized by metallic sounds very quiet on display here. It is very well insulated interior, perhaps better than road noise invades the living environment of the V40. The engine sound may disappear in cruise regimes.

The 1.6-liter engine provides adequate performance for everyday driving, without sacrificing the agility to roll at high rates. Not a prodigy accelerations but stopwatch times are more than enough to move without complexes between cars much more powerful.

The version tested is equipped with six-speed manual gearbox rather staggered that does not need constant use to retrieve performance because almost 300 Nm of torque delivery and engine starting at 1,750 rpm save many Forex trading.

The manufacturer offers the Power shift dual-clutch box, a possibility still unproven but already used in some Ford models shown as the most interesting dynamic performance and fuel consumption.

Everything is packaged on a proven chassis dynamic efficiency, because it is a derivative used for the Ford Focus, Volvo evolved.

The frame belongs to that class of select designs that create the sensation of rolling on rails when it comes to them in curved paths.

The steering, electric assist, exhibits a good fit and is responsible for giving direct orders are fulfilled very faithfully for the front, which makes quickly place the rear creating that unique feeling of grip to the line of the curve.

Volvo V40 can go very fast in steps per curve is very consistent and straight, with a very balanced suspensions adjustment and firm, the reason perhaps generates more road noise in the front.

Overall, the Volvo V40 is comfortable driving a car from the ergonomic point of view and very safe from the dynamic driving sensations equivalent to the finest of its competitors, regardless of electronic driving aids and extent of their security systems.

With an emphasis on design and, above all, security, V40 is set to head the segment of high-end compact, unless note the value of the brand, because at this point of Volvo far, although increasingly, Audi, BMW or Mercedes Benz.

Following an initial presentation about the builder at Diamond has released new images showing the Fluence Black Edition, which in the vein Black Edition takes over the Koleos and Laguna or Laguna Coupe. Clearly, the Fluence is more visually pleasing.


As we had reported the matter in the initial presentation, this variation Black Edition based on the Dynamique version while inheriting some specifics. Among them is detached from the rear park assist and the Carminat TomTom Live.

The aesthetics of this Fluence (proposed to choose between two metallic paints) comes with alloy wheels 17 "diamond, specific spoilers front and rear diffuser with glossy black tone side moldings and resuming the tone of body. Finally, we mention a few chrome accents here and there (door handles, exhaust tube or rod boot) when the passenger inherits an aluminum pedals, a saddler combined PET / fabric and a steering wheel and shift knob leather gear.

Declined only with the 1.5 dCi 110hp with six manual box, it appears to € 23 500

Volkswagen Group of America, the development of new techniques actively promote.
Therefore, in collaboration with Plug and Play Tech Center initiated a search which entrepreneurs the opportunity to demonstrate their product.

Plug and Play Tech Center is a Bussiness accelerator "that specializes in finding and developing new techniques.

This specially developed for Volkswagen program focuses among other things on the integration of mobile devices and social media in cars, parking apps and voice control.
long term

'' Innovation is an important part of our long-term planning. By partnering with Plug and Play, we create a unique platform for the most talented developers who can help us in the future, the most 'intelligent' cars on the road to put'', explains Volkswagen Peter Oel this step.

For entrepreneurs have the advantage that they participate in contact with investors, and thus have the chance to big breakthrough. Saeed Amidi, CEO of Plug and Play, aims high:'' It requires entrepreneurs with passion to create products that change our lives such as Google and the iPhone did. We are looking for innovations that interact with and our functioning in the car improvement''.

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2012 Volvo C30

Volvo revised trim levels for 2012 Volvo C30, added the Premier and Platinum for both options, namely C30 and C30 T5 R-T5. Volvo's trademark vertical taillights and front fascia that resembles the Volvo XC60 crossover. Volvo is not sacrificed comfort for performance, even in a sport-tuned R-Design.

The new front styling for 2011 Volvo C30 both complement the unique styling of the rear of the car. C30 uses front-wheel drive. Torque steer, felt through the steering wheel as the pull slightly to one side under hard acceleration, both examined, impressive for front wheel drive car with more power.

Slow steering and steering wheel is traditionally a big part of the Volvo driving experience. Model R-Design allows more road feel through the steering wheel and a sharper response. Premier Plus trim adds power glass sunroof, electric front seats, LED daytime lights and aluminum inlays for the dashboard. The new Platinum trim upgrades including Premier Plus along with a memory driver's seat, navigation system and premium 10-speaker surround-sound audio system with satellite radio.

As part of a sporty coupe, the hatchback was carved, the Volvo C30 in 2012 succeeded in attracting the cutting edge, more performance minded and style-conscious. Styling cues typical for R-Design includes color-coordinated exterior trim,
Special front grille design, blue-faced gauges, metallic interior trim, sport pedals
, Leather seats, the C30 Climate package - which includes heated front seats, electronic climate control, washer lights and rain-sensing wipers - can be added to each trim level. The front-wheel-drive 2012 Volvo C30 is supported by a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-5 that produces 227hp and 236 pound feet of torque. Six-speed manual transmission is standard, and five-speed automatic with manual shift is an optional function.

Telescopic steering wheel helps accommodate drivers of all sizes. The trademark Volvo floating center stack design is the central element. R-Design upgrades to cloth FlexTech striking combination of black with leather seating surface of the creme. In both models provided full leather upholstery. Front seats have lots of headroom and leg rooms are good, although very high drivers may wish for more seat travel. Steering wheel tilt / telescoping help drivers adjust the driving position is comfortable and appropriate.

The rear seats are fairly easy to access and offer a decent space. Rear-seat leg room is good unless the front seats far back and the end of the room under the front seats abound. The rear seats fold to create a flat floor with a load of 20.2 cubic feet of easy access to room’s kargo. EPA-estimated fuel economy checks in at 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined for the manual, and automatic ratings are 21 mpg / 30/24.

2012 Volvo C30 standard with antilock disc brakes with brake assist,
Stability control
Traction control
Front seat
Side airbags
Full-length side airbags curtain
Front seats with whiplash protection.

There is no model Volvo has reached back and modernized part of Volvo's design heritage quite as successful as the C30, which in some ways to find inspiration from the early 1970s sports car 'shooting brake' Volvo 1800ES. The 2012 C30 is an IIHS Top Safety Select, with the top 'excellent' ratings in all tests the organization, and rear obstacle detection system, blind spot system, and lane-departure warning systems are all available.

Volkswagen introduced a cross-coupe concept today at the Tokyo Motor Show. , Plug-in hybrids and looks like a traditional four-door coupe and an SUV gets together on the design center.

VW's first to feature 'modular transverse matrix' new, whatever it was, and looked pretty much production ready. Looks like a big enough engine on the image, but actually shorter than the Tiguan.

The car will feature plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.4-liter gasoline engine with 148bhp 1TSI two electric motors, one in front and one rear axle, developing 54bhp and 114bhp respectively. When used in combination, there are a total output of 261bhp is offered, which allows the car accelerate 0-62mph in 7.0sec and reaches a top speed of 125mph respectable. Although cross-worthy performance Coupe, issued and offered 62g/km CO2 figure of 105mpg claim. A production model will probably have more VW TSI and TDI engines are paired with a conventional manual and DSG gearboxes. . Since the car line that dramatically sloping roof, boot capacity of 379 liters, but this can be increased to 1229 liters with the rear seats folded.

In the end, Volkswagen showcased other innovations in thanks to the concept of all-wheel-drive system with shaft drive electric. Rear Axle driven by an electric motor while the power supplied to the electric motor behind the rear by one in front. This means that the flow of electrical energy to replace conventional power transfer by the drive shaft, make space in the center tunnel to hold the lithium-ion batteries.