When it's the next generation 40-class?

The rumors I've been hearing that the new 40-class Volvo will be based on the Focus concern me. A Volvo designed by someone other than Volvo? Until now, Volvo has had it's own ethos (critics of the XC90 could make a valid claim the unravelling begins with the capitulation to SUV marketing). How, exactly, does a "Focus" become a "Volvo?" Is this the beginning of the end?
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(98 S70 T5SE misc mods, mostly lighting) (92 940GLE)

Hey David,

When it loses the quirky character that says "volvo" to those who have been loyal to the brand for generations.

Is Ford's involvement going to result in "Volvo Lite?" Probably. Will it be a better car? Define better.

But hey, at least it will make for spirited discussions for years to come.

Bryan

The new S40 and V50 will be based on the *next* Focus platform (not the current one) and a new Mazda model will also be based on this same floorpan.

But.. There will be significant differences between the models. Reports in european magazines indicate (as was already rumoured) that the 'new' S40 and V50 will get the Volvo 5-cylinder engines and probably available with FWD and AWD, while the Focus and Mazda won't get that (at least initially).

Price-wise it would probably work like this: Mazda -> Ford -> Volvo with slight overlap between the model ranges (for those customers who really want to stay with their 'brand').

Later there will be cheaper 4-cyl models (gasoline and turbodiesel), although I suspect that neither of these will go to the US.

It seems that an XC50 is also planned as is a C40 (coupe and convertible) in several years time.

Bye, Arno.

Ahhh. Mitsubishi designed the S40 Chassis...remember?
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1999 S70 T5

was just gonna say that =). press noted on the current s40...a monkey in a suit is still just a monkey

Rumors that next Ford Taurus will be built on S80 platform.
Guess it works both way.

VW builds VWs and Audis on the same platform (Beetle and TT;
Passat and A4, etc.). So, I think it can be done if done well
(and VW has been doing it well).

Also, I think a Focus chassis with a T4/T5 engine would be a
dynamite car and an improvement over the current 40 series.

Anyone know how Jaguar buyers are reacting to the new X-type
(based on the Taurus platform I believe)?

the new x-type is built on the mondeo platform. just to note, volvo won 1998 btcc in s40. ford won 2 years later on the mondeo platform. (btcc is no longer the great racing series after that year IMHO). anyway, the x-type doesn't seem too impressive...ford parts everywhere; and it just doesn't have that jaguar feel, i mean, it looks it, but it doesn't drive like it. just how the different manufacturers use the same platform is key, obviously look at vw/audi. gm has the new sigma platform...the caddi cts, new alfa romeo, and saab are going to based on that platform...very, very different marques.

>Rumors that next Ford Taurus will be built on S80 platform. Guess it works both way.
Buyer will be getting more than he bargained for....and that deal works in the buyer's favor. Can you get the T6 engine in the Taurus?

>VW builds VWs and Audis on the same platform (Beetle and TT;
Passat and A4, etc.). So, I think it can be done if done well
(and VW has been doing it well).
And Audi/VW has never tried to pass one off as the other. And lately, the VW has put out some very fine automobiles.

Also, I think a Focus chassis with a T4/T5 engine would be a
dynamite car and an improvement over the current 40 series.
>True. But not a Volvo. (Focus is a fine car, and because it's from EuroFord, it's arguably not a Ford, either, as the folks in Dearborn have been developing trucks for the last 15 years, but merely recycling tired, cosmetically restyled automotive platforms.)

>Anyone know how Jaguar buyers are reacting to the new X-type
(based on the Taurus platform I believe)?
Taurus platform is one of the worst handling FWD's on the planet. (I know, I've owned two.) Let's hope it's something else.

The answers I'm getting are answering the question, "Is this the beginning of the end?" in the affirmative. I had hoped Ford would allow Volvo to grow through Ford's vast distribution channel, without interfering in the Volvo ethos. It looks like that distinctive Volvo ethos is going to be polluted by the same people who brought you the Explorer... Volvo has been about substance. Under Ford's domination, style trumps substance.
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(98 S70 T5SE misc mods, mostly lighting) (92 940GLE)

Dave,

it is not as tragic as you nay think it is...Just because Ford and Volvo will put out a car from the same platform, that does not mean the end of Volvo or that the particular car is going to be junk.

I know I am repeating others' comments but take a look at Audi/VW...you mentioned that they are not trying to pass one off as the other...their products have many more physical similarities than the next Focus and next S40/V50 will have with each other. Most of the Jaguar cars share a chassis with an existing Ford/Lincoln car.

And just because there is collaboration on one model that does not mean that the rest of the models will be the same. And Premier Automotive Group will produce a low price car (therefore, lower profit margin) like the next S40 by saving money in sharing the chassis with another make. It just makes sense in a low profit car.

Remember, Ford paid BILLIONS for Volvo. No one throws away that type of money and that is what would happen if Ford just absorbed Volvo. That is not the reason they bought them....
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2001 V70 T-5M, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., Sunroof, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17" "Tethys" alloys

ford paid billions in part because to gain access to volvo's unique state-of-the-art crash safety testing facility in sweden

Everyone knows that was one of the reasons that Ford was interested in Volvo but that is not why they decided to fork over billions...

Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M SR, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., ipd ECU Upgrade, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17' 'Tethys' alloys

and is AWD not FWD, Car and Driver TV liked it.

my question is if building on a Ford platform, where will the Volvo safety cage go?

Don't forget that Ford has had a very good record in building safe cars; take a look at the Taurus line (among the safest sedans ever since it has been introduced), the Windstar (among the safest if not THE safest minivans on the market), Focus has scored tremendously on the crash tests even the good old Escort was deemed to be a safe car in its class.

Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., Sunroof, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17" "Tethys" alloys

Doesn't the 40 series share it's platform with some Japansese car already? Plus, I've heard nothing but rave reviews about the Ford FOCUS platform.

My point is...it's a Ford. Nothing will make it a Volvo.

(The current 40 was developed, I understand, as a joint partnership with Mitsubishi, so at least there is Volvo DNA. The new scheme is smells like the kind of marketing trickery we've all been afraid Ford would employ.)
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(98 S70 T5SE misc mods, mostly lighting) (92 940GLE)

I think that's the wrong way to think about it.

First off, the Focus is VERY impressive. I've driven one in Europe, and at least the European version is superb in handling and feel, and steering and braking was every bit as good as in a modern Volvo.

The suspension can be tuned to feel very Volvo like, and the body will be built by Volvo. It will be as Volvo like as anything. I've owned multiple RWD Volvos and one FWD Volvo, and in my opinion your S70 is not the same as a Classic Volvo. Such is evolution.

I could not agree with you anymore...The Ford Focus is an extremely impressive car, especially in the ZX3 or ZX5 package.


Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., Sunroof, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17" "Tethys" alloys

The SAAB 9-3 is built on an Opel platform, the 9-5 on a Vauxhall platform. The old SAAB 9000 was known as the "Type-Four" and the platform was developed jointly by SAAB, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Fiat. V6 Jaguars have a Taurus engine block, so do -essentially- Aston Martins.

The days when a small manufacturer can profitably build a car from scratch are gone. Excepting BMW which can apparently still do this and make a ton of money in the process.

-Bill the Cat