Hi,

Chris and several others have contributed to this list of model year differences. Doubtless there a is much more that can be addded. Contributions welcome to abdj@rmi.net..

Here it is, for enterainment value only, disclaimer disclaimer, blah blah...

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DRAFT C70 model year differences. This is a mix of opinions, much of whch can not be substaniated (disclaimed enough?). Thanks Chris, Jeff, Charles for conributions to date.

Rev. 0.05 Feb 03 01

Carl Johnson

Introduction

The C70 was supposed to be available in late 96 early 97 prior to the release of the Saint movie, with adds published and commercials aired. It was intended to be built only 3 years. The first models were called ‘Prestige’ . There is a C70 Prestige spiral bound book describing C70. (Exact contents not known, but Jeff has a copy.) T

Problems/Recalls

1. Early 98’s had airbags with missing ground straps.

2. Early 98’s headlight switch was faulty.

3. 98 ECM's had some bad programming in them that required a flash update.

This fixed the RPMS randomly dropping, or the car stuttering.

4. Rear quarter panel window seal.

4. Blinker recal 9details anyone?)

MODEL YEAR CHANGES

1998 (interior)

1999 (interior)

1. Glove box door latch changes from chrome finish to black.

2. The rear ccild seat hooks on the hat shelf introduced.

3. The little rubber front door panel pocket matt's were included.

4. The passenger side gains the lower tray underneath the glove box.

5. SIPSII inroduced (?)

6. Homelink made standard option (?)

2001 (interior)

1. Woodinlays around shifter replaced with simulated wood.

Interior options:

1. Wood inlaid steering wheels available as option (my dealer did not know of it in 2000)

Exterior and body changes

1. Rear side windows differ after 1998.There has been a retro fit campain going on by Volvo for the 1998 C70s related to the rear side windows. The work entails converting from the hinge setup to a 3 bolt setup. The change was to correct a problem with water leaks that develop around the original hinge bolt that goes through the glass. In heavy rain or through a car wash water ran into the car from around the hinge bolt. The change was not related to windows popping out or anything else like that. (Charles)

When my "98" C70's Rear windows were replaced, the seal and window were replaced, with a different type of seal and a larger rear window the “fix” the leaking problem that didn’t exist. Once replaced, the left rear quarter window, started to leak. That leak was fixed by a tech disassembling that window again and cleaning the seal & resetting the window. The latches were never replaced the hinge is part of the window. (Chris)

2. Side blinker lights replace Volvo emblem in ?1999.

3. Rumored increase in body stiffness in 1999.

4. Color selections change.

1998 (early) Black, Casis (purple), Safron (Orange), Coral red.

1998 (Mid) Black, Casis, Safron, Red (not Coral), Silver, White

1999?

2000 Black, Casis, Safron, Red (not Coral), Silver, White, Venitian red pearl.

2001?

5. Grill emblem changed from Black & Silver to Blue & Silver.

Wiring/Electrical

1. Wiring moves to multiplexed system decreasing wire harnes complexity and weight. (True on V/S series, also on C?). There are two wires twisted together , one for power and the other for signal. Each item on this bus has a unique id and can be communicated to.

Engine/Transmission/Brake

1. Engine management system changed from Bosch Motronic 4.4 to Bosch ME7 in 1999. Prevailing view is emissions are cleaner, but performance loss occurred too. The ME7 throttle is “drive by wire’” replacing throttle cable. Volvo uses VADIS system to download software.

2. Engine intake manifold takes new shape that is tuned for lower rev higher torque.

3. Engines cam has lesser duration to increase low end torque, decreases high end. Also variable valve timing only on exhaus, only used when cold for emmisions. When torque curves for 98 and 99 are compared, after 5100 RPM the 99 drops off rapidly whereas the 98 stays relatively flat.

4. Engine is distributerless.

5. Engine top mount changed from steel with cutouts to cast aluminum in 1999 (cheaper)?

6. TRACS from 1998 changes to Stabiliy Control (STC) in 1999+. STC works at all speeds limiting throttle and braking in 15 milliseconds, whereas TRACS works at about 30mh and less using braking.

7. Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) was added in 1999, splitting rear/front braking opimally. It uses one magnetic mechanical pulse wheel with 48 teeth at each wheel.

8. in 1999 doors automatically unlock if front airbag deploys.

9. Low pressure turbo was not available until 1999.

10. Prem-Air radiators added in 99 (true?) (all new replacement radiators and New Volvos have the Prem-Air coating)

Production numbers and availability:

1997 per Volvo press releases, 900. Some cars were crushed (what is source?). It was reported through March 97 there were about 150 built in test run, of which 50 were sent to USA by air for dealer and journalist impressions.

1998 9,200 per press release of Volvo.

1999 35,001 claimed per articals on web.

2000

2001

Options:

1. Premium leather. It is thicker, softer. Door panels have stiched leather along armrest area to emphasize the use of leather in the inserts.

2. 1998 18” BBS wheels offered

3. Most 98’s only had choice of color, transmission (5 speed manual or 4 speed auto), and wheels.

4. Five speed automatic available ?1999?

5. Two tone leather available, but not in brouchures ( see below European section)

4. 2001 to offer an SE edition.

European options/differences

1. Europeans offered two tone leather. Italian brocure shows Cener panels of seats and center door panel in first color, sourrounding leather in second color in these combinations:

Brown/black (Antracite/Marrone)

Black suede/Black (Antracite/Antracite)

Blue/Black (Blu/antracite)

White/black (grigio cihiaro/anracite)

Gray/Gray (grigio chiaro/grigio/chiaro)

2. At least 3 levels of C70: base, GLT, T5\

3. Self leveling rear offered.

4. Convex side mirrors available in Europe.

Tech View of C70 (opinion)

Volvo Techs are rumored to dislike working on C70's, because of either inconsistencies of being hand built, or the differences between other Volvo models. And then, finally also because when there is something wrong, its usually time consuming and difficult to fix.

Notes:

So again many of the changes between newer C70’s and older C70’s was to allow Volvo to maintain a consistency with the regular 70 series, Also Remember that the earlier C70s were being build “By hand” at the TWR owned and controlled factory, After the Strike in 2000 Volvo cars took greater control and started to standardize the production…

Marketing and market Positioning of C70

For those of you who have been around for a few years, you’ll remember the C70 was marketed and intended to be a limited production Touring Coupe, for empty nesters who wanted to make a Statement. Reference the original sales education pamphlets (not the sales brochure) and Look Up any of the older Rolling or SEES magazine along the URL for the C70 Factory (Note:URL now points to volvocars after buyout. Was www.autonova.se.