What’s New for 2007
Stability control is standard on all 2007 Volvo S40s, and front-wheel-drive T5 models now come with an automatic transmission only. New package options include an input jack for MP3 players and a ground effects kit (complete with chin spoiler and side skirts). Sirius satellite radio is available as a stand-alone option this year. Inside the cabin, there’s a revised overhead console design.
The S80 also boasts of three firsts for passenger cars. The first was the use of a built-in, fully integrated GSM phone, complete with both a hands free function and a lift-up hand-set. The second was the fitment of the straight six engine in a transverse mounting. Volvo claims to be the first manufacturer to succeed in mass producing this configuration. No existing manual gearbox would fit in the engine bay with the six cylinder engine, so Volvo had to develop their own, claimed to be the world’s smallest manual gearbox, the M65. The previous record holder was also a Volvo gearbox, the M56 developed to fit the wide 5 cylinder transverse engine first used in the 850 series cars. Thirdly, the S80 was the world’s first car with an environmental specification, covering aspects such as those directly relating to the car such as allergens from textiles and fuel economy and the life cycle of the car from production to dismantling. Click here to read more.. »