With the demise of its high performance R designation, Volvo is introducing a décor package that revives the soon-to-be-defunct letter R from Volvo’s vocabulary. While the new R-design option packages don’t include performance upgrades, they do provide some unique, expressive style for Volvo’s line.
R-design will initially be available on Volvo’s C30, S40 and V50, starting this fall. A satin matte-finish grille, color-coordinated bumpers and lower side moldings, rear spoilers for sedans and roof spoilers for wagons, satin matte-finish mirror caps, and 17 or 18” 5-spoke wheels are all included in the R-design packages. Volvo will offer 10 exterior colors for R-design cars.
Inside, the seats are upholstered in off-black Vulcaflex, an Italian-made synthetic leather, with cream leather centers and cream contrasting stitching. An R-design logo is embossed on the seat backs.
Volvo is also giving buyers a leather-trim steering wheel with the R-design logo, aluminum pedals, an aluminum center stack and door inlays, gear selector with aluminum inlay and floor mats with contrasting light leather seams. Some of the R-design features will be available as accessories.
No word yet on pricing, but the R-design packages will be available this fall on 2008 models in Europe.
June 29, 2007
06/29, 12:58 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
That reeks of GM when they did that in the 1980’s with the Camaro SS and Monte Carlo SS. They were appearance packages only. Infact, due to the heavier weight and drag of all that unnecessary and hideous looking plastic cladding, the “SS” versions were usually slower than the standard model. The Mustang 5.0 LX was another case of being faster than the 5.0 GT…which is what you saw mostly. Stupid people buy stupid cars.
06/29, 1:13 PM
posted by:
LuckyLou
WOW!! What an acomplishment.
Madcapp knows what’s up.
06/29, 1:26 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Madcapp always knows what’s up.
06/29, 1:28 PM
posted by:
AdamT
Too bad. I had a friend who said he encountered one of the R volvos (err, the actual performance type) at an autocross event. He reported that it was both fast and cool.
06/29, 1:54 PM
posted by:
meanpants555
It’ll be like seeing an oldster in $150 running shoes, sort of sad, but at least they are trying.
06/29, 1:59 PM
posted by:
eam3
While Madcapp makes a good point when talking about performance cars (Mustang and Camaro), in the case of the Volvo performance is not the primary reason buyers choose them. If they can add a little extra styling panache by offering “appearance packages” then more power to them.
However, it’s still sad that they’re discontinuing the real S60R though.
06/29, 2:50 PM
posted by:
LP640
um i dunno kinda makes it look cheap on the outside the interior is nice though
06/29, 3:28 PM
posted by:
Red60R
Is that Ford’s influence — form instead of function? Oh, well, even fewer Acura R drivers will suspect anything when we blow them away with a real one.
06/29, 5:23 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
i dont know guys its got a 2 tone mirror, that alone give it 25 more horsepower, and an additional 5 hp for each r badge.
speaking of volvos i havnt read anything from s-60 lately.
06/29, 6:59 PM
posted by:
autonutt
Audi is doing basically the same thing.. starting with the 2008 models, ALL A4 sedans sold in the US will carry S-line front fasciae and grille badging (but the S-line interior appointments are an optional extra).
06/29, 10:27 PM
posted by:
gitcypher
I guess I’ll be relying on Evolve now. But maaaaan oh man was that S60-R sweet!
06/29, 10:58 PM
posted by:
Red60R
S60-R: The WRX for grownups.
06/30, 12:05 AM
posted by:
waywardboi
Will somebody please tell me what’s up with F O R D!!!!!! Why would a company B L E E D I N G money waste resources on a styling package????? How much R & D did that cost? I’ll bet a helluva lot. Dear Mr Mullaly If you are truly a man worth being paid 26Mil in your first 6 months you have got to get control of your engineers. Ford is DY I N G!!! Volvo is a G O O D division and the S40 would have maybe benefited more from the engine in the MazdaSpeed 3 w/o much R & D dollars. Reminds me of having food in the cabinet and not cooking you have all the ingredients for a good dish S T A R T C O O K I N G. A make up something tasty. Styling packages are so 1980’s B A M!!!!!!!
07/01, 2:41 AM
posted by:
A4
S60R and WRX? oh thats rich. The WRX for grownups is the RS4. everyone else knew that. And i dont know why anyones bashing this R-package setup… its the exact same thing as S-line… although with S-line its people wishing they could afford a REAL S-model, while with the R-package they have nothing to aspire to. Oh wait, yes they do… an Audi with an S-line package.
07/01, 7:41 AM
posted by:
Renton
meanpants555 — “It’ll be like seeing an oldster in $150 running shoes….. ”
I can afford the shoes, but my knees can no longer afford the impact. Nike AirMax 360’s cost more than that. LOL
Back to anti-Volvo rant:
Volvos are still a joke as far as a “drivers car” goes and it appears they will continue to be one.
I remember when Volvos had RWD and were somewhat fun to drive. FWD just does not work in a real performance machine, and you can’t hide FWD based architecture with some weak ass PTO “AWD” system.
Similar $$$ gets you a Bimmer, why not get the real deal.
07/01, 7:48 AM
posted by:
Renton
Red S60-R –”S60-R: The WRX for grownups.”
As long as you leave the letters STI out of it then maybe. But not really. Subaru’s AWD is system is superior to Volvo’s as a performance and balanced drivetrain.
Better not drive one. It may ruin your day.
07/01, 7:29 PM
posted by:
BLISS
NOT BAD AT ALL……GOOD JOB.
07/01, 7:31 PM
posted by:
BLISS
NICE
07/02, 8:13 AM
posted by:
Get Real
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…………….
Anyone outside of New England really care about Volvo ?
07/02, 12:06 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Styling packages are relatively cheap compared to real performance parts. Most volvo owners aren’t interested in real performance. I think this package is intended for the males who get dragged into the Volvo dealership by their wives to let them save some manliness.
07/02, 12:35 PM
posted by:
Renton
^^^ well said global_lightning.