hnelson said:
Cannot find info I want a usual sources (edmunds, etc.). Am thinking of
getting a 2000-01 volvo sedan. S60/S70/S80. What are differences was the S70
RWD. Is the difference mainly trim levels and size? Is there significant
difference in build quality?
1998 S70/V70/C70: Designers and engineers have given the 850 model a
thorough revamp, adding power, safety, comfort, and a dash of styling
pizzazz to an already fine automobile. The cars are renamed : S70 is the
sedan, and V70 is the wagon. The redesign includes a new nose,
body-color trim, stronger side-impact protection, more powerful turbo
engines, redesigned interior, and revised suspension. All-wheel drive
wagons arrive to battle luxury SUVs and the hot-selling Subaru Legacy.
Volvo performs a slam-dunk with its first new coupe in years; the
convertible is somewhat less thrilling. Modeled on the S70 chassis, the
C70 shares sheetmetal with the S70 from the windshield forward, and is
powered by the same set of turbocharged powerplants.
1999 S70/V70/C70: Volvo's first all-wheel drive sedan debuts, vehicle
options and color choices have been simplified. Volvo offers a light
pressure turbocharged engine in the coupe to entice consumers looking
for a lower-priced ticket.
1999 S80: The larger more luxurious S80 makes its debut. This long
overdue redesign of the S90 counts several firsts to its credit: first
with a transverse inline six, first with fully integrated GSM phone,
first to carry an environmental specification and the S80 boasts the
world's smallest manual transmission.
2000 S70/V70/V70XC: Engine improvements, a new transmission, and
equipment upgrades constitute the changes for the 2000 Volvos. The V70
AWD and V70 T-5 were discontinued. The V70XC became the only AWD.
2001 S60: The S60 is Volvo's new sedan that takes the place of the
discontinued S70 Sedan. Smaller than the S80 but bigger than the S40,
Volvo has designed the S60 to be sporty as well as safe. Like the Audi
A4 or BMW 3 Series, it should appeal to drivers who are looking for a
sedan that is fun to drive.
2001 S80: Volvo added a new trim level, the luxurious S80 T6 Executive.
Additional standard content for all trim levels comes in the form of
leather seating, a luggage holder, remote retractable rear head
restraints, memory position mirrors and Homelink. The 2.9 gets new
16-inch wheels and an auto-dimming rearview mirror as standard. All S80s
get dual-stage airbags. The available Security Package for the S80 2.9
and T6 will now include the Interior Air Quality System (IAQS) which
keeps the passenger cabin free from odors and pollutants.
2001 V70/V70XC: The 2001 V70 has improved interior space, versatility,
comfort and performance. The new V70 shares its platform with the S80,
Volvo's top-of-the-line sedan. As a result, the new V70 is slightly
shorter than the 2000 model, but it has a longer wheelbase, wider front
and rear tracks, and about 2 more inches of width and height. The base
2.4T and all-wheel-drive Cross Country models comes with a
197-horsepower, 2.4-liter, turbocharged five-cylinder engine. The XC T-5
is introduced. New safety features include front-and-rear head airbags,
and child-seat ISOFIX attachment points.
2002 S60: The big news is the arrival of the S60 2.4T AWD and its slick
electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. Additionally, all S60
models get Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA), enhanced traction control
performance and improved throttle management, resulting in quicker
response in everyday driving situations. Volvo's Dynamic Stability
Traction Control (DSTC) system is now standard in T5 models and optional
for the 2.4T AWD (starting in December 2001). Other model-specific
changes include satellite controls on the steering wheel and rear
cupholders for the base 2.4 model and a memory function for the power
seats and mirrors in 2.4T and T5 models. The entire lineup gets revised
rear headrests, ISO-FIX child restraint attachment points and an
emergency trunk release handle.
2002 V70/XC: Like the rest of its platform mates (S60 and S80), the V70
and get emergency BrakeAssist, enhanced traction control performance and
improved throttle management, resulting in quicker response in everyday
driving situations. In addition, a V70 AWD model will be offered --
minus the armor and raised suspension of Volvo's Cross Country. Standard
content has been increased, as well: All models get a cargo security
cover; the 2.4T gets six-spoke alloy wheels and a leather gearshift
knob; and the T5 gets Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC),
special vinyl/cloth upholstery, leather wrappings on the steering wheel,
hand brake and shift knob and aluminum mesh accents. Both the V70 and
XZC new features include a DVD-based navigation system, xenon headlamps
and an upgraded premium audio system. Cosmos Blue is now an exterior
color choice.
2002 S80: As a follow-up to the S80 T6 Executive, Volvo released the T6
Elite, which combined the increased rear legroom, wider rear door
openings and interior luxuries of the Executive with the convenience of
a rear bench seat, thus providing room for five. Additionally, all S80s
got Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA), enhanced traction control
performance and improved throttle management, resulting in quicker
response in everyday driving situations. Other improvements include
color-coordinated exterior trim (rather than the usual black moldings),
an emergency release trunk release handle and the availability of a
DVD-based navigation system and xenon headlamps.
2003 S60: The new high-performance S60 R became available. Otherwise,
minor changes were in store for Volvo's sport sedan for 2003. A
leather-wrapped steering wheel, along with a stereo with a CD and a
cassette deck, graced the interior of the 2.4 and the 2.4T. The latter
also gots foglights and wood dash trim in its standard equipment list.
For the all-wheel-drive version, the 2.4 turbocharged engine received a
small bump in displacement and horsepower. Rain-sensing wipers and
OnCall Plus (the telematics system) were available, and two new colors,
Titanium Grey and Ruby Red, brightened the exterior.
2003 V70/XC70: The new high-performance V70R, making 300 horsepower,
became available. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and an audio unit
with a CD and cassette player graced the interior of the 2.4 and 2.4T.
The latter also got real wood trim. For the all-wheel-drive version, the
2.4 turbocharged engine received a small bump in displacement and
horsepower. Rain-sensing wipers and OnCall Plus (the telematics system)
are available, and two new colors, Titanium Grey and Ruby Red, brighten
the exterior. Other new features include a DVD-based navigation system,
an upgraded premium audio system, xenon headlamps and deep-tinted
windows.
2004 S80: The S80 received a minor refresh this year that includes a
modified grille, additional chrome trim and a revised rear fascia for
the exterior along with a new gauge cluster and door panels for the
interior. Volvo's Four-C adjustable suspension is a new option on all
trim levels. An all-wheel-drive version of the 2.5T will be added
midyear, but it cannot be ordered in conjunction with the Four-C
suspension. Finally, the T6 Premier replaces the T6 Elite as the top
trim level.