The wild Volvo wagon is on the comeback trail... The Swedish firm plans to revive the spirit of its 850 and V70R models with a newcomer based on its latest large estate.
Called the V70 R-Design, the car combines a bodykit with lowered suspension for improved road manners. While the engine remains untouched, the springs are 20mm shorter at the front and 15mm lower at the rear. Thicker anti-roll bars and tougher suspension bushes also deliver more accurate steering and better stability.
New colours will be offered, including the vibrant red shown in our first picture of the car. Buyers can specify the package now on all models in the V70 line-up. Prices start at £26,745 for the 2.0-litre petrol R-Design.
But the estate isn’t the only Volvo going under the knife. The 2009 model-year XC90 has been revealed, and it gets a series of upgrades, including an R-Design bodykit and new alloys. There’s also a revised D5 diesel engine that emits 224g/km of CO2 when fitted with the Geartronic auto box. That’s a reduction of 71g/km, and takes the car from road tax band G into band F. The XC90 is also available to order now, priced from £32,845.