Volvo V70 Goes Sporty with R-Line Package

Little known is that Holden's entire production run of cars for Australia is done at a single factory. That plant - probably located in a city with a name like "New Wooloomooloo" or "Little Puking" - is tasked not only with producing every Holden car sold on the continent, but also with Vauxhalls for the U.K. and Pontiacs for the United States. It's a setup which brings with it its own sets of conundra. To wit: The addition of the Pontiac G8 was already taxing the facility's output, so when GM wanted to add new variants to the G8 lineup, they could only pick one: A sporty wagon, or a car-based pickup truck. GM went and chose the pickup, because sporty wagons have been welcomed in the United States with all the same enthusiasm as free herpes.

Nevertheless, Volvo has now added the R-Line trim package to its stalwart V70 wagon (a Volvo PR rep recently handed us the keys to a V70 and said, "we don't really advertise this any more, but... uh... enjoy driving it!"). The package comprises some stiffer and lower suspension bits, satin metal mirror caps and foglamps, air dams front and rear, a grippy steering wheel, and racier upholstery. To show off the V70 R-Line's "sporting character," Volvo went one step further and removed the roof rails. We're actually stoked for the V70 R-Line, mostly because of our being car queers and not Joe Lunchbucket, but we have a sneaking suspicion that you'll be able to round up everyone who buys a V70 R-Line over the next year and still not be able to field a rugby game. Read more about the new package from Volvo after the jump.

The best-selling Volvo V70 becomes the fifth Volvo model to be offered with the sporty factory-fitted R-Design option pack. This further cements Volvo Cars' aim to offer unique products to particularly discerning customers.

The Volvo V70 estate car is for many people the very essence of Volvo: practical, safe and exuding Scandinavian elegance. The R-Design pack spotlights a new dimension: impassioned, extrovert and challenging.

"Increasing numbers of customers want cars that express individual taste and style. Volvo Cars has therefore created the R-Design option pack to add a refined sporty look to the other attractive characteristics of our products," says Gerry Keaney, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Cars.

Comprehensive package

The R-Design pack for the Volvo V70 boasts a wide range of eye-catching features. For example door mirror housings and grille detailing in silk metal finish, chrome exhaust tailpipe and specially designed 18-inch aluminium wheels. On the inside it is primarily the purposeful, sporty leather-clad seats in black and cool Nordic Ceramic Light that catch the eye - together with the various aluminium details. From the instrument panel's aluminium inlays to the centre console and door sides, there is a milled circular décor pattern that spreads like ripples in water.

"The décor pattern in the aluminium details gives the interior a very special, modern character. The pattern symbolises how the dynamic R-Design characterises the entire car, linking together the seats' ribbed surfaces and the exterior's multitude of detailing in a silk metal finish," says Maria Thunberg, manager of Colour & Trim, Volvo V70 R-Design.

Optimised sports chassis

Volvo R-Design not only offers visible detailing, it packs properties that simply have to be experienced out on the road. The sporty chassis offers plenty of driving pleasure and immense control in every situation. The sports chassis has been optimised with the help of features such as stiffer anti-roll bars and bushings and lower ground clearance for more direct road contact and more responsive and rewarding steering feedback.

"The big challenge with this project the R-Design chassis was to combine crisp driving pleasure with Volvo's renowned secure properties in poor road conditions such as heavy rain or snow. I'm convinced we've found exactly the right balance," says Ekkehard Schwartz, Vice President Chassis and Vehicle Dynamics.

The whole package - Volvo V70 R-DESIGN

• Grille in silk metal finish with R-Design emblem.
• Foglamp décor at the front in silk metal finish.
• Door-mirror housings in silk metal finish.
• Five-spoke 18-inch aluminium wheels - Cratus.
• Black anodised window mouldings made of aluminium.
• Tailgate spoiler in the same colour as the body.
• Chromed visible exhaust tailpipe, 90 mm diameter,
• Rear colour-matched spoiler with black insert.
• Sports chassis: lowered 20 mm front and 15 mm rear.
• 11 exterior colours to choose between.
• Sports seats reinforced with extra foam padding in the seat and backrest cushions for added stability and comfort.
• Combined instrument with blue dial faces unique to R-Design cars.
• Sports steering wheel trimmed in perforated leather and R-Design emblem.
• Sports pedals made of aluminium.
• Upholstery of smooth leather in Off-Black and Ceramic Light colour combination, embossed with the R-Design emblem in the backrest.
• Specially designed centre console and unique décor pattern.
• Gear selector trimmed in perforated leather.
• Off-Black sports mats.

To further emphasise its sportiness, the car has no rails on the roof. These are however available as factory options for those buyers who wish to specify them.