Events Coverage
Brief: 2008 New York Auto Show
By by: George Achorn, photos by author and Stu Fowle
Mar 25, 2008, 12:42

New York isn’t the typical auto show. The last major industry gathering until things pick up again in September, the Big Apple event generally spells the beginning of spring and takes a slower and more social tack than other shows. For Volvo, the all-new XC60 made its North American debut on the stand at Javits Convention Center, though other interesting news about the XC70 was also released.

XC60 will be an important addition to the Volvo lineup. The mid-sized crossover segment is the new “it-niche” for automakers, hotly contested by just about everyone. To be successful here, the XC60 will have to beat out competitors like the BMW X3 and Acura RDX, though it comes ready for battle with handsome design, good equipment packages and Volvo’s turbocharged in-line T6.



Speaking of the T6, Volvo also confirmed that the forced induction mill will be available in the XC70. For those who still prefer a wagon, this is welcome news to be sure. Given the obvious North American preference for the more rugged-looking XC70 over the standard V70 wagon though, the T6 will only see duty in the XC for now.



Also making news at Volvo was the C30 R-Design. VCNA chose to announce sharp pricing on the most sporting version of their three-door. At $25,900 plus destination, this plus content version of the C30 will make a strong competitor for the Volkswagen GTI and MINI Cooper S.



During Volvo’s New York presentation, the brand also took the time to introduce its new American leader Doug Speck. Speck’s a Ford veteran with a strong affinity for Volvo and is excited about the possibilities for the brand here. His first order of business is to relocate Volvo back to its original American hometown of Rockleigh, New Jersey. Swedespeed sat down with Speck to discuss the move, Volvo’s product future and its recently announced dealer strategy. A full transcript of the discussion will be available on this website soon.

A sharp-eyed Volvo enthusiast may have also caught a subtle change to the XC90 R-Design model also shown on the floor of the Volvo stand. The big XC featured a new 20-inch wheel design for the truck to help differentiate the R-design from the similar and outgoing “Sport” model. Stamped with XC and featuring a clean 5-spoke design, the wheel augments the still-handsome looks of the XC90 as it progresses into the latter months of its product cycle.



Less about the product and more about the core Volvo message, the New York Auto Show also means the Volvo For Life Awards. This year, at the brand’s trademark gala event, Marilyn Adams of the Farm Safety Organization was awarded the prize for her work in promoting farm safety for children after the tragic loss of her son to just such an accident.

The New York Auto Show is open now. Check out the new XC60, XC90 R-design, C30 R-design and other new Volvos on the Volvo stand in Manhattan’s Jacob Javits Center. Public days with multiple planned activities continue through Sunday, March 30.

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