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From Swedespeed.com Events Coverage
2005 May be a relatively quiet year for Volvo when it comes to new car launches, with the next big debut reserved for the C70 expected but not confirmed for September’s Frankfurt Auto Show. With that in mind, one might expect the brand from Gothenburg to be fairly inactive at the New York Auto Show, typically the last of the season. However, with the creative PR and marketing teams at Volvo, one could say it was anything but. iPod Integration Perhaps of most importance to the techie owners of the brand, confirmation of iPod integration took center stage. In fact, Volvo had two iPod-equipped R models with prototype though operational iPod systems.
The new system will be available for direct integration in the S60, V70, and XC70 with FM broadcasting solutions available for the XC90, S40 and V50. The 60 and 70-series integration kits we’re told will work with earlier S60s, V70s, XC70s and V70 XCs built on the current chassis. Eventual full integration of the 90, 40 and 50-series is expected at a later time. On the show floor, we were able to plug our own iPod directly into a car and see how it works. The car’s head unit source needs to be turned to the 10-disc changer option. Once there, the first 9 “discs” in the setup represent the first 9 playlists on the iPod. The 10th playlist represents random entries from the entire audio collection on the iPod. Plugging in the iPod, the screen on the small music player from Apple changes to read the Volvo logo. No song or playlist information is listed on the car’s head unit beyond the “disc” being played. The S60R and V70R on the show floor were wired so that the iPod jack came from inside the center console bin. Once plugged in, the iPod can be safely stored in the bin, and charges while connected to the car. Pricing of Volvo’s iPod integration is expected to be under $200.
XC90 V8 Space Tourism If you watched the Super Bowl on television this year, it was hard to miss the Volvo XC90 V8 commercial, where they announced a contest to send a lucky winner into space on Virgin Galactic’s planned space tourism flights. With Virgin CEO, British Knight and celebrity representative extraordinaire Sir Richard Branson on hand, Volvo announced a winner of the contest. Doug Ramsburg of Northglenn, CO happily accepted his prize along with a surprise – the keys to a new Volvo XC90 handed to him by VCNA’s new head Anne Belec. The press conference, featuring Branson in full astronaut garb and Belec as the straight man (or woman) worked well and generated plenty of attention from the press, which was otherwise generally unimpressed by the slow-paced schedule of this year’s New York Auto Show. Elsewhere in the Volvo Stand In addition to the iPod-equipped R models, Volvo also chose New York to show off the rest of their record-selling line of cars. A gray XC90 V8 with 19-inch accessory wheels could be found, as could their wild yellow wide-body XC90 V8 that was first shown last January in Los Angeles.
On a large platform, Volvo exhibited a safety simulator where funky-colored S60 sat, wired with the controls to the extra-large video simulator. Attendees could try their hand at virtual driving from within the colorful S60.
Sirius Satellite Radio Having recently made the official announcement of Volvo availability with their service, Sirius Satellite Radio featured a green S60 equipped with their radio service within the company’s stand. Outwardly, a satellite radio-equipped car can be identified by a small flat black antenna on the roof of the car, with a subtle black cable going straight back to the seal of the rear window. Inside the car, no difference can be seen with the stereo turned off. There was no power to the head unit during our visit to the Sirius stand, though a representative from the NY-based company said that one chooses Satellite radio by turning the source dial to a satellite option whereby all of their stations can be accessed. Volvo for Life Awards, Now a New York Auto Show Tradition, Volvo also held the award celebration for their Volvo For Life Awards in Times Square during press days. Heralding hometown heroes, Volvo named Paula Lucas of Oregon, Hope Bevilhymer of Utah, Lisa Busch of Alaska, and Suzy Tipton of North Carolina as recipients of this year’s awards.
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