[Latoure]

ALthough I love the vehicle and all of its features, the one which really got me excited because of the new technoiclogy aspect was the night vision.

After enthusiastically asking a few of the Volvo reps and Volvo corporate about the feature, I have come to find that Volvo has CANCELLED this feature. They say the manufacturer went out of business.

Hmmm Im not sure I buy into that. Most large car manufacturers have 2nd source suppliers for most of their parts and components as to not run into supply problems down the line.

Im very dissapointed in Volvo for putting this feature in their final brochures and then cancelling a MAJOR safety feature/breakthrough such as this.

Cadillac has this features and claims to be the only Auto manufacturer to have it. bar none.

So...the mytery really remains as to what REALLY is the story with Night Vision.

Hopefully its not like Gun control where our government has stepped in and forbidden Auto manufacturers to carry infrared technology to see heat signaturs at night.

It seems that the govt. only wants to have this sort of technology for themselves.

Any comments?

 

[GrecianVolvo]

quote:

Originally posted by Latoure:
ALthough I love the vehicle and all of its features, the one which really got me excited because of the new technoiclogy aspect was the night vision.

WHAT??? hahahaha! RAYTHEON is the manufacturer and I don't think they are out of business. Look for this feature sometime in late Spring 2003.

Yannis

 

[kullenberg]

quote:

Originally posted by GrecianVolvo:
WHAT??? hahahaha! RAYTHEON is the manufacturer and I don't think they are out of business. Look for this feature sometime in late Spring 2003.

Yannis

I thought I read somewhere that it was a cost/pricing issue; that Raytheon claimed they couldn't make a profit at the contracted price. I've never actually seen it operate, but it would seem to me that it would be useful on a foggy nite, as the tarmac would retain heat, and you would get an outline of the road; and of course other vehicles would show up as a heat source. Any comments to this? I have to admit that the Night Vision would sway me to the XC90, and a 6 speed tranny would lock it down!!

 

[[email protected]]

The word I heard was delayed. My story was fitment issues. I think it'll happen, just a little while longer....kinda like Bi-xenons.

 

[Latoure]

Well,

If this feature is delayed, then Im as ease.

As a previous poster said earlier, this feature will LOCK my sale for this vehicle hands-down!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wont be ready to buy until about the next 6-7 months, but if this feature is available , it will be the priciple differentiator and will seal-in the Volvo XC90 as the hands-down safety SUV of all time BAR NONE.

The word of the cancelation of this feature came from Volvo corporate customer service.

If someone has another official source I can talk to with the real story on this feature please tell!

...I knew as much........Like I said, they also must have a second source supplier and RAYTHEON cant be out of business. It must have been another issue they were embarrased to say.

 

[S.R.]

Raytheon is also the manufacturer for the Cadillac Night-Vision system, so I bet the Volvo version has been delayed for production reasons.

Wasn't the price supposed to be like $2,100-$2,400 or something like that? IMHO, that is quite steep.

-Drew

 

[Latoure]

Price for the Night Vision is no issue to me for the technology. Im a techno-fiend and love the latest and greatest. Also.....I can justify it to my wife because it makes the car even SAFER at night where we both are bad at night vision on our own!!!

I just hope you guys are correct about this thing!

 

[GrecianVolvo]

quote:

Originally posted by Latoure:

I just hope you guys are correct about this thing!

Hang in there, "chief"! It will all fall in place.

Yannis

 

[Latoure]

Re: (GrecianVolvo)

OK,

Here is the direct feedback I received from Raytheon today:

1. Raytheon is the supplier of Night Vision to both Cadillac and Volvo

2. Raytheon is NOT going out of business.

3. Night Vision was dropped from the introduction of the XC90 due to Volvo specification changes at the last minute.
Raytheon is still working with Volvo for a future introduction.

4. Raytheon does not supply the "Night View" system to Toyota. Raytheon currently supplis a much more sophisticated and better performing Night Vision system using thermal imaging. The Raytheoon technoclogy does not require any light, it only absolbes the thermal energy in the scene. This allows their system to see more than 5 times the low beam headlamps.

So thats it "officially".

Its just too bad I has to get this info from a source other than Volvo.