S60R press release misleading?

882 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by [email protected], Jul 8, 2002

Johann

Discussion Starter · Jul 6, 2002

Remember the S60 and S60 AWD press introduction and catalog?
The cars looked nice and low, very slick.
When they came to market they all looked like SUV's.
Look at the side view of the new R.
My S60 doesn't even run that low and it is giving me trouble already.
I know the AWD rear geometry is different from the FWD's but still...
Now take a look at the spy shot taken in Death valley,

My point is the following,
Can I make the actual ride height of the car part of the sales agreement?
I am very much afraid that lowering the car to the level shown on the S60R press photo is a no go.
The reason I am afraid is that my brother owned an old model V70 AWD and it was almost impossible to lower this car in the rear.
Please give me some opinions because I think it is just misleading advertisement and absolutely not representitive for what the car is going to look like.

PS. Same thread at Volvospy.

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[email protected]

· #2 · Jul 7, 2002

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if cars in press photos and even cars at auto shows have lower springs. I know manufacturers who've done it in the past (not necessarily Volvo, but we deal with many mfrs including VW Group, Ford Group, GM, Nissan, Toyota etc. throughout our titles, and it's not uncommon). I'd wait for it to hit the streets.

As for lowering, one thing you mention is fairly key. The previous gen AWD cars were the Viscous Coupling setup. The geometry of the new Haldex AWD cars is probably different. I can't verify as I don't have them here to compare, but it' highly likely.

Further, with all the engineering that went into the adjustable suspension for these cars, I wouldn't be surprised if the R has a significantly different setup, even to comparitive AWD 2.4T models. I think it's probably best to wait and see one in the dealership. In other words, don't count on one you see at an autoshow (especially on a stand or a prototype) being the correct height either.

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S.R.

· #3 · Jul 7, 2002

I think that you might just have to wait and see what the car looks like when it reaches dealers. One thing you have to remember is that the S60 AWD is targeted towards a specific group of consumers in which having a taller suspension height might make for easier driving in winter conditions.

It seems to me that the AWD system in the S60R is geared towards high performance driving rather than winter type conditions. I think that it would be completely ridiculous for Volvo to raise the suspension any higher than the T5 Sport. It would totally negate the sporting aspirations of the 'R' IMHO.

Since the 'R' still uses 235/45/17's & 235/40/18's, I bet they tweaked the geometry and well housing so that no rubbing would occur.

-Drew

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[email protected]

· #4 · Jul 7, 2002

Well, on the S60 2.4T AWD, I know for a fact that they wanted the car to be somewhat associated with the very popular XC without actually making an S60 XC. They told us that the wheel design was made to look like those on the XC. So, your point Drew is probably pretty accurate.

This same system, with different suspension components obviously, is in the Audi TT and Golf/Bora 4Motion cars over in the VW/Audi camp. I've seen plenty of slammed TTs, so based on the system itself, it's entirely possible.

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GrecianVolvo

· #5 · Jul 8, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by [email protected]:

This same system, with different suspension components obviously, is in the Audi TT and Golf/Bora 4Motion cars over in the VW/Audi camp. I've seen plenty of slammed TTs, so based on the system itself, it's entirely possible.

George,

I have one question for you, since you are the resident VW guru...

Why do Audi/VW use Haldex in the TT and VW models and the traditional Quattro system in the A4/A6/A8 models?

Yannis

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S.R.

· #6 · Jul 8, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by GrecianVolvo:

Why do Audi/VW use Haldex in the TT and VW models and the traditional Quattro system in the A4/A6/A8 models?

Yannis

If I remember correctly, all VAG products with transverse mounted engines get Haldex instead of Torsen-q. It is a space and placement issue, as Haldex is more compact and lighter. The Passat, Touareg, and Phaeton are the only VW products that use Torsen-q, I believe.

From what I understand, 4Motion and quattro are just names of their respective brands AWD systems, that are not representative of the actual mechanical components underneath.

-Drew

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[email protected]

· #7 · Jul 8, 2002

What Drew said is basically correct. The only part I noticed that we've been told but haven't disclosed yet is that the Touareg SUV uses a new system codeveloped by VW and Porsche for those cars. It's supposedly superior to Haldex and Torsen, but I don't have much info on it yet.

All VW products in the AOO (Lupo), AO (polo) and A (Golf, Jetta, TT) use Haldex because they have a transverse setup like the Volos.

Interestingly, from what Volvo tells me, it's the same system, but the Volvo cars have a few differences, namely programming and an aluminum (vs. steel?) casing.

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