Custom Fabricated Volvo T6 Roadster Debuts at 2005 SEMA Show

 

 

Volvo XC70 All Terrain by ipd Custom Built for Almost Anything



With three years of SEMA history behind it, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA) is unleashing perhaps its wildest concept vehicle yet for the 2005 show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Built in conjunction with Volvo aftermarket specialists, ipd, the XC70 All Terrain (AT) has been extensively modified to handle almost anything terra firma can dish out.

Based on the production version 2005 Volvo XC70, this highly modified one-off concept vehicle features an array of performance and off-road upgrades and was inspired by the legendary Baja 1000 Mexican desert race. And like its racing brethren, the XC70 AT is harnessed with a lot of horsepower under its hood.

The XC70 AT features a 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder engine that is normally found in the V70 R sport wagon. But where the V70 R makes an impressive 300 horsepower, the XC70 AT, with its Garrett GT2835R turbocharger and ipd/MTE Stage III software upgrade makes 408 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. Keeping the hot-blooded engine cool is an Aquamist in-cylinder intercooling system and an extra large top-mounted intercooler. Low restriction 3-inch stainless steel exhaust pipes emit a husky sound that would be more familiar coming from a Volvo XC90 V8.

Producing an amazing 398 lb-ft of torque at a low 4,000 rpm, the XC70 AT uses the same 6-speed automatic transmission that is standard in the XC90 V8 and the 2006 V70 R. Making sure all four wheels get the most of the broad torque curve is Volvo’s legendary fully automatic all-wheel-drive system by Haldex. If any tire slips more than one-seventh of a rotation, Haldex automatically applies torque to the tires with the most traction.

Even with all this power and torque, every desert racer has to stop sometime. Thankfully the XC70 AT is fitted with the appropriate equipment. The fully functioning ABS features huge 13-inch cross-drilled Brembo rotors, each with 4-piston calipers. Aggressive 20x10-inch KMC XD wheels and 285/50-20 BF Goodrich All Terrain tires chew through almost anything and add to the XC70 AT’s intimidating stance.

New on the production XC70 for 2005 is Volvo’s remarkable Four-C adaptive chassis ride system with Sport and Comfort modes. Taking this concept to the next level, ipd developed a custom fully independent air ride suspension offering 4-inches of adjustability via dash-mounted buttons. Add in the ipd designed 4-inch lift kit and the XC70 AT can ride up to 8 inches higher than the production Volvo XC70. To keep body roll in check, ipd 25-mm front and 28-mm rear anti-sway bars have been fitted.




Equally impressive outside, the XC70 AT features a brilliant orange Saffron and Titanium paint scheme that pays homage to the stunning Baja, Mexico sunsets. Ipd custom designed and fabricated the front bumper (to conceal the 10,000-lb Warn winch), side cladding and fender flares. On top, ipd custom made the rack with the fully integrated high-output back-up lights and the light bar featuring sunlight-bright PIAA 520 off-road lamps. Additional accessories include a 1,000 generator, high-lift jack, spare jerry can and tire and remote exterior battery terminal connections.

Given the XC70’s harsh environment, the interior is easy to clean and befitting of Volvo’s premium brand image. The orthopedic designed Volvo seats have been covered in ipd custom-designed upholstery finished in a black and gray neoprene “wetsuit” material. Brushed aluminum trim pieces normally found in the V70 R, replace the production XC70’s wood trim pieces, giving the interior a sporty, function appearance.

ipd was founded in 1963 and provides Volvo enthusiasts around the world with performance parts & accessories for Volvo models from 1958 to 2006. Product development and R&D were started through 15 years of amateur and professional sports car racing (including winning Volvo's first professional race in America in 1982). Today ipd is the recognized leader in Volvo performance with over 40 years of providing Volvo owners with legendary customer service, helpful tech tips, full color catalogs and website. ipd has 22 employees and serve customers world-wide from our 18,000 square-foot headquarters in Portland Oregon.

VCNA, part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden, provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Volvo has been building cars with Safety in mind for over 75 years. The 2006 Volvo Cars model line-up includes: the award-winning new S40 and its wagon counterpart the all-new V50; the award-winning XC90; the sporty S60 sedan – including the award-winning performance sedan – S60 R and the performance wagon version – V70 R; the flagship S80 luxury sedan; versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70 (Cross Country); and, the all-new C70 convertible.

 

The roadster is soooooo a Prowler wanna-be.............but, it is very refreshing and welcomed to see Volvo put forth some effort to change the perception of the vehicles!

 

That's the first thing I thought of when I saw that roadster. If they can perfect it and do what Chrysler/Plymouth couldn't do (well, Plymouth couldn't stay in business, but you know where I'm going with this), then that'd be a really cool car and probably a hot seller for the Swedish company

 

Thanks for making me even more upset about that the fact that I'm not able to attend the show this year. My bosses just left for the show today, and I'm stuck here in this cubicle whining to you people.









... anyone know of some good places that are hiring?

 

I agree with the above posts. I personally think it has design cues that are very reminiscent of the Prowler, but I highly doubt that was the design focus of this concept. They set out to make a classic Roadster with Volvo flair, not a Prowler knockoff. Very similar in the way the Lexus Roadster from a few years back was designed. Except I like what they did with this more. They made the model small, sleek, open wheeled front and rear where the Prowler had covers over the top of all wheels(forgot the correct term). They added a modified S60R steering wheel, a S80 intrument cluster and gearshift lever. I'm also a fan of the all glass hardtop. That is very nicely done.

Some know that I completely hate the XC70 with a passion. But honestly, this is one XC70 I wouldnt mind driving. Those super tall tires on the 20in rims are enormous. With an outstanding stock chassis(that is also modified even more here) and all the equipment needed to do some heavy off roading, who could ask for more. But wait there is. How about 408hp and 398lb tq all going to a very great Haldex AWD system. Nice. Sign me up.

 

It's what the Prowler should have been.


Looks damn good

 

Me too. It's a Prowler on the outside, but not on the inside. If I recall right, the Prowler had weak engine performance.

 

Yeah, the Prowler's performance was marginal at best. At it's inception, it received a V6 with 214hp and 221lb/ft of torque. Blah!!! At the end, 2001, power was up to 253hp and 255lb/ft of torque but cost also rose from the 97 amount of roughly $34k to the 01 amount cresting $44k!!! That's a lot of scratch for a super impractical vehicle with so-so engine performance figures.

 

Volvo is still trying to go sportier but its like no one is taking notice. I hope they keep trying.

Alas, I did like the old boxy look for the company though

 

The sad fact is that they've been producing performance-capable models for years now... and they've virtually all been ignored by the general public. That's great if you're looking for the perfect new showroom-stock sleeper, but bad if you're actually interested in the company staying afloat. What I think is funny is the general ignorance of the consumer market led people to believe that the Prowler, with its aenemic V6, was some kind of halo sports car while the V70R is just your average grocery getter.

 

They really stepped into performance in 1999, with the induction of the T6 model of the S80. As much as I hate the one that we have here at home (1999 S80 T6) because it is a crapbucket loaded with systems malfunctions, it does haul *** with its turbo, especially when using the "manumatic" to control your RPMs. The turbo kicks in at pretty low RPM, and hence provides quick acceleration through the low range.

The current S40R or even the current S80 T6 are two Volvos that I would not be very ashamed to call my own. that new S40R is really sporty and has some real performance despite lacking handling, which Volvo was never too good with anyhow. Anyone seen the new Volvo C70? Is there one, I think I saw a thread once about a new C70?

 

^^^^^^^^^^Yep, back in 1999 that was one of its main advantages. Twin turbos that spooled up very quickly that turbo lag was almost non existant. Today, many other companies have either matched that or have produced a turbo engine with an almost instant spool. The new 2.0T in the A3/A4, Jetta is an example.

Another plus with the S80's is the manumatic would not shift to the next gear when redlined. I loved that. To bad it used an ancient 4speed configuration.

Oh by the way, its S60R, though an S40R would be a great idea. After driving numerous S60and V70R's that to me was the best car for me when it came to performance for the dollar. Great power, short shift 6-speed, the greatest seats and position in the industry, it was just a comfortable powerful car that I would purchase. 41-42K with all the options I wanted. Then the IS350 came along.

Yes, we had a few threads on the C70. I like the way it looks. Its nice, but they could have done more to make it even more exclusive. the outgoing C70 Coupe to me was the best Volvo in my eyes. The turbo roar and engine noise was intoxicating in the HPT model. Even though the interior was very similar to the old S70, it had a personality that you just couldnt obtain with the S70 T5 model which shared the same HPT motor.

Now we have the smooth, quite but very torquey 2.5T engine from the S40. Great engine once again, but they definitely should have thrown the S60T5 engine in there with I believe around 260hp. Now that would have been key. Plus the new C70 shares way to many parts with the S40.

Hopefully the price is lower considering....well to me that its a step behind the outgoing model(performance wise).