SAN FRANCISCO: Somewhere in the rugged, all-wheel drive surroundings of Torslanda, Sweden
is a manufacturing plant where employees share the same "big picture" vision for
the future. Their mission is to blend Scandinavian innovation with traditional values in
the cars they build, Volvos. They hope to help their customers live long lives and remain
Volvo owners forever. Their goal is to create fierce customer loyalty which becomes almost
subliminal, inspiring the well-known "Volvo for Life" philosophy.
I recently had the opportunity to make a trip to Stockholm, Sweden. When I look at the
photos taken there, I see two things in particular. Very impressive, old-world buildings,
and many new and old Volvo sedans parked in front of them. Both appear stately, stoic, and
dignified. The S70, which has the classic Volvo form, seems at home and remains a solid
fixture on the streets of Sweden.
The styling is understated, the lines are simple and clean. At a glance, I was
unable to pick out last year's S70 from this year's. Except for the color choices, this
year's model is quite like the last. Volvo has managed to keep this popular model fresh
and appealing with emphasis on safety and refinement, instead of changing the look that
works so well. It looks like a Volvo, and in a nutshell, that says it all.
The interior is roomy and made of fine materials. The style is contemporary and Nordic,
accented with wood and natural-feeling leather. It is neat, well-organized and practical.
Comfortable front and rear seats offer just the right blend of soft cushioning and solid
support. I felt very confident and safe in the S70 AWD. In my view, it's just like an
armored car. Solid and dependable.
The AWD system adds some weight and firms up the suspension, so it rides a bit more
stiffly than the standard S70. It still displays excellent road-handling abilities and
plenty of pep. The S70 AWD proves that driving can be safe and interesting at the same
time. The engine is a 2.4-liter, five-cylinder with 190 horsepower and 199 ft lb of
torque. It’s available only with a four-speed automatic transmission with a Winter
Mode for easy starts on the slippery stuff.
Pricing starts at $33,520. with all kinds of standard goodies like heated seats,
home-safe lighting, heated outside mirrors, 100-watt sound system with AM/FM, and cruise
control. My test car, with extras such as sunroof, CD, and trip computer, totaled $37,450.
A safe investment if there ever was one!
Volvo has created quite a bit of history in regard to automotive safety. Back in 1958,
Nils Bohlin, a Volvo safety engineer, developed the three-point seat belt that ultimately
became the industry standard. Well, the security-minded Swedes have given us some new
additions over the years. One substantial change is SIPS II, a Side Impact Protection
System, including an airbag for both the chest and head.
This greatly improves your odds in a side-impact collision. With a golden
reputation for safety, complete ability as a touring sedan, strong value, dependable
reliability, and healthy performance, the 2000 S70 AWD is an easy purchase to justify. It
is a persuasive advocate of the "Volvo For Life" philosophy. By Carol
Green © AutoWire.Net - San Francisco
Volvo Home Page
Byline: By Carol Green © AutoWire.Net - San Francisco
Column Name: "Volvo for Life"
Topic: 2000 Volvo S70 AWD
Word Count: 537
Photo Caption: 2000 Volvo S70 AWD
Photo Credits: Volvo Media
Series #: 2000 - 12
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