by David Finlay (06 May 05)

Volvo is introducing several alterations across its entire range for the 2006 model year, which goes on sale in July this year. Given that 60% of the company's UK customers are now opting for diesel, it's appropriate that one of the changes involves the popular 2.4-litre diesel engine.

This is now available in two forms. The 2.4D produces the same 163bhp maximum power output as the earlier version did, but it now complies with Euro IV emissions regulations. As fitted to the S60 and the front-wheel drive version of the V70, it also gives slightly improved performance, with 0.3 seconds knocked off the 0-62mph time.

There's also a much heftier 185bhp version, which slices a further second off the 0-62mph run (8.2 for the S60 and 8.5 for the V70) and adds at least 10mph to the top speed. This engine is also fitted to three four-wheel drive models, namely the V70 AWD, the XC70 and the XC90. Each of these cars will now be substantially quicker than they were in their 2005 specfication.

With the new engines, these models have longer service intervals of one year/18,000 miles, and are fitted with new six-speed auto/manual Geartronic transmissions. These are also being introduced to the high-performance S60 R and V70 R, with impressive results for the 0-62mph times - in each case these are reduced by 0.8 seconds to 6.4 and 6.7 seconds respectively.

Regardless of engine, the V70 AWD and the XC models also get new four-wheel drive systems. A new pre-charged Haldex coupling transmits power to all four wheels before any wheelspin is detected, and feeds more power to the rear for improved acceleration when required. On the move, the system reduces power to the rear to help fuel consumption, but a non-return valve in the coupling can re-introduce a rear bias more or less instantaneously.

S60, V70 and XC90 customers will have the option of the Volvo Inscription interior upgrade. This consists mostly of leather (available in a remarkable variety of colours) for the seats and door panels, though in the case of the XC90 it also involves black walnut wood inlays. For S60 and V70 Sport models it costs £2350, and is a £1700 upgrade for the SE. For the XC90 SE the price is £2260.

Volvo has been selling bi-fuel versions of the S60 and V70 ranges for some time now, the fuel combination involved being either petrol/LPG or petrol/CNG. Now the company is stressing the environmental benefits of CNG over LPG, but the bottom line is that it simply isn't selling enough LPG cars - the total for the whole of 2004 was just 82 cars, and for the first quarter of this year only 20 were shifted. That just isn't economic, so Volvo is abandoning the LPG idea and concentrating on CNG for its bi-fuel range.

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