Car-Models-com

2010 Volvo C70

After three years on the market, Volvo is updating its C70 convertible with a fresh look reminiscent of the S60 Concept and indicative of future styling trends for Volvo.
As the C70's update is just a mid-cycle refresh, the changes are far more evolutionary than revolutionary and updates to the C70 sheetmetal focus primarily on the little details. Changes include longer, drawn-back headlights, a bulging, V-shaped hood and revised grille in front and new LED tail lights in the rear.
Inside, the C70 gets an updated dash to better match Volvo's other current offerings as well as new textured surfaces for a more upscale look. Volvo has also switched to a softer leather for the C70's seats to improve passenger comfort.
Engine choices will be carried over from the previous model, which means two gasoline and two diesel options for European customers. In the U.S., the 227-hp turbocharged inline-five is likely to remain the only powerplant. Production begins in November with deliveries starting in early 2010. Pricing hasn't been announced, but is expected to be similar to 2009 model pricing.

2010 Volvo C70

2010 Volvo C30

Volvo is continues making evolutionary updates to its model line-up with the 2010 C30 hatchback, which features updated exterior and interior styling plus some new options.
The biggest changes to the 2010 C30 are right up front courtesy of design cues lifted from the S60 Concept, which are said to indicate the future styling direction of Volvo vehicles. The headlights have been stretched back along the fenders for a sleeker look while the grille and other openings have been reworked into more aggressive shapes. In general, Volvo's exterior changes have bulked up the car slightly to give it a more imposing look.
Volvo also adds another color, Orange Flame Metallic, to the C30's roster. Additionally, the exterior can be pumped up with an Accessory Styling Kit that consists of front and rear skid plates, side scuff plates and restyled fog lights.
Inside, Volvo has spruced up the interior with an expanded color palette that now includes Cranberry and new combinations like Espresso/Blond.
For those more interested in go than show, Volvo also offers a Sport Chassis package to improve handling. Included in the package are 30% stiffer springs, steering that is 10% more responsive and more responsive dampeners. While the handling modifications are a welcome addition, they'll have to make due with the same engine output as the drivetrain is unchanged from the previous model's 227-hp turbocharged inline five-cylinder. Pricing hasn't been announced but is expected to be similar to 2009 models when the 2010 model hits dealerships later this year.

2010 Volvo C30

2010 Saab 9-5

Roughly a month after photos of it were unceremoniously leaked onto the Web, official details of the all-new 2010 Saab 9-5 have finally been released in advance of its debut on the big stage at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show.
The 9-5 arrives at a critical time for the struggling Scandinavian automaker, which is in the process of being purchased from General Motors by Swedish boutique brand Koenigsegg. In an interesting twist, the 9-5's details were released at the GM media site. GM of course has provided some of the technology underpinning the new 9-5, most notably the automaker's Epsilon II front-drive based platform, which is also employed on the Opel Insignia and Buick LaCrosse.
"This car is the start of a new era for our brand," says Jan Ake Jonsson, Saab Automobile's Managing Director, in a press release announcing the car. "We have created an advanced and very distinctive product by leveraging the power of our roots in key areas, such as progressive Scandinavian design, sporty driving and responsible performance. The new 9-5 delivers in all these respects, as will every future product from Saab."
The new 9-5 strikes quite a pose form a design standpoint, with several cues taken from its acclaimed Aero X concept vehicle and, of course, its well-worn aircraft heritage. It's a muscular, low-slung and substantial-looking vehicle. Saab said it went with more of traditional three-box design at the 9-5's core, eschewing the four-door coupe craze that's been sweeping sedan design.
At the front, what Saab refers to as 'ice block' headlamps sweep back slightly into the fenders, with substantial inlets housing foglamps on each end of the lower front fascia, and a slatted, Saab-badged grille that takes on a bowl-like proportion. The greenhouse features blacked out pillars to give it a mono graphic appearance, with basic proportions that Saab says echoes its classic 900.
A hockey stick beltline, a strong C-pillar and fenders designed to 'melt' into the wheels are other notable features, as is another 'ice block' light bar that runs the length of the trunk. Look closely at the rear of the car, and there's a noticeable hatchback silhouette, another nod to Saab's past. Attractive, dual trapezoidal exhaust tips are also part of the package.
Powering the new 9-5 is a range of engines highlighted by Saab's signature turbocharged heritage. At launch, the 9-5 will be available with a 160-hp, 2.0-liter turbodiesel and 2.0-liter turbo gas mill with 220 hp on tap. The range-topping engine is a 2.8-liter turbocharged V-6 producing 300 horsepower (also found in the Cadillac SRX) which will be mated exclusively to the automaker's XWD all-wheel-drive system.
Just after launch, a 1.6-liter gas-powered turbo with 180 hp will be offered, as will Saab's 2.0-liter BioPower E85-capable engine. Every engine option will be mated to a six-speed transmission. Saab was not clear in its release if both six-speed manual and automatic will be offered, but we suspect so. For the U.S. market, expect the 2.8-liter and the 2.0-liter turbo to be the only options offered at launch.
The 9-5 also features several top flight technologies designed to both improve the car's handling as well as driver engagement and comfort. Saab's XWD system will be offered on the 2.0-liter gas, BioPower and 2.8 V-6. Also available is an adaptive chassis option that allows drivers to select a range of settings through Saab's DriveSense system, which boasts real time damping control. Two Suspension layouts have been tuned specifically depending on engine power, and both are available with a sport chassis setup.
Other tech features available for the 9-5 include an aircraft style heads up display Saab calls Pilot HUD; adaptive Bi-Xenon lighting and cruise control; keyless entry and start; dynamic parking assistance and tri-zone A/C.
Inside the all-new cabin layout, the 9-5's dimensions have been increased, particularly in the leg and shoulder room areas. The gauge work is an evolution of the automaker's jet-themed approach featuring an 'altimeter'-speed readout and the optional Pilot HUD display bathed in the brand's signature green lighting. Saabphiles will get a kick out of the start/stop button, which is located between the front seats next to the gear shift -- where it should be.
The 9-5 comes with a slew of other premium interior touches and options befitting of the car's new mission, including a Harmon/Kardon audio system; 8-in. touchscreen navigation; connections for portable devices and 12-volt power outlet and rear seat entertainment.
Available in Linear, Vector or Aero trims, the new 9-5 will be built at Saab's home plant in Trollhattan, where the automaker claims it has been engineered and chiefly developed. It's OK Saab, you can say GM helped.
We'll have more on the new 9-5 during its unveiling at Frankfurt, where we should get a sense of U.S.-market timing and availability. But from the looks of it so far, Koenigsegg has bought into Saab at just the right time.

2010 Saab 9-5

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

While we may be happiest about the updated paddle shifters on PDK-equipped 2010 Porsche 911 Turbos, the force-fed 911 also gets a host of improvements to its performance.
Starting under the hood, Porsche bored-out its flat-six engine 0.2L to 3.8L and fitted it with direct injection, the 911 GT2's expansion intake manifold and a variable turbine geometry turbocharger. The result? A 20-hp and 15 lb-ft power increase, bringing the totals to a full 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Along the way, Porsche says it was able to drop CO2 emissions by an impressive 18% and coax the more-powerful engine into using "significantly less fuel," though exact figures are not yet available.
While a manual transmission is still available, Porsche is pushing its brilliant PDK dual-clutch gearbox, which now features the more-common left paddle to shift down, right paddle to shift up paddle shifter arrangement. Porsche says that the PDK-equipped 911 Turbo will hit 60 mph in a supercar sprint of just 3.2 seconds. Opting for the Sport Chrono Package, regardless of transmission, also adds Porsche's dynamic engine mounts, that can be softened or stiffened depending on the situation. Also available is Porsche Torque Vectoring, an upgrade to the AWD system that adds a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Deliveries of the 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo will begin in January 2010 for both hard-top coupe and drop-top convertible models. The former starts at $132,800, the latter at $143,800, and both will hit a top speed of 194 mph.

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS may have been one of the best road-legal sports cars on the market, but that didn't stop Porsche from making it even better. For 2010, Stuttgart tweaked GT3 RS, giving it more power, better handling, and reducing its weight, making it an even meaner street and track machine.
Starting in the back, Porsche punched-out the previous GT3 RS's 3.6L naturally aspirated flat-six to 3.8L, resulting in a 15-hp increase for a total of 450 hp. A revised six-speed transaxle features shorter throws and closer ratios for increased performance and, like the outgoing model, the entire exhaust system continues to be built from lightweight titanium.
Moving forward, Porsche widened the front and rear tracks to fit nine-inch-wide wheels in front and 12-inch-wide wheels at the rear wrapped in 245/35 ZR 19 and 325/30 ZR 19 tires respectively. Porsche Active Drivetrain Mounts are standard and minimize drivetrain weight transfer in hard cornering.
Other changes include a lowered ride height, a larger carbon-fiber rear wing, new bodywork to reach around the wider tires, new paint and graphics schemes and an optional lithium-ion battery that is more than 22 lbs lighter than a standard lead-acid battery.
The updated Porsche 911 GT3 RS is slated to go on sale in Europe following its Frankfurt debut and in the U.S. next year. In the states, pricing will start at $132,800 before delivery and other charges.