Volvo set to impress me with the new V70, which I had on test in recent weeks. This was the new edition of the best selling large estate car on the market and it was the extras that really made the difference.

The new V70 has a new shape; it has impressive styling that’s both modern while still retaining that Scandinavian design look that’s noticeably different. Diesel power is important in the big estate market so it was natural to opt for the 2.4 litre turbo-diesel engine.

What’s new to the V70 range, which is hitting Volvo dealerships this week, is that there is a new Flexi-fuel engine option, plus 2.0 litre petrol and 2.0 litre diesel engine choices.

For most drivers of a big estate such as the V70 it will be the D5 engine that’s their top choice. That’s because it delivers well on power and torque, has good acceleration and reasonable economy.

The new V70 with the D5 engine delivers almost the same power as before at 185bhp. Torque takes a slight lift to 400Nm, but there is little difference in acceleration performance at 8.9 seconds for a 0 to 100km/hr. and that’s because the new estate offers more.

It is slightly slower than the Audi A6, but faster than the Mercedes Benz E220, with a similar size engine.
Volvo has improved the engine by V70 diesel engine performance by using a new electronically controlled turbocharger, more advanced multi-point injection technology and a particularly powerful engine management system. Volvo claim that the improvements have resulted in an entirely new driving experience with far higher performance but that’s not reflected in its own performance figures.

What has changed is that harmful exhaust emission levels are noticeably lower as a service-free particle filter is fitted as standard. The economy figures are almost unchanged at a little less than 7 litres/100kkm (40mpg).
Volvo’s V70 message is one of space, style and safety. The new estate offers more rear space than before and it’s now comparable with the biggest estate cars on the market.