All-New Volvo V70

Safety is surely the first thing that comes to mind when people discuss Volvo cars, but the Swedish automaker is also well known for its wagons, which it has been building since 1943.

Station wagons seem to be on the rise in the U.S., and helping that trend will be the all-new third-generation V70 which made its North American debut in Los Angeles. The 2008 wagon has a sportier face, a more athletic stance and a new stylish and functional tailgate.

Sharing major components and systems with the flagship S80 and new XC70, the V70 is "comprised of a sophisticated network of interacting safety systems, highly efficient energy absorption and the latest generation of side airbags and whiplash protection," said Ingrid Skogsmo, director of Volvo Cars Safety Center.

Underhood for the first time: a 3.2-liter 6-cylinder engine that produces 235 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, mated to a new six-speed "Geartronic" automatic transmission.

As with all Volvos, the V70 comes with a long list of standard safety features. But there are new options for the wagon that weren't available before, including a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), a Personal Car Communicator (PCC) with Keyless Drive, a two-way car communication and a heartbeat sensor.

For an extra $1,695 shoppers can get the Collision Avoidance Package that has three new safety features. By using a camera, a number of sensors and a control unit, the Driver Alert Control notifies tired and distracted drivers with a text message on the information display and an audible signal.

The Lane Departure Warning system alerts the driver if the car crosses one of the road markings without an obvious reason. And the Collision Warning with Auto Brake (CWAB) initially warns the driver and pre-charges the brakes if the driver doesn't act when a rear-end collision with a moving or stationary vehicle is imminent.

Volvo C30 ReCharge Concept
On the other side of the Volvo stand sat the plug-in hybrid C30 ReCharge Concept. It can be plugged into residential outlets for charging. On battery power alone, it can go for 60 miles and CO2 emissions are about 60 percent lower than gas-electric hybrids.

The C30 ReCharge employs an electric motor at each wheel. When needed, a 1.6-liter bio-ethanol engine drives an advanced generator that delivers power to the battery, and in turn powers the individual electric motors. However, the engine does not power the car directly.