Bangkok--21 Sep--Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
After 80 years of providing the world with a string of, now legendary, environmental and safety innovations Volvo Cars brings you the stunning second generation of its globally successful flagship large prestige sedan the All-New Volvo S80. With elegantly flowing timeless lines, influenced by modern Scandinavian design and gracefully poised, highly dynamic and well refined driving characteristics, all-new Volvo S80 comes equipped with world first safety technology innovations just as you would expect from the world leader in this field.
Mr.Paul Stokes, President of Volvo Car (Thailand) Ltd., said that “In 2007, Volvo has started a rejuvenation of the brand in Thailand which is already yielding results in terms of consumer awareness, reappraisal and of course, sales. We will continue to deliver exciting and relevant activities such as our “Volvo 80th Anniversary Gold” campaign and our Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean co-branded “The Hunt” campaign, a green racing agenda with our E85 Swedish Touring Car Championship wins and the launch of the very successful XC90 D5 AWD, to name but a few. All of which have garnered not only attention but also engagement with Volvo and non-Volvo owners alike.”
“So, what better timing than now as the moment to introduce our new flagship luxury sedan, the All-New Volvo S80 to Thailand. I am convinced that it will be a very strong contender in its class and win over many new and existing customers. The car has already been awarded Car of the Year for 2007, by the USA's premier Spanish-language automotive magazine AutoMundo, Car of the Year in New Zealand, fleet Car of the year in Austria, and defeated 117 competitive new entries to be awarded the Best New Entry on the Russian market to name a few examples of the great global reception it has received," Mr.Stokes continued.
“We expect to sell over a hundred units before year end, of which we hope a significant part of these sales will be to new Volvo Customers whom we can welcome to our global family,” added Mr.Stokes
The All-New Volvo S80 is an accomplished executive four-door sedan of significantly different proportions, to both its predecessor and competitors, with added muscular stance and inherent dynamism in the car’s visual expression. To give the car a solid and more taught, sporty, image, the contours have been further rounded and the bonnet has a raised, powerful profile. The headlamps, which are positioned lower down than in the previous S80 model, follow the curvature of the front and have been extended along the side and up towards the bonnet, creating a gentle, but knowingly satisfied, smile.
The interior design is characterised by clean surfaces, well-proportioned lines, exciting contrasts in light and materials and smooth functionality — all expressions of a Scandinavian design tradition that help forge a dynamic, and yet, harmonious interior atmosphere. The recurring design themes are maintained in the sweeping parallel lines that mark the edge of the instrument panel and door panels, and the rectangular shape with its rounded corners that characterises free-standing functions.
"The All-New Volvo S80 is about evolutionary timeless Scandinavian design," says Paul Stokes "All the shapes and materials it uses represent a continuous development of the distinctive Volvo design language. We have given the All-New Volvo S80 a more youthful and dynamic stance, and created an even more inviting atmosphere by using refined materials and colours that blend smoothly with smart, user-friendly technology," he continued.
Volvo Cars is known for its legendary holistic approach to safety all the way back to its founding in 1927, and this encompasses both preventive and protective safety together with personal security. It is no accident then, that in the Company's 80th anniversary year, the All-New Volvo S80 brings some Volvo safety firsts.
“The All-New Volvo S80 contains both Preventive Safety that led to the creation of entirely new generation of advanced driving and support systems to avoid accidents and Protective Safety that is structured in the form of a network of exterior and interior safety systems to reduce the risk of occupant injury in the event of a collision,” said Mr. Stokes. "Indeed, the all-new Volvo S80 has already earned the US IIHS 2007 Top Safety Pick for superior overall crash protection." Paul continued.
To avoid accidents, the All-New Volvo S80 is equipped with various intuitive preventive safety systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Warning with Brake Support (CWBS), Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), the Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS) and Active Bi-Xenon Lights (ABL).
The technology award-winning Personal Car Communicator (PCC) is also featured in the All-New Volvo S80. The Volvo PCC is an advanced pocket-sized control centre which holds valuable security information for the owner about the car's current lock and alarm status. It uses the latest remote smart key technology and a highly sensitive heartbeat sensor, a world first, to detect if an intruder is present in the car.
As for the Protective Safety, an orchestra of innovation keeps passengers securely in place and minimise the risk of serious injuries through a number of unique systems working in concert. A new type of side-impact airbag makes Volvo’s SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) even more effective. These new side-impact airbags interact with the roof-mounted inflatable curtains (IC) and the body’s network of differentiated steel beams to protect as effectively as possible for each crash potential situation. Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) seats work effectively to avoid neck and back injuries in a rear end collision.
All five seats are equipped with three-point inertia reel safety belts, belt pre-tensioners and head restraints (of course, to achieve the highest possible safety condition it is a requirement that all occupants always use their safety belts).
The chassis, with MacPherson struts at the front and multilink independent suspension system at the rear, is designed to ensure impeccably predictable driving manners and alert steering response. Volvo’s advanced DSTC (Dynamic Stability & Traction Control) system is fitted as standard. DSTC steps in and helps the driver bring the car back in line if road conditions are such that there could be any tendency to loose traction or skid.
“The All-New Volvo S80 is also built and equipped to impact as little as possible on the global environment and to provide a clean and healthy in-car environment. Petrol engines with low internal friction, efficient combustion and advanced exhaust filtration techniques all help produce low emission levels. Energy-efficient diesel engines produce low emissions of carbon dioxide and particulates, in-harmony with Volvo's core brand value of care and responsibility for the environment” added Paul.
The All-New Volvo S80 is available at all Volvo dealers across the country in 3 powertrain variants; In-line 6-cylinder 3.2 petrol, 5-cylinder turbocharged 2.5 petrol, and 5- cylinder performance 2.4-litre turbo common rail diesel engine.
Information:
- Volvo Car Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, managed under the luxury brand division of Ford known as the Premier Automotive Group (PAG), and is headquartered in Gothenburg Sweden.
- PAG, an operating division of Ford Motor Company, includes the luxury brands of Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover.
- Volvo Cars has been present in Thailand since 1962, firstly through an independent importer/distributor, and then through a wholly owned National Sales Company, Volvo Car (Thailand) Ltd., since 1971, taking over distribution from SMC in 1999. VCT now employs some 48 people.
- A local assembly (CKD) factory, Thai Swedish Assemblies (TSA) was established in 1976 and today builds the globally successful Volvo XC90, Volvo S80, Volvo S60 and Volvo V70 models in Thailand, employing some 300 people.
- Volvo Cars also offer the spectacular all-new Volvo C70 retractable hard-top coupe/convertible as a fully imported sports car
- Volvo is represented in retailing by 12 authorized dealers operating 14 outlets, nationwide. 7 in the Bangkok metropolitan area and 7 in up-country locations as follows, Wearnes (with locations in Hua Mark and Lard Phrao), SMC Motors (with locations in Sukhumvit 22 an Silom) Gothenburg Automobiles, Phaholyothin; Viking Motors, (with locations in Charoennakorn); Scandinavian Auto; Ramindra, and ChiangMai Sweden Motor; ChiangMai, Nitiboon Sales and Services; Pitsanuloke, Khon Kaen CharoenSri; Khon Kaen, Thepnakorn Car; Nakornrajasrima, Nokornpathom Motor; Nakornpathom, and SMC Motors; Cholburi, Hat Yai Auto; Hat Yai.
- For more information on Volvo Cars' products and services, please refer to www.volvocars.co.th, or contact your nearest authorised dealer.
- For free video content please go to www.media.volvocars.com and click on 'Broadcast Room' to preview and request video. If you haven’t already used this site, please take a moment to register. Once your registration is approved, you can order broadcast-standard video digitally or by tape. Registration and video is free to the media.
Contacts:
Khun Waralee Bunnag
Senior Communications Manager
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Tel: +66-2-205-6627
Mobile: +66-81-643-1117
Email: [email protected]
Khun Surasa Khlai-Aksorn
Communications Manager
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Tel: +66-2-205-6626
Mobile: +66-81-638-3862
Fax: +66-2-205-6686
Email: [email protected]
Khun Chantana Vatanaromya
Vice President, Marketing
Volvo Car (Thailand) Ltd.
Tel: +66-2-319-9820
Fax: +66-2-719-9451
Email: [email protected]
Khun Nuttha Jittrakorn
Marketing Administrative Officer
Volvo Car (Thailand) Ltd.
Tel: +66-2-319-9820
Fax: +66-2-719-9451
Email: [email protected]