2008 Volvo V70

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What is it?
2008 Volvo V70

What's special about it?
When most folks think about Volvo, high-performance R editions are not the first things that come to mind. Neither are hatchbacks, crossover SUVs or full-size luxury cars.

No, for good or ill, when people think of Volvo, they think of station wagons and safety. The company has been at this whole wagon thing since 1953, when it launched the PV445 Duett. Other than Subaru, Volvo is also the only carmaker for which station wagons are a significant percentage of its car sales in the U.S. Volvo sells nearly as many V70/XC70 Cross Country wagons as it does S60 sedans. So the introduction of the new V70 is a big deal for the company.

It's a bit odd for Volvo to be touting the sportiness of its new midsize wagon. But, we suppose that the model's newly available 235-horsepower, 3.2-liter inline-6, which is also the S80 sedan's base motor, is a relatively sporty thing. That is 20 hp down on the 3.2-liter Audi A6 Avant motor. But compared to the old five-cylinder lumps (which made only 208 hp even when turbocharged), it's a major improvement. And, says Volvo, since the V70 will ride on a version of the new S80's platform, we should expect "dramatic handling improvements."

Further, Volvo goes way out on the edge and says that only half of V70 buyers will be families with small children. What is this world coming to? Oh wait, they're including in that estimate sales in Europe, where wagons are considered the fashionable choice compared to sedans.

For the stylish set, the V70 gets curvier, more voluptuous body panels. We think Volvo might be putting too fine a point on it by saying that the new wagon has an "athletic stance" with a "forward-leaning, dynamic posture," but we do think it's handsome. The wagon's hatchback incorporates a larger rear window, framed on the left and right by tall taillights. The look is evocative of the C30's glass hatch, which is in turn evocative of the old Volvo P1800ES wagon/coupe.

But hey, a Volvo wagon is still a Volvo wagon. The company's official overview release about the car was two pages long. But the release detailing new safety features was four pages long. The biggest news on the safety front involves built-in rear-seat child booster cushions that are adjustable to two different heights to better accommodate children of different heights. Volvo has also extended the inflatable side curtain airbags to provide more complete coverage for the rugrats.

The V70 will go on sale in the first quarter of 2008.

What's Edmunds' take?
The sun still rises every morning. Gravity is still keeping the earth in place. And Volvo introduces a new wagon. All appears to be well. — Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit