Volvo future?

[Guy Dickinson]

I have a 2003 Volvo V70 D5 bought from new. Its the best car I've ever had by miles (I'm now the ridiculous age of 70!). Really comfortable drive, good power, room etc. I also reckon the V70 of that era is easily one of the best looking cars I've ever seen - despite what the old Top Gear lot might say. You don't hear many people say that - which surprises me (why not?). But the future? I'd like to continue driving these but they say they're going to be all electric in 2 years or am I wrong. Not keen really. My V70 is getting on a bit and I am at a loss what, when the time comes, to replace it with. I suppose diesel is out now (may be banned from city centres and so on). Dilemma. Thoughts?

[green van man]

I have baught my last Volvo. There is no manual option on the v90 which replaces the v70 and I will not drive an auto if I can help it.
It's not just Volvo, Landover, BMW ,Mercedes, all auto only on v70 equivalents since about 2012.

Looks like I shall be looking at Honda, Hyundai Suzuki or subaru to get manual transmition on the next car.

Paul.

[andrewpain]

Originally Posted by Guy Dickinson

I have a 2003 Volvo V70 D5 bought from new. Its the best car I've ever had by miles (I'm now the ridiculous age of 70!). Really comfortable drive, good power, room etc. I also reckon the V70 of that era is easily one of the best looking cars I've ever seen - despite what the old Top Gear lot might say. You don't hear many people say that - which surprises me (why not?). But the future? I'd like to continue driving these but they say they're going to be all electric in 2 years or am I wrong. Not keen really. My V70 is getting on a bit and I am at a loss what, when the time comes, to replace it with. I suppose diesel is out now (may be banned from city centres and so on). Dilemma. Thoughts?

I think all-electric in 2 years is way too ambitious.
All HYBRID- possibly.
So why not get a low-miler V90 when the time comes? Getting great reviews.....

[rustytoba]

Hi,

In all honesty Britain isn't the only country where Volvo sell cars that has very poor electric vehicle infrastructure, I would consider an electric car if I could drive on rural roads from Lands End to John O' Groats or even from Glasgow to Dover but there aren't enough charging points, sure the range on electric cars are far better than they ever used to be they even charge a lot quicker but there would always be the fear of running out of juice especially in the sort of weather we've been getting.

They may decide to rethink and go down the all hybrid route that would at least guarantee them a better survival in the market as I believe the new XC40 uses a 3 cylinder petrol engine developed to work in future hybrid models they plan to release or so the rumors go.

Scott

[NigelDay]

Originally Posted by green van man

I have baught my last Volvo. There is no manual option on the v90 which replaces the v70 and I will not drive an auto if I can help it.
It's not just Volvo, Landover, BMW ,Mercedes, all auto only on v70 equivalents since about 2012.

Looks like I shall be looking at Honda, Hyundai Suzuki or subaru to get manual transmition on the next car.

Paul.

I'm also a manual 'dinosaur' and agree it is disappointing to see manufacturers gradually phasing-out manual boxes. When they do still fit them, they are often restricted to the lower-power engines.

[Guy Dickinson]

I think the electric thing is way too optimistic. As you say - hardly any charging points etc etc. And are they really that environmental? May be in the area round the car but the power stations will be working overtime, probably belching out more CO2 in many cases. Also the transfer of energy from power station to car will lose a lot of it.

[wimorrison]

Volvo haven't said they will be all electric by 2020, they said they will be electric drive which allows them to be hybrid by 2020 and still meet the advertising hype

[The Thong]

Talking to some of the Volvo people at my local dealer recon Volvo’s announcement of discontinuing Diesel development after 2019 is a bit ambitious but the move to Hybrid seems to be they way they’re going. A hybrid for me is no go unless I move House. I live in a terrace so getting a charging cable to my car is a big problem.

[steadvex]

Volvo are stopping development of petrol and diesel engines, but...consider how long the 2.4 blocks were developed for, we probably have at least another 10 years with VEA engines before it switches to electric...

Personally as someone with a Volvo plugin hybrid (diesel) and a leaf I can't wait for good long range Volvo's to come out, I can't see me ever buying a car without a plug again, costs ignored anyways

[T5R92011]

Why not buy a P3 V70?