Adjustable steering force - Was this part of a pack?

[Yelper85]

Originally Posted by volvocat

Yes, they were standard on the SE Sport, which only lasted a couple of years (iirc) - and 4C was also standard on the SE Lux for the first year (I think).
Thereafter, both became separate options only, like on the V70 - but never as part of a pack.

So do the newer generations of Volvo still come with the option to have these fitted or are they standard or come as part of a pack?

I wonder if mine does have some kind of adaptive suspension based on the "Sport" mode as stated in the manual. Screenshot attached. This is different to the gearbox Sport mode as well, however I wonder if this also changes things if activated?

[volvocat]

Originally Posted by Yelper85

So do the newer generations of Volvo still come with the option to have these fitted or are they standard or come as part of a pack?

I wonder if mine does have some kind of adaptive suspension based on the "Sport" mode as stated in the manual. Screenshot attached. This is different to the gearbox Sport mode as well, however I wonder if this also changes things if activated?

AFAIK, they are still separate factory-fit options only (not in a pack) and not available as dealer-fit accessories.
Adjustable steering may be standard now, but perhaps it's model/trim level dependent - maybe just on Inscription or CC Pro/Plus...? My V90CC Pro has it but I bought it at 1 year old and haven't checked the original specs. that closely.

On previous gen., if there are no 4C buttons, there's no adaptive suspension.

The gearbox Sport setting affects throttle and gear-shift responses.
ESC affects drive & braking control, not suspension - again, AFAIK...

'Sport' in this context is perhaps a little misleading.
ESC defaults to on, so it's a case of DE-activating it - doing so certainly hands more control (responsibility) to the driver although I'm not sure why anyone would want to do that unless they have delusions of Clarkson powerslides on a racetrack - just makes the car potentially more dangerous on the road!
In such circumstances, I would imagine having 4C as well would give the driver better overall control.

[Tatsfield]

In earlier cars such as my 2012 XC70, the stability system is called DSTC but it is the same system and is based on the use of the braking system to correct stability issues such as wheel spin, skidding and body tilt. It does not use the suspension system to achieve this control. If it did all cars with a stability control system would have to have something like 4C suspension that was electronically controlled to be integrated into stability system and not all cars do have 4C. ECUs can only control things which themselves are electronically controllable and standard oil/gas shocks are not.

As far as turning off the stability system, Volvo decided that this would not be allowed and not to provide a button that drivers could easily press and then lose control of the car as is possible on some other marques. An ability to modify the stability system to reduce some aspects of its control available and is accessed through the "My Car" menu system as a "Sports" mode which tends to make it an overall driving style choice rather than an instantaneous driving decision such as Sports mode in the auto transmission. And Volvo decided that when you turn off the engine the stability control returns to full operation the next time you drive the car.

Steering force under the automatic speed sensitivity system can also be set to one of three setting in the "My Car" menu and again this is a driving style choice than an at-the-moment driving decision. However, if you have 4C suspension, the setting of the 3 different suspension modes can be button accessed instantaneously at any time.

Driving safety issues tend to be a philosophical decision by car manufacturers and we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that Volvo's safety philosophy has always been set higher than other manufacturers and is a matter of pride to them.

[apersson850]

If you select DSTC Sport (or ESC off, as it's called in later versions), then you can't use the adaptive cruise control, for example. But you can go more sideways before the car gives up and sets you straight again.
The main benefit from turning it off is that it completely disables anti spin. If stuck in snow, you want the wheels turning so you can dig yourself out. With the DSTC/ESC system fully active, the engine will just reduce the power and you get nowhere.

Which options were included in which models varies from one year to another, and even more between markets.

In Sweden, for example, the last V70/XC70 generation was never available as any SE model. That died with the 940 series here.

And no, HDC is not available as on option. There's no need, since it's only offered on AWD XC models, and they all have it as standard.

[Yelper85]

Three excellent responses there so many thanks for that, really do appreciate it.

I'd love to feel the difference on the 4C, especially between Comfort and Advanced. Is the difference is bone-shaking like riding on water compared to a cobbled street?

Does it use the camera to see the road ahead and make pre-emptive adjustments then or does is just adjust the dampers internally to a set value? I'm guessing the springs don't get any adjustment?

[Tatsfield]

Originally Posted by Yelper85

Three excellent responses there so many thanks for that, really do appreciate it.

I'd love to feel the difference on the 4C, especially between Comfort and Advanced. Is the difference is bone-shaking like riding on water compared to a cobbled street?

Does it use the camera to see the road ahead and make pre-emptive adjustments then or does is just adjust the dampers internally to a set value? I'm guessing the springs don't get any adjustment?

Honestly, I don't feel a great deal of difference between Comfort and Sports and I use Advanced most of the time as I miss the stiffer suspension of my old 2+2 coupes. I do select Comfort over rough surfaces in the hope that it will help.

The springs don't adjust and the shocks get settings when selected but there is no other input to them as far as I know.

[apersson850]

No, the shocks only get the input from how they are moving up and down, as well as the controller's ride style selection (Comfort, Sport, Advanced).

[Yelper85]

Originally Posted by apersson850

No, the shocks only get the input from how they are moving up and down, as well as the controller's ride style selection (Comfort, Sport, Advanced).

You mean I can’t get it to bounce like a Cadillac?

[Tatsfield]

The Cadillacs I've driven didn't bounce. They wallowed a bit!

[Yelper85]

Originally Posted by Tatsfield

The Cadillacs I've driven didn't bounce. They wallowed a bit!

Like a barge on wheels