Latest news with #Volvos
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Abandoned UK car graveyard where fleet of 90s icons left to rot – including classic Cadillac & discontinued favourite
A HAUNTING graveyard of rotting vintage vehicles has been captured in the British countryside. Images show rusting motors lined up, including a nostalgic 90s Cadillac, in various states of disrepair. 2 A haunting graveyard of 90s motors was captured by an explorer Credit: YouTube/Road To Rust 2 Volvos and even a Cadillac were sighted in the eerie scrapyard Credit: YouTube/Road To Rust The scrapyard, which inhabits a crumbling UK farm, also includes dusty Micras and Volvos. The latter takes up most of the space, where a lineup of once eye-catching 240s and 244s eerily sit. Some of them don badges and stickers from their last days on the road. One Volvo in particular is likely a more recent addition as it sports a fresh-looking exhaust warning sticker. read more in motors But others have seen better days. Some have been stacked, used to prop up even more scrap, their roofs caved in under the weight of other forgotten vehicles. And viewers may have to squint to identify a left-hand-drive Cadillac buried beneath overgrown bramble. This isn't the first time that classic cars have been left to rot in a barn. Most read in Motors Over 40 A fleet of dilapidated fire engines covered in mould and peeling red paint were also found. Shocking moment speeding van driver distracted by phone slams into broken-down car leaving victim with lifelong injuries The images were taken by urban explorer Kyle Urbex during his 220th exploration at Brian's Vintage Car Collection in Chester. Kyle found the graveyard hidden away behind dense vegetation near the home of elderly couple Brian and Barbara. Other images show old tractors and JCBs scattered across the property, giving it an eerie abandoned atmosphere. He also found a BMW 635 CSI, once a sign of luxury, slowly being reclaimed by nature. With iconic styling and nicknamed 'shark nose' the motor was very much the symbol of the BMW range after being introduced in 1978. Kyle's visit took an unexpected turn when he stumbled upon Brian himself who revealed his hopes for the future. He said: "Brian has full intentions of one day being able to restore this high car collection, but given his age of 70+, I highly doubt he will get around to restoring all the cars and fire trucks. "He has been victim to some of the cars being smashed to bits by youths."
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Abandoned UK car graveyard where fleet of 90s icons left to rot – including classic Cadillac & discontinued favourite
Read on to discover more UK car graveyards TIME CAPSULE Abandoned UK car graveyard where fleet of 90s icons left to rot – including classic Cadillac & discontinued favourite Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HAUNTING graveyard of rotting vintage vehicles has been captured in the British countryside. Images show rusting motors lined up, including a nostalgic 90s Cadillac, in various states of disrepair. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A haunting graveyard of 90s motors was captured by an explorer Credit: YouTube/Road To Rust 2 Volvos and even a Cadillac were sighted in the eerie scrapyard Credit: YouTube/Road To Rust The scrapyard, which inhabits a crumbling UK farm, also includes dusty Micras and Volvos. The latter takes up most of the space, where a lineup of once eye-catching 240s and 244s eerily sit. Some of them don badges and stickers from their last days on the road. One Volvo in particular is likely a more recent addition as it sports a fresh-looking exhaust warning sticker. But others have seen better days. Some have been stacked, used to prop up even more scrap, their roofs caved in under the weight of other forgotten vehicles. And viewers may have to squint to identify a left-hand-drive Cadillac buried beneath overgrown bramble. This isn't the first time that classic cars have been left to rot in a barn. Over 40 abandoned motors from manufacturers such as BMW, Ford, Rover and Volvo were found in an open barn in the UK. A fleet of dilapidated fire engines covered in mould and peeling red paint were also found. Shocking moment speeding van driver distracted by phone slams into broken-down car leaving victim with lifelong injuries The images were taken by urban explorer Kyle Urbex during his 220th exploration at Brian's Vintage Car Collection in Chester. Kyle found the graveyard hidden away behind dense vegetation near the home of elderly couple Brian and Barbara. Other images show old tractors and JCBs scattered across the property, giving it an eerie abandoned atmosphere. He also found a BMW 635 CSI, once a sign of luxury, slowly being reclaimed by nature. With iconic styling and nicknamed 'shark nose' the motor was very much the symbol of the BMW range after being introduced in 1978. Kyle's visit took an unexpected turn when he stumbled upon Brian himself who revealed his hopes for the future. He said: "Brian has full intentions of one day being able to restore this high car collection, but given his age of 70+, I highly doubt he will get around to restoring all the cars and fire trucks. "He has been victim to some of the cars being smashed to bits by youths."
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Volvo XC90 T8 review: hybrid SUV blends luxury with practicality but shows its age on the road
THERE appears to have been a great deal of rethinking going on at Chez Volvo recently. Aside from snatching headlines about the ditching of diesel engines a while back and milking that 'clean' image for all it was worth, things have not exactly been going to plan in Gothenburg. First up, there was the announcement that it would be an EV-only company from 2030, which had to be scrapped when market forces dictated that hybrid-engined cars would be produced by them for longer than expected. And then, there was the surprise revelation earlier this year that CEO Jim Rowan was standing down and being replaced by Hakan Samuelsson, himself a former incumbent in the role. On top of that, there was news that falling profits and restructuring would see the company shed 3,000 jobs. There was also something of a surprise when Volvo announced it was walking away from the Polestar project it had been so actively involved with, along with its Chinese owners, to focus instead on its core business. So, it has not exactly been a quiet time for the Swedish outfit and while its best-laid plans have not exactly come to fruition, it still knows how to make cars — good cars — that appeal to a broad cross-section of the populace who can afford premium level equipment. The XC90 is a good example, having been with us since 2002; like many accomplished past Volvos, it is probably something worth noting (for those who notice such things) how many older XC90s are still on the go on our roads. It was originally made with diesel and petrol engine options and, it seems, most of them are still happily purring around. Read More Best hybrid SUVs in Ireland: top models for low emissions and family practicality The original was something of a blocky thing, but it did have an air about it that suggested both sophistication and premium-grade build quality. It was also practically bombproof and the fact there are still so many of them running contentedly is an indication of how well built they were and how robust the engines were too. When Volvo announced some time back that the new XC90 would be electric-only, there were undoubtedly many disappointed punters left out there wondering why their manufacturer of choice had deserted them. Volvo XC90 spacious interior But relief was at hand; the EV-only version, the EX90 was unveiled in 2022 and residual diesel/petrol fans were left a little nonplussed. By 2024, however, when Volvo launched the second facelift of the second generation XC90 (which was first seen in 2015 — sorry, I know, it gets a bit confusing), it had changed tack and petrol was back, albeit in hybrid form. In the zeitgeist of that moment, when EV popularity was plummeting Europe-wide, there was little other choice Volvo could have made, but it was still very welcome for a core of followers who were probably never going to be electric adoptees. So, here we have it — the new XC90, but there is still a slight quirk about what's on offer. Although the B5 and B6 mild hybrids are offered in other markets, we will only get this week's tester (apart from the EV version), which is the XC90 T8 PHEV. The main downside of that means this is not going to be a cheap car — the tester, in Ultra specification, costs over 110 big ones — and that may limit appeal somewhat, even though the pricing is in league with the car's primary opponents from BMW, Range Rover, and Mercedes. Given the popularity of the car, it is understandable that Volvo didn't want to trick around too much with the winning formula and so, there has only really been a few minor tweaks to the exterior look, while the interior has come in for something of a major overhaul, which is in line with the car's originally intended raison d'etre as an EV only car. One trick that the Volvo has up its sleeve is that it's a seven-seater and therefore something of a rarity. That said, the only real exterior changes are to the grille and the headlights. The new grille is an attractive design with opposing diagonal lines in its right and left halves. The 'Thor's Hammer' front running lights have been a staple of the XC90 since the off and have now been updated to mirror everything else Volvo is making. The combination of the two new elements freshens up the look of the car overall. On the inside, everything seemed vaguely familiar to these eyes but freshened to the point where you begin to wonder about the veracity of what your eyes are telling you. It is all very plush and there is also a new portrait touchscreen for the excellent infotainment system. Other than that, it seems that all the materials utilised have been burnished and/or upgraded. All new Volvo XC90 You do get a curious mix of timbers, leathers and brushed aluminium throughout, but the contrasts they provide are upmarket and great to look at and touch. There's a real feel-good factor at hand here. The seats are great too; fabulously comfortable and beautifully upholstered they continue a long-standing Volvo tradition in this area. Even the rearmost seats are comfortable for other than small people and they are easily accessed too. All of that — the look of the car from the outside and the quality of the interior — mark this XC90 down as being close to best in class. Indeed the quality of the interior alone puts the Volvo ahead of anything else in a comparable price bracket. Where it is not quite up to the standards of this premium segment is on the road. Sure there's 448 bhp on tap and the 0-100 km/h dash takes just 5.4 seconds, but top speed is limited to 180 km/h, which appears fine. But to achieve those figures you have to thrash that four-cylinder engine and, to be honest, it doesn't like being thrashed. Sure the thing is effortless in many respects, but the age of the engine makes things seem a touch creaky. Also, the claimed consumption rate of 1.2 l/100 km (235 mpg) is preposterous — as are the figures for most PHEVs — but realistically you'll be lucky if you get 9.8 l/100 km (30 mpg), especially if you're any way heavy-footed. The electric-only range too is rubbish — tops 70 km — which is only just close to useful. It rides and handles well, though, boosted considerably by the air suspension and the 4WD system on offer here. For a big car, these factors, play a big part in making it as good as it is on the road. Without doubt this is a massively attractive proposition, in terms of looks, specification and driving pleasure, but it is the latter that sees a gap opening between the XC90 and its principal rivals. For aficionados that will matter little, but for purists it makes all the difference. This is a car which has aged well in many regards, but the fact that it has aged at all is probably down to the fact that Volvo was not really expecting to be making it still.
Motor 1
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Volvo Superfan Explains Why They're 'One Of the Best Cars' Under $5K For Teens. He Might Be Onto Something
A Volvo S60 owner says his vehicle is 'one of the best cars for teens' under $5,000. That's TikToker @majkic06 , who shows off a Volvo S60 from the 2000s. A series of on-screen text overlays accompany several glamour shots of the shiny vehicle in Majkic's viral post. The clip, which has accrued more than 84,000 views on the platform, highlights the car's interior and exterior. Furthermore, the Volvo owner writes: 'This is one of the best cars for teens under $5,000. Five-cylinder engine. Very safe as Volvos always are. Lots of tuning potential. Reliable. Looks great.' As they rattle off these selling points of the vehicle, images of the car's 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and tires are displayed. Moreover, the S60's interior appears to be plush, with shiny, black leather seats. Majkic highlights this point in another TikTok post, giving props to the Swedish manufacturer. "Back when car interiors were simple, nice, and long-lasting.' Are Used Volvos Worth It? When it comes to used vehicle reliability, a few manufacturers' names almost always come to mind. Toyota and its luxury counterpart, Lexus, consistently dominate used reliability lists. Even if Consumer Reports says fellow Japanese automaker Subaru now holds the top reliability crown , Toyotas are renowned road warriors. Honda and Mazda also receive high marks for great used car investments. However, the Scandinavian brand isn't often included on this list. But does Majkic have a point? Should a teenager looking for a used car, who doesn't want to skimp on a sumptuous interior, consider purchasing a Volvo S60? That answer seems contingent upon who you ask. Rerev, a car buying advice website, listed the 2001, 2004, and 2006 Volvo S60 model years as some of the worst examples to buy used. This was due to a number of potential issues they could run into. First: The outlet said that these Volvos run into airbag problems—though the outlet did clarify that this is primarily an issue for second-generation S60s. Moreover, the outlet referenced steering issues that are sometimes associated with these vehicles. In addition to airbag concerns, reports that early Volvo S60 cars had recalls for steering linkages. Purportedly, control arms on these model cars needed to be fixed by the manufacturer for proper handling. If left unaddressed, some drivers reportedly lost complete control of their Volvo S60 while on the road. That doesn't exactly bode well for any commuter, let alone a teen who is newly getting behind the wheel. Used Volvos: Common Problems Consumer Reports also says the first-generation Volvo S60 was slapped with two other recalls. One for the car's hydraulic brakes system, which can experience a loss of fluid. Obviously, that's a safety concern. Additionally, the Independent Auto Assessment Group (IADA), a network of vehicle appraiser specialists, wrote that equipment was mislabeled on the 2006 Volvo S60. It appears this pertains to the tire PSI numbers printed on the driver-side door jamb sticker. Inflating the wrong air values could ultimately 'result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash,' according to the recall notice. also writes that Volvo S60 vehicles from various model years experience 'various transmission issues.' The outlet highlighted that 2001-2009 S60s, along with 2014 iterations, may be prone to shifting problems. Furthermore, these same cars will have rough shifts between first and second gear. Consequently, this makes driving in stop-and-go traffic "bothersome.' RepairPal, a repair estimate site, recommends installing the latest Volvo software module when servicing transmissions on these model years. Strut mount failure, along with premature headlamp burnout are other common issues associated with these cars. Volvo Devotees Many drivers have also decried Volvos at-large for having air conditioning issues. Additionally, engine overheating and infotainment glitches can make navigating apps a pain for some drivers. Despite these criticisms, there are others who've applauded the Swedish car brand's offerings. RepairPal, for instance, slapped the first-generation S60 with a 3.5 out of 5 repairability rating. According to the website, this is an above-average score when compared to other vehicles in the same class. More recent offerings have also received favorable marks. MotorTrend tested a 2020 Volvo S60 for 20,000 miles and it ruled the car as a trustworthy ride, as Majkic lauded in the viral TikTok. Buying a Used Volvo Before making any used car purchase, Volvo S60 or not, buyers should make several considerations. First: Ensuring a car hasn't been in any major accidents is crucial. This helps to rule out any frame damage on the vehicle, which could affect performance and safety. This mitigates the possibility of other components prematurely wearing out, too. Second, finding a vehicle that's been promptly maintained is a good rule of thumb. Locating cars with service records can help with that. It helps to buy a car that hasn't been bought and sold too many times. Ideally, finding one that belonged to its original owner would be best. If you can tick all of these aforementioned boxes, then a used car without an egregious mileage count can be a great buy. However, like any used car, you should always set aside money for additional expenditures. Transmission flushes, oil changes, and part swaps will be necessary. Not to mention a set of tires, if the tread on the used car you're buying is looking thin. So factor that cost when making a decision. And it should be mentioned that Volvo parts come at a premium. Mechanic Base, a forum for car repairs, reminds drivers that Volvos are luxury vehicles that come outfitted with expensive parts. Since they're manufactured in Sweden, importing these components can cost more than U.S.-made cars. Or commuter brands that typically retail for less than Volvo's lineup. Commenters React One user who replied to Majkic's video agreed that the Swedish brand is often overlooked. 'Volvos are too slept on, it's crazy,' they penned. And when it comes to the TikToker's commentary about it being a great car for teens, they have a point. Young drivers are more prone to speeding, which makes this car's reputation for high safety ratings more appealing for folks buying a first car for their kids. And like Majkic says in another clip, while his Volvo won't be winning street drag races against a BMW 330i, it could 'ram' the car off the road and survive. Someone else who responded to his video wrote that they, too, were fans of the Volvo S60's cabin. 'I like old interiors, none of the silly cameras and driver assist,' they commented. Which was a sentiment echoed by another writer who said they preferred the old Volvo inside to newer models. 'Love the old Volvo interiors, tried a new EX90 today, lovely seats, the rest was just a soulless interior with an iPad glued to the dashboard.' One TikTok user wrote, 'I had an S60 years ago, the most comfortable car I've ever owned.' There were some folks, however, who said that the car could do better on gas mileage. But RepairPal projects that owners will spend around $750 per year in maintenance costs. We've reached out to Volvo and @majkic06 for comment. More on Volvo Volvo's Smart New Seatbelt Adapts to Your Body The Volvo XC70 Is Coming Back Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . 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Engadget
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Engadget
Volvo expands its Google partnership to bring new features like Gemini to cars sooner
Following the announcement that Gemini is coming to cars, Volvo is using I/O 2025 to announce a new expanded partnership with Google. The companies' new deal makes Volvo's cars reference hardware for future Android Automotive OS development, and means Volvo drivers will be "among the first to benefit" when Gemini fully replaces Google Assistant in cars. Volvo describes itself as Google's "lead development partner for new features and updates," making the company's cars the first to receive new updates to the Android Automotive OS. Google offers Android Auto as its CarPlay-like solution for beaming a software interface from your phone to in-car displays, but its Automotive OS is more complete, running on your vehicle locally and connected to car controls for A/C and more. You can already experience Android Automotive OS in Volvo's EX90, for example. Google's current vision for Android in cars is, perhaps unsurprisingly, focused on getting drivers to talk to Gemini. In a car with the assistant, you'll be able to ask Gemini to send a message, pull up directions, or answer the more open-ended, natural language questions that Gemini Live is designed to handle. If it works as advertised, it seems better than pecking at a screen, and Volvo notes it could "help reduce your cognitive load so that you can stay focused on driving." There's no release date for when you can expect Gemini to show up as your driving copilot, but at the very least this new partnership means it'll be in Volvos first.
