RE: Is Volvo working on a secret M3 rival?
Discussion
can't wait for the production car(s)!!!A few years ago I bought a 2003 S60R which was Volvo's attempt to break in to the M3/S4 market. It was a "nice" car, very swift, comfortable and full of toys; even looked good in that sexy Flash Green colour.
As nice as it was, it wasn't a patch on our E36 M3 saloon, let alone the (then) current E46 M3 - as a drivers car it was very lacking and very nanny-ish. Also had the Haldex AWD which was pretty much FWD with a bit of power to the rear if needed - it felt very FWD.
As nice as it was, it wasn't a patch on our E36 M3 saloon, let alone the (then) current E46 M3 - as a drivers car it was very lacking and very nanny-ish. Also had the Haldex AWD which was pretty much FWD with a bit of power to the rear if needed - it felt very FWD.
MEC said:
As nice as it was, it wasn't a patch on our E36 M3 saloon, let alone the (then) current E46 M3 - as a drivers car it was very lacking and very nanny-ish. Also had the Haldex AWD which was pretty much FWD with a bit of power to the rear if needed - it felt very FWD.
Probably was running front wheel drive only,common fault with the system were the drive coupling fails. 
If they wanted to take on the M3 it would need to be RWD otherwise it just winds up like mazda's 6 MPS, on paper a scooby / Evo rival, in reality a car noone wanted to buy that did nothing for the brand.
Personally I'd like to see it but the price point would have to be pretty low for them to get the follwing they would want and the limited run being mooted suggests anything but cheaper than the M3.
Personally I'd like to see it but the price point would have to be pretty low for them to get the follwing they would want and the limited run being mooted suggests anything but cheaper than the M3.
I think this is great news. With the loss of Saab as we know it we need more of these fast saloons coming from northern Europe, in fact anywhere but Bavaria! The 9-3 turbo was quicker than a 911 in a straight line! (at least from and to the right speeds) Lets not forget a personal favourite and what should rightfully be in shed territory now, the Volvo 850 T5 (and if you're lucky T5r) a quick chip upgrade and you're at c.300hp, in fact I'm getting a warm fuzzy feeling thinking back to mid 90's touring cars in their blue livery. Speaking of fuzzy, the police motorway basher!
Go on Volvo, something away from the lairy chrome plated German machines entwined in a power battle, a triple turbo straight 6 M3 appeals but why did they go away from the straight 6 refinement in the first place?
By utilising a well proven engine in the Yama V8, the experience built on through the XC90 and quite rightfully mentioned the Noble, this car, on paper is a winner!
I just wonder if the Volvo infrastructure in the UK, the lack of brand popularity with the mid 30 somethings (who can buy, run and want this type of car) and the market dominance of 'ze Germans' will lead to it's down fall. I sincerely hope not but let's be fair, people like chrome!
So it's the Cinderella of the euro saloons, it's probably better but unless Volvo gets in front of the ugly sisters, it's never going to the ball.
Go on Volvo, something away from the lairy chrome plated German machines entwined in a power battle, a triple turbo straight 6 M3 appeals but why did they go away from the straight 6 refinement in the first place?
By utilising a well proven engine in the Yama V8, the experience built on through the XC90 and quite rightfully mentioned the Noble, this car, on paper is a winner!
I just wonder if the Volvo infrastructure in the UK, the lack of brand popularity with the mid 30 somethings (who can buy, run and want this type of car) and the market dominance of 'ze Germans' will lead to it's down fall. I sincerely hope not but let's be fair, people like chrome!
So it's the Cinderella of the euro saloons, it's probably better but unless Volvo gets in front of the ugly sisters, it's never going to the ball.
MEC said:
A few years ago I bought a 2003 S60R which was Volvo's attempt to break in to the M3/S4 market. It was a "nice" car, very swift, comfortable and full of toys; even looked good in that sexy Flash Green colour.
As nice as it was, it wasn't a patch on our E36 M3 saloon, let alone the (then) current E46 M3 - as a drivers car it was very lacking and very nanny-ish. Also had the Haldex AWD which was pretty much FWD with a bit of power to the rear if needed - it felt very FWD.
I've also had a few "hot" Volvo's and considered an S60RAs nice as it was, it wasn't a patch on our E36 M3 saloon, let alone the (then) current E46 M3 - as a drivers car it was very lacking and very nanny-ish. Also had the Haldex AWD which was pretty much FWD with a bit of power to the rear if needed - it felt very FWD.
I'm hoping this new version is upto the job
But I suspect your experience of the S60R will also ring true for this one
I LOVE the idea, however Volvo just wont pull it off. They'll continue to use the s
tty AWD system they use and it probably will be only half decent to drive not forgetting it will no doubt be a fatty too, knowing Volvo. Great place to crash though!
tty AWD system they use and it probably will be only half decent to drive not forgetting it will no doubt be a fatty too, knowing Volvo. Great place to crash though!mrhaitchbee said:
the Volvo 850 T5 (and if you're lucky T5r) a quick chip upgrade and you're at c.300hp,
Not true, at all. I'm not having a go, i'm merely stating you're wrong Happy to be wrong, cheers for pointing out. If you know the right figures chuck them in I know the T5r is about 250hp standard? I am talking with the rica (or however it's spelt) chip on a T5 and an enthusiastic boost pressure.
None the less, figures may be wrong but I was 7 when these cars were about! My sentiment remains, more fast volvos please, hec, i like the insignia vxr unlimited too. Why should fast saloons be German Territory..... In my dreams we'd have a hot Citroen C6 (or ds6)
I know the T5r is about 250hp standard? I am talking with the rica (or however it's spelt) chip on a T5 and an enthusiastic boost pressure.None the less, figures may be wrong but I was 7 when these cars were about! My sentiment remains, more fast volvos please, hec, i like the insignia vxr unlimited too. Why should fast saloons be German Territory..... In my dreams we'd have a hot Citroen C6 (or ds6)
This sounds like a great idea. It would be nice to see Mercedes given a run for their money once in a while! The C30 Polestar car looked fantastic and everyone who drove it seemed to love it, Volvo could have knocked the hot hatch market into a cocked hat by bringing out something infinitely more stylish and appealing than the Focus RS mk2!
A new sporty S60 could be fantastic but if they really want to sell it as an M3 rival it has to be sporty. The S60R was just typically Volvo in that it was fast, comfortable and composed but not particularly sporty. Volvo's mainstream appeal has improved massively over the past few years though, going from being fast cars for the police and BTCC fans to a real contender for mass market sales. This sort of car could be a real boon for them.
A new sporty S60 could be fantastic but if they really want to sell it as an M3 rival it has to be sporty. The S60R was just typically Volvo in that it was fast, comfortable and composed but not particularly sporty. Volvo's mainstream appeal has improved massively over the past few years though, going from being fast cars for the police and BTCC fans to a real contender for mass market sales. This sort of car could be a real boon for them.
Andrew[MG] said:
Sounds great! It doesn't need to make money if it helps Volvo sell more of their bog standard models.
Lots of naysayers around today
I doubt anymore people will go out and buy volvo's if they produce an inferior M3 Clone, they really have there work cut out here IMO, for this to car to stand out rather than instantly be overshadowed by the M3 and AMG MercLots of naysayers around today
The last time someone pulled that off was Vauxhall of all people, with there Lotus Carlton, mainly down to the fact it's performance was so mind blowing for the day, and type of car it was, that put rivals to shame, it's still fast now as comparisons with it's successor the Monaro proved
Volvo are going to need to produce and object of pure beauty and handling finesse, or a balls out beast with the modern day equivalent of the Carltons brutal power to stand a chance of getting noticed here
If they just going to chuck in a 400hp v8, and add a few skirts and spoilers they may aswell not bother frankly, there competing with the big boys here and such a half arsed effort will get a roadtest or two in Evo and complete obscurity there after, i hope they go for the former option, i expect they will take the latter
peter450 said:
The last time someone pulled that off was Vauxhall of all people, with there Lotus Carlton, mainly down to the fact it's performance was so mind blowing for the day, and type of car it was, that put rivals to shame, it's still fast now as comparisons with it's successor the Monaro proved
Volvo are going to need to produce and object of pure beauty and handling finesse, or a balls out beast with the modern day equivalent of the Carltons brutal power to stand a chance of getting noticed here
I'd love it Volvo did a modern day Lotus Carlton and just went totally nuts on the spec. That v8's good for 650bhp in the M600 - why not in a Volvo?Volvo are going to need to produce and object of pure beauty and handling finesse, or a balls out beast with the modern day equivalent of the Carltons brutal power to stand a chance of getting noticed here
I'm a big fan of fast Volvos and I find the whole story a bit too fantastical TBH. I really can't see them reworking the floorpan to fit a RWD set up with a V8 - it's bound to use the same Haldex 4WD system that the XC90 donor has.
I'd like to see it being built - maybe owners Geeley want a Audi S4 style compact over in China?
I'd like to see it being built - maybe owners Geeley want a Audi S4 style compact over in China?
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