Local prices, engine specs, performance, fuel economy data, reliability and safety listings for every car
sold in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait!
The all-new Volvo C30 is Volvo's new entry-level attempt at
capturing younger buyers. This sporting new hatchback has provocative body
sculpting, room for four average-sized adults and a range of competitive engines.
It looks very original, except for the front-end face, which is lifted directly
off its larger siblings and looks dated already. It offers a fair bit of space inside, at least for the front passengers,
and features very basic interior styling, save for a few unique touches such as
the floating centre console. Available in this region are three engines, the
base being a 1.6-litre four-cylinder with a manual gearbox, and the higher ones
are both five-cylinder, one being a 2.4-litre and the other a turbocharged 2.5-litre,
both with automatic gearboxes and tiptronic functionality. All three versions
are front-wheel-drive. Standard features include cloth upholstery, power
windows, trip computer and CD audio. Standard safety features typical of Volvo include ABS brakes,
front airbags, side-curtain airbags, and a whiplash protection system. Options
include alloy rims between 15-inch and 18-inch sizes, three levels of audio
equipment, customisable centre console trim, stability control and a blind-spot
warning system for inattentive drivers.
Competitors:
BMW 1-Series
Renault Megane
Volkswagen Golf
Price Range
Dhs 68000 - 110000 (US$
18400 - 29900)
Body Styles
3-door hatchback
Weight (kg)
1279 -
1422
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
1.6 I4 FWD
2.4 I5 FWD 2.5TC I5 FWD
5M
5A 5A
100
170 227
150
230 320
7.0 9.0 9.4
11.8 8.8 7.1
185 215 235
Good
Good
handling,
space for friends, good looks
Bad
Dull
interior, tight rear, slow base model, high base price
Volvo C70
The all-new Volvo C70 is touted as being two cars in one, namely a coupe and a convertible, although the concept has been around for years now. This one has room for four average-sized adults. The three-piece retractable steel roof folds up or down electrically in 30 seconds. Development of the trick top was apparently helped along by Pininfarina in Italy. The new car is slightly shorter and lower than the old model, though it offers a fair bit of space inside, at least for the front passengers. Available in this region are two oddball five-cylinder engines, one a 2.4-litre and the other a turbocharged 2.5-litre, both with automatic gearboxes with tiptronic, and all models are invariably front-wheel-drive. Standard features include dual zone automatic climate control, power seats, trip computer, automatic dimming rear-view mirror and a CD audio system. Safety features typical of Volvo include emergency pop-up roll bars, ABS brakes, a front side-impact protection system also known as SIPS, and a whiplash protection they like to call WHIPS.
Competitors:
Audi A4 Cabriolet
BMW 3-Series Convertible
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Convertible
Price Range
Dhs 140000 - 155000 (US$ 38000 - 42100)
Body Styles
2-door convertible
Weight (kg)
1623 -
1715
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
2.4 I5 FWD 2.5TC I5 FWD
5A 5A
170 227
230 320
9.6 9.8
10.0 8.0
215 234
Good
Trick top,
tasteful cabin, space for friends, good looks
Bad
No fast
engine choices, front-wheel-drive handling
Volvo S40 / V50
The compact S40 sedan, and its V50 wagon variant, is based on the same front-wheel-drive platform as the Mazda 3 and the Ford Focus, all of which come under the Ford umbrella. Yet Volvo claims that the S40 is a true Volvo, asserting unique premium features only found in the Volvo. The S40 is an obviously small car, but it looks a lot like its larger siblings with its signature new-age-Volvo styling. There are three engine choices, all of them the corporate oddball five-cylinder,
except for the base 1.6-litre four-cylinder with manual gearbox. The range includes a basic 2.4-litre, a higher-tuned 2.4-litre and, for the S40 only, a turbocharged 2.5-litre, all offered with automatic with tiptronic in this region.
Markets outside this region get all-wheel-dive models too. The interior has an ultra-slim centre console that seems to be free-floating, with extra storage space behind it. The safety package includes a patented zonal front structure using differing strengths of high-strength steel to disperse force away from passengers in a crash. Dual front airbags, SIPS side impact protection, curtain airbags and WHIPS whiplash protection are all standard.
Competitors:
Audi A4
Lexus IS 300
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Price Range
Dhs 76800 - 133000 (US$ 20800 - 36200)
Body Styles
4-door sedan, 5-door wagon
Weight (kg)
1294 - 1389
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
1.6 I4 FWD
2.4 I5 FWD 2.4 I5
FWD 2.5TC I5 FWD
5M
5A 5A 5A
100
140 170 227
150
220 230 320
7.4
9.1 9.1 9.4
11.9
9.0-9.1 8.9-9.0
7.2
185
200 215 235
Good
Unique
looks, fuel economy, quick top model
Bad
High base
price, tight rear legroom, no all-wheel-drive
Volvo S60 / V70
The S60 is tuned to be a sports sedan, but though it is betrayed by a front-wheel-drive chassis in all but the R model, it looks like a sleek sports coupe from afar. The interior is fairly spacious even with the swooping roofline, and it offers more of a midsize package than a compact one, even though it is occassionally pitted against smaller German rivals in comparisons. For the Middle East market, there are five powerplants. These include a basic 2.4-litre only for the V70 wagon, a 2.0-litre turbo and a 2.5-litre turbo for the run-of-the-mill S60 sedan models, a 2.4-litre turbo for the sporty front-wheel-drive T5 and a highly-tuned 2.5-litre turbo for the all-wheel-drive S60 R. All engines are five-cylinder, and have an automatic with tiptronic, although some can be had with a manual too. Maintaining Volvo tradition, safety features include dual front airbags, side impact airbags for SIPS, inflatable curtain airbags and WHIPS whiplash protection. In Europe, the V70 wagon can be had with any engine, including the R turbo, but here it is sadly relegated to taxi duties.
The S80 is the flagship of Volvo range, and though it looks big in size, it is actually more of a large midsize sedan than a true fullsize barge. New and improved for the 2007 model year, it adds new Volvo innovations such as the wafer-thin center console that houses the digital climate controls and the Dolby Pro-Logic II surround sound system. The car is filled to the brim with the usual luxury features such as power windows, mirrors and seats, leather trim, large alloy rims and what not, but the big news is the all-new engine range. The front-wheel-drive models get either a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo or a 3.2-litre V6, both with a six-speed automatic with manual shift capability. The top model is an all-wheel-drive sedan with a 4.4-litre V8 and a six-speed automatic,
again with tiptronic. Safety features include ABS brakes, stability control, dual front airbags, side impact airbags for SIPS, inflatable curtain airbags and WHIPS whiplash protection.
Competitors:
Audi A6
BMW 5-Series
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Price Range
Dhs 123500 - 177000 (US$ 33600 - 48200)
Body Styles
4-door sedan
Weight (kg)
1540 - 1742
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
2.5TC I5 FWD 3.2 I6 FWD
4.4 V8 4WD
6A 6A
6A
200
238
315
300 320
440
9.4
10.0
12.1
7.2-7.5 7.4
6.0
229-234 238
248*
Good
Sharp
looks, loaded with features, interior space
Bad
Only V8 is
all-wheel-drive, looks like cheaper siblings
Volvo XC70
The XC70 was Volvo's first attempt at a 4WD vehicle. Based on a jacked-up V70 wagon with all-wheel-drive, it has been heavily revamped for the 2008 model year, although it is still not really that good off-road, and gets by on gravel and flat sand, given its fairly impressive ground clearance. It is powered by a 3.2-litre 6-cylinder engine, with an automatic offering tiptronic manual shifting. The second-row has a three-section bench seat with removable centre position for various setups. Standard features include keyless entry, CD player, trip computer, air-conditioning, xenon headlights, power windows, doors, locks,
sunroof and mirrors. Available features also include leather or vinyl seats, ventilated front seats with perforated leather, 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels and an optional rear-seat entertainment system. Safety features include ABS brakes, stability control, dual front airbags, side impact airbags for SIPS, inflatable curtain airbags, WHIPS whiplash protection, collision Warning with brake support and emergency brake lamps, adaptive cruise control helps keeping a safe distance to vehicles ahead, hydraulic brake assist, optimized hydraulic brakes and fading brake support. .
The XC90 is Volvo's first proper 4WD vehicle, and a fairly good one at that. The seven-seater is powered by either a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo, a 3.2-litre V6 or a 4.4-litre V8, all with an automatic with tiptronic function. Among the three rows of seats, the second row moves front and back offering adjustable legroom, while the foldable third row seats can be tucked away to increase luggage space. Standard features include keyless entry, 17-inch wheels, CD player, trip computer, rear air-conditioning, power windows, doors, locks and mirrors, and an eight-way power driver's seat with memory. Available features also include leather seats, a power front passenger seat, memory mirrors, a power moonroof, upgraded audio with a six CD changer, 18-inch alloy wheels and self-leveling rear suspension.
A sports package adds 19-inch rims, stiffer suspension and some trim pieces. Safety features include ABS brakes, stability control, dual front airbags, side impact airbags for SIPS, inflatable curtain airbags, WHIPS whiplash protection, and a rollover protection system.
