Not really mercedes, but... - As mercedes owners, what are y

[ASomers]

Hi there, i'm a 4th year Transport design student at Coventry University in England. My final year project is to design a new Volvo coupe for the Volvo range, while striving to maintain the qualities of the brand.

Volvo obviously has a history of safe, reliable and practical cars with a style all of their own.
They also have a history of producing more niche vehicles to complement the ranges of the time. P1800, 480 and the current C70 were some of the products of this thinking, all the while maintaining the qualities of the Volvo brand.
I intend to design a Vehicle for the future which demonstrates the possible future of Volvo creativity, design and styling while building on Volvo's existing values.

As Mercedes-Benz owners and enthusiasts, (and at the risk of being pilloried) i'd like to ask you what your personal opinions are of volvo's, their products and brand. What do Mercedes offer that perhaps Volvo don't? What might a forth-coming Volvo have to offer before you may be tempted to purchase one?
Your response would greatly help the research stage of my project.
With Thanks, Andrew Somerville

 

[Andy]

Not really mercedes, but...

Ratssss

I thought for a moment we had the famous Anne Sommers online having a chat. If I'd have know it was a bloke, I wouldn't of bothered. I mean talking about volvo's.

When I think of Volvo's I think immediately of caravan owners. I know its weird but what can I say!! They seem to buy a lot of them. So I think that says it all.

What would tempt me to have a look. If it had a three pointed star on the front. Its worth a look. But I never did like ABBA or ford, so I can't see me ever looking seriously at one.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

PS. Andrew the above comments should be taken tongue in cheek (except for ABBA and caravaners) I wish you luck in your endevours to design a new coupe for Volvo, but not too much luck. You may put me out of a job!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards
Andy

 

[Richard W]

Not really mercedes, but...

This may sound a bit long winded but here goes.....!

I had a VW Corrado when my wife found out we needed a bigger car - so dilemma arises - what do we buy that retains an element of 'fun to drive', can handle baby stuff is big enough to handle DIY stuff too (we also decided to move house).....

After looking at Golf GTis, Audi A4s, BMW (sorry!) 3s, she happened to mention her boss had a V40 (small estate) and she quite enjoyed it when she drove it. After trawling the Auto Trader for a few weeks I found one. 2.0 16v SE with all the kit, an ex Volvo management car it had all the options you could wish for - heated leather, sports suspension, alloys, sunroof and air, trip computer, etc etc.

Well when I drove it what appealed was:

The dynamics - a sporty set up meant it wasn't a wallowy beast so I could enjoy driving it on my own.

The looks - it was the first of the Volvos which didn't have a straight line design, low, sleek, dark colour etc.

It wasn't a real estate more a large hatchback, what you might call a 'lifestyle' estate.

So I would want to see a proper coupe - I don't like the C coupe or 3 Coupe, both are stumpy and awful from the side or rear views. The V40 build quality was awful - the panels had a good finish on the outside but as soon as the bonnet or boot was opened you could see the lack of paint round the edges, rust on the front slam panel (a 2 year old car?)  so forum memebers who think the C Class is poor should have a look at one of those!

The brand choice mean't it wasn't a BMW, and one of the first thing I tested was the indicators - yes they do actually work!

Andy, you're quite right the appearance of the product in the UK is a dull but competant product, the V40 to me changed that, as well as a trip in a T5. I'm waiting to see what the new V70(R) can  do (300bhp 4WD etc!), now that's what a Volvo should be like!

Good luck with your quest - I studied Design as a Technical Illustrator, my final test was an airbrushed cutaway of a DB6 Vantage engine......

 

[Tony Browne]

Not really mercedes, but...

Is it the Volvo's that use those crap Renault engines???

 

[Graham Bell]

I think one of the problems Volvo has, apart from having the reputation of being dull is branding.I'd have difficuly naming one. Maybe Saab suffer the same problems.
I do like the look of that new Volvo, couldn't tell you what it's called but it looks like an offroad estate. I've just recently purchased a c class estate and if I'd known about that Volvo I might have had a look.
But to be honest, even if it was better than the c class - well, telling my friends I have a Volvo..hmm. I seem to hear a lot of people say "Volvo? Nice car but..."
I wouldn't buy a Volvo, I've never driven one. I have the feeling that the older I get, if I was to drive one, I might buy one. Which is probably why I've never driven one

 

[Richard W]

Yes Tony that was the version with the crap Renault engine..... (£520 for a new ECU which failed totally!) a bit harsh when revved, but not as bad as the press would have you believe and substantially quicker than an A4 or 318.

Belly, I had an attitude similar to yours before I drove one - in the main they're for people who don't enjoy driving (can't use indicators or accelerators) and just want something functional to go from A to B (with kids and Labrador!).

Having driven different Volvo models I wouldn't touch one without the sports suspension upgrade and with Ford supplying the chassis dynamics these days I would bet on Volvo challenging Audi and Saab for a serious BMW/Audi alternative.

Since buying the C I certainly wouldn't go back just yet - build quality and just that 'X' factor that owning and driving a Merc gives you.

 

[ASomers]

Thanks for the responses everyone,
I know exactly what you mean by 'Volvo nice car, but...' I kinda need the end of that sentence, different points of view from lots of different people.
As a 22 year old i have my own thoughts on the subject, but i need some other points of view to back-up, expand (or crush) any ideas i might have.

I need reasons and reasoning from a preliminary report in order to create and justify a final design...

What is it about Volvo's image which would stop you buying one? What might change your mind? If Volvo launched an attractive, innovative new product (thinking the effect Audi's TT had... but much more than just a styling/brand exercise), might the brand still stop you buying it? :?:
Thanks Andy (sorry for any lingerie-related dissapointments )

 

[Jim Gallagher]

Caravanners

Andy,
What's wrong with caravanners ? Great relaxing pastime, see plenty of the country and coast and the kids love it.
Volvos are up to the job. thats why people have them for towing caravans.

 

[Guy]

Andrew wrote -

What is it about Volvo's image which would stop you buying one?

Jim wrote -

Volvos are up to the job. thats why people have them for towing caravans.

There you have it. That's the perception problem. That's exactly how they are perceived.

If Volvo launched an attractive, innovative new product (thinking the effect Audi's TT had... but much more than just a styling/brand exercise), might the brand still stop you buying it?

Volvo tried to change things with that 'How long have we been away' ad. But that was purely related to appearance. That's different from changing perceptions.

IMHO the T5 is as near as Volvo have come to altering that perception. It was the first really dynamic Volvo. I once tested a 480 turbo, and it was a disaster dynamically - on/off turbo, awful handling. But the T5 has got some driving kudos.

So my suggestion would be that somehow you need to stop people imagining towbars and get them thinking of more positive driving pleasure to change their perceptions.

Design a T5 coupe/convertible.

Good luck with your project.

And please, caravanners all, forgive me...

 

[Tony Browne]

Im sorry, i just have to ask this....
is A Somers a PR man for volvo?

 

[Russel Weston]

Going back a few years, one of the easiest cars to drive I had was a Volvo 360GLS. 2l with the gearbox between the rear wheels. The balance on this car was very good although the change was a bit heavy, it was very direct. The only other front engined cars that have a rear gear box that I know of is the Porsche 928. I upgraded the 360 to a 440 turbo, which I felt was a bit plasticy, the dash squeaked and the front became light above 110. I then got a Vectra, gave it back after 3 months. I still do consider Volvo, and will probably get my wife one as her next car. But for me the build quality is all improtant.

 

[RonnieIrl]

This is quite an interesting dicussion - sorry I missed the start of it, but thought I'd stick my tuppenceworth in too, even if it is too late :wink:

While I know Volvo have had their niche products in the past, many of the more successful cars seemed to be from a time before the Volvo brand values were fully established. I'm not sure how the new coupe is selling, but to me all the values of a coupe are at odds with the values of Volvo now. A safe, reliable, practical sports car is a bit of a contridiction - why else do racing events have "motor sport is dangerous" plastered all over them ?

So what would make me buy a Volvo ? I don't think a Audi TT style offering is quite the answer; to me, that was Audi remembering their sporting past, with short wheelbase Quattos, which they'd seemed to ignore of a few years. But at least their sporting success was within my lifetime. Ain't so sure about Volvo, even with a little Touring cars success in the past.

To want a Volvo, you have to want the brand values of Volvo. And to me those are more than just safe, reliable and practical. Well, we can expand a little anyway.

If I was driving a Volvo, I'd want it to reflect it's origins. Just as I can imagine many Mercedes were born to storm down an Autobahn in luxury and comfort, I imagine Volvos being born to cope with icy, snowy twisting roads in the midst of forests! So, I'd want pristine handling and power. So far so coupe. I'd also want the ability to flatten an elk, if it wandered into my way. Still Volvo values. BUT, and here to me is the key of Volvo, I do want big load carrying capacity. After all, if their roads are dangerously full of snow, ice and elks, I wouldn't want to have to make two trips. So, that makes it an estate, then!

What I think Volvo isn't is an off-roader. They keep you on treacherous roads, safely, not take you into forests!

So my guess to the future of Volvo might be, if you can imagine such a thing, a coupe estate car! Sportwagen might be the vogue term, but no one (to my knowledge) has designed something like a two seater estate car. Give it folding 2+2 seats in the back if you must, but make it curvey, yet still estate. The most common reason for buying a Volvo, or even considering the brand seems to be having kids. They're generally small (hence the folding, but safe seats) and they generally take a lot of equipment (hence the big load carrying capacity). A true niche product, for famalies with kids up to say 6. Then they buy a bigger Volvo

 

[Dave Hannon]

Andrew

You will find that Volvo's are viewed differently in all countries. They are an in between brand in Ireland, like Saab, a semi badge somewhere in between Vauxhall and BMW. People buy them for, among many reasons, they want a bit of prestige but dont want to be branded as a serious badge owner.

Here, if you drive a Merc, you can claim that you want to drive the best car in the world and get away with that excuse, but you cannot say that about a BMW, particularly a 3 series. There's no excuse:- you just wanted the badge.

Volvo drivers are considered concientious about their choice of car but not car concious if you know what I mean.

There is no doubt that their entry into the touring car circuit and the T5 changed minds everywhere and Volvo have produced some serious motors since but no matter what I cannot help thinking every time I see someone in a new C70 Convertible that they could have got a very good CLK for that money and I sub conciously think they probably work for Volvo.

Finally, you will get a very different view of foreign cars from the UK than you will from other countries where there is no strong heritage of car manufacturing such as Ireland or Holland.

The one thing Volvo need to get right and only Merc have done this: - residual value, and this is done via build quality and durability. Can you design this? We could go on all day but I cant

Best of Luck

Dave

 

[JR]

WELL HERE IT IS IN A NUTSHELL
TAKE A C70 CONVERTIBLE, STRETCH IT A FOOT THEN WIDEN IT ANOTHER FOOT, TAKE OUT THE HAIR DRIER AND PUT IN A PROPER LUMP
(LUMP FROM THE T5R SHOULD DO IT)
MAKE IT 6 SPEED, PUT SOME DECENT SIZED RUBBER ON ALL FOUR CORNERS AND THEN GET CLARKSON TO GIVE IT GOOD REVIEW.
GET A MINOR CELEBRITY (HRH PRINCESS ANNE PERHAPS?)
TO GET CLOCKED AT 145MPH ON THE M1 AND THERE YOU HAVE IT
A RECIPE FOR CERTAIN SUCCES!!
OH BY THE WAY, YOU MAY NEED TO SCRAP THE REST OF THE RANGE AS WELL.
AND AS FOR CARAVANS, SEE ANDYS COMMENTS NUFF SAID!!

 

[Benz 380 sel]

CLASS !!!

 

[fuzzer]

WELL HERE IT IS IN A NUTSHELL
TAKE A C70 CONVERTIBLE, STRETCH IT A FOOT THEN WIDEN IT ANOTHER FOOT, TAKE OUT THE HAIR DRIER AND PUT IN A PROPER LUMP
(LUMP FROM THE T5R SHOULD DO IT)
MAKE IT 6 SPEED, PUT SOME DECENT SIZED RUBBER ON ALL FOUR CORNERS AND THEN GET CLARKSON TO GIVE IT GOOD REVIEW.
GET A MINOR CELEBRITY (HRH PRINCESS ANNE PERHAPS?)
TO GET CLOCKED AT 145MPH ON THE M1 AND THERE YOU HAVE IT
A RECIPE FOR CERTAIN SUCCES!!
OH BY THE WAY, YOU MAY NEED TO SCRAP THE REST OF THE RANGE AS WELL.
AND AS FOR CARAVANS, SEE ANDYS COMMENTS NUFF SAID!!

You did not mention making it rear wheel drive. Those T5's get about 5k out a set of front rubber

Or better yet 4 wheel drive

 

[PINBALL]

Just had a volvo for last six years

Very solid reliable car, but with various flaws & stupid unthought out design mistakes.

The trouble is, if Volvo (or any other make) really wanted to know what theyre owners thought of them (and they have the owners records on thier files to send out offers periodically) they would take the trouble to ask them, but sadly, they don't, because mostly all of these large companies think they know what thier customers want - but never bother to ask them!

 

[Ramius]

Well I used to own a 960 24v Estate and it was the bizz. Great car, fast smooth, loaded with extras all in all a really good and safe car.

Now for the reality:

I lived with the "stigma" of being a Volvo driver and took the comments passed by all and sundry with a pinch of salt, after all I wasnt old, didnt have a caravan and drove fast....not slow.

Now I find that I overtake a Volvo and hear myself crying out in frustration........


****ing Volvo drivers!

Lets face it......really good car with the street cred of Janet Streetporter!

 

[littlebrooklyn]

A female perspective....I hate Volvo's they just shout 'old man' to me :razz:

 

[shrekky]

I'm a recently new MB owner( 2 years) and the one thing that has made the biggest impression on me , sort of hard to explain but here goes,is that you could blind fold me and put me in any car,and i could tell you which one was the MB,you just know you're in a MB!.
And i think JR pretty much said it,the T5 lump or better is a must,but they must make a product worth shouting about(incorperating build quality,style and reliability),then shout about it !,like they did with the T5,i remember when volvo entered an ESTATE car into the BTCC,everybody laughed.but volvo had the last laugh by winning the BTCC.and i have no doubt that increased sales alot.certainly make me sit up and look !,and i was certainly impressed that it beat a sierra cosworth from a standing start !,considering it was supposed to be one of the fastest cars at the time.
And unfortunately volvo's are associated with caravaners and such,having said that the fact the police forces round here have made it a car of their choice wont do any harm ,like micra's and corsa's are associated with boy racers and women.so volvo are going to have to do something special if they want persecptions to change.
Only one thing did always bug me about volvo's,YOU'RE not in sweden,DO them headlights have to be on ?......lol