The automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific announced yesterday its annual Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA), of which three category winners were Volvos.

An “ideal” is defined as an excellent or perfect example. So, in search of the ideal vehicle, AutoPacific asked owners to rate their model year 2008 cars and trucks using a measurement of 15 key vehicle attributes.

According to AutoPacific, “The Volvo S40 was the clear winner in the Luxury Mid-Size Car category.  With high rating for exterior size, visibility, ride, handling and safety it’s easy to see why the S40 is an ideal vehicle.  Volvo engineers and designers definitely hit their target.  Luxury Mid-Size car owners’ scores prove that Volvo understands their buyers very well.  Top marks were also given for seat firmness, interior lighting, wheels and tires, and exterior styling.”

In the Image Compact Car category AutoPacific cited, “Image Compact Cars are products where style typically trumps absolute function.  In the case of the Volvo C30 it seemed to appeal to Image Compact Car owners on both an emotional and rational level.  Owners’ preferences for the C30′s exterior styling, ride, and safety blended well with the interior lighting, seat firmness, and level of technology.”

The Volvo C70 shared the top spot in the Aspirational Luxury Car category.  AutoPacific summarized that, “Even though the Volvo C70 is only available in one trim level (T5) it seems as though the Swedes have packaged the vehicle just right.  With the most modern convenience features, owners in the Aspirational Luxury Car segment found the C70 well-equipped, giving the C70 top honors as a 2008 ideal vehicle.  Of course it comes standard with numerous safety features (it’s a Volvo), sharp wheels and tires, excellent interior lighting and appreciate seat firmness.”

AutoPacific’s IVAs are quantitative gauges measuring how closely a vehicle matches an owner’s expectations. The buyers who are least likely to want to change their vehicle: they are driving their “ideal” vehicle. The AutoPacific report concludes, “The automakers that best understand their customers and create the vehicle their buyers demand come closest to the ideal.”

The results of the IVA were based on data collected from thousands of new car and truck buyers who rated 15 specific vehicle attributes: exterior styling, exterior size, passenger roominess, cargo space, driver’s seat comfort, drivers seat visibility, interior technology, interior lighting, power and acceleration, ease of getting in and out, interior storage compartments, ride, handling, safety features and tires and wheels.

A complete Ideal Vehicle Awards summary and additional information can be found on AutoPacific’s website: http://www.autopacific.com/

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Volvo Cars Register Three “Ideal” Category Wins

XC90’s front end is engineered to deflect the effects of frontal impacts and also to repel any pedestrians up on to the hood of the vehicle rather than underneath the bonnet. Volvo is the first carmaker to use a unique frontal structure known for crumple zones and pre-determined positions for the engine and other ancillaries during a frontal impact. With this technology, XC90 has gained the honor of having the worlds’ best performance in the SUV roll over test. Another interesting feature that debuted for the 2007 model year is the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), which monitors images from a pair of cameras mounted on the side mirrors and warns the driver via an indicator light when another vehicle moves into the XC90′s blind spot.

The Volvo XC90 is offered in two versions: namely the 3.2L and 4.4L V8 variants. Available with front- or all-wheel drive, the first one carries a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine rated for 235 horsepower. The second one, the 311-hp, 4.4-liter V8 engine provides strong acceleration, zooming from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.6 seconds.

Thanks to its advanced safety features and different XC90 parts, the Volvo XC90 is now considered as one of the world’s best luxury SUV’s. The Volvo XC90 parts are developed with only the latest Volvo technology in order to achieve award-winning performance. Most of Volvo XC90 parts eventually wear out due to constant use, while some gets damaged because of lack of maintenance or improper use. It is important to keep every single Volvo XC90 part at its best by having regular check-ups and immediate replacement of damaged parts.

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XC90: Volvo’s Best-Seller

An axle is a shaft on which the wheels revolve. Primarily working for a vehicle’s front wheels, an axle assembly has the chief function of transferring torque from the vehicle’s transmission to the wheels. This component assembly also keeps the right alignment of wheels to the body frame or chassis of a vehicle. For vehicles that are used in off-road driving or racing, an axle assembly is also helpful in maintaining control. Aside from aiding in better driving control, a Volvo Axle Assembly supports the load of Volvo cars. It also serves as the link between the clutch and the wheels.

Since a Volvo Axle Assembly supports a considerable load, users need to regularly have its condition inspected so that it can consistently work at an optimum level. Every time a Volvo vehicle moves, it encounters road bumps and uneven paths. Immoderate shifting wears out the axle assembly together with other essential components. Aside from having to meticulously grease the axle assembly, it should also be checked for dirt that may cause damage to the assembly’s joints.

Aside from the fact that replacing an axle assembly is not an easy task, it is also very costly. It is always important to choose the right component brand that offers reliable quality. With the right set of axle assemblies, Volvo drivers can be confident that their brand will support their heavy loads.

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The heavy load on Volvo Axle Assembly