An invitation to drive the new Volvos on a precisely designed road course at the Qualcomrn stadium parking lot...! What's this, some sort of sales pitch...? Well sort of. I read the flyer further. Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. was putting the "show on the road" and giving potential buyers or absolute car nuts (however the selection process was done) a chance to really wring out the new V70's and S70's. Good neighbor Gene Bellegarde and I scheduled our test drive for the Sunday morning of the 3 day event and showed up at the appointed time. After filling out a quick form with the usual questions on it, and grabbing the free donuts and coffee, the 8:30 group was ushered off into the big top to the car familiarization/drivers meeting. An impressive video played on two monitors which showed a brief history of safety inspired Volvo engineering ending with a dark V70 doing a dramatic high speed, late night, wet race course, border crossing scene complete with throbbing music. The sleek S70 that was in the display area was presented in an auto show fashion, with a cameraman providing video on the monitors, while the individual with a microphone covered features and design points related to the "new" look for Volvo. Needless to say, we were definitely in the spirit of things from the high tech aura that was emanating from inside that tent! Let's go drive one of these cars...and did they have some cars to drive!!

Stepping back out into the sunlight, my eyes took a moment to adjust, and when they finally did, I saw what must have been 15-20 new Volvo's, S70 4 doors and V70 wagons, engines running and ready to be test driven on the 1.3 mile road course. Laid out with little orange marker cones, it stretched way out across the parking lot. The designers tried to satisfy numerous driving conditions that would give the average Jim like myself an idea of what these cars could do. I started with a low end S70 GL w/auto and A/C. Climbing in, strapping up and positioning all the necessities, the first thing I noticed was the leather seating and the comfy feel that goes with it. The dash is very busy but easy to memorize, and all the controls are well within reach, trimmed in contrasting color. It was easy to feel right at home in the passenger area -- a secure Volvo feeling. Taking this car around the course first was a good choice, and it felt good through all the maneuvers with just the right balance between tight and relaxed. The steering is light and responsive, there is little to none front wheel drive torque while accelerating with the wheels pointed straight or in a turn. It is a quiet car and has a first rate quality soundness that Volvo has spent years perfecting. The brakes, they are great as usual and we were able to test the ABS in an area of the course where they kept a skid pad wetted down just for that purpose. Next I jumped in the S70/T5 with the turbo- charged 5 cylinder, 5 speed transmission and 16 inch wheels. It was warmed up and ready to go. There was the usual slight turbo lag but once spooled up and under aggressive acceleration, it started to get to be fun. The 5 speed has a nice fluid feel and shifted effortlessly. This car does not feel brutish, yet not tame. I took it around the course twice and the co-driver actually let me slip past the stop sign on the far back stretch. I saw 80mph in what seemed like 8 seconds or so before I had to stand on the super stoppers. I would like to own one, what more can I say.

Well, last but not least was the V70/T5 wagon. 1 climbed into it sometime after Gene had finished his hot lapsin it, I knew we would be able to compare notes on this one. The look and feel of luxury really comes through on these wagons. Yes, a little heavier than the sedan, but you wouldn't know it from behind the wheel. It is about as utilitarian as it gets, roomy, sporty and a real touch of class in the same package. This car fits in anywhere, and I wanted to drive it right off of that course and up to Julian for pie.