Volvo V70 (P2)

With Volvo's new S80 flagship luxury sedan debuting the advanced P2 platform, Volvo next turned their attention to replacing the P80-based S70 and V70 midsize cars in their lineup. In traditional Volvo fashion, the first midsize P2 on the scene was the V70 and V70XC wagons, followed shortly afterwards by the S60 sedan.

The new P2 platform brought a new approach to on-board computers and diagnostics in cars: on these new "networked" cars, the Engine Control Module (ECM) would be just one of several different computer modules in the car, all communicating with each other over a high-speed CAN-BUS data network.

On these network cars, advanced safety systems like the V70's DSTC traction and stability control become possible: the DSTC module monitors inputs from wheel speed sensors and chassis accelerometers, and if a loss of grip is sensed, the DSTC module issues commands to the Brake Control Module to individually brake spinning wheels, and to the Engine Control Module to back off the power until grip is restored.

Advanced computer control came to the powertrain on P2 V70s as well, via the new AWD system developed by fellow Swedish company Haldex Traction. On AWD V70s, the wheel speed sensors can not only detect wheel lock-up under heavy braking, but also wheel slip under heavy acceleration, sending a signal to the Haldex controller in the rear of the car to engage the rear wheels when the front wheels lose traction.

In the USA, the V70 was powered exclusively by "white block" inline five engines, with a range of naturally aspirated, light pressure turbo "2.4T" & "2.5T", and high pressure "T5" turbo models, backed by either 5-speed AW50/55 automatic or 5-speed M56 manual transmissions.

In 2004, a new high-performance V70R model debuted, featuring standard AWD, special interior and exterior trim, a 300hp version of the turbo five cylinder, and the Four-C active chassis system, using the car's network to tie together different active suspension, DSTC, and throttle-by-wire settings. 

4C-equipped V70Rs individually stiffen the shocks at each corner in response to bumps in the road, chassis movement, and acceleration/deceleration squat and dive. Stiffness is further adjustable with a selectable Comfort, Sport, and Advanced mode, with Advanced mode also advancing intake valve timing and sharpening throttle response. Aso unique to Rs was a DSTC "reduced" mode, which allowed for some slip before the computer intervened.

The R's M66 6-speed manual eventually made its way in to other T5 P2s, though we've found that these later, 6-speed manual T5s are almost as difficult to find as manual Rs. In 2006, the 5-speed automatic in P2 Rs was replaced by a 6-speed TF-80 SC automatic, which was able to handle the R engine's full 300lb-ft of torque (the earlier AW50/55 had to be limited to 258lb-ft to protect 1st and 2nd gears).

P2 V70s, including R models, were produced through 2007, though "facelift" V70s after 2005 (distinguished by body-colored bumper, door, and rocker panel trim instead of black plastic) are fairly uncommon. The next generation V70, on the P3 platform, launched in 2008.

• Second generation V70
• Five door station wagon based on the Volvo P2 platform
• Sold in the USA from 2001 through 2007 model year
• USA models were available with a normally aspirated or turbocharged inline 5 cylinder gasoline engine
• USA models were available in FWD or AWD and manual or automatic transmissions

2001-2006 Volvo V70 2.4 (Base Model - Non-Turbo)

• USA models were equipped with a 2.4L normally aspirated inline 5 cylinder gasoline engine (B5244S)
• USA models were all FWD and could have a 5 speed automatic or 5 speed manual transmission
• Non-turbo models are pretty rare in the USA
• Denso engine management

2001-2003 Volvo V70 2.4T / 2004-2007 V70 2.5T / 2001-2007 V70 AWD

• USA models were equipped with light pressure turbocharged gasoline engines
• USA models were equipped with a 2.4L engine (B5244T3)
• Bosch Motronic 7 engine management
• USA models were available only with an automatic transmission but could be FWD or AWD
• Good "city car" with good low end (off the line) acceleration

2004-2007 Volvo V70 2.5T / V70 2.5T AWD

• USA models were equipped with light pressure turbocharged gasoline engines
• USA models were equipped with a 2.5L engine (B5254T2)
• Bosch Motronic 7 engine management
• USA models were available only with an automatic transmission but could be FWD or Haldex AWD
• Good "city car" with good low end (off the line) acceleration

2001-2007 Volvo V70 T5

• USA models were equipped with high pressure turbocharged inline 5 cylinder gasoline engines
• 2001-2004 USA models were equipped with a 2.3L engine (B5234T3)
• 2005-2007 USA models were equipped with a 2.4L engine (B5244T5) which shared components with R model engines
• Bosch Motronic 7 engine management
• USA models were only available with FWD but could have a manual or automatic transmission
• 2001-2004 manual transmissions were 5 speed
• 2005-2007 manual transmissions were 6 speed
• Automatic transmissions were all a 5 speed variation of the AW55-5x SN
• There appear to have been fewer V70 T5 models sold in the USA from 2005 through 2007 than previous model years, possibly to avoid competition with R models

2004-2007 Volvo V70 R

• Fully loaded high performance model
• All USA models were equipped with a 2.5L high pressure turbocharged gasoline inline 5 cylinder engine (B5254T4)
• Bosch Motronic 7 engine management
• All USA R models have Haldex AWD
• 2004-2007 manual transmission models had a 6 speed gearbox (M66)
• 2004-2005 automatic transmission models had a 5 speed AW55-5x SN transmission, torque limited to 258lb-ft in 1st and 2nd gears to protect the transmission
• 2006-2007 automatic transmission models had a 6 speed TF80SC transmission
• While these models look similar to other V70 models, the interior and exterior trim is completely different
• V70 R models were equipped with the FOUR-C active suspension system
• Only about 3,400 V70 R models were sold in the USA, with manuals comprising only a fraction of these

Model information is based on the USA vehicle market. Other model variations may exist outside the USA.