Internet downloads for all the mod cons

By DAVID LINKLATER

Want your Volvo to idle a bit faster? Fancy a bit more oomph in your electric windows? Or how about some new features for your car alarm?

No problem. Your Volvo service agent can dial up the Internet, download the appropriate software directly into your vehicle and it's done.

Internet-based car servicing is a reality. It's happening in Volvo's New Zealand dealerships right now.

"It makes perfect sense," says Richard Livock, the new national service manager for Volvo importer Scandinavian Vehicle Distributors.

"People download stuff off the Internet all the time for personal computers. There's no reason why it shouldn't be happening for cars."

Nonetheless, Livock, who has worked with European brands including Audi, Aston Martin, Bentley and Rolls-Royce, says he was surprised at how advanced Volvo was with this technology when he joined Scandinavian this year.

"To be honest, I didn't realise Volvo had come this far. I don't think many of our competitors do, either."

Livock says that Volvo has the most sophisticated service set-up in New Zealand to his knowledge - though the other Europeans are developing fast.

Not surprising when you consider that computers run virtually every aspect of modern luxury cars, from fuel injection to airbag deployment.

The platform for all of this Internet trickery is VADIS, or Volvo Aftersales Diagnostic and Information System. Integrated into the "VADIS carts" at Volvo workshops are PC computers with modems which act as go-betweens for the vehicle and Volvo's Internet-based stash of software in Sweden.

"Let's say that you want to download some new software for the automatic transmission to make it smoother," said Livock.

"There's a download button on the VADIS screen which dials up the factory. The two systems talk and you log in. The download might take 10 or 20 minutes, and it goes into the VADIS cart, which in turn sends it straight into to the car. The vehicle's computer confirms that it has received the programme and you just drive away."

Security is tight on the system. The six VADIS carts in New Zealand all have their own identification chips. If the Volvo workshop in Wellington dials Sweden, the factory knows who is calling, and from where, straight away.

"You can't move the machines around," says Livock. "The system recognises not only the individual machines but also the dialling codes from the particular areas. Take your Auckland cart to the Waikato and it won't work."

The latest Volvo, the all-wheel-drive Cross Country, is an example of the company's high-tech capability. The new vehicle replaces the existing V70 XC estate and will go on sale at the end of the month, priced at $91,990.

But Volvo says while the XC has close links with the V70 estate, the new Cross Country is a more extreme concept.

The carmaker has been using an advertising campaign overseas describing the Cross Country as "a car for people who like to get away from cars."

The vehicle's ground clearance of 208mm - 36mm more than the current XC - is similar to many traditional four-wheel-drives. Volvo says the extra ride height has been achieved without affecting the vehicle's centre of gravity or handling.

Powering the new estate is the latest version of Volvo's 2.4-litre five-cylinder light-pressure turbocharged engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The 20-valve powerplant produces 147 kW at 6000 rpm, up from the XCs 142 kW at 5100 rpm. Torque is also up by 15 Nm to 285 Nm.

The Cross Country has a wrap-around composite nose cone. There are fog lamps set into the front bumper, and the front end is finished off with a rugged alloy bash plate. Inside, the Cross Country has full leather upholstery, a surround sound system - even a picnic hamper.