KEY POINTS:
Volvo has given its pricing policy a going-over in an effort to become the "best value" European marque in New Zealand.
Wallis Dumper, the managing director of Volvo importers Motorcorp Distributors, expects the price change to pinch sales from luxury rivals.
The former New Zealand head of Japanese carmaker Subaru has pared back the price of two new Volvos to show he means business. Models expected next year will also have their prices realigned.
The Swedish company's V8 flagship S80 and the coupe-convertible C70 go on the market here at $5000 to $15,000 less than earlier variants.
The latest all-wheel-drive S80 is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 engine, the company's first V8 in nearly 80 years of production, and costs $109,990. The previous model used a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine and cost $114,990. The upgraded C70 is also more hi-tech. A fold-away hardtop roof replaces the cloth-top and the price of $99,990 replaces the previous model's $114,990. The engine is largely the same, a 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit with turbocharger.
"Volvo is challenging the very best in the segment by offering refined European luxury at a best-value price-tag," Dumper said.
Volvo introduced the V8-powered S80 to compete at the upper end of the luxury segment.
"A V8 is mandatory there - many potential buyers will not consider a motor with fewer cylinders."
The $109,990 price is tens of thousands of dollars less than V8 sedans from German rivals Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi.
The 4.4-litre, narrow-angle 60-degree V8 has been developed with Japanese motorcycle and marine engine specialist Yamaha to produce 232kW (310bhp) and 440Nm of torque.
The engine drives all four wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox. An active suspension system offers three damper control settings: comfort, sport and advanced, for a hunkered-down ride. The S80 rides on 18-inch alloys and has colour-coded bumpers and skirts. The car also has rain-sensing wipers and active bi-xenon headlights with automatic adjustment and high-pressure washers. It is chock-a-block with safety features, including an optional "blind spot" warning system, and comes with a three-year unlimited kilometres and seven-year anti-corrosion warranty.
Volvo says it designed the C70 as a four-seater coupe - the fold-away steel roof and glass rear window deliberately came later.
The car's windscreen A-pillars are designed to support twice the car's 1726kg weight and are supplemented by rear roll-over hoops which pop up behind the rear seat head restraints in the event of an accident.
There are rain-sensing wipers, a park-assist function, retractable and heated door mirrors, a trip computer and information centre.
There are also several lockable compartments and an engine immobiliser and alarm system.
The C70's five-cylinder engined develops 162kW (217bhp) and 320Nm of torque.
Safety systems include roll-over protection, in case drivers lose their way.
