Chassis, steering and brakes

Chassis, steering and brakes  - Overview - Volvo C70

Excellent driving dynamics was a priority for the new Volvo C70.

Convertible cars are renowned for poor structural rigidity - which hurts handling response, refinement and safety. By contrast, the new Volvo C70 has twice the structural rigidity of the original C70, and is one of the most torsionally rigid convertible cars in the world. So its feels taut, agile and predictable at all times, roof up or down.

The new Volvo C70 shares its basic technology with other Volvo models, including front-wheel drive and an extremely stable, compliant chassis. Suspension is fully independent. MacPherson struts are fitted at the front and there is a multi-link axle at the rear. Spring and damper rates have been designed to blend agility and response, with comfort and suppleness. DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) ensures stable handling by eliminating wheel slip and automatically helps correct the car if any slide is detected.

Steering is speed-dependent rack-and-pinion. Electro-hydraulic power assistance blends the superior feel of an hydraulic system with the added energy benefits of electric power steering.

Large power-assisted anti-lock disc brakes give superb stopping power. The front discs are ventilated for superior cooling, reducing brake fade. EBA (Emergency Brake Assist) cuts braking distance in an emergency while EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) further improves braking by correctly distributing front-to-rear brake bias taking into account vehicle loads and road conditions.

    See also:

    Setting a speed
    Once ACC has been put in standby mode, use the or buttons to store (set) the vehicle's current speed. This puts the system in active mode. The set speed, for example 55 mph, is shown in th ...

    Dialing a number
    The system understands the digits zero to nine. These numbers can be spoken individually, in groups of several digits at a time, or the entire number can be given at once. Numbers above nine wi ...

    Speed-dependent steering force
    Steering force increases with the speed of the vehicle to give the driver enhanced sensitivity. At low speed the vehicle is easy to steer in order to facilitate parking, etc. Steering force can ...