VOLVO has increased the price and specification of much of its range and introduced new engines to some models. Improvements include a whiplash protection system as standard on front seats throughout the range. The changes are revealed in its new price list, which has been published in both Sterling and Euros to make international price comparisons more transparent.

The S70 and V70 range now includes the new 2.4-litre 20V five-cylinder engines with 140bhp and 170bhp which replace the 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre 10V and 20V units. In the C70, the 2.5-litre 165bhp engine is replaced by the new 170bhp unit and a more powerful 265bhp engine replaces the 2.3-litre 250bhp unit in the V70R AWD. Volvo says engine revisions across the 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre versions of the S40 and V40 ranges bring improvements in performance and fuel economy. The 1.8-litre engine, for example, returns a claimed economy improvement of 5% and reaches 62mph in 10.5secs (previously 11secs).

The new C70 Convertible is due to enter UK showrooms shortly. The model is available powered by either the 193bhp light pressure turbo 2.4-litre engine or 2.3-litre 240bhp in the T5 variant. The 2.4 costs £31,965 and the T5 £33,965.