The V50R That Never Was
In 2004, Volvo unveiled one hell-of-a-wagon at SEMA. Called the “V50 SC,” the estate was specifically made to cater to “young enthusiasts” who wanted more from their grocery-getting haulers. Sadly Volvo only made one as a design exercise, and never intended to put the V50 SC into production.
If
they had, the V50R would be one of the few enthusiast-oriented wagons
from the “new” Volvo (read: Ford) that was deserving of the sport wagon
moniker. Indeed, the V50 SC had a lot of “R” already, sharing its 300 hp 2.5L T5 engine and transmission from the epic V70R.
The V50’s transplanted heart was then given an additional boost
(literally an increase from 1.0 to 1.4 bar) to 340 horsepower, enabling
the five-door to scoot to sixty in just 5.5 seconds. This performance
was achieved thanks in part to a new front fascia with “massive lower
air intakes.” Unlike the sometimes front-wheel drive only V50 T5, this concept put
power to all four wheels via a V70R-sourced 6-speed manual.
In
addition to the potent power plant, the SC benefits from a lower ride
height of 12mm (thanks to an optional sports suspension, available only
to Euro-spec V50s),
AP Racing 4-piston front brake calipers, and a low-restriction
performance exhaust that exhales through dual 3-inch chrome tips.
It’s
really a shame Volvo never made a V50R, but the SC Concept provides a
clear and awesome path for tuners looking for way’s to make their T5 faster.
August 8th, 2011 (Source: Volvo Circa 2004)
Specifications
| Engine | 2.5L I5 (V70R Engine) |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged and Intercooled |
| Horsepower | 340 |
| Torque | 331 @ 1500-4800 rpms |
| Transmission | V70R 6-Speed Manual |
| Drivetrain | Front-Engined, All-Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight | 3399 lbs |
| Drag | .32 |
| Tires | Pirelli 235/40 ZR18 Corsa (front and rear) |
| 0-60 | 5.5 Seconds |
Photos
Press Release
Las
Vegas, Nevada (November 2, 2004)€“ The Volvo V50 SV, making its debut
today at the 2004 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA)
tradeshow, is the first-ever high-performance car to emerge from Volvo
Cars Special Vehicle department in Gothenburg, Sweden.
While
Volvo has no plans of offering the V50 SV parts or materials through
its retailer network, it gives young enthusiasts and the aftermarket
companies that cater to them a thought provoking launching pad to get
their creative juices flowing. Understated and refined, the Volvo V50 SV
has what it takes to turn heads and handle well on the race track.
Drivetrain
What
dominates the performance of the Volvo V50 SV resides under the
specially fabricated hood: a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine lifted from
Volvo's high-performance S60 R. But while the S60 R puts out a
commendable 300 horsepower, the V50 SV ups the ante considerably by
producing an eye-popping 340 horsepower – an increase of 122
horsepower from the standard 218 horsepower found in a production V50
T5.
As
with any turbocharged engine, getting large amounts of cool air pushed
through the turbo housing is what gets the job done. In the case of the
V50 SV, a highly modified front end incorporates massive lower air
intakes. The air is routed up into the engine compartment to the turbo
through larger-bore tunnels. Turbo boost pressure has been bumped from
1.0 bar to a heart-pounding 1.4 bar.
Horsepower
is nothing without torque and the V50 SV won't disappoint. Volvo's
history of minimizing turbo lag and offering a broad torque curve from
very low rpm is retained in the V50 SV. With 331 lb.-ft. on tap from
1,500 to 4,800 rpm, the V50 SV will sprint to 60 mph in about 5.5
seconds.
A
modified, low-restriction exhaust system with large-bore 3-inch
diameter chrome tips adds the finishing touch-of-class at the rear end
and also helps to boost engine performance. Its throaty note and
distinctive burble give the V50 SV curb presence.
Putting
the power to the pavement is a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission
that is also borrowed from the S60 R. The V50 SV's clutch effort,
however, is lighter and easier to modulate than the brutish S60 R.
Volvo's electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system by Haldex
routes power to the rear wheels almost instantaneously when the front
tires begin to lose traction. In normal driving situations, the V50 SV
primarily powers the front wheels. It is only when the system detects
that the front wheels have lost traction and have begun to spin that it
delivers power to the rear wheels.
Suspension
The
Volvo V50 SV's aggressive stance is made possible through a
European-tuned sports suspension that is available optionally on
Euro-spec V50s. It 12-mm lowered ride height is accomplished through
shorter, stiffer springs and firmer shock absorbers. The suspension
system has been carefully reworked to maintain a flat stance around
corners, while never becoming twitchy when off-throttle maneuvers may
threaten to bring the V50 SV's tail around.
Filling
the wheel wells of the V50 SV are sticky race-bred Pirelli 235/40ZR-18
Corsa tires mounted on 18-inch lightweight performance alloy wheels. To
optimize handling, rear toe has been dialed in .50 inches, while rear
toe angles out .70 inches. Front and rear camber angles are dialed in at
1.0 degrees.
Bringing
the car to a stop in short order is an upgraded AP Racing brake package
featuring large 13.9-inch disc brakes with four-piston calipers at the
front wheels. At the rear are 11-inch discs with standard two-piston
Volvo calipers. Of course Volvo's anti-lock braking system with
electronic brake force distribution is also on hand to bring the car to a
swift, controlled stop in any situation.
Exterior
Refined,
restrained and coordinated are the words that best describe the V50 SV.
In fact, a buyer interested in the V50 can actually obtain several of
the exterior styling pieces – something that's not normally found on a
SEMA display car.
he
Volvo Dynamic Trim Package (MSRP: $2,025) is available from any Volvo
retailer and features body color front and rear spoilers, lower side
sill extensions, a rear bumper valance and 17-inch Sculptor alloy wheels
shod with Michelin MXM4 all-season tires. Additionally, 18-inch
accessory wheels are also available through the retailer network.
The
high-gloss one-off Sonic Blue paint is sophisticated and subdued,
masking the V50 SV's performance potential. The standard roof mounted
spoiler has been customized to create more down force at high speeds and
the sculpted hood allows for improved engine compartment airflow. To
slim down the V50's profile the standard roof rails have been removed.
Massive black-mesh grille inserts and high intensity gas discharge
headlamps nicely compliment the standard Volvo egg crate grille and
badge.
Interior
Volvo's
typical attention to interior ergonomics is retained with the V50 SV.
Only modestly modified, what's most evident once the driver is ensconced
within the cabin is the brushed aluminum finish around the instrument
cluster. The material matches what's found on the innovative ultra-slim
center stack and door panels, and lends a high-tech appearance to the
cleanly styled Scandinavian interior. A small shift light has been
incorporated into the panel and a turbo boost gauge has also been added, with a maximum boost pressure reading of 1.4 bar.
Rear
seat passengers will enjoy the fully integrated Volvo dual screen Rear
Seat Entertainment system. Twin 7-inch LCD color screens have been
mounted into the backs of the front headrests with a DVD player
providing the entertainment. The Volvo Dual Screen Rear Seat
Entertainment system is available from any Volvo Retailer as a factory
installed option on the Volvo XC90.
Other
interior touches include Wetsuit upholstery, a Volvo accessory
three-spoke sport steering wheel with aluminum inlays, an aluminum shift
knob and custom built racing pedals. The awesome 425-watt Dolby Pro
Logic II stereo system with an in-dash 6-disc player is retained from
the stock V50.
