Volvo calls this vehicle the true convertible. After all, this vehicle actually boasts of the prestige and fame brought about my a convertible yet at the very same time, this vehicle holds and provides utmost comfort and the kind of safety that only a Volvo vehicle could provide. This vehicle is the Volvo C70 and at present, it is already on its second generation of vehicles.

The first generation of the Volvo C70 was made available in two body styles which comprised of the convertible and the coupe version. This generation lived from the year 1997 up until 2005. It was designed, crafted, and manufactured equipped with both low pressure and high pressure 5-cylinder turbocharged engines that also had additional help from manual and automatic transmission systems.

The first time it made its way to public knowledge, it was introduced as a 1997 model in Europe and as a 1998 model in the United States and the rest of North America. And after that introduction, the Volvo C70 went on sale and had to double their efforts for there was quite a limited demand for coupes. Despite this, the Volvo C70 had developed a group of followers who were mostly Volvo enthusiasts and aficionados.

The second generation of Volvo C70s will be making its way to the automobile scene this year, on the 13th of April 2006. This time, the vehicle holds a variety of choices. Like its exterior color, one could actually choose from a wide range of colors that includes Black Stone, White Pearl, Passion Red, Silver Metallic, Black Sapphire Metallic, Flint Gray Metallic, Blackcurrant Pearl, Magic Blue Pearl, Celestial Blue Pearl, and Zanzibar Gold Pearl.

This vehicle holds and uses the platform that was also used by the Volvo S40. The second generation Volvo C70 was designed by John Kinsey and was built by Pininfarina. It now features a three piece retractable metal hardtop rather than the soft convertible top which was the traditional one. However, there are no more coupe versions to be offered to the market.

Hans-Olov Olsson, the CEO and President of Volvo Cars exclaims, Weve succeeded in creating an attractive convertible which, at the mere touch of a button, converts into an equally elegant coupe. The customer gets two cars in one. Both with space for four adults. Our all new C70 is one of the first open top cars in the premium segment with both a steel roof and space for four adults. We believe this is a highly sought-after combination. Thats why we expect to more than double our sales compared with the first generation C70.

Jaguar XK 140: Filling the Spot Between the 120 and the 150

Looking at its power source, the Jaguar XK 140 has a more powerful engine than the Jaguar XK 120. The engine of the former is a 190 bhp engine. It also holds a rack and pinion steering plus an optional Special Equipment pack that includes wire wheels as well as more power that is actually some 210 bhp. The production for the Jaguar XK 140 ended after three years starting from its production when the newer Jaguar XK 150 arrived at the scene.

The body styles that were available for the Jaguar XK 120 were also made available for the Jaguar XK 140. Since the Jaguar XK 140 is a sports car, the body styles made available for the consumers included the roadster that was a two seater style with side screens, a detachable windshield, and a hood. There also was the Drop Head Coupe, which was also known as the DHC. It had a fixed windshield, wind up windows, 2 + 2 seating, and an attached hood. The last body style for the Jaguar XK 140 was the Fixed Head Coupe. This was also called the FHC. It held a 2 + 2 seating, along with some wind up windows. Like the Jaguar XK 120, the Jaguar XK 149 body styles FHC and DHC still continues to hold dashboards and door cappings covered in walnut wood. The roadster, on the other hand, has a leather covered dash, padding on the top of its doors, and side screens for weather protection. The Jaguar XK 140 was also made available with different color choices for its exterior. The list of colors included suede green, pastel green, British racing green, pacific blue, pastel blue, birch gray, battleship gray, lavender gray, dove gray, pearl gray, red, maroon, cream, and black.