Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches New England Volvo Fire and Ice Driving Experience

Hey. I'll be checking this out with my father-in-law today. I'll post pics and let you all know how it was.

i went to that with a friend last weekend. pretty cool, i could'nt drive because im 20 and you have to be 21 or older (that sucked) but my friend did get to drive. it was set up pretty much like a auto-x. they had three courses set up and you could drive basically as hard as you want, and i thought the cars did pretty well. it was a cool expeirence.

nick

when i first read the topic title i thought you meant the restaraunt in boston..
hehe
elky stoopid

but anywho....that is a kickazz rest.

yes. Fire + Ice has awesome food. i have spent way too much money in that place.

the Volvo thing was really cool. better than the BMW one i did with my dad 2 years ago because it was less crowded and you got to test 3 car types instead of one: S80 T6, S60 T5, S60 AWD.

the XC90 was there, one of 4 currently in this country for testing and marketing. it also looked really nice. couldn't get too close, but it looks a lot like the BMW X5 but only slightly shorter.

the three events were 1) long Auto-X type thing which was fun. 2) test drive at high speeds with the S60 T5 (5 speed) as a passenger...longer course, highest speed ~80 MPH, lots of drifting and power slides 3) sweedish winter driving course...simulated ice track with wet and dry surfaces to test the AWD and DSTC.

a fun experience with not too much propoganda and free lunch and breakfast. and a free hat.

i give it **** and 1/2 stars!

pics on monday.

also, my impressions.

S40 -- Could be a very nice car with the S60's engine and a 5 speed. the wagon is a better buy than the sedan, but neither are that well priced or exciting to look at.

S60 T5 -- Very nice car, but sort of smallish for $36,000. Lots of turbo lag from a stop, but once in the 2500 RPM range, there's a ton of power. Needed to drive a 5 speed to really have some fun. The computer got confused when the ABS engaged before a turn and wouldn't allow me to stomp on the gas right after the stop. I tried the same maneuver in tiptronic mode, but the computer overridded 1st gear and started me in 2nd after the ABS engaged. Would I buy the car? Probably not. Too small and non-descript. I like the I35/G35 or used M3 better for the same money.

S80 T6 -- Much smoother/better engine than the S60. Comprised of a 6 sylinder and 2 smaller turbos, there was no turbo lag and plenty of umph from a stop. This engine in the S60 would be a great combo. The car is too big for me, and very heavy through corners. Lots of body roll. Maybe if a tuner got their hands on it, it would be a better bet.

In conclusion, I think the SVT is a better "driver's" car than all three of the above. Not as many bells and whistles to interfere with your experience as the Volvos. THey are nice, however, and the S60 T5-R promises to be something special if it ever gets to this country.