v70r - small front end...??

Yes, it's a lot shorter than the classic V70 because Volvo wanted to increase interior space without making the vehicle any longer. The most obvious things they have done to save space under the bonnet/hood is to locate the battery, fuseboard and associated gear under the floor in the boot. TO me this sounds like a good idea because it keeps everything dry. There is a sealed container for the battery, and it's vented outside so no worries there. The interior space is certainly improved in the new V70. Boot space is good, and leg room for passengers is very good. Better than in the S80 I'm told. I would have thought they'd have wanted more legroom in the saloon cars as they'd surely be aimed at carrying passengers more comfortably than a load? The shorter front end of the V70 is good when parking and manoeuvring. If you got used to the V70 classic (as I did), then manoeuvring the new V70 is a doddle. Of course, the S80 has a fairly large turning circle too, but my V70 isn't too bad. Only about 0.2 metres larger circle if I remember correctly. Thanks very much Volvo, the redesign of the V70 a smart move! Now I never thought I'd hear myself saying that!! I didn't fancy the new shape at first.... Cheers. Joe.

I'm a fan of moving the battery to the boot (trunk). Heat under the hood is a terrible strain on batteries, especially the new "absorbed electrolyte" (essentially the same as the old "gell cell" or "sealed") type. We use large banks of Absolyte batteries at work and the rep drilled into us the importance of keeping the temperature down. Somewhere around 90 F the life expectancy drops to a tenth of the life span at 70 F. We've lost several $5K-$20K banks when they got hot and went into thermal runaway.

Mike

is it just me...or are the 850r's a bigger car? i think i will look for a nice used 850r...around 98-00....vs. a new v70r.....

And of course, taking 50 lbs. from in front of the front axle on a front heavy car and putting it behind the rear axle help balance the handling of the car. (Although it may reduce acceleration traction on a front drive car.)