September 10 2001: Ocean-blue estate cars – specially for the Volvo Ocean Race

Timed to coincide with the start of the Volvo Ocean Race, Volvo Cars has launched two new specially built ocean-blue estate car models to add further spice to the trans-ocean event. These activity cars are available in both Volvo V70 and Volvo Cross Country guise. They will be marketed in about 20 countries to link up with various Ocean Race activities. The largest market is North America, which is being allocated about 500 cars. The cars will be available on the various markets when the Ocean Race starts off in Southampton on 23 September 2001, and they will be sold until the winning boat reaches Kiel in Germany on 9 June 2002.

The “ocean blue” colour is not available on any other Volvo model. The cars also have a number of additional special details such as a silver waistline moulding, Volvo Ocean Race emblems on the front doors, door mats with the Ocean Race logotype and skidplates both front and rear (applies only to the Volvo Cross Country). These cars will only be built with leather upholstery. “We wanted to create two very special cars. A combination of the estate car’s traditionally practical properties and the tough, sporty attributes that mirror the spirit of adventure and freedom that is such an integral part of the challenge facing the Volvo Ocean Race participants. All this in a colour that reflects the sheer depth and power of the wide-open ocean,” says Steve Harper, the designer who headed the development of the ocean-blue models at Volvo Cars.

-Volvo Media Relations

• See our initial report here.
  
  
• Read about the Volvo Ocean Race here.

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