Volvo rolled out the drum recently to celebrate 40 years of the production of its Volvo 164 in 1968, which marked the commencement of the production of a six-cylinder engine by the company. The car, which the company produced after more than 10 years without a six-cylinder model to offer its customers came out as a 1969 model, as a large car for the more prestige and luxury-oriented segments.

When the car was unveiled, it was described as "a stylish, high-specification car with features that included a new in-line six, an elegant and comfortable interior and a variety of other properties that place the model securely among the big names in what is for Volvo a new price class. The 164 is an all-new, exclusive car that in a natural and substantial way complements the Volvo Amazon (P120)and Volvo 142/144 models, representing an attractive and successful expansion of Volvo's model range."

According to the company, "the in-line six is an ideal engine configuration - fully counterbalanced and with a highly efficient construction featuring one cold and one hot side, it is smooth and quiet in operation. When it comes to the combination of smoothness, torque and effortless and high-speed capability over a sustained period of time, there are few engine types that can match the in-line six."

The Volvo 164 had a 270 cm wheelbase, 10 cm more than the rest of the model range, creating more space for the long engine and also adding more legroom in the rear.

The company disclosed that the 164 was available from the start with a choice of three transmission alternatives: manual 4-speed or 4-speed with overdrive, and 3-speed automatic. The manual gearboxes, it said, had a relatively short floor-mounted gear lever between the front seats, but the 164 could also be specified with a front bench seat and steering-column gear lever.

The company noted that like the rest of the Volvo range, the 164 underwent a range of technical and cosmetic changes as development proceeded apace, which led to the introduction of the 164E with fuel injection in 1971.

"Volvo's engineers always work with an eye on the future and behind this new engine lie thousands of hours of engineering and testing, excellent experience from previous Volvo engines, and the utilisation of the very latest innovations in engine technology. The B30 engine is built along the same basic lines as the already so well-known and renowned B18 engine, and it has all the engineering advantages and features that have given the smaller engine its worldwide reputation for reliability and durability," the company stated with pride.Meanwhile, the company won several awards with its various models in the 2008 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA), conducted by AutoPacific, an automotive research and consulting firm

The firm disclosed that Volvo won in three categories from the results of the IVA, which were based on data collected from thousands of new car and truck buyers who rated 15 specific vehicle attributes: exterior styling, exterior size, passenger roominess, cargo space, driver's seat comfort, drivers seat visibility, interior technology, interior lighting, power and acceleration, ease of getting in and out, interior storage compartments, ride, handling, safety features and tyres and wheels.

According to the report, "The Volvo S40 was the clear winner in the Luxury Mid-Size Car category. With high rating for exterior size, visibility, ride, handling and safety it is easy to see why the S40 is an ideal vehicle. Volvo engineers and designers definitely hit their target. Luxury Mid-Size car owners' scores prove that Volvo understands their buyers very well. Top marks were also given for seat firmness, interior lighting, wheels and tyres, and exterior styling."

In the Image Compact Car category, the consulting firm disclosed that Image Compact Cars are products where style typically trumps absolute function. It stated that in the case of the Volvo C30 it seemed to appeal to Image Compact Car owners on both an emotional and rational level. "Owners' preferences for the C30's exterior styling, ride, and safety blended well with the interior lighting, seat firmness, and level of technology," it stated.

The Volvo C70, the result declared, shared the top spot in the Aspirational Luxury Car category. It said that even though the Volvo C70 is only available in one trim level (T5)the company seems to have packaged the vehicle just right. "With the most modern convenience features, owners in the Aspirational Luxury Car segment found the C70 well-equipped, giving the C70 top honors as a 2008 ideal vehicle. Of course it comes standard with numerous safety features such as sharp wheels and tyres, excellent interior lighting and appreciate seat firmness," it announced.