VOLVO has given its V70 a powerful racing aura in the guise of Volvo's Performance Concept Car 2. Like Volvo's first performance concept car (based on the S60), PCC2 has a 300bhp, 2.4-litre turbo engine producing 400 Nm of torque, with a six-speed gearbox, electronically controlled four-wheel drive, 19 inch wheels and one of the most advanced continuously adjustable chassis, all wrapped in a sharp and distinctive laser blue and satin silver livery.

Its advanced continuously controlled chassis concept system offers three models - Comfort, Sport or Advanced Sport.

Volvo's racing pedigree can be seen in many of the PCC2's features, such as the 19inch BBS magnesium wheels shod with 245/35-19 tyres straight from the BTCC Volvos, while the front spoiler is designed with an additional stability-enhancing aerofoil running from its lower lip along the side of the car and up to the rear spoiler.

Volvo's FOUR-C system aids driver control and safety by monitoring the precise position of each wheel 500 times per second to optimise the car's handling and suspension.

Volvo's Multiplex processor system, together with the electronically-controlled all-wheel drive, helps the FOUR-C system to foresee events before they occur. For instance, if the driver brakes firmly, the system will inform the dampers a few milliseconds before the brake pads actually contact the discs and calculate how much the car will pitch and instantly reset the damping action.

Hans Nilsson, project manager of the Volvo Performance Concept Car, said: "We're not using four-wheel drive for enhanced off-road ability in this application, but optimising it for superb roadhandling and dependable stability."