2006 Volvo Ocean Race XC70 Road Test

I didn't know Volvo was making an amphibious car?
I could see why one would get that impression from the PR shots, But no, sorry, this is no Amphicar re-do. Volvo of Canada has produced a limited edition of 100 copies of Ocean Race XC70s and 100 copies of Ocean Race XC90s.

Ocean Race? What's that?
The Ocean Race is about as far removed from a holiday cruise as Jessica

(Photo: Volvo Cars)

Simpson is from being an actor. According to Volvo, its "one of theworld's most extreme yacht races." The starter's gun went off lastNovember in Spain. From there, competitors are visiting nine ports onfive continents sailing more than 32,700 nautical miles (60,000 km) ina mere nine months. To keep speeds up, the rule makers have limited thenumber of crew and their provisions.  Eleven-person teams work infour-hour shifts managing only on rationed freeze-dried food as theyendure conditions ranging from below freezing to 40 degrees, high windsand ten metre waves. Sounds like fun, eh?

Oh yeah, how did I miss signing up forthat? Just how different from the soccer-mom friendly XC70 will theseOcean Race editions be?
For starters, you better like the exterior colour--they only come inthis

(Photo: Volvo Cars)

Ocean Blue. You also get an exclusive key fob and the customarylimited edition badges with a dash-mounted plaque identifying yourcar's number within the series. Beyond the aforementioned exteriorcolour, the blue theme is carried through to the interior withsimilarly hued console panels and stitching in the leather seats.Complimenting the blue are bits of brushed aluminum inside and out.Standard with the Ocean Race editions are XC70 options like a DolbyPro-Logic II surround sound system, dynamic stability and tractioncontrol, bi-Xenon headlights, rear parking assistance and polishedaluminum wheels. (The optional active chassis system available onplebian XC70s is strangely not available here.) Aesthetically, Volvo'sdone a nice job with this car.

Does it drive like a yacht?
Performance-wise, its standard XC70 fare. This means a 208 horsepower,

(Photo: Volvo Cars)

236 pound-feet of torque 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder enginematched to a five-speed manuamtic. With its elevated height andquasi-SUV rubber, you won't confuse an Ocean Race XC70 for a LotusElise. However, steering is light, and compared to any mid-sized SUV,the Volvo wagon's relatively small size makes it is easy to place onthe road. For 2006, all XC70s receive a new electronically controlledall-wheel-drive system. During a week of snow and ice, the Swedishhauler never seemed over its head and the AWD system was transparent tothe driver. Keep in mind; despite its raised suspension and standardskid plates, the Ocean Race XC70 really isn't rugged enough for seriousoff-roading.