Current Volvo customers had the opportunity to meet the crew of the ABN AMRO I, also known as Blackbetty, the winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006, last Thursday week.

With Volvo being the Official Car for the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2006, the venue for the launch of the latest Volvo model in Malta, the S80, the Manoel Island Marina, was a given.

According to David Gasan, managing director of Gasan Automotive, local Volvo agents: "Volvo, internationally, has built up a successful association with sailing and now in Malta also we are pleased to be involved in the most prestigious event, and in a year with a record number of boats, foremost of which is ABN AMRO I.

"It is my pleasure to welcome team ABN AMRO, (skipper) Mike Sanderson and his crew, who have kindly accepted our invitation to join us here for this reception with you our valued Volvo clients.

"A special thank-you to Frodo and Sander from ABN AMRO for helping making this happen."

Mr Gasan said the all-new prestige sedan, the S80, "is a luxury car with an elegant, dynamic profile influenced by modern Scandinavian design. (It) is powered by Volvo's latest generation five-cylinder turbodiesel with 185 hp and 400 Nm of torque, and auto-matic transmission."

Standard features include IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System), electronic climate control with integrated air quality system, dynamic stability and traction control (DSTC), a seat whiplash protection system, air-bags all round, rain sensing wipers, cruise control, 17 inch alloy wheels, a six-CD changer and memory functions on the driver's seat. The starting price is Lm25,000.

The Volvo range is on display at the Gasan Automotive Centre in Mriehel.

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