2005 Volvo V70 R

Reluctantly offered for sale due to a growing family is my V70R 6-speed manual, the "Holy Grail" of Volvos.

This is the one you’ve been waiting for and I think you already know it.

If you’re reading this, you most likely know all about these extremely special and rare cars so I’ll skip the history lessons and get straight into the details of this incredible “sleeper” estate.

• One of the very few facelift manuals registered in the UK.
• Just 39k miles from new.
• Complete and highly detailed history with full book packs.
• Magic Blue paintwork.
• Nordkap (dark blue) full soft leather interior with brushed aluminium trim.
• Huge spec including GROM-USB3 iPhone / Android bluetooth integration kit.
• 300 BHP, 400Nm max torque.
• 0-60: 5. 6 seconds.
• Top speed (limited): 155 MPH
• All Wheel Drive (AWD) with switchable 4C active suspension.
• Includes V700 RRR private number plate valued at £1, 500.

This super rare UK facelift V70R manual has numerous improvements and refinements over the earlier V70R models, perhaps most notably the body-coloured bumpers and door trims which make the car look far more contemporary than the earlier versions which have the terribly dated looking black plastic trims.

One of the other major updates on the facelift models is the substantially revised ride and handling in “Comfort” mode, eliminating the harsh ride characteristics which earlier cars received criticism for.

Facelift cars were only sold for around 2 years and this particular car lands in the absolute sweet spot of being a facelift example but also being lower road tax.

At the time of writing I believe this to be the only manual V70R facelift model available for sale in the UK.

Uniquely, this “R” has been owned by enthusiasts and obsessive perfectionists throughout its entire life. It was first registered on 04/ 03/ 05 to its first owner by Fawcetts Volvo in Newbury. The car’s enormous history file contains not only the original purchase receipt but a treasure trove of letters and correspondence including the original owner’s invitation to his Volvo “R” Experience Track Test Drive, his program / lanyard from the day, an un-opened "R” key ring, Media CD Rom, Volvo Life on Board DVD, dealer brochures, price list, technical specs, etc. The first owner clearly cherished this car throughout the 13 years he owned it. During this time it was exclusively main dealer maintained at Fawcetts Volvo.

The car then passed to its second enthusiast owner who had to undertake an ‘interview’ to prove he would be a suitable custodian for this cherished "R". The second owner then continued the exceptional standard of care and maintenance, using only well respected brand specialists.

During his ownership the second owner made a number of tasteful and subtle upgrades to the car including interior LED lighting, GROM integrated blue tooth phone / music steaming, SNABB intercooler and intake pipe upgrade, CANBUS extender, Jetex air filter and stainless steel cat back exhaust. All the manuals and installation instructions for these upgrades are included in the car’s history file. With the exception of the exhaust, all the original parts come boxed with the car so the new owner could return the car back to original specification if desired.

The second owner also added the icing on the cake by securing the V700 RRR private number plate (valued at £1, 500) which will come with the car.

During my ownership I have had genuine Volvo ISOFIX mounts fitted to the rear seats and I have had the car MOT’d and serviced annually at a Volvo main dealer regardless of mileage covered. The “R” currently holds an MOT with zero advisories which is valid until December 2025. I have also had all the electric window buttons on the driver’s door replaced because there was a very slight visual imperfection on one of them which I just couldn’t live with!

It's fair to say that throughout its life this “R” has very much been maintained regardless of cost. It's been serviced on average every 2, 000 miles, backed up by full documentation and supporting invoices. Its MOT history is also excellent, passing the last 3 MOTs with no advisories. As you’ve probably come to expect by now, the history file contains every single MOT from new, along with every single tax disc.

V700 RRR comes with full book packs including the rare Atacama leather wallet, spare wheel, jack and tool roll, warning triangle, rare glasses holder (the original grab handle is included), fold-down dog guard (never used), rare boot carpet mat, rare first aid kit, original as new mats, rear bumper protector, Volvo bulb kit, cargo net, ash tray / coin pot (never used), Volvo touch up pen, Nordkap leather dye and two "R" keys.

Also included amongst the huge documentation binders are two further binders full of the Volvo Owners Club magazine, “Volvo Driver”. Can you even handle this much Volvo?I waited for almost 2 years for an excellent condition manual gearbox V70R to come up. I saw a fair few Geartronics come up, particularly Japanese imports but I knew deep down I would feel that I was sorely missing out on the better driving experience from the 6-speed manual gearbox. The literal handful of manual cars that I saw come to the market over those 2 years had either been to the moon and back in terms of their mileage, had been questionably modified or their interiors were just totally shot. I also wasn't keen on the idea of a Japanese import, both from an insurance point of view and in terms of having to have all the instruments recalibrated for MPH etc. I really wanted an all-original UK car and had pretty much given up hope of finding one when finally V700 RRR unexpectedly became available.

In my opinion this car represented the closest I could possibly get to experiencing what it was like to own a V70R manual from new. Everything still feels new and tight with no sloppiness or play in the pedals, steering or controls. It still smells new inside.

I was also completely blown away by the car’s exceptional provenance and its totally complete and highly detailed history stretching all the way back to day one.

They say never meet your heroes but I have to say that the V70R ownership experience has been everything I hoped it would be. The performance from the combination of the 6-speed manual gearbox and the turbocharged 5 cylinder engine is absolutely sparkling and the feeling of being pushed backwards into that soft Nordkapp leather bucket seat when the boost kicks in is something I don’t think I would ever get tired of.

Even by today’s standards it really is a wonderfully relaxing and cosseting place to have 300 BHP of grunt at your disposal under your right foot. But then this is a car which – according to the Bank of England’s Inflation Calculator - cost £61, 500 in today’s money.

Ours is very much a “petrolhead” family and I had fully intended to keep this "R" for the long-term as I know it's going to be unrepeatable, especially with the prices continuing to rise year on year. However, our 3rd baby arrived earlier this year which means that with a very heavy heart I have to accept that it’s time to let this “R” go to a new home. The memories are something I will hold on to forever though.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this fairly lengthy listing which I believe gives a full and accurate description of this magnificent and rare “R”. It does of course have the odd age-related imperfection as all used cars naturally do, but for its age this one really does stand head and shoulders above the rest. Find another like it!

If you have any questions or would like to see further photos of any specific details, please feel free to get in touch.