[Images: AutoCar]

By Gunnar Heinrich

Volvo is deep in the throes of a mid-life crisis, if such a lifestage could be pinned on a corporation.

The future uncertain in the unsteady hands of the Ford Motor Company, the I Roll people have had to rethink their lineup for a market that looks set to be dominated by German marques.

Their solution is to take a flame thrower to the mid-range S60 sedan that will appear as a BMW 3-Series rival for M.Y. 2010 and to scrap the S40 moniker (and compact sedan) for a V-Series hatchback that will aim to compete against the Blue Roundel's 1-Series.

"Volvo engineers are understood to be fighting an internal battle with bean-counters to get the funds to develop an enthusiast-friendly chassis," Autocar reported.

Volvo's troubles stem largely from its understated, safety-first, family hauler image - an image that Ford execs have worked hard to hone since the takeover - and one that will likely hamper the Swedes' efforts to sway fiercely loyal, sport-minded 3-Series drivers from their cars.

[Source: Autocar]