The Volvo V70 is an executive car manufactured and marketed by Volvo since 1996 and now in its third generation.The name V70 combines the letter V, standing for versatility, and 70, denoting relative platform size (e.g., a V70 is a larger car than a V40, but smaller than a V90).The first generation (1996–2000) debuted in November 1996 as the estate variant of the Volvo S70. Both cars were essentially redesigned Volvo 850s which had itself been available in saloon and estate configurations.