Surprisingly sexy: Volvo's new XC60 crossover
Newswheel staff :: 19 March 2008 :: Filed under Crossover, SUV, Volvo, Europe & UK, US,
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Wither ye bland and boxy cliches
It’s been a long time since Volvo ditched its bland and boxy design vibe for something more elegant and contemporary. But the new XC60 mid-sized crossover, revealed at the Geneva motorshow this week, is still surprisingly sexy. It might just be the most desirable vehicle in its class…
The XC60 shares its chassis and basic underpinnings with the latest Ford Mondeo and S-Max models (not to mention the philosphically more Similar Freelander II). All of the above are highly regarded motors, so the prospects look promising for the XC60’s road manners.
Three power options are available at launch. The single petrol representative is the punch T6 turbo in-line six. It’s a 3.0l lump pumping out a healthy 285 ponies. As for the diesel line up, a pair of five-cylinder units cranking out 185hp and 163hp. Four-wheel is standard on all launch models.
Volvo reckons the XC60 continues its range of “slimmed-down car models with high energy efficiency.” That’s a bit much to swallow with regard to the near-300 horse blown petrol model. But by 2009, an entry level diesel with a respectable CO2 rating of 170g/km is due in early 2009. Funnily enough, Volvo decline to define just how efficient the first XC60 variants are. In terms of dimensions, Volvo has so far only divulged that it is 20cm shorter than an XC70 and an unspecified quantity lower than an XC90.
Anywho, the XC60 is packed with all manner of chassis electrickery, including Hill Descent Control, stability control (including anti roll-over protection) and active dampers with three stiffness settings. All models share a six-cog auto box with optional Geartronic manual gear selection.
Needless to say, it’s also packed with the usual class leading Volvo safety features. Most notable is the Collision Avoidance system, known as City Safety. Operational up to 30mph, the system detects if the driver is unwittingly about to pile into the vehicle in front and applies the brakes. Volvos does not claim all accidents can be avoided, but says that at minimum the severity of the collision is reduced.
Incidentally, Volvo says the laser sensor used by City Safety is not entirely impervious to bad weather. Fog or heavy rain can apparently fox it, as can dirt on section of the windscreen that covers it.
As for cabin accommodation, highlights include a “Panorama” laminated glass roof and a wide palette of interior trim options including aluminium and gloss or matte word veneer options. Overall, it looks like another great Volvo cabin – airy, elegant and extremely inviting. For the record, the XC60 is strictly a five seater. There’s no third row of seats.
Luggage capacity is rated at 480 litres, a figure that can be boosted by fiddling with the 40/20/40 split rear bench.
Volvo says sales expectations for the XC60 weigh in around 50,000 units worldwide. That’s sounds pretty conservative. Could Volvo secretly be hoping to flog thousands more and is therefore positioning itself to unleash triumphalist press releases when the XC60 inevitably flattens the official sales forecast? Perish the very thought of such cynicism.
