OFFICIAL: Volvo XC60 Revealed

By Zack Newmark
February 20, 2008 2:11 PM
Filed Under: European, Geneva Motor Show, Volvo

In advance of its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, details have been released about the new Volvo XC60 crossover vehicle. We first heard about the Volvo XC60 in the buildup to its release as a concept vehicle at the NAIAS in January '07, when it was expected to have an optional 3.0-liter flex-fuel engine choice. This choice, which would have cut emissions by 80% does not appear to be in the cards for the first two years of the vehicle's production.

Buyers will be able to choose between three engines, including the turbocharged T6, which cranks out 281 horsepower. Other options include two different D5 turbodiesels, rated at 163 and 185 horsepower. The 163 hp 2.4-liter diesel is the only Euro5 compliant of the three.

Production of the compact premium SUV includes "intelligent safety systems" like City Safety, meant to assist the driver in avoiding low-speed impacts. The car automatically brakes if the driver does not react when closing in on a vehicle, at the very least reducing the effect of impact. This feature comes standard on the XC60, something Volvo claims is a first.

As a concept, the XC60 was meant to blaze a trail for future Volvos, with a bolder grille, a large logo badge, split tailgate, and a more noticeable rear. Volvo design director Steve Mattin clearly had this distinctiveness in mind, saying, "If you can recognise a Volvo from 50 metres today, I want to get to the point where people will be able to spot one from twice the distance in the future."

Now, over a year later, Mattin is still singing the same song. “This car is charged with more emotive form and more energy than any other Volvo. We’re elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally turning up the visual volume," he said. Mattin also exaggerated a bit beyond last year's statement, literally saying the same thing only doubling the distance himself. "If you say that you’d recognise a Volvo from a hundred metres away today, I dare say the XC60 radiates a clear Volvo presence from at least twice that distance.”

Volvo expects to sell 50,000 XC60s per year, with sales being heaviest in the US, Germany, Great Britain, Russia, and China. Being built in Ghent, Belgium, sales will begin in Europe during Fall 2008, with North American sales starting early next year.

Source: Volvo

Press Release (Click to expand)

THE NEW VOLVO XC60 – THE SAFEST AND MOST STUNNING VOLVO EVER

•   “It’s not only the safest Volvo ever. If you ask me, it’s also the most stunning. Not a bad combination, is it?” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Fredrik Arp.
•   World premiere at the international motor show in Geneva on 4 March 2008.
•   First cars arrive in the UK in autumn 2008.

Sporty crossover
Volvo’s new crossover vehicle boasts an exciting mix of two car styles and steps boldly into what is the motoring world’s toughest and fastest-growing segment. Sporting capable XC muscles, it combines a strong athletic body with high ground clearance and large wheels, while the flowing lines create the sporty charisma of a coupe.

“This car is charged with more emotive form and more energy than any other Volvo. We’re elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally turning up the visual volume. If you say that you’d recognise a Volvo from a hundred metres away today, I dare say the XC60 radiates a clear Volvo presence from at least twice that distance,” says Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin.

City safety standard on the new Volvo XC60
A variety of intelligent safety systems are another important part of the new Volvo XC60. The major news is City Safety – a unique system that can help the driver avoid or reduce the effects of the type of low-speed impacts that are common in city traffic and traffic tailbacks. If the car is about to drive into the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the car brakes itself.
“We are the first manufacturer in the world to offer this type of feature as standard. City Safety clearly shows that the new Volvo XC60 is the safest car Volvo has ever produced. The car is packed with our accumulated safety know-how and technology, both when it comes to preventing accidents and protecting all the occupants in a collision,” says Fredrik Arp.
The XC60 project has its sights set on a target group that imposes high demands on design, brand integrity and high-tech content in its choice of lifestyle products.
“One might say that this could be the C30 owner’s next car. It’s as sporty and exciting, but more capable. With the Volvo XC60, we are widening our model range to attract even more customers with an active urban lifestyle,” explains Fredrik Arp.

Engines and volumes
The new XC60 is being launched with a choice of three engines: the turbocharged T6 which produces 285PS, and two variants of the D5 turbodiesel, producing 185 and 163 horsepower respectively. All- Wheel Drive (AWD) is fitted as standard.
“During 2009, we will offer a front-wheel driven 2.4-litre version powered by a Euro 5 diesel engine producing 163 horsepower and with a CO2 target around 170 g/km,” reveals Fredrik Arp.
The global sales target for the new XC60 is over 50,000 cars per year. The five largest markets during peak year 2010 will be the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and China. The Volvo XC60 will be built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium. Sales of the car will start in Europe during the second half of 2008, while sales in North America will get under way in early 2009. The new XC60 will arrive in UK dealer showrooms in October.