OFFICIAL: Volvo XC60 Revealed
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.
Wow, this one will unfortunately overturn BMW X3, VW Tiguan and maybe even the new Ford Kuga! Love the fact that in respect of the exterior and interior design they didn't change too much in comparison to the prototype!
Looks like a winner to me. Remember the target audience are suburban families, and the SUV trend is to downsize and economize, so the XC60 is perfectly timed.
it is so easy in the eye[, you dont have to be overwelmed by the styling to enjoy, great new look.
I absolutely loved the XC-60 Concept, Autozeitung's rendition of the upcoming 2009 S40 (which has since become the upcoming S60), and Teknikens Värld's rendition of the upcoming S60!!! They all share key design elements that will truly make them more competitive against the German's. I like the official production version of the XC-60, but I can't help but feel disappointed. The XC-60 we're seeing looks more like the next logical evolution of the XC-90 rather than a truly new model like we saw with the concept. What happened to the beautiful grill we saw on the concept and the XC-70 SurfRescue Concept? What happened to the lower trapezoidal side air intakes? They shrunk AND lost their unique shape! And,what happened to the glass hatch? Again, it's a nice design, but too tame. If Volvo ever wants to appeal to a younger demographic, like me (20-30), then they need to take a chance and run with their concepts all the way to production! I just hope that the 2010 S60 will be what they promise.
I can just imagine my mum driving this