After a lot of photos leaked on the net, Volvo decided to made an official announcement of the Volvo XC60 crossover which will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Fredrik Arp, Volvo Cars President and CEO said: “It’s not only the safest Volvo ever. If you ask me, it’s also the most stunning. Not a bad combination, is it?”. So, is he right or just talking big words?
As we already said, the car’s design is pretty cool, being close to the Volvo XC60 concept, presented last year at Detroit. Known as a producer that makes some of the safest cars out there, Volvo has equipped the XC60 with the latest safety technologies and the most important new feature is the City Safety system, which comes into action when the car is about to drive into the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the car brakes itself.
As for the engines, the Volvo XC60 will be offered with three engines: the 285 hp turbocharged T6 and two versions of the D5 turbodiesel, producing 185 and 163 horsepower. All vehicles are fitted with All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) as standard. Next year, Volvo plans to introduce a front wheel version also, powered by a 163 hp Euro 5 diesel engine.
The Volvo XC60 will be built at the Volvo plant in Ghent, Belgium and sales will start during 2008’s second half (Europe) and early 2009 (US). Volvo hopes to sell over 50,000 units per year.
After the jump you can see more photos, a video of the XC60 and the full press release.
Full Photo Gallery: Volvo XC60
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PRESS RELEASE
HE 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.
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