New Car Design 2012: Volvo XC60

The Volvo XC60 is a compact crossover SUV produced by Volvo Cars at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium and is based on Volvo Y20 platform. In 2009, the Volvo XC60 was Volvo's best selling car. The XC60 concept was a preview of the production XC60. It included a glass roof and a newly styled grille, with a much larger Volvo logo along with the 'V' which is shaped on the Volvo, this was the first of Volvo's new 'DNA' which they are slowly implementing throughout the model range. The XC60 concept also included a new shifting mechanism, electronic bootlid, and 20 inch wheels. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. The production vehicle was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. Sales began in Europe in the third quarter of 2008. North American models went on sale in early 2009 as a 2010 model, with a base MSRP of $37,200USD. The XC60 shares technology with the Land Rover Freelander of 2007, using a modified version of the Volvo Y20 platform. The Land Rover Discovery 4/LR3 will set the stage for these corporate siblings to enter the market, as much of the engineering and tuning of this CUV was done by Volvo in Sweden, only offroad capabilities were done at Land Rover in England. The project director for the XC60 is Lars Blenwall. In April 2010, an R-Design variant of the XC60 will be available, featuring a color-matching body kit, stiffer chassis and damping, and other unique exterior/interior trim.

Spicy Volvo? New 2010 Volvo XC60 Tested

UK MY2010 vehicles include 2.4D, D5, and T6 engines. During mid 2010 the 2.4D unit was discontinued and replaced with two new D3 engines. 2.0L for FWD and 2.4L for AWD. US models include 3.2 FWD and T6 AWD. Canada models include 3.2 FWD, 3.2 AWD, and T6 AWD. Australian models include 3.2 AWD, D5 AWD and T6 AWD. The DRIVe (Auto) models feature stop/start technology. All diesel engines feature particulate filters. AWD models include Haldex Traction (Version 4) AWD with Instant Traction. All US models have only 6-speed Geartronic transmissions. Canadian models have only 6-speed automatic transmission for 3.2 FWD and 3.2 AWD. The T6 AWD includes a 6-speed Geartronic transmission. The XC60 includes traditional Volvo safety features including a whiplash protection system, side impact protection system, roll stability control, dynamic stability and traction control, inflatable curtain airbags, hill descent control (AWD only), collision warning with brake support, active bi-xenon lights (optional on some models), and patented front, side, and rear structures. The XC60 also introduced a new technology feature that Volvo has named City Safety. The system is described as a driver support system with the goal of preventing or mitigating vehicle-on-vehicle collisions below 30 km/h (19 mph); it does so through the use of a closing velocity sensor that helps determine whether a collision is likely. Depending on the speed, if a collision is likely, the Volvo's computer system will either prepare the car to brake or automatically brake the vehicle to avoid or mitigate a rear-end collision. Volvo also implemented the system to assist in towing caravans and trailers. EuroNCAP evaluated the XC60 in 2008, awarding it 5 of 5 stars for adult occupant protection. The XC60 scored 16 of 16 points in the front test and 16 of 16 in the side test. The car received 2 of 2 points available in the pole test and an additional 3 points available for seat belt reminders. The XC60 received a total of 37 of 37 points and therefore five stars (33-37) in EuroNCAP's evaluation. The XC60 was one of only three cars (Nissan Qashqai, 2008-onward Renault Megane) to receive 37 of 37 available points under EuroNCAP's point based evaluation. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Volvo XC60 their Top Safety Pick award. The XC60 was granted the IIHS's highest rating of "good" in front, side, rear and roof strength tests and has Electronic Stability Control as standard equipment to receive the award.