Volvo XC60 at Geneva

By Ben Whitworth

Motor Shows

04 March 2008 13:31

So what’s new on Volvo’s Geneva Motor Show stand?

It’s all about the new XC60 on the Volvo stand. Based on the V70/XC70 architecture – there’s no commonality with Ford’s new Kuga – the XC60 is the SUV with a conscience. Aimed at drivers who find the RAV-4 to dull and worthy and the X3 to brash and ugly, the XC60 combines decent off-road ability with sleeker, car-like styling. And it works. In the metal the XC60 looks compact, svelte and powerful. The cabin is a delight. The intelligently configured dash is wonderfully sculptural and more driver-centric than the XC90, and it’s cleverly packaged.

There are some striking design touches too – like the angled LED daylight driving lamps that mimic the slant of the bonnet, which will become a new Volvo motif.

It arrives in the UK in October with prices expected to kick off around the £25,000 mark. There’s a trio of engines - the 285bhp T6 turbo petrol with Geartronic transmission, which is expected to be a niche seller – and two versions of the lusty D5 turbo diesel with 163 and 185bhp, hooked up to six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Both a full and soft hybrid is also on the cards.

The XC60 comes with Volvo’s much vaunted City Safety technology as standard. At speeds up to 18mph, the Volvo will automatically brake if its road-scanning radar picks up an obstruction and the driver doesn’t.

Cool, safe, intelligent and hugely desirable – just what you’d expect from Volvo.

4/5

By Ben Whitworth