Volvo holds high hopes for the new XC60, which boasts the maker’s largest ever badge, a fresh new look and innovative crash avoidance technology.
2008 Volvo XC60
Volvo’s XC60 was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva motor show, adding a third vehicle to Volvo’s successful XC range of light-duty off-roaders.
The XC60 represents the company’s first foray into the fast growing compact luxury off-road market.
Designed to compete with the BMW X3, Land Rover Freelander and upcoming Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK (the latter of which is not due in Australia as it will only be built as a left-hand drive) the Volvo XC60 ushers in a bolder look for the Swedish brand.
The revised Volvo badge is bigger than ever, making a bold statement at the nose of the vehicle.
“Why should a Volvo customer hide the fact they’re driving a Volvo,” says Steve Mattin, Volvo senior vice president and design director. “By putting the biggest badge we’ve ever put on a Volvo … it gives the car a premium look and a bit more confidence.”
Mattin, a former Mercedes-Benz designer, admits senior management “took some convincing” to put the larger badge on the production vehicle.
“We’re elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally turning up the visual volume,” says Mattin.
The XC60 follows a familiar theme for Volvo off-roaders but adds more design maturity and bolder features.
Volvo has also worked hard on the details of the XC60, which include daytime running lights (inboard of the main headlights), a broad shoulder down each side of the vehicle and long tail lights that flow with the shoulder and feature innovative lighting technology to give the car a more upmarket look.
Inside, the theme is one of Swedish simplicity with a stylish design and functional layout.
Volvo has tilted the centre console towards the driver in a move to focus the main controls on the driver and reinforce the driver’s car nature of the XC60.
In keeping with Volvo’s focus on safety, the Volvo XC60 incorporates new crash avoidance technology designed to reduce low-speed crashes in a city environment.
“Our research shows that 75 per cent of crashes occur under 30km/h,” says Volvo Australia public affairs manager Laurissa Mirabelli.
The City Safety system can automatically apply the brakes and bring the car to a standstill in the event the driver doesn’t react to a stopped vehicle or other obstacle.
City Safety uses sensors at the top of the windscreen to view the road ahead and apply brakes as necessary. It operates at up to 30km/h if the speed differential between the XC60 and another vehicle or object is less than 15km/h.
source:smh
