Merc1
Premium
Valencia, Spain — Volvo's all-new XC60 crossover is going to make things confusing at Volvo dealers. Why? Because even though the XC60 will become Volvo's base XC model, it's actually 4.3 in. taller and 1.1 in. wider than the XC70 (Volvo's traditional wagon), although its overall length is 7.9 in. shorter. The 5-seat XC60 even "shares technology" with the XC70, Volvo's way of saying it's based on a barely smaller version of that car's platform.
"We don't carry any illusions that potential buyers won't test drive all three of our XC vehicles [including the larger XC90]," said James Hope of Volvo Cars of North America. "The XC90 is really for those wanting 7-passenger capability and/or a V-8, while the XC70 is for the more traditional Volvo buyer." Volvo expects the XC60 shopper to be a new type of Volvo client, younger, trendy, into gadgets and possibly without kids yet.
Regardless of what type of person actually buys the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive XC60, they'll be getting the first vehicle in the world to come standard with a low-speed (19-mph or less) accident-avoidance system. Known as City Safety, it uses an infrared laser sensor at the top of the windshield to detect a vehicle within 13 feet of the XC60's front bumper that is either stationary or moving in the same direction. If the system feels the XC60 is about to strike that vehicle, and the driver hasn't reacted, it applies the brakes, bringing the car to a stop if possible.
Full Story: Road and Track - First Drive: 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD
M
