Volvo’s best-selling SUV gets a successor
At a private preview at Volvo’s Leng Kee showroom today, Wearnes Automotive revealed the all-new Volvo XC60 premium SUV. This new model replaces Volvo’s previous XC60, which has sold nearly a million units worldwide, representing about 30% of Volvo’s total global sales.
Following recently launched models in the top-of-the-line ‘90’ range such as the S90 and V90, the XC60 is the fourth model based on Volvo’s in-house developed SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) vehicle platform. The SPA platform is said to enable significant improvements when offering protection in worst-case scenarios, and when creating innovative features that support the driver in avoiding accidents.
Volvo’s new design language — a proud and confident face — along with classic Volvo styling cues feature on the all-new XC60. Featuring sharp lines and curves, the all-new XC60 makes a strong visual statement. A sculpted bonnet, rising window line and sharply angled tailgate highlight its dynamic nature, and create an impression of strength and refinement. Large 19-inch wheels (standard equipment on the XC60 R-Design, 21-inch wheels optional) housed beneath pronounced wheel arches express the car’s athleticism and capability.
Swedish culture exerted a large influence in the design of the all-new XC60, with features such as the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlight design featuring prominently on the front of the car. Inspired by the instrument of the mythical Norse god, Thor, whose hammer was said to unleash terrifying supernatural forces with every blow, the headlights not only integrate Swedish culture but also increase safety with the latest LED lighting technology. Now extended towards the front grille, the “Thor’s Hammer” headlights are complemented at the rear with LED tail lights that are sleeker and extended horizontally toward the centre of the car.
The stylish exterior is matched to an equally sleek interior. The dashboard and centre console wrap around the driver, creating the feeling of an aeroplane cockpit and putting the driver in command. Beautifully designed and finished, the controls and interior elements make every interaction with the all-new XC60 a pleasure. Every interior element, from the engine start knob to the air conditioning vent louvres exudes a distinctly Swedish feel, and the reduced number of buttons provides a sense of uncluttered calm.
Swedish culture also meets Scandinavian ingenuity within the interior. Along the metal and wooden trim running across the horizontal length of the dashboard, a small Swedish flag is stamped into the metal inlay, an innovative way to cater to the varying degrees of expansion and contraction of the metal and wood trim when exposed to different temperatures.
As with all Volvos, safety is of tremendous priority. The all-new XC60 is one of the safest cars ever made, with a suite of safety technology to reduce the chance of an accident. Features such as Oncoming Lane Mitigation assist the driver in steering the car back into its own lane, and are active between speeds of 60km/h and 140km/h. In unavoidable run-off road situations, the Run-off Road Mitigation system uses steering manouvres and braking to support the driver in keeping the car on the road.
Powering the all-new XC60 are two petrol engine options, both mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The XC60 T6 R-Design with a 2-litre twin-charged engine is available at launch, producing 320 bhp and 400 Nm of torque. A T5 Momentum model is expected to be launched in October 2017, with a 2-litre turbocharged engine producing 254 bhp and 350 Nm of torque. Prices begin at S$228,000 for the T5, and S$258,000 for the T6.
