Volvo unveils its new XC60 SUV

The car resembles the bigger XC90; expected to launch in India later this year.

Published On: 08/03/17
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187hp and 232hp 2.0 diesels, 251hp 2.0 petrol and a 401hp hybrid to be offered on the XC60.

The second-gen Volvo XC60 is will be pitched against Audi’s Q5, BMW’s X3, Jaguar’s F-Pace and Mercedes-Benz’ GLC in the burgeoning mid-size SUV sector. In the past three years, the company has grown a lot spurned by the popularity of the XC90, S90 and V90, which are built on the company's SPA big-car platform.

The new XC60 too is built on Volvo’s SPA underpinnings, which will underpin all of the firm’s 60 and 90 models, including the all-new S60 saloon and V60 estate that are expected early next year. This flexible platform has allowed the company to make the new SUV longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, without adding weight. The cabin is now far more practical with more cabin space, especially in the second row of seats.

The car will be offered with the familiar 187hp D4 and 232hp D5 2.0 diesels, plus the 251hp T5 2.0 petrol and a 401hp T8 petrol-electric hybrid unit. The company claims the new XC60 can hit 100kph in 5.3sec.

It will come with 4WD initially, mated to an eight-speed auto, however, in some international markets, lower-spec trims with FWD and manual transmission will join in later. The XC60’s cabin is heavily inspired by the XC90’s, with all versions getting the same central digital control screen. Entry level models will get a 12.3in digital instrument display. The infotainment controls have also been updated, to offer greater clarity and ease of use; these changes will also be applied to the XC90 later this year, and may be retrospectively updated on cars fitted with the system.

Volvos are famous for being some of the safest cars in the world, this car also comes with a suite of safety and self-driving equipment. Standard kit includes automatic braking - if the car senses a potential collision up to 60kph and steering support if the car detects either a head-on collision or a possible accident. Optional kit includes a system that keeps the car in lane while keeping a safe distance from other vehicles up to 129kph, it also monitors traffic as you come out of junctions and brakes if it detects an imminent rear impact.