For immediate release
The Volvo Cross Country, the vehicle that delivered Volvo Car Corporation to the heart of the market for rugged, go-anywhere wagons with fine urban manners, gets new power, a sophisticated new all-wheel-drive system, new colours and a new name for 2003.
The Volvo Cross Country becomes the Volvo XC70 and joins the XC90 in the company's new XC line. And while the name XC70 may be new, the handsome good looks and functional utility of all-weather, all-road traction of Volvo Canada's most popular wagon remain the same, enhanced by new technology, features and accessories.
As part of stepping up to the new line, the XC70 gets the new 2.5T engine and remarkable electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system used in the XC90. The new 2.5-litre in-line 5-cylinder engine uses a proven low pressure turbocharger with intercooler and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) to generate 208 hp at 5000 rpm and a mighty 236 ft.-lbs. of torque at a very usable 1500 rpm. The combination of the new engine with the 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with Geartronic sequential shifting creates extremely responsive performance with excellent city and highway credentials.
The addition of the new all-wheel-drive system is the perfect complement to the new engine, with its rapid initiation and 'smart' management of power to the drive wheels.
Like previous Volvo all-wheel-drive systems, the new AWD operates completely automatically, independent of the driver. The advantage of the new system is the speed and sophistication with which it operates.
In normal driving situations, the XC70 primarily powers the front wheels. It is only when the system detects that the front wheels have lost traction and have begun to spin that it delivers power to the rear wheels.
The system, created by Haldex of Sweden, uses a mechanical pump and 'wet' multi-plate clutch to distribute the power to the rear wheels. The difference in rotational speed between the slipping front wheels and the rear wheels causes the pump (located at the rear differential) to force oil to the wet clutch plates in the rear differential, pushing the plates together to transfer power to the rear wheels. A small electrical pump is used to "pre-pressurize" the system so that power transfer can occur almost instantly.
The extremely fast speed of engagement and disengagement and the variable power transfer to suit the driving conditions are factors in the safety and security the system provides in the XC70.
The Volvo Interior Air Quality System (IAQS) is a new standard feature of all Volvo XC70s. IAQS includes a high-efficiency air filtration system that improves the environment inside the car.
A pollen and particle filter blocks airborne contaminants before they can enter the passenger space, and an available active carbon filter reduces gasses such as oxides of nitrogen, ground-level ozone and hydrocarbons, sparing passengers from the worst effects of vehicle exhaust and oil, gasoline and other fumes. A gas sensor monitors incoming air and automatically shuts off the air intake before contaminants reach unhealthy levels.
The successful marriage of Volvo's benchmark station wagon market leadership with the "go anywhere" appeal of SUV traction and versatility helped the 2002 Cross Country become the best selling Volvo wagon in Canada.
Based on the acclaimed Volvo S80 platform, the XC70 has a distinct visual appeal, with generous ground clearance (208 mm total) and a taller stance from 215/65x16 tires on unique XC70 rims. Fender flares and body accents in contrasting colours blend sophisticated and rugged design elements to give a purposeful definition to the exterior. New this year are two colours sure to turn heads: Platinum Green and Ruby Red Pearl, guarded by accenting body cladding and fender flares.
The flexible interior design acknowledges the XC70's dual role as city car and country wagon. Features such as an innovative rear seat design with two-position, 40/20/40 split backrest for enhanced load-carrying capacity in the rear cargo area, a fold-away shopping bag holder, available rearward-facing third seat, clever storage bins and pockets, and the ability to add a rear seat table, plug-in cooler or clip-in storage bag give the XC70 unparalleled interior versatility among automobiles.
Of course, luxury does not take a back seat to versatility: fine interior trim with elegant materials and state-of-the-art sound systems make the inside of the new XC70 a comfortable and sophisticated driving environment.
It is no surprise that occupant safety is a high priority in the new XC70. Taking an holistic approach, Volvo Cars engineers integrated the impact management characteristics of the Volvo large car platform with innovations like dual-stage front airbags, side airbags (part of SIPS, the Volvo Side Impact Protection System), the Inflatable Curtain (IC) side-impact technology for head and upper body protection, Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) seats for rear-impact protection, five three-point seat belts with pre-tensioners and other safety features.
The PremAir™ catalytic radiator technology that eliminates smog-producing ground-level ozone, state-of-the-art exhaust emission controls that help qualify XC70 for Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) status in the U.S., and the use of Öko-Tex certified materials on the interior ensure that the new XC70 is clean inside and out. A comprehensive Environmental Product Declaration certifies that the design, manufacture, operation and eventual recycling of the car meet stringent environmental control guidelines.
Available at 42 Volvo retailers in major markets across Canada, the 2003 Volvo XC70 has a suggested retail price of $49,495.
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Information:
Lisa Graham
Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd.
(416)490-5834
lgraha11@volvocars.com
Doug Mepham
MacDonald & Co.
1-877-975-1572
doug.mepham@sympatico.ca
Media website:
09/02
