Volvo XC60 - model year 2014
On the exterior, Volvo's best-selling model (globally), the XC60, gets a more urban twist. The redesigned front features a new hood shape that emphasises the wide, confident look.
The sporty feel is emphasised by new, comfortable sport seats and the new Sensus Connect system with unique on-line possibilities.
DESIGN
Accentuated road presence
The design team has increased the new XC60's road presence by emphasising its horizontal lines, which visually connects the car directly to the road.
All black trim has been taken away and the car now comes with a fully colour coordinated body. The new headlamps look very focused and determined, and the horizontal lines on the grille with its chrome bars emphasise the car's width.
There are several examples of the attention to detail in the new XC60, such as the previously visible washer nozzles have been relocated out of sight under the bonnet and the headlamp washer jets now sit flush to help create a cleaner bumper line.
The radar cover has been painted gloss black, which practically makes it disappear in the grille. The chrome frame around the grille has been removed and the new, bigger ironmark badge enhances the new cars' self-confident look.
The previous camera based BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) has been replaced by radar sensors, meaning the removal of the familiar 'bubble' on the underside of the rear-view mirrors.
The new integrated tailpipes, which can be specified with some engine variants, are the physical and visual link to the technically advanced engines. But it's not just about beautiful design: the designers have had to cope with the fact that at operating temperature, the tailpipes have to remain perfectly in place despite the exhaust system expanding in length by up to 25mm. This is another example of true Scandinavian precision engineering.
The XC60 is available with 20-inch wheels while keeping the same tyre profile height and ride comfort as with 19-inch wheels.
Interior upgrade
The XC60 also benefits from an interior upgrade. The new features include a new headliner, textile B-pillars and the silk metal frames around the air vents and light controls.
The three-split (40/20/40) rear seat and backrest offer two separate seats with an armrest in the middle, or three seats with safety belts for each occupant. The seat cushions are fixed and the backrest(s) can be individually folded.
The standard fit (except R-Design) power tailgate can be opened automatically in three ways - via the remote control, by a button in the light panel or by opening the tailgate with the handle.
R-DESIGN
Unique new front
The XC60 R-Design features a unique face with a redesigned, dynamic, expressive nose. The frameless Tech Matte Black grille has high-gloss black stripes, a silk metal diagonal and a refined R-Design emblem. The DRL lights in the outer corners reinforce the low, road-hugging impression. At the rear, the unique diffuser with aero fins is flanked by the round, high-tech R-Design tailpipes. The XC60 R-Design is available with all-new 20-inch Ixion II wheels.
New generation R-Design interior
The new sport seat comes as standard in the XC60 R-Design. It retains this traditional comfort and makes a perfect addition to the in-command feel of a true driver's car. It has great hugging side support all the way from the thighs to the shoulders, so the seat keeps the driver firmly in position when cornering fast.
The seat features a blend of black nubuck textile and perforated leather. The embroidered R-design logo with a blue ‘R' confirms the sporty aura. By blending inlays with a perforated look, black leather and contrasting stitching, the design team has created an R-design interior with all the details in perfect harmony, crowned by the black headliner. The new stainless steel tread plate with a bright blue ‘R' in the emblem is another exquisite detail.
CHASSIS & POWERTRAINS
Chassis Control
The refined XC60 has a commanding driving position supported by generous ground clearance and the class-leading chassis. The XC60 is designed to feel every bit as nimble and agile as a standard height road car.
Available in a choice of 3 types of chassis - Dynamic, Four-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) and R-Design Lowered Sport Chassis.
Corner Traction Control now comes as standard. This torque vectoring system helps the driver avoid understeer by applying just the right amount of brake force to the inner wheels while powering the outer wheels when accelerating out of a corner.
With All Wheel Drive, the XC60 becomes an extremely capable vehicle on any road, in any kind of weather. The Hill Descent Control boosts this capability by automatically controlling the car's speed when driving down steep slopes.
Stiffer R-Design chassis
The XC60 R-Design chassis is also stiffer than the standard car and has more dynamic driving properties - without compromising ride comfort. The shock absorber springs and anti-roll bars are adjusted and tuned to be firmer and more balanced. The result is improved control and a sportier, road-hugging drive.
Powerful T6 version
The T6 petrol engine has a displacement of 3.0 litres and pumps out 304 hp and no less than 440 Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is 26.4mpg (EU Combined). The engine's power is delivered to the wheels via Volvo's second-generation six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission.
The buyer of a XC60 R-Design with the T6 engine can boost performance to 329 horsepower by opting for the Polestar software that charges the specially designed sport accelerator pedal with an extra 25 hp.
Diesel
The well-known D4 5-cylinder 2.0 litre diesel has been upgraded with a new power output and is also now joined by Volvo’s new Drive-E D4 4-cylinder 2.0 litre engine. The D4 AWD is powered by the upgraded 5-cylinder unit while the D4 FWD (front wheel drive) is now fitted with Volvo’s new Drive-E 4-cylinder engine.
Both engines give 181hp with 400Nm and 420Nm of torque for the four and five cylinder units respectively.
Fitted with the manual gearbox, the fuel consumption for the D4 AWD is 53.3mpg (139g/km of CO2) and for the D4 FWD is 62.8mpg (117g/km of CO2).
The D4 AWD can be specified with a 6-speed automatic gearbox while the D4 FWD can be fitted with the new 8-speed automatic. Fuel consumption for the AWD is 44.1mpg (169g/km of CO2) and 60.1mpg (124g/km of CO2) for the FWD.
Also available is the 5-cylinder, 2.4-litre diesel, the D5 AWD. Available in both 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic, the corresponding fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are 53.3mpg/139g/km and 44.1mpg/169g/km.
The D5 is also available with the Polestar upgrade, taking power from 215hp to 230hp and torque from 420Nm to 470Nm. CO2 and fuel consumption are unaffected, all while being fully factory backed and warranty inclusive.
OPTIONS
Sensus Connect - new connectivity possibilities
The HMI (Human Machine Interface) functionality Sensus is extended with the option to add intuitive all-new technology that enables connectivity and internet in the car. The Sensus Connect functions are shown on the 7-inch display which also houses the information on the climate, satellite navigation and infotainment system.
The driver can go online either via a car-mounted 3G SIM card or via a personal mobile phone. The voice-activation system works on all music sources connected whilst it is also possible to share a WiFi network with everyone in the car.
The satellite navigation system has been redesigned with new functionality such as the Send-to-Car feature where the user can look up an address on his/her computer and send the location to the car.
Multimedia
Fitted as standard to all specification levels is Bluetooth, allowing connectivity of mobile phones to the vehicle to make hands-free calls, along with the ability of music streaming. Also fitted as standard is Digital Audio Broadcasting, giving access to digital clear radio stations.
Adaptive Digital Display
The Adaptive Digital Display, which debuted in the all-new V40, uses an active TFT (Thin Film Transistor) crystal display to bring the driver personalised information. There are three themes to choose from: Elegance, Eco and Performance.
The default mode Elegance has a classic look and layout. The Eco mode has a green colour theme and is designed to encourage and reward a fuel-efficient driving style. Performance features red illumination, and a rev scale instead of the speedometer displayed in the Elegance and Eco versions.
Heated steering wheel and paddle shifters
To give drivers in cold climate extra comfort, three-spoke steering wheels can now be specified with electric heating. Cars with automatic transmission can get paddle shifters that give the driver the opportunity to shift gear manually with both hands on the wheel. Cars equipped with a rain sensor can now also get an electrically heated windscreen for rapid de-icing on cold winter days.
SAFETY AND SUPPORT
IntelliSafe, Volvo's blanket name for all active safety systems, is an important part of the driver-centric approach in the XC60.
Permanent high beam with ground-breaking technology
The new Active High Beam Control eliminates the need to switch between low and high beam. Instead, Active High Beam Control makes it possible keep the headlights on full beam continuously.
When another car approaches from the opposite direction, the system helps to prevent dazzling of the oncoming driver by shading out only as much of the beam as necessary. This is done by an ingenious projector module mechanism integrated into the headlamp. The same benefit applies to drivers in preceding cars.
New Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection technology
New advanced software, including more rapid vision processing, has now made it possible to extend Volvo Cars' present detection and auto brake technology to cover certain cyclist situations as well.
The new Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with full auto brake is equipped with an advanced sensor system that scans the area ahead. If a cyclist heading in the same direction as the car suddenly swerves out in front of the car as it approaches from behind and collision is imminent, there is an instant warning and full braking power is applied.
The technology also detects if a pedestrian steps out into the road in front of the car. If the driver does not respond in time, the car can warn and automatically activate the brakes.
City Safety - active up to 31mph
The XC60 features an upgraded City Safety system. This system is active at speeds up to 31mph. The car automatically brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops - or if the car is approaching a stationary vehicle too fast.
Cornering Light for better visibility
Another innovative option for driving in the dark is the low-speed Cornering Light feature. As an extension of the current Active Bending Light system, it lights up the area the driver is steering towards for safer manoeuvring.
Enhanced Blind Spot Information System - for better visibility
The XC60 offers the enhanced Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), which is radar-based. The technology can now also monitor and alert the driver to rapidly approaching vehicles up to 70m behind the car. Of course it still informs the driver about vehicles in the blind spots on both sides.
Cross Traffic Alert - covering your back
Cross Traffic Alert uses the radar sensors at the rear end of the car to alert the driver to crossing traffic from the sides when reversing out of a parking space. This is especially helpful in tight and crowded areas where the side view might be limited due to infrastructure, vegetation or other parked cars.
Road Sign Information - an extra "eye" on the traffic environment
Road Sign Information supports the driver by displaying road signs in the instrument display. Road Sign Information can be combined with the Speed Alert function, which provides the driver with a visual warning in the speedometer if the speed limit is exceeded.
Volvo On Call combined with Bluetooth
The Volvo On Call system can be combined with the Bluetooth mobile phone service. The Bluetooth connection allows hands-free phone conversations as well as music streaming from a preferred Bluetooth enabled portable music player.
Keep in touch via mobile application
A mobile application that makes sure that the driver can stay in touch with the parked car via an iPhone or Android smart phone. The mobile application is an extension of Volvo On Call.
Owners of all new models with Volvo On Call can download the application that opens up a range of connectivity possibilities. The mobile app is free and downloaded via the iPhone and Android application stores. The app is designed to offer the owner an intuitive, easy-to-use relationship with the car from a distance.
