All-New Volvo XC70: What's New Inside
Inside, the all-new XC70 model represents Scandinavian design at its best; that is to say every detail has been designed, focusing on clean lines and intelligent functionality. Comfort in the front includes "ortho-posture" supportive seats and ergonomically designed instruments that naturally include an elegant, super-slim center stack and an audio system that is absolute world class.
"One could say that the XC70 has a dual personality," says Jonathan Disley, Volvo's interior designer. "On weekdays it's a sophisticated and elegant vehicle for an active urban life. Come the weekend and it transforms into a rugged partner for all kinds of exciting adventures."
The all-new XC70 is both more spacious and more comfortable than its predecessor. The distance from front to rear passengers has been extended, rear leg room and rear knee clearance have increased and the width at shoulder height has been increased in the front seats.
Volvo's front seats are regarded by many as the very best on the market. The seats (powered adjustable, optional) are designed to offer the best possible support and comfort, even on long trips.
The opposite effect - heating of the front seats when the weather turns chilly - can be selected at a choice of three temperature settings. The rear seat too can be specified with heating, which includes separate switches for each of the two outer seats and, as in the front seats, three temperature settings.
The XC70 driver has a wide range of scope for adjusting the vehicle's comfort functions to suit his or her personal needs and wishes. These settings are altered in the vehicle's information system. The menu includes the seats, rear-view mirrors, climate unit, audio unit, navigation system and to a certain extent the vehicle's driving properties. One of the selectable functions is automatic operation of the rear defroster. When this setting is chosen, the defroster is automatically activated when outside temperature is about 48º F. Another example is the speed-dependent power steering, which can be set at one of three levels via the information system.
"The all-new Volvo XC70 is synonymous with versatility and enhanced capability," says Ahlborg. "Plenty of space, a three-part rear seat and a number of intelligent functions make loading and travel a real pleasure, both with and without luggage."
The rear seat splits 40/20/40, with two very comfortable seats and a convenient armrest in between. The center backrest can be folded to make space for long cargo items or raised to provide an additional seat. The backrests can be folded separately to create a larger load compartment with an entirely flat floor. With the foldable backrest in the front passenger seat, the combination possibilities are even greater.
The luggage compartment floor is equipped with aluminum rails and movable anchorage points to secure the load. The anchorage points can be tucked down into the rails when they are not in use so they are entirely out of the way. The side panels also have built-in load anchorage eyelets to keep luggage securely in place. In addition, they can be supplemented with multifunctional rails for a variety of hooks, load-anchoring nets, cargo space dividers and other load-related accessories.
"Volvo's audio systems are among the very best in the automotive world today," says Ahlborg. "And obviously only the best is good enough in a vehicle of the caliber of the all-new XC70. In cooperation with the foremost audio manufacturers in the world, we have developed a first-class sound system with a digital amplifier from Alpine, Dolby Pro Logic II Surround and excellent loudspeakers from Danish experts Dynaudio. The result is an audio experience of absolute world class."
World Class Audio Accompaniment
The very latest in digital technology has been used to control and adjust sound reproduction to suit the shape of the passenger compartment and the positioning of the loudspeakers.
Using DSP (Digital Signal Processing), the tone curve has been fine-tuned so it contributes to natural audio quality. Digital technology is also used in Volvo's modern amplifier, developed in cooperation with Alpine. Volvo's amplifier also has a particularly high damping factor thanks to ICEPower® technology from Denmark's Bang & Olufsen PowerHouse a/s. This technology contributes to crystal-clear yet powerful sound all the way down to the deepest bass tones.
