Bold Crossover Defines Volvo's New Design DNA
Unveiled in concept form at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and launched at the 2008 New York Auto Show, the new 2010 XC60 is true to form - representing the first production expression of Volvo's new design DNA.
The XC60 makes Volvo's Scandinavian design heritage more emotional and radiant by adding sculptured, exciting shapes and innovative features. "This car is charged with more emotive form and far more energy than any previous Volvo model," says Steve Mattin, Volvo Cars Design Director. "It is the boldest crossover to date."
Steve Mattin and his team have designed the XC60 with a very clearly defined goal. "We're elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally turning up the visual volume," says Mattin.
DNA = Dramatic New Approach
"Historically, Volvo's interpretation of DNA signified ‘Do Not Abandon' the design traditions," says Mattin. "We have now expanded its significance to redefine DNA as taking a Dramatic New Approach."
Volvo' new XC60 premium crossover steps boldly into one of the toughest and fastest-growing segments - the "Small Premium Utility." As a crossover, it artfully blends a dynamic mix of two car styles. Down below, the unmistakable, immensely capable XC pumps up its muscles creating a strong athletic body that is mated with high ground clearance and large wheels. Up top the flowing lines create the sporty charisma of a coupe.
"The XC60 is much more emotionally charged than its competitors in the segment," says Mattin. "It is seductive and packed with thrilling contrasts. Sleek yet muscular, powerful yet agile, large yet at the same time compact. The XC60 is actually 7.9 inches shorter than the XC70."
New face expresses attitude and strength
At the front the enlarged signature iron mark in the trapezoidal grille swiftly fills the rearview mirror of the car in front - a signal that Volvo's dynamic future has arrived. "The classic iron mark now gets the role it deserves - bold and packed with self-confidence," says Mattin. "It is precisely this bold approach that Volvo's brand name should have."
The XC60 previews Volvo's new face, with attitude and strength, filled with expression and personality. The contours of the headlamps and the taut rearward flow of the fenders emphasize the hood's classic V-profile giving the front a wedge-shaped stance.
"The expression ‘the eyes are the mirror of the soul' is an excellent description of the headlamps' role," says Mattin. "The eyes reveal more about your personality than any other facial expression."
The sculpted, seductive lines are evident when the XC60 is viewed from the side. The car's shoulders are exceptionally broad. Towards the front they're strengthened by a sculptural undercut. When it comes to the rear fenders, Mattin resorts to the sensually loaded adjective "voluptuous."
The large wheels, bold wheel arches and the darker shade of the body's lower section further enhance the muscular XC feel. And the dynamic, flowing lines of the XC60's greenhouse combined with its daring roof contour impart a sporty coupe feel to the upper part of the car.
Distinctive new rear light configuration
At the rear the muscular shoulders are emphasized by the characteristic LED lights set into the tail lamps. For the first time in a Volvo, the rear position lights also serve as brake lights. The full shape of the shoulder lights up when braking, giving the XC60 an even stronger, more distinctive look.
The third brake light becomes a sculptural part of the roof spoiler. On the tailgate, the Volvo badge appears in bolder, more widely spaced letters. To strengthen its crossover character the XC60 is available with a scuff plate for the rocker panels plus front and rear skid-plates that are integrated into the bumpers. "Another new feature is that the roof rails have actually been integrated into the roof," says Mattin. "This gives the car an unusually low and broad stance for a crossover."
Interior focuses on the driver
The new XC60 is packed with energy on the inside too. All the passengers sit comfortably in the newly designed seats, yet it's obvious that the driver is in charge. The characteristic slim center stack gains a fresh design with a new integrated navigation (optional) screen that's angled slightly toward the driver.
"You should feel like a pilot at the controls of a business jet, with all your passengers sitting in First Class," noted Jonathan Disley, head of interior design for the new Volvo XC60. "You are seated in comfort, surrounded by ergonomically designed instruments and you really feel that you are on top of the traffic situation around you. The XC60 has more intelligent safety systems than any previous Volvo. That's why I want the entire driver's environment to radiate a high-tech feel."
The interior also has been designed so every detail looks like it's in motion. Disley and his team have created this sense of energy by blending together a theme that can be called "thick-to-thin" which adds drama and excitement. "The recurrent asymmetrical look gives the interior a self-assured attitude, brimming with self-confidence," says Disley. "This feeling is reinforced by the well thought-out mix of contrasting materials, such as soft, warm, dark panels and hard, cold aluminum inserts."
Unique seats with X-theme
The stitched seams of the unique, sculpted XC60 seats have a pronounced X-theme.
"Cross Country, Cross City or Cross Over - choose the interpretation that suits you best," says Disley.
The curvature of the forward edge of the rear seat cushion has been designed for easier entry and exit. The rear seat is also somewhat higher than the front seats to give its occupants a better view. The two outboard seats can be specified with the same two-stage child booster cushions that were introduced in the Volvo V70 and XC70 in 2007.
The seats are available in a variety of colors and materials. "Choosing color and trim is about expressing your personality, so we have developed a rich palate of attributes that customers with a taste for individuality can select," says Anders Sachs, program chief designer color and trim for the XC60.
The color and trim range includes a number of contrasting combinations. The highlight color for the XC60 is a new shade of green dubbed Lime Grass Green. "This color is designed to be seen - it has lots of attitude," commented Sachs. "The unique asymmetrical center console with its silk metal frame is finished in brushed aluminum but it is also available in wood emphasizing the authenticity of the material and our Scandinavian heritage."
Terra Bronze Pearl and Lime Grass Green Pearl are two new and distinctive exterior colors available for the XC60.
Panoramic roof lets the sun shine in
The XC60 features Volvo's first panoramic roof. Available as a stand-alone option later in the model year, it includes two glass panels. The forward panel can be tilted for ventilation or it can slide rearward as with a conventional roof. Yet unlike the latter, the forward panel slides over the rear section of the vehicle's roof. Rear seat passengers can let the sun shine in thanks to a second stationary glass roof panel.
Open wide and say ahh
The XC60's tailgate opening is the widest in the segment while the luggage capacity measures 30.8 cubic feet with the rear seat up. As in the V70 and XC70, the rear seat is a three-piece 40/20/40 split/fold design. Each section folds down easily to create a totally flat cargo platform for maximum flexibility.
