Superb Handling, Comfort and All-Road Agility
Every facet of the new 2010 XC60's powertrain and chassis has been designed to give the driver the utmost in satisfaction. The turbocharged powerplant provides the best of all worlds - segment-leading performance, reduced emissions and efficient fuel economy. Volvo's engineers have endowed the XC60 with a finely tuned suspension to provide both sporty handling and a smooth ride.
"The new Volvo XC60 is designed for customers who impose high demands on the driving experience - whether the car is used in the city, on the highway or to negotiate tight curves in country lanes," says Lars Blenwall, project director for the XC60. "That is why we have focused on finding exactly the right balance between sportiness and comfort, for the chassis and for the car as a whole."
The new Volvo XC60 is robustly built to handle all operating conditions. The body is exceptionally rigid, while the sporty chassis setup enables the car to be precisely controlled to minimise roll tendencies in demanding driving situations. Weight is optimally distributed between the front and rear axles, which contributes to superb balance and traction. The transversely installed engine and Volvo's all-wheel drive with Instant TractionTM from Haldex contribute to well-balanced control and smoothness of operation.
Standard 18-inch wheels (19 inches optional) and 9.1 inches of ground clearance mean the Volvo XC60 is capable of traversing terrain that would be impossible for a conventional passenger car. The rear suspension ensures good comfort and road contact even when the going gets rough. The McPherson front suspension and wide track also contribute to excellent directional stability.
"The XC60 handles sharply and behaves exactly as you would expect," says Blenwall. "It promotes a feeling of safety and control, and also of relaxed comfort."
The Volvo XC60 offers a very high level of active safety. Apart from Volvo's all-wheel drive with Instant TractionTM, standard DSTC has been enhanced to better compensate for throttle lift-off situations. In addition there is a wide range of optional functions, including the all-new Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) which offers unbeatable control when towing a trailer.
The braking system in the Volvo XC60 is based on the system used in the XC90. The powerful brakes in combination with the lower weight of the smaller vehicle means that braking performance is exceptional.
Turbocharged T6 engine with top performance
The T6 engine is based on Volvo's compact 3.2-liter in-line six all-aluminium engine that was introduced in the new Volvo S80 in 2008. The turbo version for the XC60, with a displacement of 3.0 liters, delivers 281 horsepower with torque of no less than 295 lb.-ft, combining for best-in-class performance. Maximum torque is available from just 1,500 rpm and remains on tap throughout the rev range. The result is swift acceleration and smooth driving.
The turbo version has a somewhat smaller displacement owing to its slightly smaller bore and shorter stroke. However, this is compensated by the turbocharger, which in this engine takes in exhaust gases in two phases. Using what is known as twin-scroll technology, the inlet side has been divided into two sections of three cylinders each. This approach makes for a simpler, more compact turbocharger that provides very fast response, fully on par with the power typically delivered by twin turbochargers.
The T6 engine is perfect for sporty driving. It has been programmed to provide the highest possible power with the lowest possible fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Like all Volvos, the new XC60 has a transversely mounted powertrain. Transverse installation gives the engine more space under the hood and helps reduce the risk of penetration into the passenger compartment in the event of a frontal collision.
Six-speed Geartronic transmission
The engine in the new Volvo XC60 is mated to a six-speed Geartronic transmission, offering drivers the choice of fully automatic or manual shift modes. The transmission has been designed to handle the output of the T6. Sixth gear is a pure overdrive ratio and offers relaxed, economical cruising. It also has a sport mode. Geartronic makes it possible to change gears manually should the driver prefer a sportier driving style or if he or she wants to hold onto a specific gear.
All-wheel drive for sure-footed grip
The Volvo XC60 is equipped as standard with Volvo's all-wheel drive with Instant TractionTM to ensure the best possible road grip whatever the situation. With the help of an electronically controlled clutch, the AWD system automatically distributes power between the front and rear wheels. The Instant Traction function shifts power from the front to the rear wheels at lightning speed, such as when starting from standstill on slippery or loose surfaces.
HDC gives added control downhill
Hill Descent Control (HDC) is Volvo's sophisticated technology for assisting slow progress in first gear when driving on steep grades. It's available as an option on the new XC60. Using the car's braking system and engine torque, HDC controls the car's speed to maintain a steady crawl. This leaves the driver free to focus solely on steering safely. HDC is activated via a button on the instrument panel. The driver can override HDC by pressing either the accelerator or brake pedal. Once another gear is selected, HDC is automatically disengaged.
Enhanced DSTC function
Volvo's DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) function has been further developed in the new Volvo XC60 in order to help providing even more stable driving. DSTC registers deviations between the driver's intended direction and the car's actual direction. The enhanced DSTC function registers the car's roll rate as well, giving the opportunity to detect slowly built up skids. This may occur if the driver suddenly releases the accelerator pedal while steering, like when leaving a highway slightly too late. By measuring the roll rate, the DSTC function is able to start the regulation at an earlier stage - and with greater precision. This is highly noticeable in dynamic driving where the car is exposed to high lateral forces.
New Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) offers improved control
The purpose of the new Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) function is to dampen the oscillation tendencies that can arise when towing a trailer. In certain conditions, there is a risk that the car and trailer might start swaying from side to side or "snaking," making it difficult for the driver to regain control. TSA operates together with enhanced DSTC to help stabilize the situation by braking one or more wheels while at the same time reducing the engine's torque. TSA operates on all road surfaces and can be specified as a separate active-safety option when purchasing a trailer hitch.
RSC helps prevent roll-overs
The XC60 is also equipped with Roll Stability Control (RSC) as standard. RSC is an active stability-enhancement system. If the system assesses that there is a considerable risk of a roll-over, the engine's torque is reduced and some braking power is directed to one or more wheels to help counter any tendency to roll over.
Active chassis with Four C - and three distinct settings
The Four-C option (late calendar-year 2009 availability) makes the Volvo XC60 extra comfortable, especially on rough roads. Volvo's Four-C is an advanced, self-regulating chassis system that uses a number of sensors to continuously monitor the car's behaviour. The dampers are adjusted to suit the current driving conditions in mere fractions of a second. Three chassis settings, Comfort, Advanced and Sport, allow the driver to adapt the chassis to suit road conditions at the touch of a button.
