“The Volvo XC70 continues to become increasingly popular,” says Steve Harper, Platform chief designer. “The fact that we have made it even more rugged and durable is going to attract still further interest to this model.”
Enhanced crossover character
The 2005 Volvo XC70 has been upgraded on a number of points, each of which helps beef up the car’s appeal and character. The grille has a larger “egg-crate” mesh that contributes to a hungrier appearance and boosts the car’s robust stance.
The car also has larger skidplates as standard both front and rear. The roof rails are made of brushed aluminum. The door mirrors are from the Volvo XC90. For the XC70, this means better rear vision through larger mirrors.
The special XC attributes – the robust bumpers, the wheel housing extensions and the lower side trims – now come in a new color, Stone Grey, that replaces the previous blue-grey. The umber-colored bumpers and side moldings are still available as an alternative.
The Volvo XC70 also has a new, specially designed standard wheel, “Erinus”. It is a 16-inch aluminum wheel with an aggressive, sporty design.
Headlamps with clear lenses
As on the S60 and V70, the headlamps now feature clear lenses and high performance reflector design (for both the halogen and optional Bi-Xenon lamps). Additionally, Volvo has switched from glass to plastic, which is lighter and more resistant to stone-chip damage. It is also gentler on pedestrians in the event of a collision. Volvo’s traditional headlamp wipers have been replaced with fixed, high-pressure washers.
The windshield wipers are also of a new type, featuring integrated flat blades. They have a more modern appearance and produce less wind noise than traditional wiper blades. What is more, they apply more pressure on the windscreen, which improves wiper effectiveness.
The tail lamps too have a more technically inspired design with transparent glass and visible bulbs. In addition, the light pattern has been altered. “We have made it easier to recognize a Volvo from the rear in the dark,” explains Steve Harper.
The emblems on the tailgate are now located in the same position as on the sedan models, with the Volvo name in the middle, the model designation on the left and the engine designation on the right.
Interior with solid appeal
Volvo’s designers have focused hard on making the interior even more comfortable and inviting. “We have spared no effort to ensure that the quality perception is the best imaginable,” says Steve Harper. “With homogeneous contours, natural materials, flexible functions and new trim alternatives, we aimed at reinforcing the feeling of Scandinavian design at its best.”
An excellent example is the new center console. It has a slimmer design with a decorative surrounding frame in materials such as genuine walnut or authentic aluminum (light or dark). The audio system, which has been upgraded with Dolby Pro Logic II, now has separate buttons for quick selection of radio stations and functions, and the most advanced system has an integrated CD changer with space for up to six discs.
Practical center console with the emphasis on versatility
The center console is entirely new, with a more homogeneous design and far stiffer construction than before. This considerably boosts the aura of quality. The storage and cup holder compartment has a tougher, more open design than in the S60 and V70. And the grab-handle, which is unique to the XC model, is now made more substantial, by using genuine aluminum.
The armrest between the front seats is also entirely new. “My design team and I are particularly proud of this,” comments Steve Harper. “It’s designed for what we consider to be the ultimate, multi-functional armrest. It has a number of practical features – cup holders, trays and a storage compartment that can be utilized in a variety of ways.”The rear armrest also has a new, more functional design with fixed cup holders and a higher-quality feel.
New generation of Volvo seats
“The Volvo XC70 is designed for comfort even when the road conditions deteriorate,” concludes Steve Harper. “The new generation of seats elevates the ride to an even higher level of comfort.”
A new generation of Volvo seats is now being introduced, offering improved seating comfort and more convenient adjustment. The seats have:
