Model Update

Volvos are amazing machines. They offer superb comfort, great performance and class leading safety.

Freshened up and ready to go is Volvo’s XC60. One of the features that impressed me in the vehicle was the XC60’s crash avoidance system. This clever system would not allow me to rear-end the car in front. Now tell me, how often does this accident occur?!

Also rated high on my list of favourite features is the sumptuous Volvo XC60 interiors. Roomy and cosseting, the XC60 is such a nice cabin space for the human body.

The Volvo XC60 has SUV style and AWD traction and this means that, not only you have a great view of the road, you’ve also got a superior grasp on the road ahead.

Exceptionally smooth and responsive engines are what you’ll note the Volvo XC60 for. The 3.0 T6 is superbly quick, while the normally aspirated six-cylinder is gutsy and smooth In the Volvo XC60 range you’ll find diesel power is also offered, and when you have 400 Nm of torque available over a wide band of engine revs, the diesel option is going to be preferred by many. All Volvo XC60 models now feature a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Yep, it’s hot! I would be throwing my vote in for the Volvo XC60 being the sexiest SUV on the road. There is no overhang to speak of at the front or the rear, and fluent lines incorporated with a high waistline, gorgeous xenon headlights, accentuated wheel arches with massive 20-inch wheels, aluminium scuff plates and a gently curved back end with matching curves for the tail lights has to add up to one of the best visual packages on any SUV or crossover vehicle – whatever you like to call them!

Quality engineering on the outside and quality craftsmanship on the inside is what you can expect with the XC60. No cutting the corners here or there with this one. The best materials and engineering are in this baby. Paramount satisfaction should be experienced for the lucky owner of a Volvo XC60 – this is, definitely, the aim at Volvo’s headquarters.

Open up any of the solid doors on the Volvo XC60, and a world of fine quality and majestic materials matched with royal automotive upholstery welcomes the visitor. It’s a very modern atmosphere inside the Volvo XC60, and features like Volvo’s iconic ultra-thin central console with a beautiful white surface reveal Volvo’s cutting-edge design work. The fascia is angled towards the driver and has touch-sensitive buttons and controls which are smoothly set into the central console’s surface. Apparently, the sliding controls for the gear selector were inspired by those found on mixer-tables in recording studios.

Luxury items for the big Volvo XC60 models are aplenty. There are no less than ten XC60 models. Leather seats vary according to the model of choice, and regardless of whether they are the R-Design leather sport seats or the T5’s soft beige or off black leather seats you are in for some breathtaking comfort. Climate air control with adjustable air vents in the rear, a rear centre armrest with cup holders and storage space, multifunction arm rests in the front, park assist, personal settings, cruise control, rain sensing wipers, a rear view mirror that automatically dims, a bluetooth hands free communications system with streaming, road and traffic information (except T5 model), a high performance multimedia system (premium in the high-end models) and steering wheel controls. This is all standard equipment right across the range. Some of the items you can look at having include an active subwoofer, a rear seat audio console, a blind spot information system, heated seats, a panoramic roof, tinted windows and a heat reflecting windscreen. None of these lists are anywhere near being exhausted.

Safety is Volvo, so you can rest assured that you are inside one of the safest SUVs on the road. Packed with all the equipment, the only optional extra is a first aid kit. The Volvo XC60 boasts the latest in automotive safety –making it one of the safest Volvos, yet. One of the “wish I had one in my car” safety features is the City Safety systems. These systems includes the ability to evade or reduce the effects of low-speed impacts through automatic braking if the system senses the car is about to drive into the vehicle situated in front of you. This makes an awful lot of sense when you take into account what Volvo Australia’s public affairs manager Laurissa Mirabelli stated. She said that “… research shows that 75 per cent of crashes occur under 30km/h”. And if you’ve ever lived in built up places like I have, where the traffic builds up outside and where frequent rear ending occurs, your thoughts will be very positive towards the introduction of excellent technological advancements like this one. Well done Volvo.

On the road the Volvo XC60 rides very nicely. There’s no wallowing or untoward lurching. Taut responsive handling is backed up by accurate steering and AWD grip. Braking performance is phenomenal, and the quiet transmission is well geared for smooth responsive acceleration and down changing.

You’ll note that if you plant your right foot, you will experience powerful acceleration. The T5 and T6 models are very swift, indeed. An impressive turbocharged 3.0-litre T6 engine producing 224 kW of power which, on paper, looks like it will ruffle some feathers on the respected BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander models. With a massive 440 Nm of torque between 2100–4200 rpm the Volvo XC60 T6 is in a class of its own. At 177 kW, the T5 is also very swift.

If you like a naturally aspirated engine, then you’ll love the 3.2 V6. At 179 kW this is more powerful than the T5, though a little slower in the 0-100 km/h dash (9.9 seconds). Underway, the 3.2 is a smooth, stealthy performer.

The XC60 D5 AWD provides economy and awesome punch. Like the T6, 440 Nm of torque drives the AWD system but this time the torque is at full song when the revs are as low as 1500 rpm, and it will continue through to 3000 rpm. This is a very healthy diesel engine, completely modern, highly efficient and so powerful for its class. 154 kW is on tap from the D5.

Volvo has been keen to make their cars sporty in character – to match the Germans. Often a driving experience is in the “eye of the beholder” and, if you drive it for yourself, the sporty Volvo XC60 might just impress you more than any BMW ever could.

The current model series includes the:

• XC60 T5
• XC60 T5 Teknik
• XC60 3.2 AWD
• XC60 3.2 AWD Teknik
• XC60 D5 AWD
• XC60 D5 AWD Teknik
• XC60 D5 AWD R-Design
• XC60 T6 AWD
• XC60 T6 AWD Teknik
• XC60 T6 AWD R-Design

For any more information on the Volvo XC60, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Volvo dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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