The premium compact crossover SUV market is about to get much busier in the next year. With the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class and Audi Q5 joining the likes of the BMW X3, Acura RDX and Infiniti EX, the highly competitive luxury crossover segment might get a little crowded.
Volvo is not one to let the competition have all the fun and is preparing to launch a smaller companion to the XC90, the 2009 XC60. Recently, pictures surfaced on the Internet of Volvo’s all-new XC60, but detailed images and information won’t be available until it is officially introduced at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show. From the outside, Volvo’s latest crossover will share many basic design cues as the 2007 Volvo XC60 concept such as the high, swept beltline, the large iconic Volvo grille and the steeply raked D-pillar similar to the C30. The XC60 should offer a more contemporary and sporty look compared to the aging XC90. The 2009 Volvo XC60 will feature an interior similar to other Volvo cars with the waterfall center stack, dual gauge instrument cluster with information system and a mixture of wood and aluminum accents. The leaked images showed a two-tone leather interior with a light-colored, wood-accented center stack, as well as a fixed, in-dash navigation screen – current Volvo navigation systems use a pop-up screen located centrally on top of the instrument panel. Riding on the same platform as the current S60, expect Volvo to use the3.2-liter inline six-cylinder as the sole engine option for North American XC60 models and an assortment of five- or six-speed automatic transmissions to choose from. European-bound models will most certainly get a diesel engine option, while the Haldex all-wheel drive system will be optional on all XC60 models. It is unclear what role the similarly sized V70, and more importantly the XC70, will play in Volvo’s future lineup after the XC60’s introduction. Pricing should start in the mid-$30,000 range for the base front-wheel drive model. Review written by: Jeffrey N. Ross
Photos courtesy of Volvo Cars of North America |