Volvo gives sneak peek of new XC60

The long-awaited new XC60 premium SUV launched at the Geneva Motor Show early this year has been previewed in an exclusive event. Attendees of the recent Volvo Crayfish Party organized in partnership with Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza were treated to a sneak preview of the new Volvo, which will be launched later this year.

The new car replaces Volvo’s highly successful first-gen XC60, which in the nine years since its launch, became the bestselling premium mid-sized SUV in Europe, with nearly a million units sold globally. The XC60 today represents around 30 percent of Volvo’s total global sales.

“We have a strong heritage in designing stylish and dynamic SUVs that offer the latest in technology. The new XC60 will be no exception. It’s the perfect car for an active lifestyle, and it represents the next step in our transformation plan,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive, Volvo Car Group.  

“Volvo Philippines is proud to give the market a glimpse of the new XC60, and we are confident this Volvo will once again be a strong player in its segment,” quipped Chris Yu of Volvo Philippines.

New comfort and safety technology

The new XC60, one of the safest SUV’s ever made, is fully loaded with new technology. Steer Assist has been added to the groundbreaking City Safety system. A new safety system called Oncoming Lane Mitigation uses steer assist to help mitigate head-on collisions, while Volvo’s Blind Spot Indication System (BLIS) now uses Steer Assist functionality to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions.

“We have focused on building a car that can deliver pleasure to all of your senses – from a commanding view of the road ahead in a beautifully appointed and calm cabin to a safe, inspired, and confident ride,” said Henrik Green, Senior Vice President Product & Quality at Volvo Car Group. “We’ve paid particular attention to making life easier for our customers by providing them with the creature comforts and services that take the hassle out of everyday life.”

Pilot Assist, Volvo’s advanced semi-autonomous driver assistance system, which takes care of steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 130 km/h, is available in the new XC60 as an option.

(L-R): Bo Lundqvist, Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries, Volvo Philippines’ Chris Yu pose beside the all-new Volvo XC60

Performance

The new XC60 boasts Volvo’s award-winning T8 Twin Engine petrol plug-in hybrid at the top of the powertrain range, delivering 407hp and acceleration from 0-100 Km in just 5.3 seconds. Locally, a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel with an 8-speed Geartronic automatic will be the entry-level engine—one that’s strong enough to deliver a thrilling ride with 190hp and 400Nm of torque.

“We have a wide range of powertrains. The new XC60 will launch with the diesel D4 engine at 190hp and the D5 with PowerPulse technology delivering 235hp. We also have the petrol-powered T5 delivering 254hp and the T6, which with both turbo and superchargers attached, delivers 320hp and 400Nm of torque,” added Green.

But it is not just under the hood that the new XC60 delivers healthy performance. The new CleanZone four-zone climate system removes harmful pollutants and particles from outside the cabin to deliver Scandinavian-fresh air on the inside.

Volvo Cars’ driver infotainment and connected services offer, Sensus, and the Volvo On Call app both receive a graphical update with improved usability. As in the 90 Series cars, smartphone integration with CarPlay and Android Auto is also available.

Sculpted feel

“The XC60 is an SUV not designed to look down on others but to drive. The exterior has an athletic sculpture with a subtle, timeless quality. The interior is a masterful composition of well-resolved architecture, beautiful materials and the very latest technology - all perfectly blended together. The XC60 provides a true Scandinavian experience which will make our customers feel special,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President, Design at Volvo Car Group.

Volvo Cars’ new XC60 went into production in mid-April at the Torslanda Plant in Sweden and is now available for reservations in the Philippines.