With the launch of the new XC60 for 2010, Volvo boldly conquests one of the fastest growing market segments - the "Small Premium Utility." Revolutionary styling, world-class safety features, dynamic performance and outstanding comfort combine to make the XC60 an excellent value. As the most attainable member of Volvo's XC family - including the XC70 and XC90 - the XC60 is designed to captivate a new generation of Volvo buyers as well as attracting those who are loyal to the brand.
2010 Volvo XC60 Photo Gallery
From every angle, the XC60's dramatic style takes Volvo design DNA to the next level by artfully blending muscular lower body cues capped off by a sporty coupe-like greenhouse. The XC60 features a charismatic strong shoulder line while adding more expressive design elements front and rear.
A new trapezoidal grille wears an enlarged Volvo iron mark for instant brand recognition whether it's filling the rearview mirror of the car in front or facing the rigors of a daily commute. For added distinction, the rear liftgate design, inspired by the Volvo C30, is flanked by LED taillamps that illuminate the full shape of the shoulder line.
The XC60 is offered in a single well-equipped T6 AWD model. Volvo's engineering expertise endows the XC60 with a powerplant that provides the best of all worlds - strong performance, reduced emissions and efficient fuel economy. A 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine produces 281 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft of torque. Power is transferred to the ground via a six-speed "Geartronic" automatic transmission and Volvo's renowned All-Wheel Drive with Instant TractionTM.
Large 18-inch wheels (19 inches optional) along with 9.1 inches of ground clearance enable the XC60 to traverse terrain that would be impossible in a conventional passenger car. Enhanced Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) is standard along with a new feature called Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) that helps provide more stable driving when towing.
Continuing Volvo's quest as a pioneer and leader in vehicle safety systems, the XC60 introduces a new world's first. City Safety is a driver support system aimed at preventing or mitigating collisions occurring at speeds of 19 mph or less. It utilizes a closing velocity sensor to help determine whether a collision is likely. Depending on the closing speed, City Safety will either pre-charge the brakes or automatically brake the XC60 to help avoid a rear-end collision or lessen its impact.
The XC60's cabin reflects the dynamic energy generated by the exterior. Volvo's signature ultra-slim center control panel receives a fresh design with a new (optional) integrated navigation screen that's angled slightly toward the driver. Newly designed seats feature a pronounced X-theme to segue with the XC "Cross Country" moniker. Volvo's first panoramic moonroof is optional, offering increased light and an open-air feeling with two laminated glass panels.
The XC60 is Volvo's first all-new carline to offer HD Radio as standard equipment updating radio to digital quality. FM broadcast quality improves to the level of a typical CD while AM broadcast quality is improved to the prior level of FM. The XC60's standard high performance sound system includes AUX and USB inputs to allow connection and control of personal music devices such as iPodsTM, memory sticks and other media players.
SiriusTM Satellite radio with a complimentary six-month subscription and Bluetooth hands-free phone interface are also standard. Audiophiles can select the optional Dynaudio® Premium Sound System with a 650-watt amplifier, 12 Dynaudio speakers and Dolby Pro-Logic II® Surround.
Two new colors debuting on the XC60 include Lime Grass Green Pearl and Terra Bronze Pearl. The former can be paired with a unique Off-Black leather interior with Lemon Green accents on the seating surfaces and door trim panels to turn up the visual volume. Likewise, Sandstone Beige/Espresso leather is available with the latter for a completely distinct ambience.
2010 Volvo XC60 Photo Gallery
Keep checking back tonight as we should have more surprises later and the rest of the week...
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New 2010 Volvo XC60 - City Safety
New Technology for Avoiding Low-Speed Collisions
- A World's First standard equipment driver support system
- Aimed at preventing or mitigating low-speed collisions in city traffic
- Active at speeds up to 19 mph
- Latest innovation in Volvo's long safety tradition makes XC60 the safest Volvo ever
Continuing Volvo's quest as a pioneer and leader in vehicle safety systems, the 2010 XC60 introduces a new world's first. City Safety is a driver support system aimed at preventing or mitigating collisions occurring at speeds of 19mph or less. City Safety in combination with the recently introduced Collision Warning with Auto Brake means that Volvo now offers functions for auto-braking at all speeds.
Surveys indicate that 75 percent of all reported collisions take place at speeds of up to 19 mph. In half of these cases the driver has not braked at all before the collision, mainly due to distraction. In these cases, City Safety could make a crucial difference. City Safety automatically applies the brakes if the driver is about to drive into the vehicle in front. A collision may be entirely avoided, or if this is not possible, the damage to cars and people can be reduced.
"City Safety is yet another example of Volvo's ambition to tackle real-life traffic situations when developing solutions aimed at preventing accidents," says Jonas Ekmark, manager of Preventive Safety at Volvo Car Corporation's Safety Center. "We're proud to offer City Safety as a standard feature in the new Volvo XC60."
City Safety benefits everyone
A Volvo equipped with City Safety offers a range of benefits both to its occupants and to the occupants of the vehicle in front:
- Protection of the occupants in the vehicle in front: The best protection for all involved is of course to avoid the accident in the first place - with City Safety this is often possible. However, in those cases where an accident cannot be avoided, City Safety helps reduce the force of the collision. The result is that the occupants of the vehicle in front suffer a less serious impact and may in fact entirely escape consequences such as whiplash injuries.
- Protection of the occupants in their own car: Colliding with a vehicle in front of you can be both a physically harmful and an emotionally unpleasant experience. By reducing the speed prior to the impact, City Safety helps limit the injury risks for the occupants in the rear-ending car as well. It may eliminate them completely if the car manages to stop before colliding.
- Potential for reduced owner costs: Even low-impact speeds can result in significant costs. City Safety helps the owner reduce time-consuming body shop repairs and insurance company hassles. Volvo is currently involved in a dialogue with insurance companies regarding lower insurance premiums for cars equipped with City Safety.
Active at speeds of up to 19 mph
City Safety is active at speeds of up to 19 mph. If the vehicle in front brakes suddenly and City Safety determines that a collision is likely, the brakes are pre-charged. If the driver fails to respond, the car applies the brakes automatically. If the relative speed difference between the two vehicles is less than 9 mph then City Safety may help the driver to entirely avoid the collision. Between 9 and 19 mph the focus is on reducing speed as much as possible prior to the impact.
Laser sensor monitors traffic in front
City Safety keeps an eye on traffic in front with the help of a laser sensor that is integrated into the top of the windshield at the height of the rearview mirror. It can detect vehicles and other objects up to 18 feet in front of the XC60's bumper.
City Safety is developed to react to vehicles in front that are either at a standstill or are moving in the same direction as the XC60.
Based on the gap to the vehicle in front and the car's own speed, the system makes 50 calculations a second to determine what braking force is needed to avoid a collision. If the calculated braking force exceeds a certain level without the driver responding, the system determines that the risk of a collision is imminent.
City Safety helps either avoid or reduce the severity of the collision by automatically applying the brakes and reducing the throttle opening. At the same time, the brake lights are activated to warn other traffic.
System limitations
City Safety works equally well during the day and night. However, the laser sensor has the same limitations as all optical technologies in that the detection capacity can be limited by fog, snow or heavy rain. It is therefore necessary to keep the windshield free of dirt, ice or snow. The sensor area is covered by the windshield wipers, yet the driver should pay extra attention in keeping the sensor area clean at all times.
"It is important to understand that City Safety does not relieve the driver of the responsibility from maintaining a safe distance to avoid a collision," says Ekmark. "The automatic braking function does not react until it considers that a collision is imminent. City Safety will help to limit or reduce the consequences or completely avoid an imminent collision."
New function controls the restraint system in a collision
In order to further boost safety and help reduce the risk of injuries, the laser sensor interacts with other on-board technology, controlling the airbags and adaptive seat belt load limiters to suit the severity of the collision. This technology, known as Pre-Prepared Restraints (PRS), is also being introduced with the new Volvo XC60. PRS forges a unique link between preventive systems (sensors) and protective safety systems. In case of a collision, the Restraint Control Module controls the deployment of the protective restraint systems. With the additional information supplied by the laser sensor the Restraint Control Module controls the adaptive seat belt load limiter depending on the severity of the collision. The potential of the adaptive seat belt load limiter to reduce injuries can therefore be further utilized.
PRS is active at all speeds, unlike City Safety which only operates up to 19 mph. PRS is activated by means of a pyrotechnical device in the adaptive seat belt load limiter. This means that City Safety can be activated without PRS being activated, if the collision severity is lower than the level required for PRS activation.
Additional new and enhanced safety functions
Volvo is extending its safety offerings with two new functions that stabilize the car in critical situations.
Enhanced DSTC function
Volvo's DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) function has been further developed in the new Volvo XC60 in order to provide 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 tendency that sometimes occurs when towing a trailer. In certain conditions, there is a risk that the car and trailer might start "snaking," making it difficult for the driver to regain control. TSA operates together with enhanced DSTC to stabilize the situation by braking one or more wheels while at the same time restricting the engine's torque. TSA is available as a separate active safety function along with a trailer hitch.
2010 Volvo XC60 Photo Gallery
2010 Volvo XC60 Photo Gallery
2010 Volvo XC60 Photo Gallery
AutoSpies.com Bottom Line:
The Good: Sweet exterior design with an interior to match with its signature sublime, Swedish touches. Right size package for today's marketplace. Nice interior and exterior fit and finish. Extremely flexible interior for cargo and passengers. Excellent power in all driving situations. Volvo safety and technology feature overload abounds. City Safety option standard on all XC60's and may lower your insurance premiums. Selling price competitive in this growing segment. Great city and highway driver, even at higher speeds. And did we say it's REALLY good looking?
The Bad: Projected EPA City mileage of 16MPG unacceptable for a vehicle this size being introduced as a 2010 model. If I was the product person I would have chosen less power on board but gone for bragging rights of most fuel efficient in the segment. Why downsize with mileage numbers like that?
The Ugly: Navigation system interface makes old Radio Shack TRS-80 interface look as easy to use as an iPhone. How can you have a 'NAV' access button ONLY on the back of the steering wheel and not on the center stack as well?