Safe, stunning and smart – the new Volvo XC60 has what the crossover customer dreams about
The new Volvo XC60 is stepping boldly into what is now the automotive world’s fastest-growing segment – dressed in a thrilling blend of muscular XC capability and the sporty charisma of a coupé.
“This is not only the safest Volvo ever. If you ask me, it’s also the most stunning. Not a bad combination, is it?” says Volvo Cars president and CEO Fredrik Arp. The new XC60 has its premiere showing at the international car show in Geneva in March, with the first cars reaching dealers in Europe in autumn 2008, and the South African launch expected early in 2009.
The “Small Premium Utility” segment is growing quickly. Within the next few years, buyers will have at least ten crossover models to choose between. By 2009, this segment is expected to expand by 75% to 443 000 cars.
“In order to succeed in that kind of competition, you have to stick your chin out and create a car that stands out from the crowd. The new XC60 bases its unique appeal on the synthesis between daringly sporty design and a range of intelligent safety systems that help the driver avoid accidents,” says Arp.
The big safety news is City Safety – an unique feature that can help the driver avoid or reduce the effects of the type of low-speed impacts that are common in city traffic and traffic tailbacks. If the car is about to drive into the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the car brakes itself.
“We are the first manufacturer in the world to offer this type of feature as standard. City Safety clearly advertises that the new XC60 is the safest car Volvo has ever produced. The car is packed with our accumulated safety know-how and technology, both when it comes to preventing accidents and protecting all the occupants in a collision,” says Arp.
Choice of diesel and petrol engines
Globally the new XC60 is being launched with a choice of three engines: the new turbocharged T6 which produces 210 kW, and two variants of the D5 turbodiesel, producing 136 kW and 120 kW respectively.
Another derivative will be added to the XC60 range next year. “During 2009, we will offer a front-wheel driven 2.4-litre version powered by a Euro 5 diesel engine producing 120 kW and with a CO2 rating of around 170 g/km,” says Arp.
All Wheel Drive (AWD) is fitted as standard on all models. The choice of engines for the South African market is still under consideration.
The chassis setting is aggressively sporty without losing anything in terms of comfort. Sitting behind the wheel of the new XC60 is in other words more of a driving experience, while the larger Volvo XC90 focuses more on providing a ride experience.
Target group with high demands on technology
The XC60 project has its sights set on a target group that imposes high demands on design, brand integrity and high-tech content in its choice of lifestyle products.
Tongue in cheek, one might say that it’s all about consumers who’ve grown up with the microchip as a natural supplement to their breakfast cereal. They’re used to the immensely fast pace of development in the world of electronics – and every succeeding birthday has brought with it increased capacity in ever-shrinking gift packages.
When it comes to the choice of car, these consumers adopt the same view as they do for other lifecycle products, that is to say all the properties should preferably be integrated into one single attractive and intelligent package.
“One might say that this could be the C30 owner’s next car. It’s as sporty and exciting, but way more capable. An all-round car for the person who lives single in the city and for the young family taking the kids for a weekend of fun and adventure,” says Arp.
“We’re aiming primarily at lifestyle rather than age. With the XC60 we are broadening our model range to attract even more customers with an active urban lifestyle. Like the Volvo C30, the XC60 plays an important role in our planned volume expansion strategy.”
Equal allocation to Europe and North America
The sales target for the new XC60 is over 50 000 cars per year. Distribution between Europe and North America is about 40% each. The remaining 20% is destined for the rest of the world, including South Africa, where the XC60 is expected to be launched early in 2009.
The five largest markets during peak year 2010 will be the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and China.
“This car has a natural appeal in North America. Here in Europe it is the sporty personality in combination with the compact format that attracts new buyers, primarily women. The XC60 offers a feeling of space even though it is about 20 cm shorter than the XC70,” says Arp, and adds:
“The fact that both China and Russia are among the five largest XC60 markets is proof that these growing markets are now beginning to be really large. Both markets will now advance even higher up the sales league in the future.”
The Volvo XC60 will be built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium.
