Issue 556[mel]

XC60
4,500rpm
XC60
SUV XC90
S90 V90
SPA
Nm
XC60
XC60
130
XC60
SPECIFICATION
59,990
2.0 2.0
2.0
65kW
140kW 173kW187KW235kW
300kW
400Nm 480Nm350Nm400Nm
640Nm
3
support, but also provides numerous
powered adjustments, including the
cushion extension, to accommodate driver
body shape and preferred sitting position.
The R-Design model has a leathercarbon
fascia hosting Volvos tabletstyle
infotainment touchscreen. It is
dripping with tech and high-end amenities,
including adaptive cruise control, head-up
display, birds eye camera and fully digital
instrument panel with map projection.
Air suspension is part of the XC60s
active classis package. It is a thoroughly
worthwhile investment. For one, it confers
the XC60 with ride and handling traits no
other crossover can match. The car goes
over humps like they were made of rubber
foam. Rebounds are minimal and well
controlled.
Along with the sharpest steering found
in an SUV, the car traces its way around
arcs like a compass. During the launch
drive, there is absolutely no hint of roll as
you enter and exit a corner. For a car with a
2,865mm wheelbase (unusually long for its
4,688mm length) the Swede is as neat as
a low-slung hot hatch in turn-ins.
The all-wheel-drives uncommon
poise is accompanied by a lovely delivery
of power and torque. Equipped with the
twin charged engine made famous by
the S90, the XC60 is never ever short
of breath. During the Drive event its
throttle is so squeezable, producing
correspondingly linear power delivery.
It could have passed off as an electric
car if not for a throaty exhaust roar from
4,500rpm.
The XC60 goes from trot to gallop
with hardly any persuasion, even if its
speedometer seems a tad optimistic.
This mid-size Swedish SUV is the
fourth model built on Volvos Scalable
Product Architecture (SPA) platform, after
the XC90, S90 and V90. It is equipped
with new safety features designed to
provide automatic steering assistance or
support when required to avoided potential
collisions.
These include Oncoming Lane
Mitigation, which helps the driver avoid
collisions with oncoming vehicles by
automatically steering the car back
into lane, and Run-off Road Mitigation,
which helps to prevent unintentional
departures from the road by using evasive
steering manoeuvres. In addition, City
Safety collision avoidance has also been
enhanced by providing automated braking
and steering to avoid potential collisions
with vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists.
Aside from the safety systems, the
new XC60 also utilises Volvos XC60
IntelliSafe Assist semi-autonomous driving
technologies as standard. IntelliSafe Assist
brings together Adaptive Cruise Control,
Distance Alert and Pilot Assist, which gives
the car gentle steering input to keep it
aligned within detected lane markings at
speeds up to 130km/h, marking another
step towards full autonomous driving for
Volvo.
50
ISSUE 556
2.3.2018