2008 Volvo XC60

Volvo unveiled the new XC60 premium crossover at the 2008 Geneva auto show. With its stunning good looks and standard City Safety low-speed collision avoidance system, the new XC60 marks a new chapter in Volvo’s design and legendary safety heritage.

The XC60 will come to the U.S. in early 2009 with a powerful 281 horsepowerT6 turbocharged six-cylinder engine and standard electronically controlled all-wheel drive. The new Volvo XC60 is stepping boldly into what is currently the automotive world’s fastest-growing segment — dressed in a thrilling blend of muscular XC capability and the sporty charisma of a coupe.

The new Volvo XC60 is being launched with City Safety — Volvo’s in-house developed unique technology for avoiding low-speed collisions in city traffic.

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 can thus be entirely avoided or if this is not possible, the damage to cars and people can be reduced.

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 entirely avoid the collision. Between 9 and 19 mph the focus is on reducing speed as much as possible prior to the impact.

The T6 gasoline engine – available in all Volvo large cars for the 2008 model year — is based on Volvo’s compact 3.2-liter in-line six, an all-aluminum engine that was introduced in the new Volvo S80 in 2006.

The turbo version for the XC60, with a displacement of 3.0 liters, delivers 281 horsepower with torque of no less than 295 lb.-ft. Maximum torque is available from just 1500 rpm and remains on tap throughout the rev range. The result is swift acceleration and smooth driving.

The turbo version has a somewhat smaller displacement owing to its slightly smaller bore and shorter stroke. However, this is compensated by the turbocharger, which in this engine takes in exhaust gases in two phases. The inlet side has been divided into two sections of three cylinders each using what is known as twin-scroll technology. This approach makes for a simpler, more compact turbocharger that provides very fast response, fully on par with the power typically delivered by twin turbochargers.

The Volvo XC60 is equipped as standard with Volvo’s All Wheel Drive with Instant Traction(TM) to ensure the best possible road grip whatever the situation. With the help of an electronically controlled clutch, the AWD system automatically distributes drive between the front and rear wheels. The Instant Traction function shifts power from the front to the rear wheels at lightning speed, such as when starting from standstill on slippery or loose surfaces.