Volvo XC60 : First Look

Jay Williams - 26/July/2011

Gothenburg, Sweden - Volvo has added more standard equipment across its entire XC60 luxury SUV range.

The XC60 model line-up has been changed for MY12. Previously, option packages were offered with the XC60 but for MY12 these packages have been deleted and new models have been added with revised equipment.

The R Design models now become the flagship version of each engine choice. The R Design model is now based on the Teknik version, all the extra equipment the Teknik models gains as well, not just the cosmetic and chassis changes they did for MY11.

The XC60 range now features 10 models and four engine choices. As with MY11 the T5 model opens the line-up and is priced from $54,990. The $840 price increase incorporates $2570 of extra equipment.

Volvo is now offering a rear camera standard across the range and the convenience of a power-operated tailgate as standard.

High performance multimedia is now standard in the T5, 3.2 and D5 models which replaces the CD player with a DVD player, increased screen size from 5 inches to 7 inches while the T6 gains 12 speakers and Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound. The Bluetooth has been updated to include audio streaming.

As part of the XC60 updates the Teknik and R Design models gain Volvo's Blind Spot Information System as standard. This system alerts the driver if there is a car in the blind spot by way of a light on the side mirrors.

Volvo Navigation System is also now standard on all R Design and Teknik models, as is voice control that powers the phone and navigation systems. Active Bending Lights – that follow the cars steering path – are also now standard on all Teknik and R-Design models.

The 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel engine has undergone significant upgrades for 2012. These changes have increased power form 151kW to 158kW while torque jumps 20Nm to 440Nm. Despite the increase in both power and torque, fuel consumption has been improved by 10 per cent – now 6.9L/100km. CO2 emissions have dropped from 201g/km to 183g/km.

The new XC60 D5 now starts from $60,990, the D5 Teknik is $65,990 and the D5 R-Design is now the flagship model in the D5 range at $68,990. While this is $4340 more expensive then the previous D5 R-Design, the new model actually gains $13,770 worth of extra equipment.

The improvements in power, torque and fuel economy have resulted from a lighter crankshaft and camshafts. Both camshafts have narrower lobes compared with the previous variant, which has reduced the weight by about 200 grams each. The exhaust camshaft is 200 grams lighter. The impeller in the coolant pump has a changed design for reduced output loss and to contribute to reduced fuel consumption.

The recently-released T5 engine remains as the entry into the XC60 range. Powered by the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) engine the T5 produces 177kW at 5500rpm and peak torque of 320Nm. The new all-aluminium 16-valve engine meets the latest Euro 5 emissions standards and in the XC60 T5 has a combined fuel consumption of 8.7L/100km and CO2 emissions of 207g/km. It propels the SUV from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds.

Improved fuel consumption is, in part, thanks to the new transmission with the GTDI engine mated to a dual clutch six-speed Powershift transmission that offers both extremely quick and smooth gear changes and improved efficiency.

The XC60 3.2 remains in the line-up powered by the naturally aspirated 3.2-litre six cylinder engine. Power is unchanged at 179kW and torque remains the same at a substantial 320Nm. There are two models available with this engine – the XC60 3.2 and the XC60 3.2 Teknik. The 3.2 is priced from $58,990 and the 3.2 Teknik starts from $63,990.

Topping out the XC60 range is the T6. Under the bonnet is the turbocharged six cylinder petrol engine. Lauded as one of Ward's 10 Best Engines for 2011, the 3.0- litre turbocharged six-cylinder T6 engine boasts 224kW of power and an impressive 440Nm. Fuel consumption remains unchanged at 10.5L/100km.

While the engine remains unchanged, the T6 Teknik and R-Design models gain extra standard equipment. Adaptive Cruise Control (which includes Pedestrian Detection) is now standard on all T6 Teknik and R-Design models. This option used to cost $4175 alone.

The third generation Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) includes Queue Assist, Pedestrian Detection and Full Auto Brake to further increase safety. ACC allows drivers to automatically maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front using a radar sensor and digital camera integrated with the cruise control and for the third generation system introduced for 2011, it offers full braking capability.

If the vehicle in front suddenly brakes and a collision is likely, the system alerts the driver with a flashing red light on the windscreen and an audible signal. If the driver fails to react and a collision is imminent, the system immediately applies full braking force and stops the vehicle.

In slow moving city traffic up to 30 km/h, the new Queue Assist function allows drivers to simply press a button and the cruise control automatically adapts your speed to allow you to smoothly tail the vehicle in front.

This third generation collision avoidance technology also warns you if a pedestrian unexpectedly steps out in front of your car with a flashing red warning light on the windscreen and an audible alarm. If the driver fails to react the system will automatically apply full braking force and stop the car.

All R Design models continue to have the cosmetic and chassis changes of the MY11 models. The T6 and D5 models feature Volvo's distinctive exterior body enhancements with stylish 18-inch alloy wheels, dual chrome plated 90mm tail pipes, silver finish mirrors, body coloured front and rear bumpers, silk finish accents on the front skid plate, bumper and side scuff plates and R Design exterior badging.

Inside, the sports theme continues with sports seats with larger bolsters on the squab trimmed in R-Design leather, a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, sports leather gearshift lever, sports pedals, and R-Design floor mats, trim inlays and watch-dial instrumentation.

Overall, the sports chassis has been lowered by 15mm at the front and rear with the springs having been stiffened by 15 per cent with stiffer anti-roll bars. The rear twintube dampers have been replaced with monotube dampers for a quicker response while the bushings that attach the rear dampers to the car's body have been stiffened by 20 per cent.

As with the XC60 D5 R Design, the T6 R-Design is the new flagship model in the XC60 range. It is now priced from $75,990 - $5340 more than the current R-Design model. However, all T6 R-Design models also gain keyless entry (previously a $1575 option) and active bending lights (previously a $2650 option) which follow the steering path. In total, the new T6 R Design gains $15,150 of extra equipment.

2012 XC60 Pricing:
Volvo T5 - $54,990
Volvo T5 Teknik - $59,990
Volvo 3.2 - $58,990
Volvo 3.2 Teknik - $63,990
Volvo D5 - $60,990
Volvo D5 Teknik - $65,990
Volvo D5 R-Design - $68,990
Volvo T6 - $67,990
Volvo T6 Teknik - $72,990
Volvo T6 R-Design - $75,990

* Prices quoted are the Manufacturer's List Prices (MLP), inclusive of Luxury Car Tax (LCT) at the rate of 33%, and excluding dealer delivery charges. LCT is payable on all vehicles with a total purchase price, including the price of factory & dealer fitted optional extras & dealer delivery charges, above $57,466. This is a manufacturer's list & new vehicles must be purchased from dealers. Specifications & pricing are as planned for Model Year 2011 and subject to change without notice or obligation.

Related Links:
- Volvo V60 (2011)
- Volvo S60 (2011)
- Volvo C30 Electric (2011)
- Volvo and Vattenfall: New Plug-in Hybrid (2012)
- Volvo XC60 (2008)
- Volvo ReCharge Concept (2007)
- Volvo V70 (2007)
- Volvo XC60 (concept)
- Volvo Bioethanol 'Flexifuel' Cars (2007)
- Volvo C30 - The Turbocharged Troika (2006)
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- Volvo S80 (2006)