Published on January 17th, 2018 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez
0Volvo XC60 T5 priced from RM298,888…have you booked yours?
Yes, the Volvo XC60 bookings are open at all their showrooms and price for the T5 is slated for RM298,888 while the T8 will be a little more at RM338,888. The new Volvo XC60 will continue to be a global best seller for Volvo and in its segment.
This all new Volvo XC60 is the second generation of Volvo’s premium mid-size SUV, and brings new levels of sophistication, connectivity, efficiency and safety to the class. It is also the first of Volvo’s mid-range 60 series models to showcase the company’s award-winning new design language and to be built on its advanced Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.
On the inside, the Volvo XC60 combines elegant Scandinavian design, premium natural materials, skilled craftsmanship and the innovative Sensus entertainment and control system to create a modern, luxurious place in which to travel.
Every XC60 is extremely well equipped as standard, and comes with all-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox. The engines are all Volvo’s own Drive-E units, which offer exceptional power and efficiency. The range comprises a T5 petrol and a petrol-electric T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid. Power ranges from 190hp to 407hp, with CO2 emissions from as little as 49 g/km.
The XC60 is also the first Volvo with Steer Assist, a technologically advanced safety aid that can automatically apply the steering or provide additional steering input in an emergency to help avoid a potential collision.
Distinctive, elegant exterior design
The Volvo XC60’s striking exterior shows the continuing development of Volvo’s new design language, as already seen in the S90 premium saloon, V90 estate and XC90 seven-seat SUV.
It has the same basic principles – clean, simple lines, classic proportions and striking details – as these other models, but introduces new elements to make it even more distinctive. These include Volvo’s signature headlights with their T-shaped daytime running lights that now extend right to the edge of the front grille. The doors also have a heavily sculpted lower section, while the pronounced ridge that runs from just above the rear door handle backwards helps give the car an athletic, powerful stance.
Aspects of the Volvo XC60’s exterior have also been designed to make your life easier. The ‘under-wrap’ doors, for example, extend all the way down to the lowest part of the car’s body, overlapping the sills. Not only does this make it easier to get into and out of the car, there’s less risk of getting dirty because the door sills are always clean.
A luxurious, modern interior
The XC60’s interior is based upon that of the Volvo Concept Estate, from the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. It takes the best of contemporary Scandinavian design and combines it with natural materials such as wood and leather to create a sophisticated and relaxing environment.
Its clean, elegant design is possible thanks to the innovative Sensus touch screen control system, which allows the interior to be largely free of buttons and switches.
Attention to detail and craftsmanship are visible throughout the Volvo XC60’s interior. From the hand-finished ‘drift wood’ interior inlays of Inscription versions to the diamond-cut rotary control knobs in the middle of the air vents and the little Swedish flag emblem in the dashboard, the XC60 showcases the best of Scandinavian luxury.
Drive-E powertrains: power with efficiency
Each XC60 is powered by a Volvo-developed-and-built Drive-E powertrain. These all-aluminium engines use advanced injection and boosting technology to make them impressively powerful yet efficient.
The engines in the Volvo XC60 are all 2.0-litre, four-cylinder units along with a T5 petrol and a T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid that combines a potent petrol engine with an electric motor.
The T8 Twin Engine offers an unrivalled mix of performance and efficiency. It features a supercharged and turbocharged 320 hp petrol engine that powers the front wheels and an 87 hp electric motor that drives the rears. Total power output is 407 hp, yet CO2 emissions are just 49 g/km. It is also possible to drive for up to 28 miles in electric-only mode, in near silence while emitting no tailpipe emissions. The T8’s 400 V/10.4 kWh high-voltage battery pack can be recharged in as little as two and a half hours using the optional 16-amp fast-charging cable. Fully recharging via the standard three-pin plug cable takes between three and a half hours (at 10 amps) and six hours (at six amps).
Every XC60 comes with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, made by Aisin-Warner.
Advanced SPA platform
The Volvo XC60 is the first of Volvo’s mid-size 60 series models to be built on its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. Not only is this architecture highly modular – so its dimensions can be easily adapted to suit different cars – it is designed to incorporate next-generation electrification, connectivity and safety technologies as they become available. SPA is the ideal platform from which to build a car with exceptional dynamics.
Based on a deep understanding of Volvo customers, the engineers tuned the XC60’s dynamics to be controllable, predictable and comfortable, no matter what the road surface or speed.
Active Four-C Chassis
For an even greater breadth of dynamic abilities, the Volvo XC60 can also be fitted with electronically controlled air suspension. This replaces the coil springs at the front and the transverse leaf spring at the rear with separate air chambers for each wheel. The dampers are also replaced with adaptive ones. The system has numerous benefits, including:
- selectable suspension firmness to tailor the car’s dynamics to the road surface or your personal preference
- suspension that constantly adapts to the driving conditions, providing improved ride comfort and handling
- automatic self-levelling control, keeping the car at a constant height and level, irrespective of the passenger or luggage load, or when towing
- easy entry and exit mode, which lowers the car by 40 mm when the engine is turned off
- automatic lowering at high speeds to improve aerodynamic efficiency
- increased ground clearance when driving off-road (+40 mm)
- The Active Four-C Chassis is standard on R-Design Pro and Inscription Pro XC60s, and optional on all other versions.
All-wheel-drive system
Every version of the XC60 comes with the reassurance of all-wheel drive (AWD). The system uses a light and compact coupling from BorgWarner to distribute the engine’s torque between the front and rear wheels. Under normal conditions, almost all of the engine’s torque is sent to the front wheels. The system constantly monitors the need for traction, and can instantly distribute up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels.
The T8 Twin Engine offers a different all-wheel-drive solution. Its petrol engine powers the front wheels only, whereas its electric motor drives the rears. Both power sources can work independently or together, so the T8 also offers the traction and stability advantages of all-wheel-drive whenever you need them.
Drive Mode settings
The Volvo XC60 is fitted with Drive Mode settings, which allow you to alter certain dynamic functions and convenience features of the car to suit the conditions or your personal preference. These include the responses of the engine, automatic gearbox, steering, brakes, stability control and optional air suspension, and even the operation of the climate control system. The T8 Twin Engine has 6 drive modes – Hybrid, Pure, Power, AWD, Off Road and Individual.
Hold and Charge functions
In addition to the Drive Modes, the T8 Twin Engine also offers Hold and Charge functions. Hold reserves the battery’s charge for later use – such as when driving through an urban area at the end of a long journey – while Charge uses the petrol engine to help partially recharge the battery.
Practical, thoughtfully designed interior
A long, wide cabin means there’s plenty of space for all five occupants inside the Volvo XC60. The generous glass area – especially in models fitted with the optional panoramic sunroof – ensures the cabin is full of natural light, while the high seating positions give everyone a commanding view of their surroundings.
The large boot holds 505 litres with the standard split-folding rear seats up, and an impressive 1,432 litres with them down (the T8 Twin Engine version offers 468 and 1,395 litres respectively). Particular attention has been paid to making the boot a practical shape, helping to maximise all the available space for everyday items such as suitcases.
Every Volvo XC60 also comes with a power-operated tailgate, which can be raised or lowered at the touch of a button. The optional handsfree tailgate is an innovation from Volvo’s larger 90 series models. Available across the XC60 range, it enables you to open and close the tailgate by simply putting your foot beneath the rear bumper – perfect for when you’ve got your hands full or when loading bulky, heavy objects in the boot.
Thanks to its placement between the front seats, the T8 Twin Engine’s high-voltage battery pack doesn’t compromise passenger space. It also offers superior weight distribution, a lower centre of gravity and improved safety compared with other possible locations.
Like every Volvo, the XC60 also offers clever design details to make life that bit easier. There’s a hidden storage compartment, for example, beneath both outer rear seats that is the perfect size and shape for an iPad, book or magazine.