The mad Volvo wagon is back.
Sweden's safety-conscious car concern has lifted the lid on its range of Polestar tuning products for the new XC60, and the result may be more than you expect.
Blending a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with plug-in hybrid power, the Polestar-optimised XC60 T8 Twin Engine offers a surprising 314kW of power – more than Audi's SQ5 (260kW) or Porsche's Macan Turbo (294kW) performance SUVs. It also has 640Nm of pulling power, an output only beaten by the unhinged twin-turbocharged V8 of Mercedes-AMG's GLC 63 wagon.
But Volvo's SUV uses just 2.1L/100km, making it one of the most efficient cars on sale. The tweaks also include improved mid-range power and reprogrammed gearbox behaviour to suit enthusiast drivers.
It all ties in well with Volvo's commitment to stop selling cars driven solely by petrol or diesel power by 2019, when every model in the range will use hybrid or electric propulsion.
Safety is accounted for by the brand's full range of driver aids which are now able to detect and avoid head-on collisions as well as reducing the risk of drivers running off the road.
The new XC60 arrives locally in the third quarter of 2017.
18 Comments
Selector 2 | 2017-07-11 02:03:29
Just what we need, another SUV with sports car power that will never go off road.
brissim | 2017-07-11 04:25:58
Who says that SUVs have to be taken off-road? Today's SUVs are yesterday's wagons - get over it.
Selector 2 | 2017-07-11 04:58:16
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a sport utility vehicle is a rugged automotive vehicle similar to a station wagon but built on a light-truck chassis. The SUV term is defined as a large vehicle that is designed to be used off road but that is often used on city roads or highways. No-one, but this sorta suggests that's what they are designed for.
Gary Quinlan | 2017-07-11 08:29:28
Selector 2. Dictionaries can be woefully slow to accommodate the current vernacular in any country. The original definition of a ute would confine discussion to a Commodore or Falcon ute version of a sedan however I would bet that if you lined a thousand people up, 90%+ would include the Hilux, Ranger, Triton et al in the definition of a ute. Similarly, any station wagon with a slightly raised ground clearance and FWD or AWD (not 4WD) would be classified by the majority as an SUV. The times they are a changin'
Sidney Mincing | 2017-07-11 09:27:39
So when the turbocharger dies, as it will, it'll just be another dogbox on wheels. Naturally aspirated equals longer engine life
yarpos | 2017-07-11 11:40:54
It all ties in well with Volvo's commitment to stop selling cars driven solely by petrol or diesel power by 2019, when every model in the range will use hybrid or electric propulsion. What does that even mean? how does it tie in well?
yarpos | 2017-07-11 11:44:05
Selector, you just stick with your pedantic little definition and let the world go by. It will give you something to be outraged about.
Selector 2 | 2017-07-11 23:10:11
Yarpos, I have no connection with the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, but do suggest to the soccer mums like yourself that Toorak Tractors are not appropriate for the road.
Gav | 2017-07-12 00:27:57
Selector. Not sure how you can be angry that the vehicle will ?never go off road? but then suggest that it is ?not appropriate for the road?. Which is it? If it was designed and intended to go off road, which it isn?t, it would simply mean more compromises on road thereby making it less appropriate. Anyways, by your logic true 4x4?s shouldn?t be used on road (where incidentally most are used most of the time) because they are even less appropriate.
Selector 2 | 2017-07-12 01:30:47
Gav, yes you are correct, except I am not angry about anything. I am merely questioning the logic of producing and overpowering these hybrid vehicles, that are not as good as sedans on road and never go off road?
Nathan | 2017-07-12 03:49:48
Selector 2, you may not be angry but you are definitely frustrated that the Volvo xc60 doesn't fit the mold of what you personally like to drive. This type of vehicle is here to stay so your best off getting used to it. Im sure if you had a drive of this particular model of Volvo, you would love it.
Selector 2 | 2017-07-12 04:45:25
Really, is that all you got? You have no logical argument, so I am at fault by being emotive...hahaha, keep it up I'll just get some popcorn.
Nathan | 2017-07-12 05:28:39
Yes thats all i got, i dont know what else your looking for when you have already made your mind up about this vehicle.
Selector 2 | 2017-07-12 06:06:18
Umm, not only this vehicle...all SUVs, since they first hit the market, me hate them long time.
EyeMacHunt | 2017-07-13 00:30:48
we get it Selector, you're a peasant and can't afford an SUV
Selector 2 EyeMacHunt | 2017-07-13 07:58:44
Yes you are. Whatever you reckon big fella?
Rockmaninoff | 2017-07-13 01:02:36
Remember, that definition/explanation came from existing practices up to day the definition was written. Smart people decide how something should be used, not a dictionary.
Selector 2 Rockmaninoff | 2017-07-13 07:57:27
Yes you are. What...like taking an SUV off road?