The Volvo XC60 has had a resurrection like few others. After Thor was done hammering his way around, it was quite a stunning turnaround. Now it’s road test time…
Story: Jim Gorde
Photography: Saurabh Botre
Confidence is a wonderful thing. It gives a certain inner glow that reflects boldly and is even absorbed by others around its presence. When intent, commitment, and effort all meet and proceed towards the same endgame, it produces a masterpiece that supersedes others in a big way. The Swedes have been synonymous with Scandinavian design owing to their unique perception. Volvo are synonymous with safety and are also known for many other things: interior design, modern equipment, physio-approved ergonomics, and exceptional attention to detail. All of these come together in the new XC60 like never before. And, dare I say, it gives the driver, yours truly, some seriously questionable over-confidence to attack corners, bends, straights, dips, humps, and you name it. But I’m getting ahead of myself…
The new Volvo XC60 has been around for just over a year now, but my time with the name tag goes back a little further, nine years to be precise. It was early 2010 when the first XC60 arrived in India and, back then, it brought in the “revolutionary” technology we see on cars globally today. The list included radar and camera-based autonomous braking and active bending bi-xenon projector headlamps, among many others. The 2.4-litre, in-line five, turbo-diesel engine was equipped with a diesel particulate filter and complied with the Euro 5 emission standard set for implementation from late 2009. Environmental care was, and still is, one of the pillars that Volvo build their vehicles on. Now, nine years later, the next coming looks good to take them into the new decade. Globally, they’ve committed to stop offering new diesel vehicles. However, our market is one that loves oil and oil-burners and we get a new twin-turbo diesel-powered XC60 with all of 235 PS and the new Scalable Product Architecture, or SPA platform, that the new large cars are based on.
Visually, nothing has changed in the new Volvo XC60 since we first drove the car in January last year. However, we needed numbers to back up those good looks and let you know what it feels like with regular use in everyday conditions. So, the XC60, in this fully-loaded “Inscription” trim level, gets the whole hog of kit and all the glittering garnishes on offer from the Iron Mark badge. From what’s evident, there’s the leather-wrapped smart key that can stay in your pocket or bag; entry, start, and go is all keyless. Then the sheer quality of materials — from the genuine wood trim and aluminium trim accents to the robust-feel plastics and the perforated leather upholstery — just make it feel as premium as can be. The huge centre touchscreen is the dominant feature in the centre console and controls almost every function of the car while displaying everything else that matters as well. The premium sound system also contributes to the mood well when needed.
The cabin feels much roomier thanks to the huge glass roof as well as the design of the seats. This is because, like the XC90, the XC60 gets the revised seating systems which use a thinner frame that liberates more rear knee-room. The boot volume has also been optimized. The new Volvo XC60, compared to the previous car, runs a much wider track — 71 mm more than the previous car — and has the rear wheels spaced out slightly further compared to front wheels, again the opposite of what the previous car did. Apart from the optimized space, it also adds to the planted feel and makes it more sure-footed than ever. Furthermore, the near countless electronic aids and assistance systems keep it in line in pretty much any scenario where one or more wheels are in contact with the road.
