Volvo hugs its safety line

Volvo has produced its “safest” car yet - the baby XC60.

Like dropping a perfectly square peg into a square hole with Ikea ease, the XC60 perfectly fits the growing trend for luxury cross-over vehicles.

Revealed last week at the Geneva Motor Show and due for an Australian debut early next year, the XC60 is a shrunken version of Volvo's most popular model, the XC90.

Built on architecture that has similarities with but is not, Volvo implores, identical to the Ford Focus, the latest product from the Swede is purely a five-seater but has all the cabin flexibility for which the compact SUV segment is known.

Although not new as a concept, the wagon takes giant strides in safety areas.

It will come here with a unique laser sensor system to prevent low-speed crashes. It's a warning system that noisily intrudes on any lack of driver alertness by detecting when the car is drifting out of its lane.

There is collision avoidance that monitors the distance to the car ahead; an 'active' cruise control takes over braking. There is all-wheel drive, six air bags, rollover protection, an advanced ESC and traction control system, hill descent control, trailer stability assist, WHIPS, SIPS and much more.

I haven't driven the car yet — few have, in fact — because it doesn't go into production until August for European and American buyers.

Volvo unveiled it officially in Geneva and followed that up with an in-depth look at what makes the XC60 tick.

The company put a lot of time into the safety message, which will bring much comfort to buyers, particularly those with families. In fact, it is selling this car as “the safest Volvo ever.”

It's a car for the family that has all the high-end luxury features in a nimble, attractive package. However, although it appears to hit the spot, it won't be alone soon in its segment.

It will be up against coming compact luxury SUVs, including the Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi Q5, new BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLK and even a baby Lexus. Already the market has the Mazda CX-7, Toyota Kluger, Ford Territory, Nissan Murano and others, so there's plenty of choice.

Volvo president Fredrik Arp says the XC60 is an example of how his company is injecting more emotional appeal into the cars.

“It is an ideal partner for a single person in the city or for crossing over to an active family life with an appetite for cross-country fun and adventures,” he says.

“We like to describe the XC60 as a perfect choice for the C30 (Volvo's smallest three-door model) owner who has grown out of the car and is looking for a larger one with the same attitude.”

The safety message may be the overriding impression from the car but there's a lot more that appears to make it a sprightly and enjoyable drive.

It is 20mm shorter than its sister, the XC70, and lower than its bigger sister, the XC90.

It's quite heavy, having a range from 1825kg to 1990kg, depending on the model and fittings, which is on par with the XC70.

There will be three engines, starting at the top with Volvo's 3-litre in-line six-cylinder turbocharged T6 petrol unit that whacks out an impressive 210kW and 400Nm of torque, the latter from a mere 1500rpm.

Then there are two five-cylinder turbocharged diesels; the D5 with 136kW and 400Nm and the 2.4-litre 2.4D with 120kW and 340Nm.

Europe will get an entry-level model front-wheel drive version with the 120kW diesel and a low CO2 emission level of 170 grams/kilometre. It won't come to Australia.

There is no four-cylinder option and none will be offered in the near future; but Volvo says it will launch a hybrid “within five years” which is likely to use a four-cylinder engine and be inserted into an SUV model.

All engines are mounted transversely and drive through either a six-speed sequential automatic or a six-speed manual. Drive is to the front wheels with the Haldex all-wheel drive system engaged when a monitor detects any front wheel slip.

The XC60 will be offered in Europe with 17, 18 or even optional 19-inch wheels, with a generous 230mm of ground clearance indicating the wagon will have reasonable off-bitumen ability.

It seats five officially and is spacious enough to carry four adults with good rear leg and headroom. The rear seat is split and folds flat to give luggage versatility.

Volvo predicts sales of more than 50,000 a year worldwide and has stated that China and Russia will be within the top five markets.

There is no indication of price or final specifications for the Australian market, although something between $49,000 and $62,000 may not be too far out of the ballpark.

At a glance

Volvo XC60

On sale (Australia): March 2009

Engines: 3-litre, 6-cyl turbo petrol (T6); 2.4-litre 5-cyl turbo-diesel (D5 and 2.4D)

Power: 210kW @ 5600rpm (T6); 136kW @ 4000rpm (D5); 120kW @ 4000 (2.4D)

Torque: 400Nm @ 1500-4800rpm (T6); 400Nm @ 2000-2750rpm (D5); 340Nm @ 1750-2750rpm (2.4D); 0-100km/h: 7.5 seconds (T6); 9.9sec (D5); 10.9sec (2.4D)

Fuel: Unleaded petrol and diesel

Fuel tank: 70 litres

Length: 4628mm

Width: 1891mm

Height: 1713mm

Wheelbase: 2774mm

Track: Front 1632mm; rear 1586mm

Turning circle: 10.9m

Ground clearance: 230mm

Weight: 1825-1990kg

Luggage volume: 492-1452 litres