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Here they are: new bigger, clearer pictures of Volvo's upcoming XC60 crossover. And the Swedish CUV isn't quite as ugly as I'd previously suggested. It is however, at least as boring. Volvo is taking the microwaved-car route to auto design, and you can really see it here in this droopy liquid XC60 crossover. It's still front/all wheel drive, it still depends heavily on Ford family DNA, and it's still about as practical as a wagon– if you're lucky. Will this design progress kill Volvo's image for smart but safe European designs? Or is it just what they need to prevent a repeat of their 1990s box blandness that started to really cut into sales? The truth about cars. Again. Still.
[NEW XC60 Pixamo slide show here.]
5 Comments on “More Volvo XC60 Pics; How Great is That?...”
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I have to disagree a little but on this one. The platform the XC60 is based on was designed by Volvo, the engine was designed by Volvo, the transmission is Aisin, not Ford and the AWD systems are Haldex, the interior is 100% Volvo, so other than Ford budgets and probably some bean counting, the XC60 is really all Volvo. This is actually something of a pity, because a real Land Rover AWD system, or Ford’s Sync could be good, and Ford’s 6 speed transmissions would probably be cheaper than the Aisin unit, and no doubt some cash could be saved if there were any real parts sharing with other Fords (just the S80 based platform, engine, transmission and AWD system are shared with the baby Rover) but that wouldn’t exactly jive with the “Scandinavian luxury” role.
Add this raised station wagon to the many MPVs (Multiple Personality Vehicle) that inspire me to say “Meh!”…
It’s not really an off-roader, so there’s no reason for Land Rover’s 4WD system. The Haldex system is the same one being used under the MKS if I remember correctly – very good system for traction that should be fairly fuel-efficient. So, there is some evidence of part sharing. The platform is either C1-derived or EUCD, I believe – both joint efforts between FoE, Volvo and Mazda.
I actually quite like the exterior – it’s the interior that I’m questioning. There’s nothing compelling about the vehicle from the driver’s position. And even the nice looking exterior is just… nice – not exciting. It will attract the 1996 Volvo 850 drivers who are looking to upgrade their ride, but I’m not sure it will reach anyone else with its design.
I find that Volvo doesn’t do good CUV design (or the Volvo “design language” just doesn’t translate elegantly to CUVs).
Both XC90s (gen 1 and gen 1.5) were / are clumsy looking.
Volvo does wagons best. The new V70 is sharp; and I have a strong desire for the sadly-departed V70 R. That thing look spectacular.
RobertSD:
It will attract the 1996 Volvo 850 drivers who are looking to upgrade their ride, but I’m not sure it will reach anyone else with its design.
Speaking as the owner of a Volvo 850 Turbo, I’d much rather Volvo bring back the R-series than this thing, whatever it is. If Volvo wanted to do a CUV one better, they should have taken inspiration from ipd’s XC70 All Terrain concept from a few years back.