Volvo introduces stylish XC60

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Volvo touts the new XC60 as "the safest Volvo ever built."If only the same could be said of the company.The Swedish automaker whose name is synonymous with survival competes with the elite in an economy growing increasingly cruel to the premium auto industry.To keep Volvo rolling, the XC60 joins its XC kindred, the XC70 and XC90 as a paragon of safety, comfort, luxury and class. Unfortunately, it's got company in the form of similarly upscale rivals such as the BMW X3, the Acura RDX and the Infiniti FX35.For Volvo, "X" marks the sweet spot in a market recently averse to oversized sport utility vehicles but still receptive to crossover vehicles that offer all-wheel-drive without excessive guzzling of gas. It will be interesting to see how car buyers respond to the fact that gas is suddenly back to where it was nearly five years ago - if they still can respond, that is.While prices are yet to be officially disclosed, the XC60 is expected to retail for around $38,000. That keeps it in the ballpark with the X3's $38,600 price tag, RDX's $33,695 and the FX35's $42,350.The marketing segment known as "small premium utility" vehicles is expected to grow by 75 percent in 2009 to 443,000 units, with 10 models to choose from across all brands within five years or less. Volvo's sales target for the XC60 is 50,000 units per year, with about 40 percent going to North America.All the cars in this category are well styled, comfortable and luxurious, including the new XC60, which made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show in advance of its 2008 launch in Europe and 2009 arrival in North America.But XC60 claims an advantage with its new City Safety system designed to help the driver avoid or minimize the most common types of fender benders. If the car is about to strike the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the car automatically applies the brakes."Volvo is the first in the world to offer this type of feature as standard," says Fredrik Arp, chief executive of Volvo Cars. "City Safety clearly signals that the new XC60 is the safest car Volvo has ever produced."Volvo's 3-liter, turbocharged in-line 6 cylinder engine known as the T6 powers the XC60 with 281 horsepower through a six-speed automatic transmission.As a crossover, the XC family is designed for durability in the sinews with high ground clearance below while presenting a sporty, aerodynamic profile up top.The XC60 introduces Volvo's new face, with contoured headlamps and a taut rearward flow of the fenders accentuating the hood's V-profile and wedge-shaped stance. The large, 17-inch wheels, wheel arches and the darker shade of the body's lower section further are meant to enhance the muscular body. And the dynamic, flowing lines of the XC60's greenhouse combined with its daring roof contour impart a sporty coupe feel to the upper part of the car.Designers used the tail lamps as a key element in the rear, with the lights on the roof-pillar glowing when you brake.With seating for five, the newly designed seats are surrounded by storage, with a slim center stack and a new integrated monitor screen that's angled slightly towards the driver.A new laminated glass panorama roof adds light and openness.To improve its versatility, designers expanded the tailgate opening to the widest in the segment. Luggage capacity measures 16.9 cubic feet with the rear seat up.. As in the V70 and XC70, the rear seat is a three-piece 40/20/40 split/fold unit. Each section folds down to create a totally flat luggage platform. Volvo offers three levels of audio systems in the XC60. The highest level, Premium Sound, has12 Dynaudio loudspeakers and an amplifier with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround delivering 650 watts. An optional digital subwoofer under the floor in the load compartment provides an additional 260 watts. The sound can be adapted to three different situations: driver's seat, both front seats and the rear seat.The two highest levels of the audio system enable MP3 and WMA-format CDs. All audio levels provide an auxiliary input for connecting the owner's own equipment, such as a portable MP3 player.Safe, strong and stylish. Should the economy rebound, look for a good reception for the XC60. Volvo's future may be riding on it.(E-mail Richard Williamson at motorfriend(at)sbcglobal.net)