Leak outs Volvo's X3 competitor

Volvo's surprise showcar for next month's Detroit motor show is a surprise no more. Outed via an embargo-breaking magazine article, the new midsized softroader was set to debut at the influential North American show but has now been exposed in all its glory.

The production car that will surely follow the concept (but not before 2008) will take on the likes of BMW's facelifted X3, the expected Mercedes-Benz midsizer (Ed: MLK or GLK depending on who you believe) and the new Land Rover Freelander II.

The new Volvo shares its architecture with the Landie. The Freelander II uses Volvo-based engines -- the top a 3.2-litre inline (transverse) six. Expect the Volvo softroader range-topper to get this engine and also showcase the brand's excellent five-cylinder D5 turbodiesel powerplant. Base models will likely arrive Down Under with five-cylinder petrol powerplants rather than the C30-sourced fours.

Dubbed the XC60 Concept, the new Volvo has been described as 'part-SUV, part sports coupe'. In this sense it echoes the move by Mazda with its CX-7 to a sporty style of all-road capable wagon. The XC60 has hints of its big brother XC90 and more than a dose of Ford's Iosis-X Paris Show car's 'Kinetic' design and detailing.

The work of Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin and his team, the XC60 is said to introduce a new design language into the marque's DNA.

"In recent years we have successfully emphasized the Scandinavian characteristics that base prestige on timeless, functional elegance. Now we're elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally pumping up our cars' visual volume," said Mattin in the official Volvo USA release posted this morning.

"With more expressive, emotive shapes, it [XC60] will be a magnet for the viewer's eyes. If a Volvo is recognizable from 100 feet away today, I want to get to the point where you will instantly spot it from twice that distance in the future."

A five-door wagon, the XC60 should also echo the Freelander in dimensions. For the record, the Landie is around 70mm longer overall than the X3 and rides on a 135mm shorter wheelbase (2660 v 2795mm). The Land Rover is taller by almost 70mm, though the XC60's swoopier styling may see it more closely match the BMW offering.

The XC60 Concept features a glass roof and see-through one-way lower panels on the tailgate. It also gets new safety systems including 'City Safety' -- an active braking system that will automatically brake if a collision is imminent.

The interior follows Volvo recent design themes but pumps up the audio-equipment analogies by way of an iPod-influenced white/chrome colour scheme and 'active' centre console.

The now-trademark floating centre stack is angled towards the driver and is thinner than today's production models, says Volvo.

"The white iPod-inspired surface is almost like a smooth wall of snow, surrounded by a metal frame that emphasizes the asymmetrical shape. Buttons and controls are entirely integrated into the surface and the "invisible" screen for information and navigation appears only when it is switched on, starting up with a spectacular pulsating sequence. The screen image is back projected, which makes the center stack one of the innovative highlights of the interior," said Mattin.

Planned to reach showrooms at the beginning of 2009, the production XC60 will enter what Volvo says is fastest-growing segment in the automotive world -- the Small Premium Utility segment.

Says Volvo: "Today there are only a handful of models in this segment, but within the next few years, buyers will have at least 10 competitors to choose from. Between 2007 and 2009, the segment's sales volume is expected to expand by 75 per cent to 443,000 cars."