Ken Gratton•20 Sept 2012
NEWS
PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Volvo V40 Cross Country outed
High-riding hatch under consideration for AustraliaVolvo is assessing the V40 Cross Country – its answer to the BMW X1 – for the importer's Australian range. But first, the importer has to establish a business case for the crossover hatch.
"We are certainly looking at this car and going through the usual sort of processes, in terms of specifications, prices, trim and engines, transmissions, et cetera, but further details will be revealed in due course," said the company's Public Affairs Manager, Oliver Peagam, in conversation today with motoring.com.au.
News of the V40 Cross Country had been circulating for a while, but it was not anticipated Volvo would drag out the old Cross Country moniker for the V40 variant. That all changed once images of the new model, to be launched formally at the Paris motor show next week, were leaked overnight by an online publisher based in Europe.
The pics clearly showed 'Cross Country' emblazoned across the rear skid plate, which is one of the features distinguishing the new model from front-wheel drive V40 variants. Other styling details for the Cross Country include: Contrasting bumpers and side sills complemented by a honeycomb-mesh grille, upright daytime running lights and an integrated skid plate at the rear. Larger-diameter wheels – measuring up to 19 inches – are taken from the larger V70, and the suspension has been raised 40mm.
So the Cross Country is to the V40 what the XV is to Subaru's Impreza. The XV and other affordable light-duty offroaders could be cross-shopped against the new Volvo in Australia, including Nissan's Dualis, although Mr Peagam wasn't certain on that point.
"Possibly, it would cover a number of different models that are linked into our competitive set."
The Cross Country model is believed to feature a Haldex system driving the rear wheels. T5 badging appears to signify the car will be powered by the same 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine that will be available in Australia under the bonnet of other V40 variants, although Mr Peagam couldn't confirm that. The engine, running through a six-speed automatic, develops 400Nm and can push the car up to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds, for a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 7.8L/100km.
In other markets the V40 Cross Country will be available with a T5 engine that's actually a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder and there's also (somewhat confusingly), a T4 engine that's a 2.0-litre five-cylinder and another T4 engine that is a 1.6-litre direct-injected and turbocharged four-cylinder.
Since Volvo is not committed to bringing the car to Australia yet, there's no word on timeframe for the car to launch here – if it does. As for the sort of buyer that would be targeted by the car, that's one of those unknowns Volvo must turn into a known.
"That's all part of what we're working through now; there's a fair few things to happen before it arrives here..." Mr Peagam said.
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Written byKen Gratton
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