Safety Fast: Volvo targets BMW with XC60

Volvo is targeting segment stalwart BMW and hot new entrants such as Audi's Q5 and the all-new Lexus RX350 with its new XC60 softroader. Launched Down Under last week and due to go on sale later this month, the XC60 will slot into the compact end of luxury SUV segment and offer what the Swedish marque claims is a blend of sporty dynamics and cutting-edge active safety.

Offered as a three-model range -- two diesel and one petrol -- the new XC60 will debut Volvo City Safety system in Australia. Standard on all XC60 models the system aims to eliminate or at least significantly decrease the severity of collisions in low-speed situations.

Featuring a radar sensing system and autonomous braking, City Safety is active up to 30km/h and up to 15km/h can virtually eliminate nose to tail collisions. Already local insurers have promised discounted premiums to XC60 buyers (more here)

The XC60 range will kick off with the D5 model priced just over the Luxury Car Tax threshold at $57,950. Powered by Volvo's proven 136kW/400Nm 2.4-litre turbodiesel matched to a six-speed auto box, the D5 misses out on the recently enacted sub-7.0L/100km LCT break, returning claimed combined consumption of 8.3L/100km.

Performance is lively -- 0-100km/h time is quoted at 9.0sec.

Standard equipment highlights include a full leather interior with alloy trim highlights (Light Nordic Oak timber highlights are a no cost option), single-disc Performance Sound audio system, trip computer, cruise control, remote audio controls, two-zone climatic control (aircon) with pollen filter, power windows, mirrors, doors and electrically adjustable drivers seat.

Volvo's handy power child lock system is standard on the D5, as is 'tunable' home safe lighting. The headlights are conventional halogen, rear park assist is included and the car rolls on attractive 17-inch alloys.

In terms of the standard safety suite, the base model XC60 is also impressive. In addition to the above mentioned City Safety system, a full complement of stability control and other aids, high-spec antilock brakes, six airbags including oversized side curtain bags (for increased safety in a roll over) and twin two-position integrated rear child booster seats are all included.

Priced at $64,450, the D5 LE significantly steps up the spec and is expected to be Volvo's top selling XC60 variant.

Mechanically identical, save for 18-inch alloys, the D5 LE adds front park assist, power adjustment to the front passenger seat and a panorama sunroof as standard. An eight-speaker High-Performance audio system with six-disc changer is fitted and the purchaser can specify an alternate timber interior. The LE also features Volvo's Interior Air Quality System and rain sensing wipers.

The highest performance variant of the range, the XC60 T6 is $500 more than the LE, but essentially you pay for mumbo rather than equipment. Indeed, though still on 18-inch wheels, there's no sunroof or power passenger seat nor front park assist on the T6's standard equipment list. You do, however, get bi-Xenon headlamps as standard and also Hill Descent Control (both options on the LE). Laminated side windows and water-repellant front side glazing are also standard.

The T6's story is under the bonnet -- it's propelled by the same inline single-turbo DOHC 24-valve 3.0-litre petrol six that recently debuted in the S80 and V70. The sole gearbox option is a six-speed auto -- this time with a Sport mode.

Rated at 210kW at 5600rpm and with the same torque as the oiler, the turbo petrol engine positions the T6 as both faster and quicker than the D5 -- and a match for the other key cars in the class, says Volvo. The T6's 0-100km/h sprint is 7.5sec and the academic top speed is 210km/h -- 10km/h faster than the diesel.

Fuel economy is not too shabby either, despite the powered up nature of the six. Volvo claims 11.9L/100km for the combined figure.

Though international demand will likely constrain the quantities of XC60s Volvo can bring to Australia initially, with an "ultra conservative outlook" the company is looking to move up to 100 per month.

Even allowing for some cannibalisation of sales of the larger XC SUV (and XC70), that could see the XC60 deliver a much needed 20-25 per cent boost in Volvo's total sales in Oz.

A further boost will also be expected when a naturally-aspirated 3.2-litre petrol six-cylinder version of the XC60 joins the line-up later in 2009. Sharing its powerplant with the Land Rover Freelander, the XC60 3.2 is expected to feature similar standard equipment to the D5 (including City safety) but should sneak in up to $1000 below the current $57,180 LCT threshold.

Look out for our full launch review of the Volvo XC60 range here soon.