Volvo crossovers, SUVs headed our way

Niche models to rival Audi's A4 Allroad and quattro range are definitely on the radar at Volvo Australia.

In fact, the V60 Cross Country – aimed at the A4 Allroad – is already committed to a local launch before the end of the year, but the likelihood the S60 Cross Country sedan will make it here remains uncertain.

And according to Volvo Australia's Marketing Communications Director, Oliver Peagam, earlier word that the V60 Cross Country could arrive here as soon as the third quarter is no longer the case.

"[We're] Still looking at it [S60 Cross Country], but definitely V60 [Cross Country]; that will basically be here Q4," he told motoring.com.au at the global launch of the XC90 SUV last week.

"It's [a competitor] to Audi Allroad – the A4. It's not a big-volume car for us, but again it's something we're kind of known for... Cross Country variants."

"There's a group of people who don't want a high-riding SUV, [but] they do want something that can take them down an unsealed road to their hobby farm at the weekend.

"It's a good-looking thing, the V60 Cross Country. I've seen it in the flesh a couple of times; it looks pretty cool."

V60 Cross Country is expected to add incremental units to Volvo's overall sales volumes, set to be boosted also by the introduction of the new XC90 from August. Another model that could expand the prestige importer's market share would be the XC40 (pictured in disguise) – a V40-sized SUV to slot into Volvo's range of 'XC' models below the popular XC60.

Anticipated to launch gobally before the end of 2016, the XC40 will be built on the new CMA ('Compact Modular Architecture') platform, rather than the current V40 platform. As we reported in August of last year, the XC40 is acknowledged by Volvo to be a priority, which may mean it will be the first CMA model to debut.

Peagam was reluctant to discuss the upcoming XC40 for Australia, but the chances of the Mercedes GLA competitor reaching our shores seem strong. The Volvo spokesman refuted there would be much chance of the XC40 cannibalising sales of the V40 Cross Country, the (prospective) target buyers demanding different qualities from the two respective models.

"The V40 Cross Country – like the V60 Cross Country – it's a little niche, whereas an XC40 is a different beast. It's more a mini SUV..."