Ask Steve Mattin to describe the new Volvo XC60 and the Volvo Cars Design Director will unhesitatingly deliver a distinctive answer.
"The boldest crossover so far. This car is charged with more emotive form and far more energy than any previous Volvo model," he says.

Steve Mattin and his team have designed the XC60 with a firm eye on a very clearly defined goal.
"We're elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally turning up the visual volume. If you say that you'd recognise a Volvo from a hundred metres away today, I'd say the XC60 radiates a clear Volvo presence from at least twice that distance," says Mattin and adds:
"Traditionally, Volvo's interpretation of DNA signified 'Do Not Abandon' the design traditions. We have now expanded its significance to also include the more exciting 'Dramatic New Approach'".
As this car segment's name so clearly reveals, Volvo Cars' new crossover is spiced with the very best from two car types.

Down below, the unmistakeable, capable XC muscles are pumped up, creating a strong athletic body that is mated with high ground clearance and large wheels. Up above, the flowing lines create the sporty charisma of a coupe.
"The XC60 is much more emotionally charged than most of its competitors in the segment. It is seductive and packed with thrilling contrasts. Sleek yet muscular at the same time. Powerful yet agile. Large yet at the same time compact. The XC60 is actually 20 centimetres shorter than the XC70," explains Steve Mattin.

Enlarged iron mark signals the right attitude
At the front the enlarged iron mark in the trapezoidal grille swiftly fills the rear-view mirror of the car in front – a distinct signal that Volvo's extrovert future has arrived.
"The classic iron mark now gets the role it deserves. Not discreet and modest, but bold and packed with self-confidence. It is precisely this attitude that Volvo's brand name should have," says Steve Mattin.

The XC60 previews Volvo's new face, with attitude and strength. Full of expression, personality and self confidence.
The frowning contours of the headlamps and the taut rearward flow of the front wings emphasise the bonnet's classic V-profile, giving the front an eager, wedge-shaped stance. This DNA ingredient is further strengthened by the newly incorporated unique DNA lamps. They characterize the front of the vehicle, flanking the grill and emphasising the V-shape and vertical stance of the XC60's front end.
"The expression 'the eyes are the mirror of the soul' is an excellent description of the headlamps' role. The eyes reveal more about your personality than any other facial expression does," explains Steve Mattin.

The sculpted, seductive lines are particularly clear when the XC60 is viewed from the side. The car's shoulders are exceptionally broad. Towards the front they are strengthened by an underlining sculptural undercut, and when it comes to the rear wings Steve Mattin resorts to the sensually loaded adjective "voluptuous".
The large wheels, the bold wheel arches and the darker livery of the body's lower section further enhance the muscular XC feel, while 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.

Exciting new light configuration at the rear
At the rear the muscular shoulders are emphasised by the characteristic LED lights set into the tail lamps. For the first time ever in a Volvo, the rear position lights also double up as brake lights, which means that the entire shape of the shoulder lights up when braking, giving the XC60 an even stronger more distinctive look.
The third brake light becomes a sculptural part of the roof spoiler. On the tailgate, the Volvo word mark now appears in bolder, more widely spaced letters. To even further strengthen its cross-over character the XC60 is available with a scuff plate for the rocker panel and with front and rear skid-plates that are integrated into the bumpers.
"Another new feature is that the roof rails have for the first time been integrated into the roof. This gives the car an unusually low and broad stance for a crossover," says Steve Mattin.

Interior that puts the driver in focus
The new XC60 is packed with energy on the inside too. All the occupants sit comfortably in the newly designed seats, but it is obvious that it is the driver who is in firm focus. The by-now characteristic slim centre stack is of a fresh design with a new integrated monitor screen layout and is angled slightly towards the driver.
"You should feel like a pilot at the controls of a business jet, with all your passengers sitting in First Class. You are seated in comfort, surrounded by ergonomically designed instruments and you really feel that you are on top of the traffic situation around you. The XC60 has more intelligent safety systems than any previous Volvo. That's why I want the entire driver's environment to radiate a high-tech feel," relates Jonathan Disley, head of interior design for the new Volvo XC60.
The interior too has been designed so every detail looks like it's in motion. Jonathan Disley and his team have created this sense of energy by blending together a theme that can be called "thick-to-thin" which adds drama and excitement.
"The recurrent asymmetrical look gives the interior a self-assured attitude, brimming with self-confidence. This feeling is reinforced by the well thought-out mix of contrasting materials, such as soft, warm, dark panels and hard, cold aluminium inserts," explains Jonathan Disley.

Unique seats with X-theme
The stitched seams of the unique, sculpted XC60 seats have a pronounced X-theme.
"Cross Country, Cross City or Cross Over. Choose for yourself which interpretation suits you best," says Jonathan Disley.
The curvature of the forward edge of the rear Seat cushion has been designed for easier entry and exit. The rear Seat is also somewhat higher than the front seats to give its occupants a better view. The two outer seats can of course be specified with the same two-stage child booster cushions that were introduced in the Volvo V70 and XC70 in 2007.
The seats are available in a wide variety of colours and materials.
"Choosing colour and trim is about expressing your personality, so we have developed a rich palate of attributes that customers with a taste for individuality can choose from," explains Anders Sachs, programme chief designer colour and trim for the XC60.
The colour and trim range includes a number of contrasting combinations and the highlight colour for the XC60 is a new shade of green: Lemon Green.
"This colour is designed to be seen. It has lots of attitude. The unique asymmetrical centre console with its silver frost frame is in brushed aluminium but it is also available in two wood alternatives, one high gloss and one matt wood finish, emphasizing the authenticity of the material and our Scandinavian heritage," says Anders Sachs.
For the exterior, there are two new effect colours: Terra Bronze and Lime Grass Green.

Panorama roof creates space and light
Irrespective of whether the customer chooses a sober black interior or spices it up with Lemon Green, the overall impression is one of space and light – thanks largely to the new laminated glass panorama roof.
The load opening is the widest in the segment and the luggage compartment swallows 480 litres. As in the V70 and XC70, the rear Seat is a three-piece 40/20/40 split/fold unit. Each section folds down easily to create a totally flat luggage platform for maximum flexibility.

World-class audio system
The world-class audio system is part of the First Class experience inside the new XC60. It comes in three levels. The highest level, Premium Sound, features 12 Dynaudio loudspeakers and an amplifier with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround delivering 5x130 Watt.
An optional digital subwoofer under the floor in the load compartment provides an additional 260 Watts.
The sound can be optimised to suit three different situations – driver's seat, both front seats or rear seat.
The two highest levels of the audio system enable MP3 and WMA-format CDs to be played, which means that the CD changer can store several hundred tracks. All audio levels provide an auxiliary (AUX) input for connecting the owner's own equipment, such as a portable MP3 player. A USB port (on the two highest levels) makes it possible to plug in an iPod, MP3 player or USB.

Clean Zone Interior for added comfort
In order to give allergy sufferers an even better in-car climate, the new Volvo XC60 can be equipped with Clean Zone Interior, a system that is based on ECC (Electronic Climate Control) and IAQS (Interior Air Quality System).
When the car is unlocked with the remote control, the passenger compartment is automatically ventilated for about a minute if the outdoor temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius. Clean Zone Interior has been recommended by the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association.
The interior trim materials and other details have been selected to give off minimum levels of dangerous substances.
The new XC60 is also the first Volvo that meets the forthcoming European Union standard for type approval regarding reusability, recyclability and recoverability.

New interpretation of Volvo's DNA
All told, the Volvo XC60 points the way towards Volvo Cars' future.
"In order to be perceived as premium, we have to dare to be seen clearly. Turning up the cars' visual volume has been one of my biggest goals since I came here to Volvo and with the XC60 we have taken a major step forward. This is a Volvo the way I want it to be. A Volvo for myself, if you like," concludes Steve Mattin.

The new Volvo XC60 combines relaxed comfort with sporty all-road ability

• Sporty chassis setting with high comfort
• Large 17-,18- or 19 inch wheels available for best get-you-there ability
• New safety functions: a further developed DSTC system and Trailer Stability Assist
• Volvo's new 285 hp T6 engine gives top performance

With the new Volvo XC60, Volvo Cars takes yet another step in offering cars that are fun to drive yet comfortable to ride in. The compact format and the precise road attributes mean the new Volvo XC60 can make its way equally elegantly both on city tarmac and along country lanes.

"The new Volvo XC60 is designed for customers who impose high demands on the driving experience. Irrespective of whether the car is used in the city, on the motorway or to negotiate tight curves in country lanes. That is why we have focused on finding exactly the right balance between sportiness and comfort, for the chassis and for the car as a whole," says Lars Blenwall, project director for the new Volvo XC60

The new Volvo XC60 is sturdily built to handle all operating conditions. The body has extra torsional rigidity (20 kNm/deg) and the sporty chassis setup means the car is precisely controlled and minimises roll tendencies even in demanding driving situations. Weight is optimally distributed between the front and rear axles, which contributes to good balance and traction. The transversely installed engine and Volvo's All Wheel Drive with Instant TractionTM from Haldex reinforce the control and smoothness.

Large 17- or 18-inch wheels as standard (19 inches optional) and 230 mm of ground clearance mean the Volvo XC60 is capable of making its way in terrain that is impossible for a conventional passenger car. The rear suspension ensures good comfort and road contact even when the going gets rough. The McPherson front suspension and broad track also contribute to excellent directional stability.
"The car handles sharply and behaves exactly as you would expect whatever the situation. It promotes a feeling of safety and control. But also of relaxed comfort," comments Lars Blenwall.

The Volvo XC60 offers a very high level of active safety. Apart from Volvo's All Wheel Drive with Instant TractionTM there is a further developed stability-enhancement function, DSTC, which is fitted as standard. In addition there is a wide range of optional functions, including the all-new Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) which offers unbeatable control when towing a trailer.

The braking system in the Volvo XC60 is based on the system used in the Volvo XC90. The powerful brakes in combination with the lower weight of the smaller car means that braking performance is very good indeed.

Engine performance too is of the highest level. At introduction, the Volvo XC60 will be available with a turbocharged 3-litre high-efficiency in-line six producing 285 hp/400 Nm, as well as two powerful and economical 5-cylinder diesel engines.

During 2009, a front-wheel driven 2.4-litre version powered by a Euro 5 diesel engine producing 163 horsepower and with a CO2 target around 170 g/km, will follow.

Four-wheel drive for perfect grip
The Volvo XC60 is equipped as standard with Volvo's All Wheel Drive with Instant TractionTM to guarantee the best possible road grip whatever the situation. With the help of an electronically controlled clutch, the AWD system automatically distributes drive between the front and rear wheels. The Instant Traction function shifts power from the front to the rear wheels at Lightning speed, for instance when starting from standstill on slippery or loose surfaces.

Further developed DSTC function
Volvo's DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) function has been further developed in the new Volvo XC60 in order to help providing even more stable driving. DSTC registers deviations between the driver's intended direction and the car's actual direction. As a complement, the further developed DSTC function registers the car's roll rate as well, giving the opportunity to detect slowly built-up skids. This may occur if the driver suddenly releases the accelerator pedal while steering, for instance when leaving a highway slightly too late. By measuring the roll rate, the DSTC function is able to start the regulation at an earlier stage – and with greater precision. This is highly noticeable in dynamic driving where the car is exposed to high lateral forces.

New Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) offers improved control when towing a trailer
The purpose of the new Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) function is to dampen the oscillation tendencies that can arise when towing a trailer or caravan. In certain conditions, the rig runs the risk of swaying from side to side or "snaking" and it can be difficult for the driver to control this movement. TSA steps in and together with the further developed DSTC function helps stabilise the car and trailer by braking one or more wheels as necessary while at the same time reducing the engine's torque. TSA operates on all road surfaces and can be specified as a separate active-safety option when purchasing a tow-bar.

RSC helps prevent roll-overs
The XC60 is also equipped with Roll Stability Control (RSC) as standard. RSC is an active stability-enhancement system. If the system assesses that there is a considerable risk of a roll-over, the engine's torque is reduced and some braking power is directed to one or more wheels to help counter any tendency to roll over.

HDC gives added control downhill
Hill Descent Control (HDC) is Volvo's sophisticated technology for assisting slow progress in first gear when driving on steep gradients, and it is available as an option on the new Volvo XC60. Using the car's braking system and engine torque, HDC controls the car's speed and maintains a steady crawling speed. This leaves the driver free to focus solely on steering safely. HDC is activated via a button on the instrument panel. The driver can at any time take over by pressing either the accelerator or brake pedal. Once another gear is selected, HDC is automatically disengaged. All changes take place smoothly and gently.

Active chassis with Four-C and three distinct characteristics
The Four-C option makes the Volvo XC60 extra comfortable. Especially on somewhat poorer roads. Volvo's Four-C is an advanced, self-regulating chassis system that uses a number of sensors to continuously monitor the car's behaviour. The dampers are adjusted to suit the current driving conditions in mere fractions of a second. The three chassis settings, Comfort, Advanced and Sport, allow the driver to adapt the chassis to suit road conditions at the touch of a button.

Three-level speed-sensitive power steering
Speed-dependent power steering is an option on the new Volvo XC60. The system allocates more servo assistance at lower speeds, for instance to make steering easier when parking. Servo assistance is reduced as speed rises in order to give the driver the most optimal road feel. The level of servo assistance can be adjusted via a menu in the car's information system to comply with the individual wishes of the customer. There are three levels to choose between.

Turbocharged petrol engine with top performance
The T6 petrol engine that is available in all Volvo's large cars as of model year 2008 is based on Volvo's compact 3.2-litre in-line six, an all-aluminium engine that was introduced in the new Volvo S80 in 2006.

The turbo version, with a displacement of 3.0 litres, delivers 210 kW (285 hp) with torque of no less than 400 Nm. Maximum torque is available from just 1500 rpm and remains on tap throughout the rev range. The result is swift acceleration and smooth driving properties.

The turbo version has a somewhat smaller displacement owing to its slightly smaller bore and shorter stroke. However, this is compensated by the turbocharger which in this engine takes in exhaust gases in two phases. The inlet side has been divided into two sections of three cylinders each using what is known as twin-scroll technology. The twin-scroll approach makes for a simpler, more compact turbocharger that provides very fast response, fully on a par with the power delivered by twin turbochargers.

The T6 engine is perfect for sporty driving. At the same time it has been programmed to provide the highest possible power with the lowest possible fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. With four-wheel drive – AWD – the engine is used most optimally since maximum power is transmitted onto the road surface.

Like all other Volvo models, the new Volvo XC60 has a transverse driveline. Transverse installation gives the engine more space under the bonnet and helps reduce the risk of penetration into the passenger compartment in the event of a frontal collision.

Energy-efficient turbodiesel from the second D5 generation
At introduction, the new Volvo XC60 will also be available with a choice of two five-cylinder turbodiesels: the D5 producing 185 hp and the 2.4D with 163 hp. The D5 is a very powerful and easy to drive turbodiesel that offers a massive 400 Nm of torque all the way across a particularly wide rev range. The D5 engine features an electronically controlled turbocharger, advanced multipoint injection technology and a very powerful engine management system.

Both diesel engines feature four-valve technology with twin overhead camshafts, which contributes to swift response and good high-speed properties.

A maintenance-free particle filter that traps about 95 percent of soot particles is fitted as standard in both engines, making them very environmentally suitable.

Engine range – petrol
Engine Configuration Power kW/hp Torque Nm
3.0 T6 AWD I6 210/285 400

Engine range – diesel
D5 AWD I5 136/185 400
2.4D AWD I5 120/163 340

Six-speed Geartronic
The engines in the new Volvo XC60 are mated to a six-speed gearbox, either manual or automatic with Geartronic. The transmission has been dimensioned to handle the immense output of the T6 and Volvo's powerful diesel engines. Sixth gear is a pure overdrive ratio and offers relaxed, economical cruising. The T6 version also has a sport mode. Geartronic makes it possible to change gears manually should the driver prefer a sportier driving style or if he or she wants to hold on to a specific gear.

Safe, stunning and Smart – the new Volvo XC60 has what the crossover customer dreams about

The new Volvo XC60 is stepping boldly into what is currently the automotive world's fastest-growing segment – dressed in a thrilling blend of muscular XC capability and the sporty charisma of a coupe.
"This is not only the safest Volvo ever. If you ask me, it's also the most stunning.
Not a bad combination, is it?" says Volvo Cars President and CEO Fredrik Arp.

The new XC60 has its premiere showing at the international car show in Geneva in March, with the first cars reaching dealers in Europe in autumn 2008.

The "Small Premium Utility" segment is growing quickly. Within the next few years, buyers will have at least ten crossover models to choose between. By 2009, this segment is expected to expand by 75 percent to 443,000 cars.
"In order to succeed in that kind of competition, you have to stick your chin out and create a car that stands out from the crowd. The new XC60 bases its unique appeal on the synthesis between daringly sporty design and a range of intelligent safety systems that help the driver avoid accidents," explains Fredrik Arp.
The big safety news is City Safety – a unique feature that can help the driver avoid or reduce the effects of the type of low-speed impacts that are common in city traffic and traffic tailbacks. If the car is about to drive into the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the car brakes itself.
"We are first manufacturer in the world to offer this type of feature as standard. City Safety clearly advertises that the new XC60 is the safest car Volvo has ever produced. The car is packed with our accumulated safety know-how and technology, both when it comes to preventing accidents and protecting all the occupants in a collision," says Fredrik Arp.

Six-cylinder turbo – and two turbo diesels
The new XC60 will initially be available with the six-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine producing 285 horsepower and two five-cylinder turbodiesels: the D5 producing 185 and the 2.4D with 163 horsepower. All Wheel Drive (AWD) with Instant Traction is fitted as standard on all variants.
"Owing to its compact dimensions – the XC60 is 20 cm shorter than the XC70 and lower than the XC90 – it continues our range of slimmed-down car models with high energy efficiency. During 2009, we will offer a front-wheel driven 2.4-litre version powered by a Euro 5 diesel engine producing 163 horsepower and with a CO2 target around 170 g/km," reveals Fredrik Arp.
The chassis setting is aggressively sporty without losing anything in terms of comfort. Sitting behind the wheel of the new XC60 is in other words more of a driving experience, while the larger Volvo XC90 focuses more on providing a ride experience.