Volvo is confident that its redesigned 2008 XC70 Cross Country stands out in the crowded crossover segment.
Volvo may have cornered the market on upscale station wagons, but the Swedish safety barons are not resting on their laurels. The redesigned 2008 XC70 Cross Country is an improvement in drivability, luxury and, of course, safety.
The basics: The XC70 comes from the same Ford Motor Co. EUCD platform as the S80 sedan and Land Rover LR2. The XC70 adds 2 inches in wheelbase and 4-plus inches in length over its predecessor.For more industry insider news, go to www.autonews.comThe engine gains a cylinder but loses the turbo. The standard gearbox now is a six-speed automatic; it was a five-speed. The interior is more refined, and there is a big increase in technical goodies.
Notable features: It wouldn't be a Volvo if it weren't loaded with such safety features as adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot warning system, drowsy-driver alert and a collision warning system with automatic braking. The safety cage surrounding the occupants uses four kinds of high-strength steel.
Volvo also is making the most of its parts-bin relationship with Ford, borrowing Hill Descent Control from Land Rover.
The standard Haldex all-wheel drive, when mated to standard Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, grips logging-road surfaces like a rally car. The front MacPherson struts, combined with a multilink rear suspension, keep on-road driving conditions plush.
There are other neat gimmicks. The rear seats easily convert from an adult size to a child-bolstered seat. When that happens, the seat belt spooling and airbag curtain deployments change accordingly. Also, the cargo area has aluminum alloy rails with movable anchors.
On the design front, the XC70 has more defined shoulders, moving further away from the brick look. The tailgate glass comes down lower than the side glass.
What Volvo says: ?We defined the crossover segment with the first generation,? Leif Settergren, Volvo Cars of North America program manager for the XC70, V70 and XC90, said at a press event here. ?We are the dominant player in this market.?
Anne Belec, CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, added: ?The XC70 segment dynamic is changing with more crossovers and more players coming in. We're playing it conservatively.?
Compromises and shortcomings: The strong euro vs. the dollar has pushed Volvo to make optional equipment out of safety features it would have preferred were standard. The XC70's increased weight and bigger engine resulted in a disappointing 15 mpg in a daylong test drive in varying Montana road conditions.
The market: Although the cross-over market is glutted, the segment for rugged wagons is small, especially with the deletion of the Audi Allroad. Although many people think of Volvo as a wagon company ? and the XC70 is the brand's best-selling wagon ? its sales still trail far behind those of the S40 and S60 sedans and the XC90 SUV. Volvo expects to sell 12,000 to 15,000 XC70 units a year; in 2006, it sold 5,602 front-drive V70 wagons in the United States.
The skinny: The XC70 goes on sale today, Oct. 1. But with seemingly every automaker building a cross- over, Volvo must count on its famously loyal wagon customers to not stray.
At a Glance Comparison: 2008 Volvo XC702007 Volvo XC70Wheelbase110.8 in.108.8 in.Length190.5 in.186.3 in.Width73.3 in.73.2 in.Height63.1 in.61.5 in.Curb weight4,092 lbs.3,675 lbs.Base engine3.2-liter inline-62.5-liter turbo-5Horsepower235 @ 6,200 rpm208 @ 5,000 rpmTorque, in lbs.-ft.236 @ 3,200 rpm236 @ 1,500 rpmBase price*$37,520$37,115*Includes shipping
By Mark Rechtin | Automotive News