Unmistakably of classic Volvo design lineage, the all-new 2010 XC60 is desirable because it’s in the sought-after compact crossover utility vehicle class, has turbo performance and is a pioneer in the study and application of safety.
The all-wheel-drive XC60 is the newest member to the Volvo family of utility vehicles. It’s smaller than the XC70 and XC90 and will probably appeal to buyers who are stepping down from sport-utility vehicles and larger crossovers.
But stepping down from large does not mean letting go of power. The XC60 has a 3.0-liter, 24-valve inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine with an incredible delivery of torque performance of 295 pounds-feet from 1,500 to 4,800 rpm. Horsepower is rated at 281 at 5,600 rpm. The turbo engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and average fuel economy is estimated at 16 miles per gallon in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway.
The XC60 is not a sports car. It is a utility vehicle and it handles like one with off-road capability on 18-inch wheels and 9.1 inches of ground clearance.
In a safety first from Volvo, the automaker brings to market a new system called “city safety.”
The system stops the car by automatically braking the XC60 to a complete stop if it senses you are about to commit a rear-ender. How it works takes some getting used to as I found out in a couple of experimental feeble attempts to launch the city safety system.
The only way the system activates is when you get the vehicle speed up to above 5 mph. That doesn’t seem like much action, but when you are closing in on the bumper in front of you 5 mph seems like 40. City safety does not work if you are creeping along in city traffic.
Beyond city safety, this Volvo is loaded with standard safety: dynamic stability traction control; roll stability control; front, side and head air bags; plus a new safety feature for towing purposes — trailer stability assist — for a more stable drive.
source: nydailynews
