2012 Volvo XC70 update on sale in Australia

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By Tim Beissmann | October 04th, 2011

The 2012 Volvo XC70 update has been launched in Australia, bringing with it more standard equipment and safety features, upgrades to the twin-turbo diesel engine, and mild price rises across the range.

The off-road-ready all-wheel drive wagon is now available in four variants: the 3.2 and 3.2 Teknik, and the D5 and D5 Teknik.

All models now come standard with Volvo’s next-generation City Safety system, which is designed to reduce the seriousness of low-speed crashes or avoid them altogether thanks to advanced road scanning and automatic braking technology.

Driver Control Interface is also included, while Adaptive Cruise Control with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian Detection and Queue Assist are now available as options.

Also new to the XC70’s standard features list is a power-operated tailgate, High-Performance audio system with seven-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, LED mood lighting in the footwells and mirror-mounted LED indicators.

Teknik models score the Volvo Navigation System, Blind Sport Information System, Active Bending Lights and electric front passenger seat.

The 179kW/320Nm 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine carries over unchanged, accelerating from 0-100km/h in 9.0 seconds and using 10.6 litres/100km of fuel on the combined cycle.

The D5 twin-turbo diesel engine has been upgraded and now produces 158kW of power and 440Nm of torque (up 7kW/20Nm). The 0-100km sprint is achieved one-tenth faster than the petrol, while fuel consumption improves markedly over the petrol to 7.5 litres/100km.

Volvo Car Australia sold just 175 XC70s in the first eight months of 2011, down 39 per cent compared with the same period in 2010. Australian customers have overlooked the XC70 in favour of the traditional SUV models, the XC60 (1143 sales) and XC90 (854), which have both enjoyed increased sales so far this year.

2012 Volvo XC70 manufacturer’s list prices (excluding government and dealer charges):

3.2 – $62,450 (up $2500)
3.2 Teknik – $67,450 (up $1500)
D5 – $63,450 (up $2500)
D5 Teknik – $68,450 (up $1500)

http://caradvice OSU811

I actually have a soft spot for this car-) I kind of think volvo wagons are cool in a non cool way-) I prefer this traditional wagon shape over XC60 OR XC90 IMO

TonyB

I do too. The 05 XC70 we recently traded was a good and reliable car and there are times we do miss it. However the reality is that the SUV-type car (which we now have)is simply more versatile and in the case of the XC60 vs the current XC70, is simply a far better drive.

gumps

I agree that the XC60 is a better drive, but as for more versatile? I don’t think so. Comparable ground clearance, fuel consumption, towing capacity, turning circle… for me, the 70 wins by a nose. Much larger internal cargo capacity with the seats up, and a more useable space to boot. The lower wagon is a godsend when it comes to getting things onto, and off, the roof too – clambering up SUVs and holding onto doors, rails etc whilst trying to move things around with one hand gets tiresome very quickly, especially in the cold. Having spent many New England winters performing such tasks, I’ve come to appreciate the convenience the xc70 provides over and above that of SUVs.

However, all that said – I’d be buying an xc60 if I were to set foot in a volvo dealership here. My wife values form over function, and without the months of subzero temps and skiing to drive my arguments for the 70, the xc60 and its looks wins.

TonyB

Depends what your definition of versatile is. Yes, if you need the extra luggage space the XC70 is better than the XC60, but thats just about it. While we enjoy long country drives, the reality is half our time is spent driving around the city – and the current model XC70 is a real pain to drive around town compared with the XC60 (we spent a weekend in each during our recent car searching). Just simply getting in and out, getting gear (and kids) in and out, the XC60 was better to live with.

And on the note of fuel consumption, I notice for the D5 diesel, the combined fuel efficiency of the XC60 is in fact better than the XC70 (6.9 vs 7.5 l/100km).

Bakes

Bugger i just brought a 2011 XC70 last week….
that said the price i paid for it made up for this update i guess

TonyB

I hope you did get a good discount. This is a reason why anyone looking at a new car should take the time to at least keep an eye on on-line forums relating to the car they are interested in. These changes to the XC70 for 2012 model have been flagged since early this year. They were introduced to overseas markets several months ago and it was always going to flow onto Australian-bound models as they come out of the same assembly plant.

Bakes

I got it for around $55k with about $5k of options on it

Bakes

it was a 3.2 not a D5

Andre

Very pleased with it, so far 2000kms – couldn’t make up my mind between 60 and 70 but sizewise the 70 is more user-friendly for my purposes and I like the interior better..
In love with the adaptive cruise and Q assist