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2018 Volvo XC60: Initial details confirmed for Australian launch

The 2018 Volvo XC60 will launch in Australia in October, with the Swedish brand expecting the all-new, second-generation model will grow its sales in the tough-fought luxury SUV segment.


The second-generation Volvo XC60 will compete with some big-name rivals from Europe and Asia, including the soon-to-arrive Audi Q5, BMW X3, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLCRange Rover Evoque and even the Porsche Macan.

It hasn’t really been able to cut it in the sales stakes in Australia against those vehicles, generally ranking last – but it is worth considering that, historically, the XC60 is the brand’s biggest-seller in Australia, and globally for that matter.

The good news for Volvo is that the new-generation model has more technology, fresher interiors, better space and more up-to-date drivetrains than the model that came before it. Indeed, while full details are yet to be confirmed, the company will offer the all-new XC60 with three drivetrains to choose from.

The top-spec powertrain is the T8 plug-in hybrid petrol model, which uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged engine with 235kW of power and 400Nm of torque, but with a 10.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 65kW/240Nm electric motor.

The combined maximum output of the T8 is a huge 300kW and 640Nm, allowing it to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 5.3 seconds, with claimed fuel use of just 2.1 litres per 100km.

The other petrol that will be offered initially is the T6, which uses the same 2.0-litre supercharged and turbocharged engine with 235kW/400Nm. It claims 0-100km/h in 5.9sec, and fuel use of 7.7L/100km.

The diesel drivetrain that will be offered here is the D5, a 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder with 173kW of power and 480Nm of torque. It can do the 100km/h sprint in 7.2sec, and fuel use is claimed at 5.5L/100km.

It is predicted that Volvo will also add a lower-spec T5 petrol model as an entry-level variant. The T5 uses the same drivetrain as the T6, but with a lower state of tune (187kW of power and 350Nm of torque).

A lower-spec diesel D4 model may also come to Australia, and it will carry a lower tuned version of the D5 engine, with 140kW of power and 400Nm of torque.

All XC60 models will be all-wheel-drive, and all will have eight-speed automatic transmissions.

Volvo Australia has confirmed the models offered will follow the S90 and XC90 line-ups with three grades for each drivetrain: the entry-level Momentum, the mid-range Inscription and the top-spec sporty R-Design. The latter is the only model that gets steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters as standard.

There aren’t any confirmed specifications just yet, but buyers can expect 18-inch wheels on most variants, though optional wheels up to 22 inches are available (although those models have to get small wheel-arch trim extensions).

Full details and pricing will be revealed closer to the car’s launch in October this year, but buyers should note that there is expected to be an across-the-board price increase, but with that there will be a jump in standard equipment and tech.

All Volvo XC60 models will come comprehensively equipped for safety technology. The brand’s City Safety low-speed autonomous emergency braking will be standard, and that system has pedestrian, vehicle, cyclist and animal detection.

There’s a new Collision Avoidance system that can steer the car if it thinks an accident is imminent, another system called Oncoming Lane Mitigation, which will steer you back into your lane if there may be potential for a head-on collision when attempting to overtake, and a blind-spot steering assist system that’ll stop you merging in front of oncoming traffic.

Expect the option of adaptive cruise control and Pilot Assist semi-autonomous steering, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert and a rear collision warning system (that will clamp on the brakes if it detects a rear impact is imminent).

Every XC60 will have the brand’s touchscreen media system with satellite navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

We’d expect to see prices rise from the first-generation model, which in diesel spec ranged from $56,990 to $67,990 plus on-road costs, and in petrol trim spanned from $61,990 to $74,990.

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