North Point Volvo

Volvo has launched a new sport utility vehicle called the Volvo XC60 that went on sale in Spring 2009.

The XC60 will have about the same footprint as the S60 sedan, but is much more utilitarian and versatile, with styling almost as dramatic as that of the concept car, unveiled At the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

In addition to previewing the XC60 production vehicle, Volvo used the concept to show some new design cues that will be applied to all future Volvos. This includes pumping up the visual volume with more expressive shapes and details, according to Volvo's designers. Thus as on the XC60, the grille on all future Volvos becomes more prominent, with angled parking lights and with headlamps that sweep up into the front fenders.

For the XC60, the lower body is wide and the stance strong, while the upper section of the car has a sporty, dashing design. The tail section is particularly impressive with tail lamps that cascade down from the corners of the roof and with a clever glass tailgate that can be opened any of three ways: full open, top section open or lower section open.

Inside, the XC60 features a center stack and instrument panel that appear to float ahead of and above the front seats. Volvo compares the look of the instrument cluster with that of a bumble bee, with a round and analog speedometer as the bee's body and with digital display wings on either side.

Another feature that debuts on the XC60 is the City Safety technology showcased on the concept. Like active cruise control, this radar-based system can apply the Volvo's brakes to maintain a safe distance between it and the vehicle ahead on the road, to the point to bringing the Volvo to a full stop if needed.

The XC60 is powered by a 280-hp turbocharged 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine that runs on regular unleaded instead of the premium unleaded that is required in most of its competitors. Don't be surprised if the XC60 available early in calendar year 2010 comes with a flex-fuel engine or even a diesel or bio-diesel option because Volvo is among the leaders in pushing the automotive flex-fuel envelope.