Maarten Lafeber of the Netherlands became the first hole-in-one player for the 11th hole as the Avantha Masters 2011 began in Gurgaon today. Lafeber won himself a luxury Volvo. Volvo Auto India has presented the Golf ace its technologically advanced SUV, Volvo XC60.

Source: indiainfoline

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Avantha Masters · Gurgaon · India · Maarten Lafeber · Netherlands · Sport utility vehicle · Volvo · VolvoXc60

VOLVO’S entrant in the medium prestige sports utility vehicle market, the XC60, is as safe as it is good looking. At the introduction last year, the T6 petrol variant was top dog offering superb performance to a great sound track.

That’s changed with the arrival of a new 2.4-litre, diesel five-cylinder that replaces the previous 2.4-litre diesel five. It’s a bit confusing but if you buy a new 2010 model D5, it has the new engine and is a better proposition than the previous unit.

On the road, the XC60 is a pleasant drive, not too big and with tidy manners. It steers with precision and has powerful brakes. But paddle gearshift is missing and the test vehicle had an annoying low frequency rumble at the highway speed limit possibly due to tyres or the drive system.

Read the full review on Hill Shire Times

Diesel engine · Engine · Parts and Accessories · Shopping · Sport utility vehicle · Vehicles · Volvo · Volvo XC60

Drivers of used Volvo cars may be interested to note that the manufacturer enjoyed particular success in February, with registrations more than 90 per cent up compared with the same month in 2009.

With 1,378 registrations and a market share of 2.01 per cent, Volvo has also seen heightened performance of all models across the range, particularly the XC90 seven-seat SUV, S80 executive saloon and XC60 crossover.

The XC90 hit the top spot in February, with registrations increasing more than threefold compared with the previous year’s figures, while Volvo XC60 crossover registrations were up by 115 per cent.

Source: Carmony

Automobile · Insurance Institute for Highway Safety · Makes and Models · Sport utility vehicle · Volvo · Volvo S80 · Volvo XC60 · Volvo XC90

With 1,378 registrations and a 2.01 per cent market share, Volvo Car UK has experienced a very successful February 2010 and the good news doesn’t stop there. All models in the Volvo range have performed significantly above last year’s February results particularly the Volvo XC90 seven-seat SUV, S80 executive saloon and award-winning XC60 crossover.

Volvo XC60 crossover
With the help of the DRIVe engine, the award-winning Volvo XC60′s February registrations were up 115 per cent over the same period last year – ahead of the Audi Q5 year-to-date.

Read the rest of the story on The Auto Channel

Audi Q5 · Makes and Models · Recreation · Sport utility vehicle · Volvo · Volvo S80 · Volvo XC90 · VolvoXc60

On paper the XC60 looks like just what the yuppie doctor ordered. The XC60 boasts a Grand Cherokee and LR2 besting 9.1 inches of ground clearance, the same AWD system as the LR2 (which it should be noted was originally borrowed from Volvo’s S80 to begin with), sexy curves and some rugged looking plastic on the front and rear overhang. At 4174lbs, the XC60 is no lightweight but does somehow manage to be slimmer than both the LR2 and the Grand Cherokee.

Inside the XC60 is modern Volvo all the way. The only low point in this otherwise well designed cabin is the Nav system. Volvo used to be known for their trick pop-up nav system, and the coolness factor of the pop-up was a welcome distraction from the basic design of the system. Instead of this arrangement used in all other Volvo models, the Swedish design team crafted an Audi like pod for the nav screen in the center console and moved the screen for the radio up to a strange binnacle on the dash. There are two problems with this: First, the radio controls are way too far from the radio’s screen, and secondly the nav screen looks ill fitted and far too small for the hole they gave it in the dash. Adding insult to injury is the fact that should you not opt for the $1,800 nav system you get a bizarre cubby where the screen should go that tells all your passengers you were too cheap to splurge for the nav. I have been told to expect the new 2011 S60’s totally revamped Nav and audio package in the 2011 XC60, let’s hope so; it can’t get here fast enough.

Unlike a “true” SUV, the Haldex system operates using a locked center differential (to be honest there is no center diff at all, the transmission has the front and rear power outputs permanently locked), between the rear diff and the transmission lays a Haldex clutch pack that infinitely varies the connection between the transmission and the rear wheels. Power transfer takes less than 1/7th of a tyre rotation should a slip be detected, and the system can vary the clutch pack on its own whenever it feels like it. The system operates as advertised and strikingly well on sand, several inches of mud, steep ruts, a few inches of snow and moderate off-roading. As with many crossover AWD systems, when the going gets icy, the lack of a locking center differential becomes readily apparent. When climbing a steep driveway with an inch of slippery ice coating it, the XC60 spent much of its time spinning the front wheels, it was only when the traction control was disabled that the car shifted power to the rear and made it up the drive. That being said, I clocked over 26 hours on unpaved backcountry roads in the XC60 and didn’t get stuck. There were ditches we had to stop and fill in with logs to traverse, trees that had to be moved out of the way, and jaw-dropped looks from ATV and jacked up Wrangler owners we passed along the way.

The XC60 proves that Volvo can make a dirt road-capable CUV with styling flair and enough electronic nannies to satisfy the risk-adverse in the crowd (not to mention your insurance broker). The real question is if buyers will actually cross-shop the XC60 with its German competition. Stacked up to the Q5, X3 and GLK, the Volvo shines with more power, excellent cargo capacity, unique styling and a suitably upscale interior. Starting at $33,000 for the FWD 235HP, model, our Volvo provided tester hit the nosebleed section at a whopping $47,395. Admittedly this can seem like a bargain when you look at the Q5’s starting price of $37,350 and a similarly equipped price of $51,625, the question is: Can Volvo get you to buy one?

Read the full review on The Truth About Cars

Auto · Four-wheel drive · Haldex · Makes and Models · Sport utility vehicle · Volvo · Volvo S80 · VolvoXc60

The 2009 Volvo XC60, Volvo’s smallest SUV, has the most comprehensive safety features in company history. Cameras, radar and microchips work to prevent accidents before they happen.

Source: Auto Race Parts

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Makes and Models · Parts and Accessories · Radar · Shopping · Sport utility vehicle · Vehicles · Volvo · Volvo XC60

A beautifully designed crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) which is designed and manufactured by Volvo Car Company is named as Volvo XC60. The SUV is developed in Belgium. The exact class or category of the car is compact crossover SUV. Volvo got the idea of designing XC60 in the late 2007 and by the end of 2008 the car was completely designed and was unveiled in 2008. XC60 has all the qualities of a SUV but the compact size of the car allows it to have more grip on the road which is a huge plus point for Volvo XC60.

Why do we like Volvo XC60?
Volvo XC60 is liked because of the technology from which it is manufactured plus the technology which is embedded in it. It has a number of technological devices and every one of them performs the task assigned to it efficiently. People like it because of the compactness of the car which gives a beautiful look. According to the survey, people also loved the newly designed front grill from Volvo included in the XC60.

Why is Volvo XC60 famous?
Read on Volvo XC60

Add new tag · Automobile · Autos · Belgium · Compact SUV · Crossover · Recreation · Sport utility vehicle · Volvo XC60

The diesel Volvo XC60 in australia proves that using higher grade fuel makes for better power, fuel economy and no smoke

The Volvo XC60 D5 is powered by the very same engine that powers the Volvo XC90 back here in Malaysia, the difference being the fuel quality.

In Australia, the standard for diesel fuel is Euro 4, which Australians would say is “heaps” better than what we have here. The benefit is better power, better fuel economy, and most wonderful of all, no smoke.

The 2.5-litre common rail diesel turbo engine produces 185 horsepower and 400Nm of torque, giving the XC60 plenty of get-up-and-go. It is a great vehicle to drive, being AWD (all-wheel drive), and its safety features make it the safest Volvo ever built.

Standard features include City Safety, a system that uses cameras mounted high up on the windscreen to monitor the distance between it and the vehicle in front in crawling traffic, applying the brakes automatically to prevent or mitigate a collision if the driver is not paying attention; cruise control; traction control; ABS; and enough airbags to cushion you should you have an impact.

One of its most useful features is the user-friendly Garmin GPS system.

I have no complaints about the XC60 whatsoever, but driving it there brings some thoughts about the diesel situation back here in Malaysia.

The first thing you will notice when driving in Australian cities, or even as a pedestrian in the streets and sidewalks, is the absence of petrol or diesel fumes when the traffic passes by. This is because Australia’s strict anti-pollution laws ensure that manufacturers equip their cars with engines that comply with the standards, and enforcement is non-negotiable.

Obviously, there is merit in such a system as it makes everybody’s life better on account of cleaner air. Thus, you will live longer, and be relatively free of lung and breathing-related illnesses.

With fuel prices at around AUD1.30 (approximately RM3.90) per litre, it is expensive to drive there. Yes, you can say that we should look at it based on a ringgit-versus-Australian dollar, but Australians are telling me it is expensive too.

Diesel prices are about the same or a few cents higher, but it delivers more energy per pound of fuel, thus, it makes sense for people to purchase diesel-engined cars.

In the case of SUVs like the Volvo XC60, which weighs in at about two tons, it makes perfect sense to go diesel.

Well, our tank of diesel lasted for eight days of driving between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, including some adventure into the hills to attend a relative’s wedding ceremony.

We covered a total of 610km on the XC60’s tank, and the refill came to 63 litres of diesel. That works out to 9.6km per litre. A petrol-engined vehicle of the same size and weight would have consumed at least 20% more fuel, if not more.

Read the full story on The Sun Daily

Australia · Common rail · Diesel engine · Four-wheel drive · Sport utility vehicle · Turbocharger · Volvo XC60 · Volvo XC90

The SUV class continues to grow unabated, though the wait continues for a truly outstanding example of the ‘soft-roader’ breed.

Lexus’s latest-generation RX350 was the only contender in this year’s category that failed to secure a single vote despite its outstanding standard equipment, excellent build quality and refined V6.

Some cheap-looking interior details not befitting a circa-$100,000 vehicle was one of the RX’s undoings, though judges were also unimpressed with the average dynamics and fidgety ride.

Ride quality continues to be persistent Achilles heel for any Audis not wearing the sporty S or RS badges, and niggly progress over the test route proved to be a key negative for the A4-based Q5.

The $59,990 Q5 at least made the most of its firm suspension on twisting roads to prove it is one of the best-handling SUVs on the market. Its sweet-revving 2.0-litre turbo four also packs plenty of punch.

Less endearing to the judges, however, was a firm rear bench, oversized driver’s side mirror that obscured vision, and a cabin that seemed sparsely equipped without delving into the Q5’s list of expensive options.

Volvo’s XC60 rated highly for its family-friendly cabin (including clever integrated child booster seats) and safety (including the world’s first low-speed crash avoidance technology as standard), though the Swedish soft-roader secured a 6-3 majority by gaining plaudits in areas the company doesn’t normally excel.

Judges praised the interior’s distinctive design with its touches of Scandinavian flair, and recent updates to the D5 model’s suspension and diesel engine have also improved the XC60’s overall package.

Source: Car News Articles

Audi Q5 · Autos · Lexus · Lexus RX · Makes and Models · Recreation · Sport utility vehicle · Volvo XC60

The condition of the economy is not so good right now and everyone is looking for green solutions , low fuel consumption, hybrid cars etc. It seems Volvo doesn’t think that matters much, and have launched their new XC60 SUV. With the 5-seater, two-row SUV , Volvo is poised to increase its presence in the prestige and luxury sectors in 2010.

The XC60 demonstrates a new design approach from Volvo, going for truly organically inspired and futuristic curves. It’s outstanding on-road dynamics, Volvo’s City Safety system, and all-wheel-drive makes it a formidable contender to all its competitors. At the core is a D5 3.2 litre, six-cylinder powerhouse, which represents the pinnacle of current diesel technology with great performance, low fuel consumption and Euro 5 level emissions. The normally aspirated version puts out 175kW and 320 Nm of torque while the turbocharged version puts out 151kW and a beefy 420Nm of torque. There is also a version of the XC60 available with a 3.0 litre T6 engine putting out 210kW and 400Nm of torque.

Navigation is made easy with the Volvo Navigation System with user-friendly controls and an easy-to-read screen with a black background. Its 8.3 inches shorter than the XC70 at 182.2 inches and has an impressive 9.1 inches of ground clearance, which makes it awesome for those cross-country jaunts. The arsenal of features and sheer good looks puts it ahead of most of the competition such as the Toyota FJ Cruiser and the Ford Expedition. The SUV is priced at $32,995 for the 3.2 litre version and $37,800 for the T6 AWD version.

Source: Device Mag

Ford Expedition · Four-wheel drive · Hybrid vehicle · Makes and Models · Naturally-aspirated engine · Sport utility vehicle · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Volvo V70