Volvo’s rival to the Audi Q5 and Land Rover Freelander 2 is now in Malaysia and aiming to grab a slice of the slice of the premium mid-sized SUV market. Calling it 'Volvo’s safest and most stunning car ever’ Volvo Car Malaysia President, Robert Norrman, proclaimed it to be 'the future of Volvo cars and a perfect ten in terms of design and safety’.
There is certainly some basis for that if the early market response to the new model is an indication of its abilities. “Malaysians are discerning car buyers, and it’s very gratifying for us that more than a dozen units have already been sold - even before the buyers have seen the car in the flesh,” he said at the launch of the model.
In terms of design, the XC60 presents a new interpretation of Volvo’s current design DNA. The car is instantly recognizable as a Volvo, yet the detailing takes the brand to a different level and will hopefully appeal to buyers who are non-Volvo owners.
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The car's computer will take action to prevent a collision if sensors detect a car ahead
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The new car is also a chance for the brand to reinforce its leadership in automotive safety, which has been a core theme for their cars since they introduced the 3-point safety belt back in 1959. The XC60 introduces City Safety – a world first in safety technology that helps avoid low-speed collisions in city traffic. In an impending collision, City Safety automatically slows the XC60 to avoid a collision entirely or to reduce the force of the impact.
Like the exterior, the interior design of the XC60 follows current design practice with a 'floating’ dashboard housing all the controls. There is also a large integrated LCD screen and a smaller display above it to allow for easy display of important information at a glance. The interior seats five adults and has a large boot, thus ensuring that practical considerations are also satisfied.
“The XC60 is a bestseller not only in Sweden or Europe but around the world. In fact, due to the fantastic reception of the car, we are facing a worldwide shortage due to the demand which is beyond our expectations,” Mr Norrman said, adding that Volvo is taking measures to overcome the shortage.
For the Malaysian market, Volvo Car Malaysia is importing two versions of the same T6 model. Both use a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 285 bhp and 400 Nm from 1500 – 4800 rpm and is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox with manual sequential shift. Volvo’s performance claims are 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, 210 km/h top speed and fuel consumption on the combined cycle of 8.4 kms/litre. The latest generation 'Haldex 4’ All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Instant Traction is fitted as standard, as is the City Safety feature. The Volvo XC60 is priced at RM360,000 (excluding insurance premium) for the XC60 T6 LE, and RM330,000 for the XC60 T6 SE.
Talk about the XC60 in the MTM ForumBuying a new Volvo soon and need to sell off your current vehicle? Advertise in Motor Trader, Malaysia's most widely-read weekly auto classifieds magazine. Click here for a form to book your advertisement in the magazine. You get the second week free if your vehicle is not sold off during the first week of the advertisement (terms & conditions apply). Looking for older pre-owned Volvo models? Check the MTM Database for advertisements, updated weekly
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