Enhanced Safety Features

First is "Steering Support," an added collision avoidance feature. By applying control through the steering mechanism and brakes, it aims to avoid collisions as much as possible. Specifically, if a car cuts in front, making a rear-end collision unavoidable even with braking, and the driver attempts to steer away, this function provides maximum steering support in the direction of the turn while also applying the inner brakes to aid in avoiding the hazard. It operates in the speed range of 50 km/h to 100 km/h and detects vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals.

Next is "Oncoming Lane Mitigation." This is an avoidance function for oncoming traffic. For example, if the driver inadvertently drifts out of the lane while distracted, the car uses millimetre-wave radar and cameras to detect oncoming vehicles and automatically steers back into the original lane using the electric power steering system, even without driver input. The operating speed range is between 60 km/h and 140 km/h.

Finally, there is "BLIS with Steering Assist." Volvo has previously equipped its vehicles with BLIS (Blind Spot Information System). This system alerts the driver by illuminating an indicator lamp within or around the door mirror when a vehicle enters the blind spot behind. The XC60 takes this a step further by adding steering assist.

To explain with a specific scenario: in the case of the XC60, the indicator in the door mirror lights up to warn the driver. If the driver then activates the turn signal to change lanes and the millimetre-wave radar detects that a collision is unavoidable in that situation, the car will use the electric power steering to forcibly return to the original lane, thus avoiding a collision. This millimetre-wave radar can detect objects up to 70 meters behind.

Volvo has been progressively equipping its vehicles with BLIS since 2004. Statistics show that lane-change accidents, along with straight-line driving, are the most frequent causes of fatal and serious injuries. For this reason, Volvo is actively equipping its vehicles with this system and has added new features.

Diesel, Gasoline, and Plug-in Hybrid Models Introduced

The XC60 models to be introduced in Japan will feature two gasoline engines, a diesel, and a plug-in hybrid.

First is the "T6," a gasoline 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct-injection supercharged + turbocharged engine. It produces a maximum output of 320 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm. The "T5," a 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct-injection turbocharged engine, delivers a maximum output of 254 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Nm, achieving a fuel efficiency of 12.6 km/ℓ under the JC08 mode.

The "D4," a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, produces a maximum output of 190 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm.

The "T8" is a plug-in hybrid model that combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder supercharged direct-injection turbocharged engine with an electric motor, part of the "Drive-E" unit. It achieves a system output of 318 hp + 87 hp and a fuel efficiency of 15.7 km/ℓ under JC08 mode. It can travel up to 45.4 km in zero-emission mode using only the electric motor.

All these models are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and AWD.

The trim levels are the standard Momentum, the sporty R-DESIGN, and the premium Inscription. The D4 will be available in all grades, the T5 in Momentum and Inscription, the T6 in R-DESIGN, and the T8 in Inscription, resulting in a total of seven models. Deliveries for the D4 and T6 are scheduled to begin by March 2018.

Design Recognizable as Volvo, Yet with XC60's Own Character

The exterior design, which shares motifs with the90 Series, is instantly recognizable as a Volvo. However, the XC60 possesses its own unique design characteristic: the curved styling along the lower side. This draws the eye downward, giving the impression of a lower center of gravity and creating a dynamic side profile. The upward sweep at the rear of the side windows also adds a sporty feel. At the rear, the placement of the mufflers at the outer edges enhances the sense of width and a low center of gravity.

The front design features Volvo's signature "T-shaped" headlights, which are integrated with the front grille, a distinctive feature of the XC60.

According to Takayuki Kimura, President of Volvo Car Japan, "In 2016, Volvo's global annual sales reached 534,332 units, marking the third consecutive year of record-breaking sales. Furthermore, sales from January to September 2017 have shown a strong performance with a 9 percent increase year-on-year." He added, "The first-generation XC60 was the model that powerfully drove this global success and laid the foundation for Volvo's recent growth. Since its launch in 2008, its sporty design, which overturned Volvo's traditional image, has attracted a new customer base."

Domestic performance in Japan has also been exceptionally strong. "From January to September this year, we recorded a very high growth rate of 12.5 percent year-on-year. Similar to the global trend, sales of the first-generation XC60 have continued to increase each year since its launch in Japan, making it an extremely important model for us," he stated.

The pricing strategy is ambitious. Typically, diesel engine vehicles are priced higher than gasoline engine vehicles. However, the clean diesel D4, scheduled for release in Japan, will be sold at the same price as the gasoline T5 model, 5.99 million yen, indicating Volvo Car Japan's high expectations for the XC60.