Volvo's new Cross-Country will be on the street by next spring.
The figures behind the vehicle are startling, however. Its ride height has been raised by a very significant 65mm, its front and rear tracks are 20mm and 40mm wider and its tyres will be 42mm taller. Volvo says the vehicle will be genuinely capable off-road – backing this up with the promise of better approach and departure angles than any of the model's predecessors.
Available in both D4 and D5 form, the V90 XC will have its own palette of drive modes with a special Rough Road setting. It will also be available with hill descent control, as well as air suspension for the rear wheels.
Even its tyres, which are unique to the vehicle, were developed to offer a better combination of road comfort and all-terrain grip.
Volvo doesn't want the car's smart styling to fool people into thinking it's just a boulevard cruiser. In the words of R&D boss Peter Mertens: 'We were careful to ensure that the Cross Country concept was not just an exercise in rugged styling.'
0 comments: