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15/08/2011, 21:34
Car Review By MURRAY HUBBARD
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There’s nothing new about Volvo using small engines to power big, solid cars. They’ve been doing it for years with the company taking the view that it’s reputation for safety innovation took precedence over all else. We have just had a week long road test of the Volvo XC60 entry-level T5 variant which continues the Volvo tradition that gained traction decades ago with the ‘ boxy’ 144 and 244 four-cylinder models.
The Volvo XC60 range contains more variants than some car companies have models: Ten in all. The Volvo XC 60 T5 will set you back $54,150 before on-road costs, rising to $68,990 for the range-topping D5 R-Design at $68,990 and powered by a turbo-charged 3.0 litre six cylinder petrol engine. Our T5 was also turbo-charged, but is just 2.0 litres capacity to haul around 1.8 tonnes of Swedish engineering.
The Volvo XC T5 may look like an AWD SUV, but looks can be deceptive. It is front wheel drive only leaving the AWD components to higher specced models. This makes the five-seater T5 a traditional high-sitting station wagon aimed at families. There is one word of warning with the T5: the XC range, particularly at entry-level, comes with an option list that can easily have your bank manager asking how a $54,150 car can suddenly blow out to more than $60,000.
BODY STYLE
Not too many changes, but what there are have improved the appearance of this already stylish wagon. The front end is slimmer and closer in looks to the attractive styling of the S60 and S40 Volvo cars. The XC60 is a large vehicle and anything that helps the vehicle look a little small is an improvement. We also like the elongated ‘S’ of the tailights, which add a touch of class to the rear view.
POWERTRAIN/PERFORMANCE
As mentioned earlier the T5 runs a 2.0 litre petrol engine boosted by a turbo charger. This engine is also found in the Volvo S60 and about to be launched in Ford Falcon. Is it like driving a Subaru WRX? No way. This engine is all about getting six cylinder-like family-car performance out of a fuel-efficient, low emission, four cylinder. It delivers 177 kW of power at 5500 rpm and 320 Nm of torque between 1800 - 5000 rpm. While it’s not a WRX it does cover the 0-100 km/h in a respectable 8.1 seconds and is speed governed to 210 km/h. Fuel consumption is 8.7 litres/100 km, which is not bad for a vehicle the size of the XC60. There is one transmission in the T5, a six speed auto.
SAFETY
Volvo made safety a by-word in the motor industry and for a long compromised style. The XC60 like all other Volvo cars now has both. The basic safety package in the T5 is impressive: ABS brakes, EBD, EBA, emergency brake light flashing, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, driver and passenger airbags and inflatable curtain. Being the entry-level model the T5 does not have Volvo’s full armoury of safety gear including the adaptive cruise package ($4175) lane departure warning ($2075) or blind spot information ($1275). As we said earlier option up the T5 and you will need deep pockets.
INTERIOR DESIGN/FUNCTIONALITY
The Volvo XC60 T5 with front wheel drive only will not take you where angels fear to tread. But, it is aimed at young families and keeping those little angels safe. It features twin inbuilt booster-seats in the rear pew and plenty of cargo space at 495 litres. The rear seat had a 60/40 split on both sides with the middle seat back folding down in two ways, one as an arm rest and secondly the whole back drops down to form a large ski-hutch for longer items. Or all three seats fold flat to form an extra large carpeted cargo area.
All seats are comfortable and there’s plenty of head and leg room in the rear pew. The front seats are firm and supportive. In overall terms the driving position and ergonomics are good. but we have a couple of things we really did not like. Firstly, the starter is not a simply key but an electronic gizmo that you poke into a slot and then push a button. Too cumbersome for our liking. Secondly, the handbrake is electronic, which we have no problem with. However, Volvo have re-invented the wheel. The push/pull system is situated at the right low side of the dash and to activate the brake you push, no pull, the bloody thing. Or is the other way around? Anyway, it’s the opposite to all others we have used. Thankfully, the rest of the vehicle’s gadgets and switches ARE simple and straight forward. There are plenty of storage spaces throughout the cabin, a security blind for the cargo area, illuminated vanity mirrors, four grab handles above the doors, drink holders and air conditioning outlets, even for the rear seat passengers.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
The way the 2.0 litre engine hauls the big vehicle around is impressive. It achieves this with ease and quietness. Driven as a family car you would not know what is under the bonnet: large V6 or small four cylinder. To emphasise this the XC60 3.2 litre V6 is 1.8 seconds slower to 100 km/h than the 2.0 litre T5. The T5 wagon corners nicely at speed on long sweepers, but tighter corners not unexpectedly reveals some understeer.
MODEL RANGE AND PRICING* VOLVO XC60
T5 $54,990
T5 Technik $59,990
3.2 $58,990
3.2 Technik $63,990
D5 $60,990
D5 Technik $65,990
D5 R-Design $68,990
T6 $67,990
T6 Technik $72,990
T6 R-Design $75,990
(*Pricing does not include government or dealer charges)
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: standard
Air Conditioning: standard
Automatic Transmission: standard
CD Player: standard
Central Locking: standard
Cruise Control: standard
Dual Front Airbags: standard
Front Side Airbags: standard
Stability Control: standard
Traction Control: standard
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.999 litres
Configuration: in line
Head Design: DOHC direct injection turbo-charged
Compression ratio: 10:1
Bore/Stroke: 87.5 mm x 83.1 mm
Maximum Power: 177 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 320 Nm @ 1800 - 5000 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: front
Manual Transmission: N/A
Automatic Transmission: 6- speed
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4627 mm
Width: 1891 mm
Height: 1713 mm
Turning Circle: 12.1 metres
Kerb Mass: 1740 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
Towing Ability: 1800 kg (kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: coil over strut
Rear Suspension: multi-link independent
Front Brakes: ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: ventilated disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 8.1 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Premium unleaded
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 8.7 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 6/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
3 years/ unlimited km
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