Business First Issue2 Vol5 CH11:Layout 1 23/10/2009 15:53 Page 70
Motoring
Volvo XC60 DRIVe – drive easy
by Ian Beasant, Business First motoring correspondent
W
henever I hear Volvo mentioned, I always think of The engine does not even sound like a diesel. Its five
safety. After all, Volvo was the first to fit three-point cylinder engine has a lovely sporty growl. And it's not slow
seatbelts 50 years ago this year and that innovation either taking a shade over 10 seconds to hit the magic 60
alone is estimated to have saved over a million lives. Head mph from a standstill with an upper limit of 120 mph.
restraints, childproof locks, seatbelt reminder buzzers, The interior is well designed with a simple but efficent
daytime-running lights and anti-submarining seats are all layout. The seats are some of the most comfortable I have
examples of Volvo's initiatives. Volvo also employed a team ever experienced, but that is another of Volvo's recognised
of researchers to visit the site of every car accident within a strengths.The rear seats will easily take three passengers in
hundred miles of the factory so it could collate information comfort and the boot or hatchback is massive. In fact the
on what had injured the occupants and what might be done rear hatch is gigantic – but fear not, one gentle touch on the
to stop it happening again. button and it opens electrically with the same gadgetry
The new XC60 DRIVe goes even further with the addition available to close it again.
of City Safety. I can report that this works, although to be On the road the XC60 seems to sit quite high yet it never
honest, I did not have the nerve to test to the full. However, gives you the feeling that you are driving a big vehicle. The
the technology uses a radar situated in the front grille of the steering is beautiful and Volvo has achieved a great
XC60 to monitor traffic up to six metres in front of the car. If suspension set-up as a lot of these so called soft roaders float
it thinks you are getting a little too close for comfort, or about the road and wobble around the corners. Not the
detects a collision is imminent and the driver has not XC60. This car is super quiet on the motorway and easy to
reacted, the XC60 will automatically apply the brakes. It is drive around the town. Visibility is good and for a vehicle this
another superb safety feature from the Swedish masters of size it is even easy to park.
safety Volvo.
The more I slid behind the thick leather steering wheel, the
The XC60 I drove was fitted with 2.4 litre, five-cylinder more I liked this vehicle. It's practical and extremely well
diesel engine and the transmission was six speed manual bolted together from a very good design. It feels strong and
driving the front wheels. Yes, I know what you are thinking; safe and is economical. The DRIVe version has CO2 output of
why would you have what is basically an offroader and then 159g/km.
make it in two wheel drive? Well the answer is simple – strip
I think Volvo have thought of everything without
away all that weight from the four wheel drive system, boost
forgetting the one most important aspect of successful car
the power and, most importantly, make it more economical,
design: the XC60 is enjoyable and fun to drive.
and I was able to average 44 miles per gallon.
The Volvo XC60 starts from £24,995.
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