Volvo launches second-gen XC60 in India, headed for record sales in 2017

Premium carmaker Volvo Auto India today launched the new XC60 SUV in a single top-of-the-line Inscription trim, at a price point of Rs 55,90,000 (ex-showroom). The second-generation mid-size SUV is based on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform and opens the future possibilities of incorporating a fully-electric drivetrain into the XC60. 

Taking a leap towards future mobility, Volvo has made investments to the tune of US$ 11 billion into developing new flexible platforms – the SPA and CMA, electric powertrains, and new three-cylinder and four-cylinder internal combustion powerplants.

The company, which foresees strong long-term potential for the luxury vehicle segment in India, has seen increased sales traction following start of local assembly operations earlier this year. On October 10, 2017, Volvo Cars’ first locally-assembled XC90 rolled out from the Bangalore plant.  

Compared to the outgoing model, the new Volvo XC60 gets design cues from its elder sibling, the full-size XC90, and gets Volvo's new signature – the Thor’s hammer-inspired LED headlamps upfront. Although bigger in dimensions over the previous generation (11mm wider, 44mm longer), the new version retains its side profile with a slightly reduced height by 14mm, along with 19-inch wheels, making it unmistakably noticeable as an XC60. The rear profile sees a sloping roof, culminating into a new set of LED taillights.

On the inside, the XC60 gets full Nappa leather upholstery on the inscription trim, ventilated and massage seats, a 9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, a 1100W 15-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound setup and a panoramic sunroof. Comfort creatures also include an air suspension along with an all-wheel-drive system.

Safety equipment on-board comprise radar-based systems, including oncoming lane mitigation with steer assist, Volvo’s BLIS (blind spot identification system), its City Safety with cross-traffic alert which aids the driver and watches for road obstructions above the speed of 50kph, and the ubiquitous roll-over mitigation, where according to the company, the XC60 performs well even on concrete surfaces.

The SUV comes powered by a 2.0-litre diesel motor, which develops 235bhp of power and 480Nm of peak torque and comes mated to an 8-speed gearbox. To counter turbo-lag at the lower range of the rev band, Volvo has deployed what it calls ‘Power Pulse’ technology, wherein it injects compressed air from the compressor into the turbo and spools it up by forced induction.

Record sales coming up for CY2017
The company has seen an exciting calendar year in India with sales crossing the 2,000 units mark until November 2017. According to Charles Frump, managing director, Volvo Auto India, “It has been a very good year for Volvo, where we rolled out our first locally assembly model in October and are on track to close this financial / calendar year with a 25 percent growth rate. We also intend to expand our dealership network and take the count from the current 21 to 30 outlets by end of 2018.”

Globally, 2017 brought in good numbers for the company, with sales crossing the half-million mark (513,000 units) until November. “We are eyeing the future and are seriously working on a number of futuristic mobility solutions based on electrification and autonomous driving technologies. We have struck a partnership with Uber to develop and supply vehicles on such platforms. 2019 will embark our journey into the fully electric space and by 2025, we target annual sales of 1 million electric cars worldwide,” Frump concluded.

Until the company brings in other variants around six months down the line, the new Volvo XC60 will only be available in the limited edition Inscription trim at launch and will come in four colours options – Pine Grey, Crystal White Pearl, Black Max and Havana Brown.