When the Volvo XC90 was introduced in 2002, there were people who thought that the in-house competition would badly hurt the company’s highly successful Volvo XC70.
They were soon to be proved wrong – the exposure of the XC90 with its similar All-Wheel Drive system led to renewed appeal for the XC70 as the entire Cross Country range of the Volvo Car Corporation got a boost, and sales of the XC70 increased.
Customers soon realised that these are, after all, two entirely different cars that are aimed at two entirely different target groups.
The strength of the XC70 is that it radiates an ability to carry you wherever you want, no matter which adventure you’ve set your sights on. In terms of commercial appeal, these two Volvo models turn to different target groups, each of them using the cars differently.
Buyers of the Volvo XC90 generally stick to the city’s asphalt roads and are secure in the knowledge that their car radiates readiness to carry them off-road. The owner of a Volvo XC70, on the other hand, is often on his or her way to and from recreational activities in environments with tougher driving conditions.
Better driving characteristics – increased safety
Since the launch of the XC70 its driving characteristics have been enhanced. The Volvo XC70 is now also available with the sophisticated FOUR-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) active chassis as an optional feature.
What is more, safety is enhanced with a number of additional features, such as the intelligent camera-based BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), which monitor’s the driver’s “blind spots”.
The XC70 is built on the same car platform as the Volvo S60, Volvo V70 Estate, and Volvo XC90. It is designed and built to be driven on all types of roads, good and bad alike. Its roadholding is consistent, regardless of the road conditions.
Like its sister vehicle, the Volvo V70, the Volvo XC70 is very safe. Its basic design is solid and robust, enabling it to withstand the severe collision forces that can be generated in accidents of different types.
Volvo’s patented whiplash protection system, WHIPS, is standard, together with the Side-Impact Protection System (SIPS), which includes side-impact airbags and the inflatable curtain (IC).
Versatility one of XC90 biggest attributes
Versatility is one of the Volvo XC70’s hallmarks. The Volvo XC70 offers the kind of comfort and performance that make it a superb long-distance vehicle. However, it also offers permanent All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which means that it gets through, regardless of the road conditions. Even those that are really, really bad.
However, the word “versatility” does not simply comprise the ability to get through. It also includes a flexible interior with a number of practical features. The Volvo XC70 is higher than a standard car, with a certified ground clearance of 200 mm. The extra height results in additional ground clearance in difficult road conditions.
Anyone who is interested in equipping the Volvo XC70 for somewhat more gruelling driving will find that Volvo has developed an underbody protective plate to provide the engine, gearbox and lower subframe with extra protection on bumpy/ stone-covered roads.
As the car is no higher than it needs to be, it still has a relatively low centre of gravity, one of the prerequisites for really good driving characteristics and road performance.
Its relatively low weight is one of the reasons why the Volvo XC70 offers competitive fuel consumption by the 2,5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine. In mixed driving conditions, it consumes on average 10,2 litres/100 km (manual) and 11,1 litres/100 km (Geartronic). Although it is the large estate car in Volvo’s range, it accelerates in 8,1 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h for the five-speed manual version, and in 8,5 seconds for the version with the five-speed Geartronic transmission.
At customer clinics held during the development of the Volvo XC70, it emerged that customers regarded the car as an estate with greater potential – more functionality and versatility – than a standard five-door car can offer. Customers also stated very clearly that, in terms of positioning, they regarded the car as a bridge between the standard estate and the SUV.
Child booster seats a popular feature
One of the best features of the XC70, and particularly popular with mothers, are the booster seats that fold out of the outer rear seats to provide a raised seating platform for toddlers or young children.
ISOFIX attachments for child seats are available as an option and accessories for both the outer seat positions in the back seat and for the front passenger seat only as an accessory. They should not be installed in the front passenger seat if the car is fitted with a passenger airbag.
The Volvo XC70 comes standard with the High Performance sound system which features a 6 CD front loader, 4 x 50 W amplifier and 25 W for the centre loudspeaker.
Twin radio antennae ensures the best possible reception. What is more, the system can be supplemented
with a 12″ sub-woofer under the luggage compartment floor, which is powered by a separate 150W amplifier.
Range of accessories
A range of accessories that further enhance the level of versatility is available for the Volvo XC70. It includes a cargo box, which has been specially designed for this model and is colour-keyed to match the bodywork, a bicycle holder, plus holders for skis or funboards. Anyone looking for something slightly more exclusive will appreciate the refrigerator, which can be installed in the rear seat.
The range of accessories also includes a picnic table that can be fixed in the tailgate opening. The table is accompanied by cushions, which ensure that you can sit in comfort without getting your clothes dirty on the bumper.
The Volvo XC70 is built with the Volvo V70, Volvo S80 and Volvo XC90 at the Volvo Cars plant in Torslanda, Sweden.
