The Volvo XC60 concept will be powered by a 6 cylinder bio ethanol engine. The Volvo XC60 6 cylinder bio ethanol engine delivers 265 hp and 251 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque.
Volvo Press Release:
Volvo XC60 Concept
Six-cylinder bio ethanol engine
The chosen power train for the Volvo XC60 Concept is a six-cylinder, 3.2-liter bio ethanol engine with all wheel drive.
The engine offers the driver dynamic performance in the form of 265 horsepower and 251 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque – with emissions of fossil carbon dioxide dropping by up to 80 percent when driving, compared with the same engine running only on gasoline.
At the moment, three of Volvo Cars’ nine models – the C30, S40 and V50 – are available in nine European markets with the bio ethanol powered FlexiFuel alternative. These cars are all powered by four-cylinder engines.
“We believe that FlexiFuel has great potential for larger engine sizes and we are planning to expand our range of bio-ethanol powered engines in the coming years,” says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President, Research & Development at Volvo Cars.
The powertrain for the Volvo XC60 Concept is using the same six-cylinder, in-line petrol engine that was introduced in the new Volvo S80 in 2006. The engine has been optimised for E85 (85 percent bio ethanol, 15 percent gasoline). This gives 265 horsepower and 251 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque and acceleration from 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds. Top speed is approximately 143 mph (228 km/h).
The fuel economy when running on E85 is 19.2 mpg (12.3 litres/100 km). This is a competitive figure for this type car, since the energy content of ethanol is 40 percent lower than that
of gasoline. Bio ethanol is also an entirely renewable fuel that can be produced from just about any biomass source, such as corn, wheat, sugarcane and cellulose. This means that emissions of fossil carbon dioxide drop by up to 80 percent when driving on bio ethanol E85, compared with the same car running on gasoline.
On top of the environmental benefits above, in many markets the car owner is compensated at the pump through the lower price on bio ethanol.
Bio ethanol on the move
Renewable bio ethanol is a fuel that is on the move in Europe and Volvo Cars has launched FlexiFuel models in several new markets this autumn and will continue to do so in 2007. Markets to get Volvo’s FlexiFuel cars outside Sweden are France, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland. Volvo Cars predicts sales of 7,000 FlexiFuel cars in 2007.
Presently there are 23 plants producing ethanol in Europe and this figure is expected to rise to just over 60 in 2008. All told, about 720 million gallons (2.7 billion litres) of ethanol are produced annually within the European Union,
primarily from sugar beet and various grains. Capacity is expected to increase threefold by 2008.
As of August of 2006, the United States had 101 bio ethanol plants in operation and with a capacity of 4.8 billion gallons per year. Additionally, 39 bio refineries are under construction and 7 more are expanding, which will add more than 2.5 billion gallons of capacity when complete. Ethanol is blended in 40 percent of the U.S. gasoline supply and there are already about 1,000 filling stations for E85 in the United States.
Environmental benefits
"One single renewable fuel will not be able to replace today’s fossil fuels, and the range of alternative fuels will probably be far wider in the future. Many different fuels and technologies are therefore developed in parallel. Ethanol reduces dependency on fossil fuels and Volvo Cars’ FlexiFuel programme makes a vital contribution to our strategy of environmental sustainability,” concluded Arp.
The XC60 Project
Delivering a capable and charismatic crossover from Volvo
Irvine, CA (December 14, 2006) – With the release of the first official images of the Volvo XC60 Concept, Volvo's newest concept is set to take center stage at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. Integrating both the unmistakable, muscular XC-versatility and the sporty charisma of a coupe, the Volvo XC60 Concept is a preview of the new production Volvo XC60 that is planned to reach showrooms at the beginning of 2009.
“One might say that this could be the C30-owner’s next car; equally sporty and exciting, but with more cargo capacity. The Volvo XC60 Concept offers a good indication of how the “real” Volvo XC60 will look,” said Fredrik Arp, President and CEO at Volvo Cars. The concept car shows that Volvo Cars’ Volvo XC60 project is ready to challenge the competition in what is currently the toughest and fastest-growing segment in the automotive world – the Small Premium Utility segment.
Today there are only a handful of models in this segment, but within the next few years, buyers will have at least 10 competitors to choose from. Between 2007 and 2009, the segment’s sales volume is expected to expand by 75 percent to 443,000 cars. “There is considerable potential in this segment and the Volvo XC60 Concept exemplifies Volvo's sporty and dynamic intentions while retaining our firm lead when it comes to safety. The technological solutions for avoiding low-speed collisions represent a major breakthrough. We call this system City Safety,” explained Arp.
Automatic braking
If the vehicle in front suddenly brakes and City Safety senses that a collision is likely to occur it will pre-charge the brakes to assist the driver in avoiding an accident. However, when the system senses that a collision is imminent, the car will brake automatically.
City Safety is active at up to 18.6 mph (30 km/h). If the relative speed difference between the two vehicles is below 9.3 mph (15 km/h), the system can help the driver avoid the collision entirely. Between 9.3 and 18.6 mph, the system attempts to reduce the Volvo's speed as much as possible before the impact.
Target group with high demands on technology
As with the recently introduced Volvo C30, Volvo’s XC60 project is aimed at a specific target group with high demands on design, brand value and high-tech solutions in their choice of lifestyle products. This generation is very tech savvy, is becoming increasingly influential and is building up immense purchasing power. When it comes to their choice of car, these consumers adopt the same approach as they apply to other products; it should preferably cater to all their needs in one attractive, smart package.
Capable XC muscles down below, elegant coupe above the waistline
From the design viewpoint the Volvo XC60 Concept is a daring creation, a fusion of the very best elements from two distinctive, yet dynamic vehicle types. Below the beltline, the unmistakable and capable XC styling cues give it a distinctive stance with high ground clearance on large wheels. Above the waistline, the sleek lines trace the profile and sporty charisma of an elegant coupe.
The Volvo XC60 Concept has an interior design that is as daring as the exterior. This is most evident in the instrument panel and center stack and the slim, visually floating front and rear seats. “The concept car not only provides a good indication of what the production Volvo XC60 will look like, it also offers a glimpse into the future of Volvo's design language. With a more sculptured look, our cars will be more extroverted in their visual appeal," says Steve Mattin, Design Director at Volvo Cars.
Deliveries to customers in early 2009
With the Volvo XC60 Concept, Volvo Cars is announcing that the XC family, which presently consists of the XC70 and XC90, will be expanded in the beginning of 2009. Just like the two present vehicles in the XC range, the Volvo XC60 is based on passenger-car technology, which makes it possible to combine its rugged capability with a dynamic and entertaining driving experience.
“I would like to emphasize that with the Volvo XC60 project, as with the C30, we are aiming primarily at lifestyle rather than age. We are broadening our model range to attract more customers with an active, urban lifestyle. The Volvo XC60 will be equally important as the C30 in our planned sales volume expansion,” concludes Arp.
The XC60 Concept
A glimpse of the next Volvo XC - and of the future of Volvo's design language
Irvine, CA (December 14, 2006) – Volvo Car Corporation today released the first official images of the Volvo XC60 Concept that will be unveiled at the upcoming North American International Auto Show. Scheduled to be shown to the world January 7, 2007, the Volvo XC60 Concept looks towards Volvo's future on two significant fronts: it offers the world a sneak preview of the next XC model to come from Volvo Cars and it reveals several design elements that will be part of future Volvos.
Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin and his team have designed the Volvo XC60 Concept while keeping their eyes firmly focused on one clear goal. “In recent years we have successfully emphasized the Scandinavian characteristics that base prestige on timeless, functional elegance. Now we’re elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally pumping up our cars’ visual volume,” says Mattin. “With more expressive, emotive shapes, it will be a magnet for the viewer’s eyes. If a Volvo is recognizable from 100 feet away today, I want to get to the point where you will instantly spot it from twice that distance in the future.”
From the design viewpoint, the Volvo XC60 Concept is a daring, emotionally charged creation. The concept car, resplendent in a dashing Tin Bronze livery, combines two distinct vehicle designs. “Down below, the unmistakable and capable XC muscles pump up the vehicle, giving it a purposeful stance with high ground clearance on large wheels. Above the waistline, the dashing lines trace the profile and sporty charisma of an elegant, sexy coupe,” noted Mattin.
Enlarged iron mark in the grille
The classic Volvo iron mark was reintroduced on Volvo’s cars almost two years ago and makes its boldest design statement yet on the Volvo XC60 Concept. Embedded in the trapezoidal grille, the large iron mark provides a distinctive signal that the future has arrived. The new angled positioning lights on both sides of the grille are also part of the DNA of Volvo’s next-generation design language. Along with the headlamps and the sweeping front fenders, they radiate an aggressive stance that also emphasizes the hood's classical V-shape.
The skid-plates front and rear are integrated to give an elegant yet distinct signal that this is primarily a crossover with pronounced on-road properties. The sculpted, emotive shapes that are such an important part of Steve Mattin’s design direction in the future become particularly pronounced when the Volvo XC60 Concept is viewed from the side. With imposing 20-inch wheels, accentuated wheel housings and aluminum scuff-plates, the muscular XC feel is emphasized in the lower half of the car, while the windows’ sleek profile and the dramatic roofline give the upper portion of the vehicle a sporty coupe-like appearance.
New tailgate design
“At the rear, the expressive, sculptured shapes provide additional hints of the direction our design DNA is set to take. The contours of the tall tail lamps highlight the muscular shoulders and the tailgate’s trapezoidal shape is a further development of the glass tailgate in the Volvo C30,” explains Mattin. The tailgate design features another ingenious innovation: the lower portion moves out and up over the upper section. This creates a sufficient opening for small items without requiring the entire tailgate to be opened. Of course, the tailgate can also be fully opened. The third alternative is to only open the upper section.
Another exciting solution is the dark panel in the lower part of the tailgate. Viewed from inside, it becomes transparent to improve the driver’s ability to see the area behind the car. The roof is also transparent, with dark-tinted glass attached on top of a Y-shaped bearing structure. At the rear, the Volvo name on the tailgate features more pronounced lettering with wider spacing than before. This too is a new feature that will be echoed throughout the model range to boost the brand’s image.
Elegant, high-tech interior
The Volvo XC60 Concept has an interior design that is as daring as the exterior. This applies particularly to the instrument panel and floating center stack and the slim, visually floating front and rear seats. The interior is dominated by the elegant combination of saddle leather and aluminum. The upper section of the passenger compartment is typically Scandinavian light, while the lower portion has a contrasting dark, espresso brown shade. Mattin’s team also paid a lot of attention to the Volvo XC60 Concept's interior lighting appointments, creating a passenger compartment that seamlessly incorporates functional areas of light and a pleasant ambience – mood lighting that emphasizes the modern atmosphere inside the Volvo XC60 Concept.
Instrument pod with wings
The main instrument pod resembles a bumble-bee with a round analogue speedometer as the “body” in the middle flanked by two digital “wings” featuring display screens for other information. The instrument panel and the new steering wheel harmonize with the iconic floating center stack, which is angled towards the driver. It is even slimmer than what is found in today’s production models, freeing up additional storage space behind the console.
“The white iPod-inspired surface is almost like a smooth wall of snow, surrounded by a metal frame that emphasizes the asymmetrical shape. Buttons and controls are entirely integrated into the surface and the “invisible” screen for information and navigation appears only when it is switched on, starting up with a spectacular pulsating sequence. The screen image is back projected, which makes the center stack one of the innovative highlights of the interior,” said Mattin. The four rotary controls also come to life through the start-up sequence. All other buttons are touch sensitive.
The unique gear selector takes the form of a slide control, similar to the controls found on the mixer-table of light and sound technicians. The doors’ control panels are also identical to the center stack.
Slim seats
Volvo Cars is world-renowned for its extremely comfortable and ergonomically designed seats. In the Volvo XC60 Concept, they are refined even further with slim, asymmetrical lines that provide added comfort, particularly when climbing in and out of the vehicle. The light-colored seats appear to float above the dark floor. All the seats have fully integrated seat belts. The head restraints and backrests, in both the front and rear seats, feature a pony-tail slot. This feature was introduced a couple of years ago in the Volvo YCC (Your Concept Car), and in the Volvo XC60 Concept it has been extended all the way down the back to provide enhanced ventilation and improved rearward vision. The slots also feature integrated ambient lighting.
“By turning his head, the driver can see all the way through his or her own seat, through the rear seat’s backrest and through the transparent panel at the lower corner of the tailgate. This promotes added safety in a car type whose height may otherwise limit rearward vision,” explained Mattin. The pony tail slots in the rear backrests feature the same type of attachment points as in the luggage compartment floor. This permits a whole variety of possibilities for using accessories or securing different types of loads. In addition, there is storage space for a specially designed Volvo XC60 Concept luggage set under the rear seats, conveniently accessible via the rear doors
A glimpse into Volvo's future
“The Volvo XC60 features a number of innovations that indicate how our cars will look in a few years time. The idea of a Volvo being boxy is behind us. Instead, we will make our Scandinavian design heritage more emotional and radiant by adding sculptured, exciting shapes and new, innovative features,” noted Mattin.
