The Swedish car manufacturer, Volvo will be introducing its crossover SUV, the XC60 into the Indian market with a detuned version of the existing diesel engine. Called the D3, this engine will primarily help Volvo to offer its product at a much aggressive pricing. If you follow the Indian auto market closely, you will reckon that the demand for SUVs and MUVs has grown over time in the past couple of months with almost every player keen on introducing their own model in these segments. Big German players like Audi, Mercedes and BMW have also introduced their low cost models into the Indian market to grab a fair amount of the growing demand.

Sadly, Volvo on the other hand has always remained a fairly silent player compared to the others. Personally, I like Volvo cars since they look descent, have adequate power and entrusts you with a sense of safety when you sit inside. However inspite of having such good characteristics, Volvo never really captured the Indian market because of its slow innings. But looks now, things are likely to change. In its first efforts, Volvo has developed a detuned version of their existing diesel engine and has already plonked it under the hood of the luxury sedan, the S60 and now they are doing the same with its crossover, the XC60.

The Volvo XC60 features driver alert conrol (DAC), lane departure warning (LDW), adaptive cruise control (ACC), ABS, hydraulic brake assist (HBA), ready alert brakes (RAB), tyre pressure monitoring, leather seats, electronic climate control, panoramic roof, speed dependent steering, blind spot information system (BLIS), cruise control, headlamp leveler, rain sensor, power parking brake and power tailgate to name a few.

The D3, detuned version of the inline, 5 cylinder turbo-diesel D5 engine produces 163 BHP of power and 400 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a 6 speed automatic gearbox with power flow to the wheels via an All Wheel Drive System. The XC60 with the detuned D3 diesel engine will be available to you starting from Rs. 34.4 lakhs for the base variant, Kinetic and goes all the way upto Rs. 37.4 lakhs for the top of the line Summum variant (ex-showroom, Delhi). The move of Volvo detuning their diesel engines might seem attractive from a economic point of view but how does it manage to retain the characteristics of the Volvo is yet to be found out.

Volvo India has launched the XC60 compact luxury SUV powered by the high performance latest generation D5 Twin-Turbo diesel engine, Volvo XC60 will be the only SUV in its category to offer unique features such as Laser Assisted Automatic Braking, Hill Descent Control (HDC), Turn with Steering lights (Active Bending Lights), Power tailgate, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC), Roll Stability Control (RSC), Advanced braking technologies, Hydraulic brake assist, Protective Advanced safety technologies. Priced at Rs. 39.5 Lakhs (Ex-showroom, Delhi) and Rs. 41.41 lakhs (Ex-Showroom, Mumbai, incl. Octroi), the Volvo XC60 will be imported as CBU (Completely Built Units) from the company’s manufacturing facility in Ghent, Belgium.

“Volvo XC60 is a perfect embodiment of our brand’s core attributes of safety, comfort, quality, Scandinavian design and innovation. Heart-stopping looks coupled with innovative technology and off-road capabilities, it is a perfect blend of style and practicality. We are confident that in India, Volvo XC60 will give us a competitive edge in its segment,” Paul de Voijs, MD, Volvo India, said.

The engine performance is 205 hp and 420 Nm, with the latest Twin Turbo and Peizo high-pressure technology, the inspiring five-cylinder state -of-art is high on performance and low on fuel consumption. While the official Mileage is 13.8 kmpl. Some interior features include two – tone leather interiors with a unique X theme on the seats, ergonomically designed seats with pronounced side supports and luxurious padding both front and rear with integrated seatbelts, unique floating centre console (a Volvo trademark) slightly angled towards the driver to enhance driver dynamics, illuminated lockable glove box, flat folding three-section rear seat (40/20/40 split), high quality textile, leather upholstery, leather clad classic wood steering wheels.

Optional features are collision warning with Auto Brake alerts the driver if the distance to a vehicle ahead suddenly decreases, adaptive Cruise Control also in slow queues – which helps the driver to maintain a safe distance with the vehicle in front at speeds over 30kmph. a range of other features include Driver Alert Control to detect and alert tired and distracted drivers, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) helps detect vehicles in the offset rear blind spot on both sides of the SUV, Lane Departure Warning alerts the driver if the SUV runs across the lane markers without the turn indicator being used and premium sound with Dolby Pro-logic II Dynaudio, Bluetooth hands-free system, USB and iPod Music Interface.

Volvo India has started marketing their upcoming SUV XC60. The XC60 will get laser assisted laser assisted braking, that senses a collision upto 50kmph and applies the brakes automatically. The company will launch the XC60 on the 24th of this month.

Edit - Volvo has send us more information telling us that the XC60 will get optional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Driver Alert Control (DAC) and Collision Warning with Auto Brake. The cross over will be powered by a 3.0L T6 petrol (285bhp and 40.5kgm) and 2.4L D5 diesel (175bhp and 42.5kgm). The XC60 is quite quick for a vehicle of its class, hitting 100kmph in 7 seconds. The XC60 will be present at the Autocar Performance Show which starts tomorrow.

Volvo Auto India has firmed up plans for the launch of its latest offering Volvo XC60 in the fourth quarter of this year (November 24th, 2010). Volvo XC60 offers the discerning compact luxury SUV customer – technological innovations and modern Scandinavian design. Volvo XC60 will mark the Swedish car company’s foray into the compact luxury SUV segment, enhancing the brand’s established reputation for safety, while adding on to the elements of fun and comfort. Volvo XC60 owes its unique appeal to the synthesis of strikingly sporty design and a range of intelligent & smart safety systems.

With the new compact luxury SUV, we will expand our offerings to the Indian customers. XC60’s technological innovations such as Laser and Camera assisted Automatic Braking (City Safety) will raise the bar in compact luxury SUV segment. Imagine a car that uses laser and camera technology automatically to mitigate a collision if the driver does not respond in time.” Mr. Paul de Voijs, Managing Director, Volvo Auto India, said.

It has been long time coming and its still not there. The car in question is the Volvo XC60 which was expected to be launched last year but has only just reached homologation. The XC60 was brought down by Volvo and given to ARAI to be certified for sale in our country. The new Volvo XC60 is the first vehicle in a new generation of the contemporary cross-over concept. It is a combination of a traditional city vehicle and an XC vehicle aimed for young, professional urban people with an active life.

Volvo XC60 has a characteristic XC design language, with a blend of passenger and coupe-like car shape. The formula-drive stance, with big wheels “in the corners”, lifted visual platform and a very high waistline – all contribute to a sturdy and robust impression. The V-shape design, i.e. front spoiler, LED lamps, bonnet, goes all the way to the rear. The rear design is characterised by the tail lamps with micro optics and LED technique.

The Volvo XC60 will be launched in India by September. The Volvo XC60 is the younger sibling of the already selling Volvo XC90. The XC60 will be available with same inline five-pot diesel and straight 6-cylinder petrol engines which power the XC90 and S80. The XC60 will power the front wheels and will compete with the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. The diesel engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The XC60 also previews a lot of new features, including what Volvo likes to call the ‘floating console’. The centre console has the climate control buttons embedded in it, while the space behind the console is hollow and can be used for storage.

Swedish luxury carmaker Volvo said that it will enhance its product portfolio in the country, including a premium sports utility vehicle to be launched sometime next year.

“The company is not facing any slowdown in the segment and is planning to introduce another SUV, XC60, in India after its European launch in November this year. We are internally preparing for the homologation process and will launch the car accordingly then,” Volvo Car India Managing Director Paul de Voijs said.