The resemblance of the XC60 to its award-winning XC90 sibling is no accident… Brimming with technology, the new leisure SUV is built on Volvo’s Scalable Premium Architecture platform and will be available in South Africa (in 2018) with a host of engines, including the 300 kW T8 Twin Engine.

First launched in 2008, the first Volvo XC60 continues to be a likeable and capable product, but in light of the recent massive strides in cabin design made by Volvo, it appears rather dated by comparison. The good news is that the all-new XC60 is preliminarily confirmed to join the local market in the second quarter of 2018.

The initial international launch line-up will include the D4 turbodiesel engine with 140 kW and the D5 with PowerPulse technology delivering 173 kW. There will also be a T5 turbopetrol delivering 186 kW and the T6, which with turbo- and supercharging, delivers 235 kW and 400 Nm of torque.

The top-of-the-range motor will be the T8 Twin Engine plug-in petrolelectric hybrid, which delivers a total combined output of 300 kW and a claimed 0-100 kph time of just 5.3 seconds.

Inside, the stylish cabin features tasteful applications of leather, brushed metal and a new CleanZone 4-zone automatic climate control system, which is said to remove harmful pollutants and particles from outside the cabin, as well as the 9-inch Sensus Connect infotainment touchscreen interface.

In terms of the safety specification, Steer Assist has been added to the firm’s renowned City Safety system. Another new safety system called Oncoming Lane Mitigation, which uses Steer Assist to help mitigate head-on collisions, makes its debut in the XC60, while Volvo’s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) now also uses Steer Assist functionality to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions.

In conclusion, Pilot Assist, Volvo’s semi-autonomous driver assistance system thattakes care of steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 130 kph, will be optional.

Further Reading

Check out a review of the outgoing Volvo XC60 here.

Upgraded Volvo XC90 Lands in SA

Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine AWD Inscription (2016) Review

Can the Audi Q7 take on the mighty Volvo XC90?

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