VOLVO XC60 test drive since 2008 SUV

Swedish product

Safety is the last thing I thought about was the first time I saw this car. Even in the photographs, he caused an irresistible desire to immediately climb behind the wheel and find out whether he is good in business as it looks. And when I finally met with the real XC60, this desire only intensified with its appearance the crossover definitely sets up on the driver’s wave, promising extraordinary pleasures. In general, under the sky of sunny Valencia, we made a dense acquaintance with him. To my pleasure.
Real crossover
It is this expression that is characterized by the XC60, the new Volvo CARS design director Steve Mattin, behind his shoulders of which is 18 years of work on Mercedes-Benz. It is to him that the company owes a cardinal change in the corporate identity and, as a result, a new perception of Volvo brand cars. And when Steve says that the most bold and emotional forms are implemented in XC60, as a result of which he is charged with energy, like no other Volvo model, I want to agree with him. The Swedish crossover looks swift and at the same time very much with it. Undoubtedly, he will conquer the sympathy of the public and repel his share of the market.
At the same time, Volvo XC60 The most striking representative of the XC family. By the way, it is only 20 cm shorter than the XC70, but it has almost the largest clearance of 230 mm in the class. However, this does not interfere with the model, thanks to an elegant and powerful shoulder line, expressive hood and large, slightly heard wheel arches, shake on the compartment. In the back of the side of the body, the LED lamps end in the body, due to which in the dark, the XC60 looks even more expressive.
In the cockpit
I really did not think that someday a comparison with the plane would come to my head in the salon of the Volvo car. However. The driver's place is clearly indicated, apparently, he was in the spotlight when developing the interior. Take at least a subtle central console that has already become a traditional CHA60, it is designed differently. In its upper part, as if being a logical continuation of the instrument shield, a new display was located, deployed along with the console towards the driver. The buttons located on the console are grouped, as in other Volvo models. The dashboard with two dials of a tachometer and speedometer, inside which small monitors are located, also looks familiar. It is on them, by the way, that all the information necessary for the driver is displayed, including the data of the on -board computer, which is controlled by a rotary lever and a pair of buttons on the left steering wheel switch. Naturally, there are buttons on the steering wheel, which also participate in the process of communication of the driver with various car systems. I must say that this process does not require a long addiction, it is enough to be guided by intuition.
The driver's seat is very convenient. It is endowed with all the necessary adjustments, and the only complaint to leather upholstery, which, despite the seeming developed side support, makes the seats quite slippery. The driver and front passenger shares a massive central tunnel with an armrest. The steering column is adjusted both in height and by departure, it is not difficult to find the correct landing. True, with my complexion, the right knee was exactly in the end of the thin central console, and during the ride I felt its rigidity.
I think passengers will have no reason to complain about the level of comfort. There is enough space for the legs in the back seat, and there are roomy pockets in the doorway to accommodate various small luggles, not a small glove box and boxing under a armrest. Naturally, there are cup holders. The luggage compartment provides 480 liters for the luggage. In addition, the rear seats are formed in three parts in the ratio of 40/20/40, resulting in an even floor and providing the owner at the disposal of 1450 liters. And, of course, the driver and passengers are reliably protected.
The safest
Acquaintance with new security systems took place at an impromptu training ground, where it was proposed in the case to check the unique City Safety technology, which in the standard is equipped with all versions and modifications of the machine.
According to Volvo studies, 75% of all registered clashes occur at speeds up to 30 km/h. In half the cases of hitting an obstacle, drivers do not use braking at all, which, as a rule, is explained by an elementary loss of attention. It is in such cases that City Safety can help. This system in automatic mode is inhibition if the driver is approaching ahead of the car and does not respond to a dangerous rapprochement. But the laser sensor installed in the upper part of the windshield at the height of the inner mirror reacts, it monitors the movement of cars and other objects located ahead at a distance of 10 meters from the front bumper. Moreover, the computer understands whether the car is at rest, or moves in the same direction. Using the data on the distance to the object and the speed parameters, the electronics calculates 50 times per second, determining what braking force is required to prevent collision. If the parameters of the calculated braking rate are exceeded, and the driver does not take adequate actions, at a speed of up to 30 km/h the system itself takes emergency braking. I tried it works! To do this, I had to overcome the reflexes when, moving along the corridor of cones at a speed of 15 km/h, I forced myself not to slow down in front of the rubber dummy of the car. The car gave an unpleasant sound signal, as if scolding me for sluggishness, but stopped on time. Moreover, City Safety works equally effectively both day and night. However, the laser sensor is not omnipotent, its sensitivity decreases into fog, snow or pouring rain.
But does City Safety take into account the characteristics of the roadway? That is, in winter, on slippery coating, will the system work a little earlier? I have not received a definite answer to this question, although I learned a lot of interesting things. Firstly, the system is configured, as they say, with a margin. That is, with sharp braking on dry asphalt from the edge of the front bumper, several centimeters remain ahead of the standing car. Therefore, in any case, losses even when hit will be significantly lower. Secondly, it turned out that the radar clings to the reflection for the signal coming back, for example, from a license plate or cataphot. The subtlety of settings is such that he will react even to the dirtiest car at least the slightest reflection. So experimenting with City Safety, approaching the wall of your own home, does not cost the system, because the brick will not send the back signal. In all other situations, it is able to really help. Who has never kissed the car, when, for example, he seemed to have moved in a circle, and you already look to the left, but then he is sharply inhibiting?
Drive
I started acquaintance with the voyn XC60 running qualities with the most powerful version of T6. Under the hood of this modification, a 3.0-liter, in-line 6-cylinder gasoline engine with a turbocharged is installed. Its power reaches 285 hp, and the maximum torque is 400 nm. Moreover, the whole moment is already available from 1,500 rpm, which removes all issues related to rapid acceleration or overtaking. The motor is aggregated exclusively with a 6-speed automatic transmission, which does not interfere with the acceleration to 100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds and develop a maximum speed of 230 km/h. Moreover, the automatic transmission adapts very well to the driving style, it costs a couple of times briskly, as the electronics independently change the transition algorithm from one step to another so that you can fully enjoy the magnificent dynamic potential of this version XC60. The automatic transmission also has a sports regime, plus the driver is proposed to switch from one step to another.
But important is another: the settings of all other mechanisms are in complete harmony with the dynamic potential of the car. First of all, I'm talking about pendants, which do not seem unnecessary soft, even if the Four C system does not have been installed in the machine, which allows change the rigidity of shock absorbers. Hence, despite the large clearance, almost invisible rolls of the body on turns and excellent stability even at high speeds. Both that and another were tested on rather free highways near Valencia and on the winding mountain paths of this part of Spain. I have never doubted either the dynamic capabilities of the machine, or in its ability to clearly follow a given course. Of course, more information on the steering wheel would not hurt, but, frankly, you do not experience any difficulties in this regard. In addition, the Volvo XC60 is equipped with a steering system with a change in the fork on the steering wheel depending on the speed of movement, which works not only in automatic mode, but also allows the driver using the information system menu, set the required characteristics of the servo drive. Three modes are proposed: light, standard and sports.
A long contribution to the stability of the car is also made by a full -wheel drive transmission, built according to a well -developed scheme. It is based on Haldex's electronics with Instant Traction technology. That is, the all -wheel drive system automatically redistributes the torque between the front and rear wheels in almost unlimited proportions. Therefore, in most cases, 100% of the power falls on the front wheels, and this ratio changes only as necessary. True, it was not so easy to evaluate all the nuances of all -wheel drive in Spain, so I intend to return to the model in Moscow.
In the meantime, I can say that, despite the dynamic character and rather gambling, XC60 is still more configured for safe riding. This is expressed, inter alia, in a reconfigurated DSTC course stability system, which is installed in the standard. It acts clearly, although, in my opinion, it works too sharply and quite early, as if working ahead of me. However, for most drivers, this is perhaps only for the better.
It would be unfair to ignore the diesel version of KhS60, which I met a little later. She deserves attention. And do not think that a turbodiesel of 2.4 liters The choice of those who do not need a drive. Yes, in terms of power, the turbodiesel is noticeably inferior to its gasoline fellow, having only 185 hp. But the maximum torque is the same 400 Nm, and therefore a sprint up to hundreds even at the version with the automatic transmission is overcome in 9.9 seconds. But this engine can also aggregate with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which will exchange a second hundred on the speedometer even faster in 9.5 seconds. And with almost the same comfort. Why practically? Because, despite the excellent soundproofing of the machine as a whole, the sound of a diesel engine in the cabin is still heard. Not loudly, of course, there are no vibrations, but there is a voice, and with intense acceleration it is especially heard. Fortunately, in all other parameters, the diesel modification is not inferior in any gasoline.
Demand is guaranteed
In my opinion, Volvo KhS60 is a big step forward for the Swedish company, even against the backdrop of others, in the highest degree of successful products of recent years. In this car, the unity of taste, style and running qualities is especially manifested. Well, the buyers have already responded to the efforts of the company: official dealers formed a small line, that at the present time it was a rare thing. For demand, it seems to me that the prices are also working: the diesel version in the basic, but a rather extensive configuration costs 1 million 400 thousand 100 rubles, and the gasoline will cost 1,696,800. Against the background of competitors, it is not so expensive.
Valencia Moscow

Andrey Osipov
Photo Volvo
 

A source: Magazine Automobile Izvestia [December 2008]