Volvo XC70 D5 AWD
Mention the words diesel, Volvo and estate to any car enthusiast and chances are theyd rather gnaw their own limbs off than spend any time behind the wheel. Theres a time and a place for sensible and it usually occurs after youve been presented with a gold watch, a big card and a bottle of sherry. Except nobody seems to have reminded Volvo. In a move that caused huge stress to those who love the comfort of stereotypes, Volvo introduced the XC70 D5 AWD a diesel Volvo estate with attitude.
Despite the spectacularly inelegant name, much of what on offer here is familiar. The XC70 is, in effect, a modernisation of the V70 Cross Country Estate fitted with the D5 diesel engine and a number of worthwhile refinements. The history is well documented; the V70 Cross Country carving out an enviable niche for itself as a crossover vehicle. Having wiped the floor with the opposition when it came to conventional large estate sales, it didnt take the work of a genius at Gothenburg to spot a new opportunity.
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"If there was ever such thing as a one size fits all car this is the prime contender."
The D5 diesel engine is available mated to a Geartronic automatic box or a 6-speed manual. Today this 2.4-litre all aluminium five-cylinder engine produces 185bhp instead of the 163bhp that the old D5 managed thanks to new turbochargers, fuel injectors and engine management software. Its also Euro IV compliant with improved diesel particulate filters to help filter out the nastiness.
Talking torque, the D5 generates a healthy 400Nm between 2,000 and 2,750rpm, which is more than a 250bhp T5 petrol unit. Dont be tempted to think that this amount of lugging power comes at the expense of refinement. Twist the key and youll get a slight thrum thatll remind you which pump to pull up at but nothing thats going to make you invest in an uprated stereo system to drown out the din. On a par with the better diesels from Audi and Mercedes, if not quite BMW standard, engine noise is well controlled even when ascending the rev range, when the engine takes on an impressive, albeit muted, induction roar like a very powerful petrol engine.
Unlike many diesel engines theres a useable amount of flexibility to be had near the top end of the rev band, although a bit of a hole exists at the bottom end. So, a diesel that revs like a decent petrol engine and sounds like one too does it have the performance to match? To be frank, no it doesnt. Those chaps at Volvo may be clever but they cant manage the impossible, especially when you factor in the XC70 D5s 37.2mpg average economy figure.
Still a sprint to 60mph in 9.5 seconds is hardly lethargic and a top speed of 130mph will be enough for all but the most speed addled. The four-wheel drive system that allows the XC70 to negotiate undemanding loose surfaces is a good deal smarter than that in the V70. Whereas the old car used a viscous coupling in the propshaft that distributed the power between front and rear wheels, the XC70 opts instead for a far more sophisticated Haldex differential that works in a quicker and more intelligent fashion than the viscous system.
In recent times, the XC70 has been updated and the key changes most will notice include a bigger large mesh grille similar to the XC90 with a bright frame and a dark silver inner, complementing front and rear skid plates that are a little less apologetic than before. Theres also a Stone Grey bumper colour which replaces the dark blue tone and is available as an alternative to the popular brown bumper, wheel arch and lower side mouldings. Clear rear lights also feature and the old XC70s wiper system for the front lights has been replaced by a high pressure jetwash instead and the light lenses themselves are a lightweight plastic that offers better resistance to stone chipping. A passenger airbag cutoff switch has been fitted in response to customers looking to carry child seats up front and the new Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is another Volvo safety innovation that will doubtless find its way into many other rival cars.
The V70s cabin has also been spruced up with a revised aluminium trim and the deletion of the rather unconvincing wood effect trim in favour of genuine Californian walnut. The centre of the dashboard and the centre console both offer superior build quality and features with an armrest that doubles as a tray and cupholder. New generation Volvo front seats are also fitted. Height adjustment goes up by 12mm, the head restraints are slimmer and the adjustment controls are easier to fathom and smoother to operate.
Audio systems are easier to use whilst on the go and there have been a myriad of improvements to things like the door handles and the sun visors. The price of the standard SE model is certainly competitive at £29,925, inclusive of leather upholstery, electronic climate control, an electronic information centre and a pumped-up stereo featuring Dolby surround sound. The SE Lux model meanwhile gets what appears to be the remainder of the options list thrown at it. As well as a satellite navigation system with integrated television, there are electrically adjustable heated driver and passenger seats, rain sensing windscreen wipers and a headlamp wash wipe system for when the going gets majorly muddy.
The list price is £32,225. Its worth remembering that if you wanted to specify an Audi Allroad to these levels, youd need the bank balance of a Premiership footballer. As entertaining undertaking light off-road duties as it is on the blacktop, the Volvo XC70 D5 AWD is truly a car for any season. With great traction and a torquey economical engine, big luggage capacity and a wicked glint in its eye, the XC70 D5 AWD has to rank as the greatest ski-drive vehicle yet devised.
That alone may be enough for some. If there was ever such thing as a one size fits all car this is the prime contender.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volvo XC70 D5 AWD
PRICE: £29,925-£32,225 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 15
CO2 EMISSIONS: 201g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 130mph / 0-60mph 9.5s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 37.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Front and side airbags / ABS / SIPS / WHIPS/ DSC
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4733/1860/1562mm
