Volvo XC70 RANGE
Cant Quite Make Up Your Mind Between A Four-Wheel Drive Estate and A Fully-Fledged Offroader? Then Maybe You Want One Of These. Jonathan Crouch Checks Out Volvos XC70
Strange to think of it now but it wasnt so long ago that
Volvo and four-wheel drive were two incompatible concepts. We didnt see all-wheel traction on any of the Gothenburg makers products until 1999, but since then, theyve not been able to stop.
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The first signal that the Swedes were serious about muscling into the 4x4 market came in 2000 with the launch of the V70 Cross Country XC, the car that eventually inspired the XC70 which were looking at here in revised form. From the Cross Country came a whole series of all-wheel drive V70 variants with less ground clearance but in many cases more power and sales were strong. Strong enough in fact to convince
Volvo executives that a whole new off roading product line was necessary. Hence the current XC70 and XC90 models, the Volvos you turn to if a basic V70 with all-wheel drive isnt quite enough to cut it for the kind of muddy excursion you have in mind.
At the top of the tree sits the XC90, which regularly tops the luxury 4x4 must have lists. The XC70 isnt quite in the same league: picture a V70 estate with extra ground clearance and durable body protection and youve just about summed it up. Still, if thats all you want, the £3,000 you save over a baseline XC90 could look tempting. XC70 prices start at £29,543, enabling it to undercut its arch-rival, Audis A6 Estate-based Allroad. This looks especially good value in the light of the modifications the XC70 has undergone and highlight quite how well this model has performed.
XC70 sales increased by over 37 per cent in 2003, leaving the Allroad floundering in its wake. Much of this was due to the introduction of the D5 diesel engine to the range, a powerplant that now makes up over 80 per cent of all XC70 sales and which recently received a power boost from 163bhp to 185bhp. The key features that differentiate todays XC70 from its imideate predessesor include a bigger large mesh grille similar to that on 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.
"The XC70 is in its element on skiing trips or in towcar territory"
Theres more to this generation XC70 than just some cosmetic tweaking, however, and its under the skin that most of the changes have been wrought. Volvos second-generation Four-C system is available for the first time, its standard on the plush SE Lux models and an option on the others. This system enables drivers to choose from Comfort and Sport settings with resultant changes to the suspension and steering feel. A passenger airbag cutoff switch has been fitted in response to customers looking to carry child seats up front and theres another Volvo safety innovation that will doubtless find its way into many other rival cars.
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) acts much like an extra set of eyes and utilizes digital camera technology mounted in the door mirrors to monitor the areas 3m to each side and up to 9.5m behind the driver. If a vehicle enters this area, a symbol appears on the windscreen pillar near the rear view mirror to indicate that somethings there when you take a quick look towards the mirror. Active at speeds above 10km/h, this system isnt the only safety benefit buyers of the latest XC70 enjoy.
Special water repellent glass is fitted to the mirrors and side windows. Water beads up on the glass and the airstream quickly clears it, leaving unimpeded visibility. A makeover has given the XC70 interior a good deal more visual impact. The V70s cabin was also 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 best parts of the XC70s underpinnings remain as before. Instead of a viscous coupling in the propshaft distributing 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 set-up. Well spare you the technical details on how the whole thing works but the bottom line is that the next time youre in a muddy carpark with a heavy towing load on the back, youll be in a much better position to avoid borrowing the local farmers tractor. Three engine options are available.
The entry-level price buys you the 163bhp 2.4D diesel engine that used to be the D5 before it was superseded. Its only available with the Geartronic automatic gearbox and is capable of a 33mpg average, plus sixty from rest in 11.5s on the way to 121mph.
Spend a little more - £29,573 and theres also the option of the 185bhp D5 engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox. This unit returns 37.2mpg and will sprint to 60mph in 9.5s.
If you must have a petrol engine, £29,823 will land you the latest light pressure turbo 2.5T 210bhp unit which manages a 27mpg average and will make sixty in just 7.5s on the way to 140mph. Volvo came to realise that it was undercharging for the XC90 and ramped prices up to see if and when demand would tail off.
It didnt. It seems theyre trying a similar tactic with the XC70 and its not the screaming bargain it once was. Nevertheless, the 2.5T models still offer what is close to
Audi Allroad 2.
7T pace for £5,000 less and the D5 diesel isnt a lot slower. If you think of the XC70 as a cross-over car a kind of bridge between an all-wheel drive estate and a fully-fledged off roader - then youll be very satisfied with it. With great traction and a torquey economical engine, big luggage capacity and a wicked glint in its eye, this Volvo will excel at duties like skiing trips or towcar work: just dont expect to be able to indulge in any serious mud-plugging. If that fits the bill, then go ahead and try one.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volvo XC70 range
PRICES: £29,543-£32,123 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 14E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 226-249g/km
PERFORMANCE: [D5] Max Speed 130mph / 0-60mph 9.5s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [D5] (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
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