Volvo’s S60 saloon gets the Cross Country treatment
Following the unveiling of the V60 Cross Country in November, Volvo has applied the same off-road modifications to the S60 to create the S60 Cross Country, the world’s first crossover saloon.
Unveiled at the Detroit International Auto Show earlier this year, the new car shares a platform with the V60 Cross Country and gets the same 65mm increase in ride height and four-wheel drive, although more efficient, two-wheel-drive variants will also be offered in the UK and some other markets.
Volvo’s official images also show the same rugged body cladding surrounding the front and rear bumpers, wheel arches and sills, and both cars will get 18 and 19in alloys shod in high-profile tyres to provide added comfort, refinement and protection for the rims.
At launch the S60 Cross Country will be offered with a choice of two drivetrains: the 187bhp D4 diesel engine with a manual gearbox, front-wheel drive and Volvo’s fuel-saving Drive-E technology, and a four-wheel-drive version of the 2.5-litre D4 diesel with an automatic gearbox. Volvo’s pictures, however, suggest that a four-wheel-drive, petrol-powered T5 version is in the pipeline too. Only one trim level (high-spec Lux Nav) will be offered.
Read our review of the Volvo S60 D4
Lex Kerssemakers, Volvo’s senior vice president for product strategy and vehicle line management, explained the Swedish company’s motivation for building the four-wheel-drive saloon: “We want to further explore the market with our Cross Country brand. We did this back in 1997 with the V70 Cross Country and it led to the birth of a whole new segment. We have included all the capability-driven benefits of the Cross Country brand in this new model, while offering a completely unique expression of adventure and all-road readiness in a distinctly sporty and stylish package.”
The new S60 Cross Country is available to order now with prices starting from £33,695 for the two-wheel drive manual and rising to £36,725 for the four-wheel-drive automatic. The first deliveries are expected in June.