Sporty Volvo XC60 PHEV Goes Back to Black.
Sporty Volvo XC60 Goes Back to Black.
Volvo’s second-generation XC60 five-seat luxury SUV added some sophisticated Scandinavian style to the traditional Volvo virtues of safety and sensibleness when it was launch in 2017, and it went on to win numerous awards and accolades right across the globe as a result. It is still a Volvo through and through, and is characterised by its spaciousness, efficiency, stunning cabin, and strong safety credentials. The XC60 is built on a Scalable Product Architecture platform with a strong core structure that is perfectly suited to slick 8-speed automatic transmission, high-grade suspension, brake, steering and electrical systems, and the advanced hybrid powertrains used in the XC60.
Black Edition; Two Trim Options
Volvo Cars introduced a range of upgrades to the XC60 in 2021, including the addition of the company’s new Android-powered infotainment system with Google app services built-in, making Volvo’s best-selling SUV smarter than ever before. The intuitive next-generation infotainment system offers customers unprecedented personalisation and unparalleled connectivity, which is further enhanced through the introduction of a brand-new Digital Services package. The centrepiece of the Digital Services package is access to Google apps ad services, which offers hands-free help with Google Assistant, best-in-class navigation through Google Maps, and a broad offer of native in-car apps via Google Play. By signing up for a Digital Services package, customers will gain access to all services and features offered in the package. All hardware needed to run the services already exists in the car, and all data required is included in the package. Volvo’s designers also made a number of subtle refinements to the exterior design of the XC60, including a new grille, new front & rear bumpers, and new alloy wheels design options. Volvo Cars has now introduced a special XC60 Black Edition model to the existing XC60 line-up, and it is available in a choice of ‘Plus’ or ‘Ultra’ trim levels. The Black Edition is based on the standard XC60, but it comes with distinctive glossy black detailing and unique black alloy wheels to maximise the car’s powerful character
Advanced Safety Systems.
In terms of safety, the XC60 comes equipped with Volvo Cars’ latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensor platform – a modern, scalable active safety system that consists of an array of radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors. This enables the development and deployment of active safety systems in the XC60, such as the detection of other road users, automatic braking and collision avoidance. It also allows for gentle driver support from standstill up to motorway speeds, through the Pilot Assist function. A whole suite of safety systems come as standard across the XC60 model range for total peace-of-mind motoring.
Low Emissions, Increased Performance.
The improved Recharge plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain in the XC60 significantly extends electric range, while lowering Co2 emissions, increasing performance and improving drivability. This bring the all-electric range up to a predicted 90kms on a single charge. With the average premium-car owner travelling less than 50kms each weekday, most Volvo XC60 PHEV drivers with home charging will be able to do their daily motoring on pure electric power. As part of the upgrade in 2021, the main powertrain improvements included a new long-range battery (with a usable capacity of 14.7kWh), and a more powerful rear electric motor now delivering 145bhp. The additional electric power results in a total combined output of 350bhp for the XC60 Recharge T6 and 455bhp for the Recharge T8 models, making the latter the most powerful Volvo production car ever, with both T6 and T8 models enjoying the benefit of a selectable all-wheel-drive system as standard.
Luxurious Cabin.
The luxuriously-appointed cabin in the Volvo XC60 is simply stunning, and is decked out in high-grade materials throughout, ensuring it is a beautiful and elegant place to be. There is a warmer, simpler feel to the ambience than in Volvo’s rivals from Germany, and you get a strong sense that the XC60 is built to last a lifetime. The XC60 does feature a powerful arsenal of infotainment and driver-assist technologies, much of it controlled via the large, portrait-oriented touchscreen in the centre of the attractive instrument panel, and this reduces button clutter to the bare minimum. The front seats are perfectly positioned and comfortably supportive, while the second row delivers the kind of flipping and folding flexibility essential in an SUV. A practical 598-litres of cargo space behind the rear seats can be expanded to 1,395-litres when the rear sets are folded down.
Test Car Details.
My test car was a Volvo XC60 T6 Black Edition ‘Ultra’ Recharge PHEV, which was (appropriately) finished in Onyx Black metallic paintwork. This elegant, deep black metallic produces a brilliant sparkle in strong daylight and a solid darkness in reduced light, and it provides the SUV with a dynamic and dramatic look from every angle. An outstanding array of features come as standard in range-topping Black Edition ‘Ultra’ trim, and key equipment includes LED headlights with Active High Beam incorporating distinctive Thor-hammer Daytime Running Lights, Front & Rear Park Assist, Rear Parking Camera, 21-inch Black Edition alloy wheels, Charcoal (black) Ventilated Nappa Leather upholstery, Centre Console Touchscreen (with Voice Control, DAB Radio, Bluetooth, Android Auto & Apple CarPlay connectivity), self-adapting air suspension, panoramic opening roof, 12.3-inch Active TFT Crystal Driver’s Information Display, and a multitude of innovative safety systems befitting of the Volvo brand. The supremely luxurious cabin in the XC60 offers ample space for up to 5 adult occupants, with 1037mm and 988mm of headroom on offer for front and rear passengers respectively. The premium look and feel within the XC60 is enhanced by a handcrafted crystal gear shifter in genuine Swedish crystal made exclusively for Volvo Cars by Orrefors. The petrol/electric powertrain in the T6 version of the XC60 produces 350bhp and 350Nm of torque, and this enables a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 5.7-seconds, on its way to an electronically-limited 180km/h top speed (where permitted). Fuel consumption as low as 0.9l/100km on a WLTP combined driving cycle is quoted by Volvo Cars as being achievable but, as always, the figure achieved will depend on various factors, including starting every trip with a fully-charged battery. A combined Co2 emissions figure of 22g/km results in annual road tax of just €140, and the XC60 can officially tow a braked trailer up to 2,250kg. The XC60 is a supremely enjoyable SUV to drive, and its effortless power delivery, cosseting comfort and all-wheel-drive system make it so easy to navigate through city streets or high-speed motorways, irrespective of the road or weather conditions.
Verdict & Price.
The second-generation Volvo XC60 has always been an amazingly pleasant and relaxing SUV to drive, and its overall driving dynamics are simply terrific, but the new Black Edition makes Volvo’s mid-size luxury SUV look more sporty and more desirable than ever. The new Volvo XC60 Recharge T6 is priced from €67,995 (ex-delivery) in Core trim, with the XC60 Recharge T6 Black Edition priced from €76,395 (ex-delivery) in Plus trim. My test specification is priced from €82,395 (ex-delivery). All Volvo passenger cars come with the reassurance of a 3-year/100,000km warranty as standard.
Visit www.volvocars.com for further information
