[S.R.]

<B>From: Auto Express UK, June 20, 2001<BR>Volvo Off-roader 4x4<BR>We get behind the wheel of Volvo's forthcoming off-roader.</B><P> <IMG SRC="http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/DrewSRX/newnews/media/1-2803.jpeg"> <P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Safety, performance and all-road adventure... the future of Volvo has never looked so exciting! Only six months from now, as the curtains are raised on next year's Detroit Motor Show, the world will glimpse the production edition of the firm's first-ever off-roader – and Auto Express has already been behind the wheel in a major exclusive.<P>Volvo's daring new sports utility vehicle looks set to shake up the quickly growing luxury 'soft-roader' market. Codenamed P28, the four-wheel-drive machine is based on the P2 platform. That is the chassis which provides the underpinnings for the Swede's S60 and S80 saloons, as well as its new V70 estate. <P>Although some very minor cosmetic changes will be made to the nose of the car – badged ACC – before production starts, the new SUV will remain faithful to the prototype you see here. Volvo has been particularly keen to keep the arching roofline, which is a clear departure from the firm's slab- sided estates of the past. And the engine line-up will also mark another milestone, as Volvo introduces V8 petrol units to its road cars for the first time. The powerplants, tipped to come from Jaguar's 4.0-litre family, areexpected to offer about 280bhp. New diesels are also in the pipeline in the form of the manufacturer's latest common-rail line-up, headed by the forthcoming five-cylinder D5.<P>The basis for the new 4x4 running gear will not come from the V70 XC, which means that the finished car is to offer an electronic system based around a Haldex clutch mechanism. Tipped as a rival to the likes of the class-leading BMW X5 and the Mercedes M-Class, Volvo is set to produce a versatile car that blends driver-orientated handling with practicality. And when it comes to road manners, the newcomer is expected to abandon the rough and concentrate on the smooth.<P>Peter Horbury, Volvo's chief designer and one of the men responsible for the project, said: "It's been essential that the car does not look too macho; we really want to provide first-class travel for our customers." While keen to avoid comparison with other SUVs in the Ford family, such as Range Rover and Land Rover products, insiders claim the ACC will also be an accomplished off-roader, thanks to its robust design, high ground clearance and four-wheel-drive traction.<P>From the driving seat, you can see what Horbury means. Even in this prototype, the interior is spacious and airy. The view of the road ahead from the new 4x4 is unobstructed. But there's more. Although the car we tried had the static interior of a concept car, the showroom machine will sport a much more versatile cabin with cleverly folding seats and particularly generous stowage space.<P>Drivers can expect high levels of equipment when the 4x4 its UK showrooms next year. As well as offering a top-class stereo system and air-conditioning plus powered windows, seats and mirrors, the Volvo will adopt the telematics and touch-screen navigation technology developed for the new Jaguar X-Type. This system will also include some key safety developments, such as the ability to call emergency services and relay an exact location in the event of an accident.<P>Prices – a closely guarded secret while they remain under discussion – will be aggressively pitched. Just as its sister company Jaguar managed to bring the new X-Type in at a competitive cost, Volvo is expected to produce one of the fiercest price tags in the SUV sector. The entry-level model should cost around £24,000, and Volvo UK expects to sell around 5,000 examples a year in Britain.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>-Drew<p>[This message has been edited by InDy (edited 06-21-2001).]

 

[745TRBOBRK]

I think I like the old 4x4 volvo better <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/smile.gif"><P> <IMG SRC="http://www.volvonet.org/tpc/gallery/164awd.jpg"> <P><P>

 

[Prepo]

While this may compete with the BMW X5 and its current competitors, I don't think it will make the Cross Country outdated - unless there is more cargo space than the X5 to make it equal to the XC. Any informtion on size of cargo area including depth behind the back seat?

 

[[email protected]]

Yeah, that's a pic of the ACC. I don't know how accurate that is. My sources had told me that the production version wouldn't look much like the concept. We'll see though. I don't know why they'd go through all the trouble of putting out a concept car that looked nothing like the one that comes to market.

 

[S.R.]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by [email protected]:<BR><B>I don't know why they'd go through all the trouble of putting out a concept car that looked nothing like the one that comes to market.</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Exactly, but like you said, I remember Volvo saying that the car would look a lot different from the ACC concept shown above. It seems like Auto Express is saying that it will look very similar, which seems to contradict what Volvo has been saying all-along. Strange!<P>It looks like Volvo is going to slot this thing right between the lower line ML320, X5, RX300, MDX, QX4 and the upper X5 4.4i, ML430, LX470. Sound like a good idea with a Jag derived 280hp V8.<P>-Drew<p>[This message has been edited by InDy (edited 06-22-2001).]

 

[[email protected]]

A V8 would be pretty nutty. Then again so would the D5. That'd be very cool, but you still have to wonder if that motor has ANY marketing potential in the USA.

 

[TurboJet]

The roofline looks like it'd make a great hearse.<P>A d5 V70 AWD would have no trouble finding a home in my garage if it were ever to make its way to this side of the pond.<P>

 

[TurboWagon66]

I think that it looks pretty cool. It will be interesting to see it matched with the BMW X5. Now if Volvo would only make a car that could compete with BMW's M3, that would be cool.<P>