Functional Rear Skid Plate?

[coastal]

Anyone seen one in real life? Is it functional, or merely cosmetic like the stock front aluminium plate?

Here's a pic:
http://www.v70xc.com/pics/10-08-01/3-500.jpg
Doesn't this pic looks weird? It is an official Volvo image, but sort of looks like the car is superimposed onto the background... strange.

[Art]

Here's an update on that rear skidplate. Apparently, several members of the Japan XC Club have acquired this part through their dealers. The skidplate is available on a 1st Anniversary Edition (ash gold) of the XC. Not sure if this applies to N/A but I will check with my parts dealer tomorrow. Everything indicates it will probably look like the picture above. Perhaps this is a pic of the Anniversary Edition. According to their posts, the price on this baby is 33000 Y, between &#36350-&#36400 Cdn. Hope to follow up with more news. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[coastal]

Any idea what the thickness will be and what sort of coverage it will have?

I've got a dent in the gastank already so this would be a valuable add-on should it prove to be functional protection.

[Art]

Coastal,

From what I understand, the rear skidplate's construction is similar to that of the one found on the front of the XC. Therefore, it's probably safe to say that the thickness is the same. As far as coverage is concerned, it looks like it only covers a small area of the rear undercarriage, not really enough to provide protection for the fuel reservoir...more cosmetic than anything else. BTW, the picture that you posted here is the 1st Anniversary Edition of the XC which is available in Japan whereas the Ocean Race Edition, is not. I've asked Kaminaga to post the pictures of this XC to your site, but if you'd like to view them yourself, here's the URL:

http://www.geocities.co.jp/MotorCity-Rally/1009/rearsp.htm

Art

[saabstory]

Art,

Thanks for finding this. My two local parts departments couldn't. Well, one never got back to me, and the other one gave up.

I wonder if it's going to work with my new hitch.

--Adam

[Art]

Adam,

According to the Japanese owner of this XC, the skidplate is customized to allow room for a tow hitch. I'm still waiting to hear back from Volvo regarding if this part is available in N/A. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

On another note, Coastal, I've also heard that there is a fully functional protector for the fuel reservoir that some Japanese XC members are familiar with...although I'm not aware if it's a cage-type or plate. I can find out for you if you're still interested. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Decorative Rear Skid Plate - 33,700 Y
Rear Undercarriage Protector - 42,000 Y

I'll let you guys do the math. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[kaminaga]

As Art-san mentioned, there is a room for a tow hitch.  I post close view of the rear skid plate.  This photo is originally posted by [email protected] who is a member of our club.

http://www.geocities.co.jp/MotorCity-Rally/1009/rsp.JPG

[Art]

Thanks for posting that pic Kaminaga-San. Unfortunately, I'm not too sure whether this part is available here in N/A, except on the Ocean Race Edition. I received a similar response as Adam did from the dealers that he contacted.:sad:
BTW, was it an easy install or did he have the dealer do it for him?

[kaminaga]

Hi Art-san; For the above case ([email protected]), he asked his dealer to install it.  But, one of other member of XC Club of Japan, he installed it by himself.  I think it is easy to install.

[Aemsn]

This plate is available for every V70XC, not only for the Ocean Race. It is only factory mounted for the Ocean Race. It's easy to mount for yourself.

http://www.suessens.de/pics/read.jpg

Ciao
Armin

[ppchen]

does anyone have the part number and approx. cost US&#36?

[Art]

Part number for the rear skid plate is #9496986-0...should be the same in the States. I have'nt heard back from any Canadian sources regarding it's availability here though. According to the Japanese XC member the cost of the plate is 33,700 yen or around &#36265.00 U.S. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[eccentric]

One of the comparison tests that have been made was with a Xc and the the audi all terrain.. The Audi had to quit the test premature due to it not having a rear skid plate.. apparently the lack of it damaged the audi when goin reverse over some kind of obstruction in the terrain..

go buy one :> the ocan comes fitted with one from factory =)