New XC70: official pictures...

**vtie** · 03-06-2007, 01:01 AM

Link to a Dutch web site (with pictures)
http://www.autoweek.nl/newsdisp.php?ID=6099

**vtie** · 03-06-2007, 01:09 AM

Volvo claims that that the terrain capacities have improved, with a 15% stiffer body, and hill descent control (from LR) as a standard feature. It will hit the showrooms in September.

Unfortunately, (initially) no T6 (over here). Only the 3.2 six and the D5

Me likes it more than the standard V70! The dark body cladding makes it look younger and more dynamic. But those white thingies here and there look a bit cheap

**ashpee** · 03-06-2007, 04:23 AM

Can't help it. Still have difficulties with the new model range Volvo is launching (S80-on). Too elegant, soft, far away from solid robust and clean lines. Even the numerous black claddings don't give it (optical) ruggedness.

I feel the same in the latest Audi Alroad evolution: nice and refined enough, but not what I'd like to see. Only my opinion.

Hans

**griso4r** · 03-06-2007, 04:44 AM

yes, better than the v70 but, in my opinion , still far from my beloved 2006 xc70.
i'm looking forward to see it on the road and to test it, for the moment no particular emotions looking at the pics. it's the same old point, in the past it was possible to recognise the volvo style with a glance, now with the s80 and the v70 the first comment is always: " oh, it looks like a bmw or an audi or a lexus..". i'll see if i'll ever get accustomed to the "fordized" volvo design.
ciao

**littlewaywelt** · 03-06-2007, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by vtie

and hill descent control (from LR) as a standard feature. I

Didn't LR/RR take hill descent control from the Benz G-wagon?

It's a pretty cool feature, but is it really necessary on this car? This seems to be a feature that less than one out of one hundred would ever use. Could Volvo be aiming it as an application for an icy road/snowy road? I live at the top of a pretty steep hill and even when it snows the car seems to do fine without it but maybe it would be a plus.

As to the front of the car....I love it. To me, it looks more sporty & aggressive, particularly the headlights, grill and the cut of the hood. It looks like they borrowed a lot of the styling of the S40/V50

**vtie** · 03-06-2007, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by littlewaywelt

Didn't LR/RR take hill descent control from the Benz G-wagon?

I don't know true the origin, but given the Ford link, I would suspect that the incarnation in the XC70 comes from the LR(discovery?)

Originally Posted by littlewaywelt

It's a pretty cool feature, but is it really necessary on this car? This seems to be a feature that less than one out of one hundred would ever use. Could Volvo be aiming it as an application for an icy road/snowy road? I live at the top of a pretty steep hill and even when it snows the car seems to do fine without it but maybe it would be a plus.

I think Volvo is aiming at a marketing positioning in the first place. Now that the market is flooded with wannabee-crossovers (at least here in Europe), they need some features so that they can claim that the XC70 has some true offroad capabilities. Since HDC is an electronic trick in the first place, it's a relatively cheap feature to add, and it adds to the image. Whether or not a lot of people is going to use it is perhaps the last of their concerns...

**TrueBlue** · 03-06-2007, 01:09 PM

The outside (when you have taken away the truly awful brightwork) doesn't look too much of a major facelift.

Remember when the MkI V70 turned into the MKII version. I wasn't over keen; now I thing it's great.

The interior does look a bit bland, but to my way of thinking it's more due to the very light colouring on the lower parts. A bit of synthetic wood finish and slightly darker colouring and we'll all be wondering what the fuss was about. After all, who would actually buy red inserts in a charcoal seat (option on current models)?

Volvo desperately needs to attract NEW customers, those that truly, truly know will always buy.

HDC is a jolly good idea - IMHO

**JRL** · 03-06-2007, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by vtie

Unfortunately, (initially) no T6 (over here). Only the 3.2 six and the D5

But those white thingies here and there look a bit cheap

The lack of a turbo is unbelievable! This thing weighs about 5-700 lbs more than P2 XC
The "white thingies" are silver plastic and I'm sure could be painted black or body color in a few minutes

**tgwillard** · 03-06-2007, 09:08 AM

Nice pictures of the 2008 XC70. Don't care for the bright trim on the front and rear bumpers, but interior looks interesting. I am looking forward to seeing one close up at my dealer in September.