XC70 at Frankfurt Auto Show 2007

[doublecheese]

I flew to Frankfurt Auto Show last weekend to see the new XC70 and another car I want to buy and to decide which car to choose.

I also had the chance to test the XC70 on the OFF ROAD track that was prepared by the Car Show Exhibition.

The were two tracks: one for XC70 and similar cars and the other was for the big boys like Mercedes G Series, VW Toareg, Mitsubishi Pajero, Hummer , etc.

See the pictures from the Frankfurt Auto show 07 and the Off Road track

[tgwillard]

Great pictures. It looks like an interesting driving course they have set up there.

[griso4r]

thanks for the pics. even if i imagine it has been a short experience, did you notice any remarkable difference between the off road behaviour of the '08 compared with the "old" one? just curious.
ciao

[doublecheese]

There were two courses next to each other.

The course on the left side was always more difficult to achieve. For example if an incline is 45% on the left course the right course had something like a 35% incline.

Also the rocks were bigger on the left course.

So the XC70 had to drive on the right (easier) course, I took two test drives with the XC70 and one with the VW Touareg.

The XC70's front bottom end hit the floor when getting off a decline on each test I took no matter how slow the test driver was driving. However the VW Touareg didn't touch the floor at all even on the harder course.

I think the main reason the XC wasn't on the difficult course is because of it's long wheelbase and front and rear clearance angles.

I doN't think I can compare the new XC with the old one as I didn't get enough test with the new XC70.

However the test driver stopped right in the middle of a climb, then after 5-10 secs he just steeped on the gas and the car started climbing up without any wheel spin at all.

Also in one of the inclines, rear right wheel of the XC was in the air , and when the driver stepped on the gas I saw this wheel also turning eventhough it was free in the air not touching the course......

BTW, I saw a Suzuki Jimmy there, oh my god, this car can climb the hardest incline or decline, this car just over takes other slower cars when climbing , it's fantastic , this car was playing with other cars and it's driver was sure having fun....

[budrichard]

These courses are always facinating but not real world as they are carefully designed not to exceed the capabilites of the vehicles. But most individuals do not approach the angles that these vehicles are capable of anyway.
The real test is loose material, mud and snow/ice which is rarely ever offered.
Thanks for the pictures.-Dick

[doublecheese]

The real test is loose material, mud and snow/ice which is rarely ever offered.
Thanks for the pictures.-Dick

When the fisrt new XC70 gets to our shores I was promised a test drive by my Volvo Garage.

The guy at my garage told me we could test the car any place we like, So I'm taking him to a muddy land where AUDI guys test their Q7's and Allroads. I hope we don't get stuck

[vtie]

I saw a brand new MY08 XC70 at my dealer today. I must admit, it looks much better in reality than on the pictures. In reality, the design 'fits' better and looks more coherent. If they come up with a more powerful diesel engine, I might even be tempted to buy one.

One major disappointment though: the car doesn't seem to be built as robust as the previous generation. Some of the plastic really looks and feels flimsy.

[griso4r]

I saw a brand new MY08 XC70 at my dealer today. I must admit, it looks much better in reality than on the pictures. In reality, the design 'fits' better and looks more coherent. If they come up with a more powerful diesel engine, I might even be tempted to buy one.

One major disappointment though: the car doesn't seem to be built as robust as the previous generation. Some of the plastic really looks and feels flimsy.

at the end i must admit that i like it. less rough and more "car" but nice. what i don't like are the interiors, too minimal and the water temperature indicator would have been appreciated. in few days i'll test the d5.
ciao

[doublecheese]

I only wish if somebody could post pictures of current XC70 together with the new XC70 .

Only when we see both cars at the same picture frame we could see which one looked better. I still think that 01-07' looked better as I saw both cars in real life (Not not at the same time though )

BTW : I forgot to mention, when we did the OFF ROAD test with the new XC70, when the car was getting on and off the sidewards slope I could hear alot of squeaks inside the car, I asked the German guy who was driving the new XC, he told me this was normal as all geometry of the car was trying to change.

[budrichard]

BEFORE ordering my 03XC, I took an 03 Demo for a spin. Went straight for a recently harvested corn field and drove right in and up and down the rows. Also tested the vehicle on the Interstate.
The Dealership guys were quite amused at pulling corn stalks off the underside of the vehicle when I returned it but they are used to that with my 99XC.
The 03 performed well in the fields, so when I returned the vehicle, ordered my 03XC and have been happy ever since.
First Scout II I test drove many years ago got stuck in DEEP mud but I ordered one anyway. International made the Scout II, so the dealership also sold tractors. Dealer fired up a tractor and promptly hauled the Scout out of the mud.
Lesson #1, always check the surface BEFORE driving off road as anything can get stuck.
Lesson #2, you will get stuck.
Lesson #3, always know where your tow is.
-Dick
-Dick