Volvo Xc60 To Come In 2009
Earlier this year at the 2007 North America International Auto Show in Detroit Michigan Volvo Cars unveiled the concept version of the XC90s smaller brother. Called the XC60 the concept car will likely be marketed under the said name. At the event it was announced that the production version of the XC60 will be marketed as a 2009 model year vehicle.
According to reports from Volvo it will be equipped with engines currently used on their vehicles. The XC60 will be equipped with either a gasoline or a diesel engine upon its release in the auto market some time next year. It was also announced that the compact luxury crossover SUV will be using technologies which will be used on the upcoming newgeneration Land Rover Freelander.
While interested buyers are eagerly waiting for the production XC60 they are only given the XC60 concept to look at and try to expect what styling cues will the production XC60 get from the XC60 concept.
The concept XC60 has a vertical light between the grille and the headlight which accented the aggressive headlight configuration. According to some design experts though this design cue is not expected to be used by the production XC60 since it would raise the production cost of the vehicle.
The taillight configuration for the XC60 gives it a unique look. The light cluster hugs the curves of the rear panels of the car. This design is expected to reach the production version of the XC60. This expectation is based on the fact that Volvo has used a unique taillight configuration for the compact C30.
Also from the back one can see the twin tailpipe protected by skid plates. The overall effect of this gives the Volvo XC60 a masculine aura. According to critics though Volvo might redesign the tailpipe configuration due to cost considerations. Another notable although overlooked design cue of the XC60 is the wide spacing of the Volvo lettering on the tailgate. This is probably a tribute to the 1950s Volvo Amazon. This technique of reviving styling cues from past Volvos has also been done with the C30 and its glass tailgate.
The tires used for the concept are 20inch alloy wheels which are complemented with Volvo struts and the rest of the suspension assembly. The 20inch wheels though may increase the production cost that is why it is expected that the production version of the XC60 will sport 17inch or 18inch tires.
Inside the vehicle a design concept borrowed from the earlier YCC or Your Concept Car which has been designed by women is an allowance in the headrest for a ponytail. While the YCC features a small slot in the headrest the Volvo XC60 concept vehicle extends the slot. For safety reasons that slot right in the middle of the headrest is expected not to be used on the production XC60.
Another design cue which might not make it to production is the Yshaped support for the glass roof panel. According to design experts the Yshaped support may compromise structural safety which of course is not in Volvos line. The company known for producing safe cars is expected to do away with that concept and preserve the safety of their consumers.
About the writer: Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit Mi. She is a native of the motor city and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.
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