2018 Volvo XC60 (2nd Generation)

NEW MODEL: Volvo XC60 given a nip and a tuck – and it’s coming to SA soon

Volvo is seeking to strengthen the appeal of its XC60 sports utility vehicle with subtle upgrades designed to make the mid-size vehicle even smarter. The new XC60 benefits from an updated appearance and the introduction of class-leading connectivity, safety and driver-assistance technologies.

The model’s eye-catching Scandinavian design has been refined with a new-look front grille, new lower front bumper and air intakes, and a refresh of the lower rear bumper.

The exhaust pipes are hidden, as part of Volvo’s wider design changes that showcase the company’s continued journey to all-out electrification.

Completing the visual updates are new alloy wheel designs and new paint colours – Platinum Grey, Silver Dawn and Thunder Grey.

 
Volvo and Northvolt to build European gigafactory by 2026

Swedish start-up will supply power cells for next-gen Volvo EVs, beginning with electric XC60 in 2024

Volvo has detailed plans for a 50:50 joint venture with Swedish battery start-up Northvolt, with the aim of building an EV battery factory in Europe by 2026.

The power units will be used in "the next generation of pure-electric Volvo and Polestar cars", beginning with the successor to today's XC60, which Volvo has now confirmed will be fully electric.

Volvo plans to initially source 15GWh of batteries per year from Northvolt's existing Skellefteå facility from 2024 (when the XC60 EV is expected to be launched) before the new dedicated 'gigafactory' facility goes into service with a targeted annual output of 50GWh.

Volvo aims for 50% of its global sales to be pure-electric cars by the middle of this decade and will ditch combustion completely from 2030. Polestar, its all-EV sibling brand, plans to build "a truly climate-neutral vehicle" by 2030.

The car maker says Northvolt's "sustainable battery production" methods will help to reduce the environmental impact of ramping up EV production.

The new factory, the location of which has yet to be decided, is planned to be powered entirely by renewable energy and will employ 3000 people.

 
Power upgrade for Volvo XC60 and XC90

Electric power nearly doubles with new PHEVs from the Swedish carmaker.

Safety. Comfort. Sustainability. And some very tidy Swedish design. These are the core principles of Volvo, but the company is going to sneakily add a lot more performance, to its hybrid vehicles.

A technical upgrade has been introduced for the XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Engineers at Volvo have managed to increase the battery pack capacity, allowing for a more potent hybridization system.

The XC60 and XC90 PHEV vehicles now use an 18.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with a 63% increase in energy density over the 2021 model year’s 11.6kWh of power storage.

For those Volvo owners who want to stretch their electric-only driving range, the better battery boosts range from 48- to 68km for the XC90 PHEV T8 and from 52- to 76km in the smaller XC60 PHEV.

The more notable gains are powertrain performance. Both the upgraded XC60 and XC90 PHEVs benefit from a more potent electric motor, rated at 107kW. That increases total system output to 335kW and 709Nm – impressive numbers by any standard.

With Volvo’s powertrain integration team nearly doubling the XC60 and XC90 PHEV electric motor power (from 65- to 107kW), the traditional sprint statistics are impressive.

Volvo claims the updated XC90 PHEV T8, which is not a light vehicle by any margin, will run the benchmark 0-100kph sprint in only 5.4 seconds.

Even more impressive is the new XC60 PHEV. It might not be marketed as a performance SUV, but with a 0-100kph time of 4.9 seconds, it is one of the quickest vehicles Volvo has ever produced.

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring-news/power-upgrade-for-volvo-xc60-and-xc90/102407/
 
A car that purifies the air: Volvo’s advanced air-cleaning system confirmed for SA

Volvo customers can look forward to cleaner air inside their cars, with the company announcing that its new CleanZone technology will be available in South Africa soon, as an optional extra on the XC60, XC90, S90 and V90 CC.

Best of all, the technology not only cleans the air while you drive, but the system can also be activated remotely to clean the cabin before you set off on your journey.

Volvo says the technology is a world-first, but how does it work?

The Swedish carmaker’s Advanced Air Cleaner system makes use of a sensor that measures particulate matter with a diameter of under 2.5 micrometres (otherwise known as PM). How small is that? Consider that a human hair measures 70 micrometres in diameter.

Volvo’s air-cleaning technology then uses a synthetic fibre-based filter and an ionisation process to remove up to 9.5% of 2.5PM particulate matter from the cabin of the car. This, of course, protects your lungs from exposure to many particles that can be harmful to your health.

 
Volvo XC60 T8 R-Design Pro 2021 review

Should I buy one?

The XC60 remains a handsome, comfortable all-rounder, but the revised PHEVs all carry substantial price tags.

The cheapest will be the Inscription Expression T6, which lists at a substantial £53,075. The R-Design Pro T8 as driven here will cost £60,400 in the UK, and the range-topping Polestar Engineered T8 is £65,475. The same upgraded PHEV powertrain will also be fitted to the S60, V60, S90, V90 and XC90.


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Updated Volvo XC60 for SA in 2022

Volvo South Africa has announced that its updated XC60 mid-size SUV will arrive locally in the first quarter of 2022 boasting a new Android-powered infotainment system.

The Volvo XC60 has had a midlife refresh and while the exterior changes are somewhat mild, the big update comes in the form of a new Android-powered infotainment system.

Volvo XC60 infotainment powered by Google

Volvo Car Group has partnered with Google to bring an integrated infotainment system to market with Google apps and services as well as over-the-air updates. The Volvo XC60, however, isn’t the first Volvo product to feature an Android-powered infotainment system, in fact, it was first offered in the XC40 P8 Recharge which was introduced locally earlier this year.

Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, commented “This intuitive, next-generation infotainment system offers customers unprecedented personalisation and unparalleled connectivity. The software runs apps such as Google Maps for navigation, Google Play for music and it offers hands-free help with Google Assistant. This is more than just a new tech feature; it boosts safety too. With Google Assistant, drivers can use their voice to get things done while keeping their focus on the road. They can do things like control the temperature, set a destination, play music and podcasts, and send messages, all while keeping their hands on the wheel,” he explains.

In terms of visual updates, the XC60 gains a refined grille design as well as a new front bumper design. The XC60 will also be offered with a selection of new wheel options and exterior colours. Customers will also be able to opt for a leather-free interior and Volvo’s City Weave textile upholstery will also be available.

 
2022 Volvo XC60 here soon with fresh tech, Google infotainment

Volvo is hitting the refresh button on its XC60 midsize SUV, with the facelifted model set to hit South Africa during the first quarter of 2022 sporting a subtle facelift and a brand new Google-powered operating system.

Visual changes on the 2022 Volvo XC60 include a new grille and bumpers, fresh alloy wheel designs and new exterior colour options.

Inside you won’t notice any changes to the basic cabin architecture, but Volvo does speak of fresh interior materials - including leather-free upholstery options.

Customers can also look forward to a brand new infotainment system that’s said to offer “unprecedented personalisation and unparalleled connectivity,” in the words of Volvo Car SA Managing Director Greg Maruszewski.

Volvo is the first carmaker to have teamed up with Google to produce an Android-powered infotainment system with built-in Google apps and services. Owners can also call upon Google Assistant to voice-control everything from temperature to navigation destination, music and more. Over the air updates are also part of the deal with this system.

 
Updated Volvo XC60 range confirmed for South Africa next year

The updated Volvo XC60 has been confirmed for a South African introduction as of 2022. The accomplished mid-size SUV features the company’s new Android-powered infotainment system with Google apps and services built in.

According to Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, the infotainment system makes the Volvo XC60 smarter than ever before. “This intuitive, next-generation infotainment system offers customers unprecedented personalisation and unparalleled connectivity. The software runs apps such as Google Maps for navigation, Google Play for music and it offers hands-free help with Google Assistant. This is more than just a new tech feature, it boosts safety too. With Google Assistant, drivers can use their voice to get things done while keeping their focus on the road. They can do things like control the temperature, set a destination, play music and podcasts, and send messages, all while keeping their hands on the wheel,” he explains.

The infotainment system also includes over-the-air updates for everything from maintenance to completely new features, meaning that the car will stay as up-to-date as other digital products such as smartphones and tablets.

Volvo Car Group is the first company to team up with Google when it comes to the integration of an infotainment system powered by Android with Google apps and services built in. Following years of close development between the two companies, the all-electric XC40 P8 Recharge became the first Volvo to feature the system.

While many of the major changes to the Volvo XC60 are under the skin, there are also a number of subtle refinements to the exterior design, including a new grille, new front bumpers, and new exterior colour and wheel options. New interior materials, including luxurious leather-free options as well as the availability of the City Weave textile upholstery, offer further possibilities for personalisation.

 
Volvo and Google team up for new infotainment system in upcoming XC60

• Volvo's new XC60 will make its local arrival in 2022's first quarter.

• The SUV's biggest changes take place under the skin, including the new infotainment system.

• Volvo teamed up with Google for the next-generation of this infotainment system.

Volvo's new XC60 will make its local arrival in the first quarter of 2022. The SUV, a global success since making its first appearance in 2009, has sold more than 1.68 million units. For Volvo, it is the best-selling vehicle in its portfolio, and the success has also taken flight in South Africa.

Many of the new XC60's changes are under the metal, but there are also updates to the grille, bumpers, new exterior colours, and wheel design options. And on the inside, new materials are used that comprise leather-free options and new textile upholstery.

One of the big talking points on the new XC60 is the company's new Android-powered infotainment system with built-in Google apps and services. The new system includes an over-the-air update feature, ensuring that the software is always up to date. Volvo says that they are the first company to team up with Google when it comes to integrating an infotainment system. Following years of close development between the two companies, the all-electric XC40 P8 Recharge became the first Volvo to feature the system.

 
Volvo on the right path with electrification - battery power vehicle sales are up 60%

  • Volvo Cars sold nearly 700 000 vehicles worldwide in 2021.
  • XC60 remains the most popular Volvo in the current line-up.
  • Recharge models (all-electric and hybrids) lead the way in sales.
When Volvo Cars announced a couple of years ago that it would become an all-electric carmaker by 2030, the strategy seemed extremely brave and bold. Electric vehicles (EV) are still priced at a premium in most parts of the world, particularly in South Africa, although government and OEM incentives in some countries have boosted interest in electric mobility.

This week, the company confirmed that its global sales grew by 5.6% to 698 693 cars during 2021. According to Volvo Cars spokespeople, the growth in sales demonstrates the company's resilience in the face of persistent supply constraints.

Recharge line-up rises in the ranks

Volvo Cars' global sales results highlight the rising popularity of its new Recharge line-up of cars, which come with a fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain depending on your needs. Sales of Recharge models grew by 63.9% in 2021 compared with 2020. Recharge cars made up 27% of Volvo Cars' total sales volume in 2021.

Online car sales gain momentum

The number of Volvo vehicles sold online worldwide increased by a whopping 316% in 2021 compared with 2020. The company notes that this growth was driven by increasing customer demand combined with a broadened offer in more markets.

 
Volvo XC60 now more accessible in SA thanks to new B5 FWD model

The midsize Volvo XC60 is the Swedish carmaker’s best-selling vehicle in South Africa and it’s now looking set for further success following the launch of the new B5 FWD (front-wheel drive) entry-level model.

Available in local dealerships from the beginning of February, the Volvo XC60 B5 FWD retails at R750 000, which makes it R140 000 cheaper than the B5 AWD Momentum model that previously served as the entry to the range.

It also undercuts its most direct rivals, with the locally-built BMW X3 currently starting at R895 658 and the Audi Q5 kicking off at the R852 000 mark.

Although it loses the all-wheel drive system, the B5 FWD retains the familiar 2.0-litre turbopetrol motor, which produces 183kW and 350Nm. With a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.0 seconds on the dot, the front-driven model is just 0.1 second slower off the mark than its AWD sibling.

 
Volvo XC60 B5 Offers More Value

The Volvo XC60 B5 has touched down in SA and it’s the most affordable model in the Swedish brand’s XC60 family. Here’s pricing, plus specification details.

The Volvo XC60 is the brand’s global best-seller and the SA range has been expanded with the introduction of a more value-orientated derivative. The XC60 is also the most popular model sold by the Swedes in SA.

Meet the Volvo XC60 B5, which kicks off the range at R750 000. It will go on sale from the first week of February 2022. What makes it different compared to the rest of the XC60 range? The biggest difference is it’s the only model in the XC60 range that doesn’t feature all-wheel drive.

Underneath the bonnet is a new mild-hybrid 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 183 kW and 350 Nm. Power goes to the front wheels via an 8-speed gearbox and the Swedish brand says this model is good for a 7 second sprint to 100 kph, while consuming just 6.9 L/100 km, thanks to its 48-volt mild-hybrid tech.

Despite its designation as an affordable entry-point to the Volvo brand, the XC60 B5 still comes with a good level of gadgets and comfort features like 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, parking assist (front and rear), a reversing camera and inductive smartphone charging. There are a few options on offer, like leather trim.

How much does the Volvo XC60 B5 FWD cost in South Africa?

XC60 B5 FWD R750 000

 
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