Detroit Auto Show Reveal: 2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country: Comments

[Drew Dowdell]

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The words "bold" and "Volvo" don't normally go together, but when an auto maker effectively starts a new segment, you have to call the move bold regardless of its eventual success. Ahead of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week, Volvo took the wraps off the S60 Cross Country. What is bold about it? Well, it is a crossover luxury sedan. The wagon version, the V60 Cross Country, was revealed in November 2014 at the LA Auto Show.

The S60 Cross Country effectively increases the luxury crossover sedan segment count from zero to one. The S60 CC takes the standard S60 and gives it a 2.5 inch lift in ride height and makes AWD standard in the US market. (In Europe and other select markets the S60 CC will be available in FWD). The Cross Country will launch with the familiar T5 engine, a 2.5 liter turbo-charged 5-cylinder producing 250 horsepower.

Subaru tried a similar concept in the family car market, selling a sedan version of its popular Legacy Outback on and off from 1998 - 2007, but met with little success. In the luxury market however, every automaker is fighting to find its niche. Volvo going off the beaten path may be just their ticket to success.

The Volvo S60 Cross Country will be shown at the Detroit Auto Show on January 12th, 2015 at 2:55pm eastern. We will be on hand to bring you more updates from the show floor.

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Press release on page 2

Source: Volvo Media

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Volvo takes Cross Country brand into sedan territory

• Volvo Cars points to the future with the new S60 Cross Country
  
• A segment first from Volvo Cars
  
• Builds on a strong heritage of lifestyle-oriented products
  

Volvo Cars is stepping up to meet the demands of its core customers with the unveiling of the exciting S60 Cross Country at the Detroit Auto Show.

Back in 1997, when Volvo was the first premium brand to introduce an all-road capable variant of its successful wagons, no one could predict the future success of the crossover concept. Today, the crossover is ubiquitous and has helped to define a whole new category of lifestyle vehicle. Volvo is once again taking a bold step forward – this time in the luxury sedan segment – with the unveiling of the S60 Cross Country – the first premium sedan with the same level of capability and rugged design cues of the renowned Cross Country wagons.

“We want to further explore the market with our Cross Country brand. We did this back in 1997 with the V70 Cross Country and it led to the birth of a whole new segment. We have included all the capability-driven benefits of the Cross Country brand in this new model, while offering a completely unique expression of adventure and all-road readiness in a distinctly sporty and stylish package,” said Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Product Strategy and Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Cars.

Capable stance

Like the recently introduced V60 Cross Country, the S60 Cross Country shares an increased ride height of 65mm (2.5 inches) and comes with the same capable All-Wheel Drive underpinnings of its sibling, making it the only truly capable and stylish all-road sedan crossover on the market. The S60 Cross Country will also be delivered with front-wheel drive in Europe and selected markets.

“The S60 Cross Country is the sole contender in the luxury crossover sedan segment. We have identified a clear niche in the market for a more capable sedan with rugged styling cues and a higher stance. The S60 Cross Country will appeal to people that are searching for an exciting and capable sedan, whilst enjoying the clear benefits that a crossover offers,” said Alain Visser, Senior Vice President Sales, Marketing and Customer Service.

Reflecting Volvo’s legendary capability of nature and Scandinavian heritage, the S60 Cross Country offers both 18” and 19” wheels with high profile tires that add both comfort and all-road aesthetics, reduce road noise, and add increased wheel protection when needed for city or country.

Delivering an involved and focused driving experience with rugged substance, this dynamic design brings a sporty and adventurous edge to the sedan.

Powertrain

The S60 Cross Country will launch with a powerful T5 All-Wheel Drive gasoline powertrain delivering up to 250 bhp* available in the US, Canada, Russia and Europe. The S60 Cross Country is expected to be available on a limited basis this summer.

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[Paolino]

This just seems so unnecessary.

[Drew Dowdell]

I really like it.  I was rather enamored with the V60 Cross Country at the LA Show, but a wagon would be a hard sell at home (I can get him to agree to a CTS Wagon only grudgingly).  A loaded Legacy Outback Sedan was actually in competition with the CTS back in 2004 when I bought that. 

[G. David Felt]

Clearly a buched up sedan for the man or woman who wants to imply they go off road. Nice but a bit bland on style.

[William Maley]

I really like it.  I was rather enamored with the V60 Cross Country at the LA Show, but a wagon would be a hard sell at home (I can get him to agree to a CTS Wagon only grudgingly).  A loaded Legacy Outback Sedan was actually in competition with the CTS back in 2004 when I bought that. 

 

I'm with Drew. I'm very excited for the S60 CC. My first thought of seeing it was the Legacy SUS from 98 or 99, which I was also a big fan.

[Drew Dowdell]

 

I really like it.  I was rather enamored with the V60 Cross Country at the LA Show, but a wagon would be a hard sell at home (I can get him to agree to a CTS Wagon only grudgingly).  A loaded Legacy Outback Sedan was actually in competition with the CTS back in 2004 when I bought that. 

 

I'm with Drew. I'm very excited for the S60 CC. My first thought of seeing it was the Legacy SUS from 98 or 99, which I was also a big fan.

 

 

Albert has already approved of it on my Facebook post.

[Z-06]

Better execution than 5GT, ZDX, X6, which to me are tarted up sedans; and something really refreshing from Volvo.

 

I agree with folks that it is a Subaru Legacy competitor, which was my first thought.

[G. David Felt]

Pretty much is not all auto's that are in the same category as Subaru but now with AWD a competitor pretty much?

 

Subaru built the AWD market but now everyone is jumping in.

[Drew Dowdell]

Pretty much is not all auto's that are in the same category as Subaru but now with AWD a competitor pretty much?

 

Subaru built the AWD market but now everyone is jumping in.

 

No, in this case it is the lifted ride height too

[changecups]

I don't want to like it but I do. I don't usually like Volvos at all but this one looks really cool. It looks a bit cartoony.

[Drew Dowdell]

I'll say this... it looks like it rides much higher in the press photos than it seems to in person. It seems fairly normal in person and only if you step back to look at it next to a normal S60 does one really notice the change.