We can say that the new XC60 is another step towards the automobile that drives itself. That's good and bad news at the same time; good because some people are too busy or too incompetent to drive, bad because we'd be missing out on a good vehicle.
Volvo's new model couldn't arrive at a better time, since sales are currently down 20% in 2009 compared to last year, and the last addition to their line-up was the C30 that won't sell in great numbers. The XC60 could steal some sales from the XC70, though, as their price ranges are quite similar.
Ready, set, action
Every XC60 comes standard with Volvo's City Safety setup. Under 30 km/h, the system will stop the vehicle if its camera detects an imminent collision with the vehicle in front. A nice feature, and Volvo even provided us with flexible obstacle signs to practice.
But in real-world driving, I never witnessed the system working even though I followed the instructions carefully and tried various ways to it trigger it. City Safety will not interfere at the slightest hint that the driver is paying attention, like turning the wheel or changing throttle input. I guess reading the paper while I'm driving is still out of the question for now.
The adaptive cruise control, on the other hand, is something every car should have. Get on the highway, set the cruise for 110 km/h, and you can go for long distances without setting a foot on a pedal.
You can even exit the highway and take a 270-degree off-ramp, and if there's still a vehicle in front of you, the camera will follow it even though you're in the middle of a curve. If a vehicle slams the brakes in front of you, you'll get a visual and audible warning urging you to take action. Sweet.
Other techno gizmos include a lane-departure warning system, a blind spot monitor, front and rear park distance sensors and a backup camera. The optional navigation system works well and includes controls located on the back of the steering wheel, while a remote control is also included, so passengers can use it, too.
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| Every XC60 comes standard with Volvo's City Safety setup. |
Volvo's new model couldn't arrive at a better time, since sales are currently down 20% in 2009 compared to last year, and the last addition to their line-up was the C30 that won't sell in great numbers. The XC60 could steal some sales from the XC70, though, as their price ranges are quite similar.
Ready, set, action
Every XC60 comes standard with Volvo's City Safety setup. Under 30 km/h, the system will stop the vehicle if its camera detects an imminent collision with the vehicle in front. A nice feature, and Volvo even provided us with flexible obstacle signs to practice.
But in real-world driving, I never witnessed the system working even though I followed the instructions carefully and tried various ways to it trigger it. City Safety will not interfere at the slightest hint that the driver is paying attention, like turning the wheel or changing throttle input. I guess reading the paper while I'm driving is still out of the question for now.
The adaptive cruise control, on the other hand, is something every car should have. Get on the highway, set the cruise for 110 km/h, and you can go for long distances without setting a foot on a pedal.
You can even exit the highway and take a 270-degree off-ramp, and if there's still a vehicle in front of you, the camera will follow it even though you're in the middle of a curve. If a vehicle slams the brakes in front of you, you'll get a visual and audible warning urging you to take action. Sweet.
Other techno gizmos include a lane-departure warning system, a blind spot monitor, front and rear park distance sensors and a backup camera. The optional navigation system works well and includes controls located on the back of the steering wheel, while a remote control is also included, so passengers can use it, too.
 |
| The optional navigation system works well and includes controls located on the back of the steering wheel. |