Scandinavian elegance
Of course, the XC60 is not all safety and no style (because there's nothing sexy about safety). Unlike Mercedes-Benz, which gave the new GLK-Class angular lines that are reminiscent of the famous Galendewagen, Volvo took a more sensual approach to design.
According to the automaker, the XC60's styling is eminently Scandinavian. For a passionate description, just ask Doug Frazer, designer at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center (VMCC), which was established in California in 1986 to analyze global design and fashion trends. "The XC60 is not a chair. It's not a table. It's not a Bang & Olufsen Hi-Fi," he says. "It has to flow through a fluid -- air. It has to do that gracefully, with as minimal a drag as possible. It has to be very comfortable and safely fit people. A lot of the form language you see on the XC60 is very human-oriented."
Pushing the design envelope further than Audi designers with the Q5, Volvo stylists injected a good dose of organic sensuality into the XC60. Despite a taller ground clearance than the XC70 and a fairly high beltline, this new compact SUV could easily be mistaken for a car. In fact, some will see it as a four-door coupe due to the slender curves and raised posterior. It's a design that will age well, even though the swooping roofline affects rearward visibility and makes parking maneuvers harder.
The filiation between the XC60 and the cute little C30, among other Volvo models, is quite eloquent. Simply look at the long, teardrop-shaped taillights and the broad shoulders emphasized by big, 18-inch alloy wheels (17 inches on the stripped-down American version).
What's more, the Volvo badge occupies substantial space on the front grille, making the vehicle and its origins instantly recognizable.
Such visual boldness is also found inside. The seats (large up front, suited for children in the back) come standard with leather upholstery; buyers can even select a two-tone trim, like our tester's Sandstone Beige/Espresso.
The asymmetrical dashboard, heavily oriented toward the driver, incorporates Volvo's famous floating center stack. For a more upscale look, the latter can receive Nordic Light oak inlays. Amazing -- you would think you're sitting in a Bentley or Rolls-Royce!
Of course, the XC60 is not all safety and no style (because there's nothing sexy about safety). Unlike Mercedes-Benz, which gave the new GLK-Class angular lines that are reminiscent of the famous Galendewagen, Volvo took a more sensual approach to design.
According to the automaker, the XC60's styling is eminently Scandinavian. For a passionate description, just ask Doug Frazer, designer at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center (VMCC), which was established in California in 1986 to analyze global design and fashion trends. "The XC60 is not a chair. It's not a table. It's not a Bang & Olufsen Hi-Fi," he says. "It has to flow through a fluid -- air. It has to do that gracefully, with as minimal a drag as possible. It has to be very comfortable and safely fit people. A lot of the form language you see on the XC60 is very human-oriented."
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| It's a design that will age well, even though the swooping roofline affects rearward visibility. |
Pushing the design envelope further than Audi designers with the Q5, Volvo stylists injected a good dose of organic sensuality into the XC60. Despite a taller ground clearance than the XC70 and a fairly high beltline, this new compact SUV could easily be mistaken for a car. In fact, some will see it as a four-door coupe due to the slender curves and raised posterior. It's a design that will age well, even though the swooping roofline affects rearward visibility and makes parking maneuvers harder.
The filiation between the XC60 and the cute little C30, among other Volvo models, is quite eloquent. Simply look at the long, teardrop-shaped taillights and the broad shoulders emphasized by big, 18-inch alloy wheels (17 inches on the stripped-down American version).
What's more, the Volvo badge occupies substantial space on the front grille, making the vehicle and its origins instantly recognizable.
Such visual boldness is also found inside. The seats (large up front, suited for children in the back) come standard with leather upholstery; buyers can even select a two-tone trim, like our tester's Sandstone Beige/Espresso.
The asymmetrical dashboard, heavily oriented toward the driver, incorporates Volvo's famous floating center stack. For a more upscale look, the latter can receive Nordic Light oak inlays. Amazing -- you would think you're sitting in a Bentley or Rolls-Royce!
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| The dashboard looks modern and quite luxurious. |