But if you want all-wheel drive on your V70 without moving up to the high-performance 'R', you've got no other engine
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If you want all-wheel drive on your V70 without moving up to the high-performance 'R', you've got no other engine choice but the 208-horsepower light-pressure turbo-enhanced inline-five. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)
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choice. The Haldex-based system is only available on the 2.5T model, which, unsurprisingly, is the sole powerplant for the jacked up and plastic-clad XC70. As for the system itself, it isn't the most advanced all-wheel drive setup on the market, but it adds a heightened sense of stability and grip when the weather turns fowl. With Pirelli P6 four-season tires at all four corners, the V70 still cuts through everything you'd find in a Canadian winter - snow, slush and even unplowed highway lanes without breaking a sweat, leaving drivers of large SUVs - ones supposedly capable of dealing with this kind of weather as well as off-road terrain - wondering what advantage they've
really got.
But just because it's turbocharged, and comes equipped with the Sport package that includes a large rear spoiler and some nice spangly alloy wheels, it should be noted that a name and a badge don't necessarily make it a sports car. The qualities that make the V70 2.5T such an excellent family and cargo hauler leave it too soft to be enjoyable when tossed about like a performance machine. While the grip from its wider tires and all-wheel drivetrain keep it firmly planted to the ground, its softly sprung suspension rolls excessively, and the steering is too light and too woolen
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| The qualities that make the V70 2.5T such an excellent family and cargo hauler leave it too soft to be enjoyable when tossed about like a performance machine. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
to precisely plant it on a corner's apex. But, if shifting gears and shifting stuff are equal in your prerogative, the 300-hp V70R is probably your best bet.
I am disappointed that Volvo did not bring over two of their most impressive features available on global market V70s. One is the Four-C adaptive damping system, which first appeared on the high-performance S60/V70R, later adapted for the S80. With specially-tuned Ohlins dampers that have individual settings for sporty and comfort tuned driving, the system is said to proficiently adapt the car to the road surface below, constantly monitoring throttle and steering position. With this system on board, the V70's wonderful plush ride could be maintained while cutting back on pitch and dive during more aggressive driving, and further improve stability during high-speed emergency maneuvers.
