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Volvo XC70 - perfect for a trip to the ski slopes

21 January 2008

  • All Wheel Drive with Instant TractionTM distributes power for best possible road grip
  • Hill Descent Control for secure progress on steep downhill slopes
  • DSTC stability-enhancement system for added safety
  • Active chassis contributes to enhanced driving properties whatever the situation

With its high ground clearance and active All Wheel Drive and DSTC systems, the Volvo XC70 offers superb get-you-there ability on winter roads.

The Volvo XC70 behaves with impeccable stability and consistency in all situations. This is particularly noticeable on winter roads when the surface can quickly switch between ice, asphalt and snow. Volvo's All Wheel Drive system and DSTC stability-enhancement system ensure good road grip.

What is more, the new Hill Descent Control function makes it easier to crawl securely down steep gradients and drive safely on slippery surfaces. Volvo's new six-cylinder engine ensures that the Volvo XC70 gets all the power and driveability that a true adventure car needs.

All Wheel Drive with Instant TractionTM
Volvo's active All Wheel Drive (AWD) system ensures the best possible road grip and traction. The AWD system distributes power between the front and rear wheels with the help of an electronically controlled hydraulic clutch. The latest version of the system incorporates Instant TractionTM, which responds at lightning speed by switching power from the front to the rear wheels when starting on slippery or icy surfaces. The system thus secures optimal distribution of power whatever the situation. In addition, Volvo's active AWD system also makes the car more rewarding to drive - regardless of the road conditions.

DSTC is standard
DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) is standard on the new Volvo XC70. It is a stability-enhancement system that, when necessary, reduces the engine's torque and applies precisely measured braking force to help reduce the risk of skidding. Hill Descent Control curbs speed on steep downhill slopes Hill Descent Control (HDC) helps make crawling easier in bottom gear when driving down sleep gradients and on slippery slopes. Using the car's braking system and engine torque, HDC controls the car's speed and maintains a steady 10 km/h or so. The function is activated via a button on the instrument panel. The driver can at any time take command over the HDC system by accelerating or braking. When another gear is selected, HDC is automatically disengaged. All changes take place smoothly and gently.

Advanced body structure and stable chassis result in well-controlled road manners
Not only the driveline but the entire car has been developed and optimised to provide a first-class driving experience and stable, smooth road manners. The body features a highly advanced structure that contributes to both excellent deformation properties in the event of a collision and very high torsional rigidity.

High ground clearance and better get-you-there ability
In order to ensure the appropriate get-you-there ability in difficult terrain, the XC70 has higher ground clearance. It sits 209 millimetres off the ground, 66 mm higher than the Volvo V70. In wet conditions, it can make its way through 300 mm of water. This is known in the automotive world as the car's wading depth.

Together with the shape of the body, this elevated ground clearance allows the car to make its way out of deep ditches or down steep slopes. The angle between the road surface and the front of the car is 19.2°. At the rear, the corresponding angle is 24.0°.

Active chassis with Four-C - and three choices
The Volvo XC70 can be specified with an active chassis based on Volvo's Four-C technology. This is an advanced, self-adjusting chassis system that uses a number of sensors to continuously monitor the car's behaviour. The dampers can be adjusted to suit the current driving situation in mere fractions of a second. A choice of three alternative chassis settings means that by simply pressing a button, the driver can alter the car's on-road behaviour to suit his or her personal taste: COMFORT, SPORT or ADVANCED.

  • COMFORT gives a supple ride character with calm, harmonic body movements while on the move
  • SPORT tightens up body movement, with more control, faster steering response and added road contact.
  • ADVANCED gives minimum damper movement and maximum contact between tyre and road surface. It's the perfect setting for enthusiastic driving on smooth, flat tarmac.

Besides catering for your comfort and driving pleasure needs, Four-C always responds to help the driver out of the situation by automatically attempting to stabilise the car. If a critical situation arises the system simply over-rides the driver's choice.

Six-cylinder normally aspirated engine with dual cam profiles
The six-cylinder normally aspirated engine produces 175 kW (238 hp) and 320 Nm and offers a high-class driving experience. The engine has an advanced valve system featuring dual cam profiles on the inlet side. In normal driving, with normal throttle opening and low engine revs, fuel consumption is minimised at the same time as there is sufficient torque to give good driveability. In sportier driving, with full throttle opening and high engine revs, the engine is immensely alert and responsive, delivering a flood of power at both low and high speeds. Like all Volvo engines, this unit too is installed transversely, which reduces the risk of engine penetration into the passenger compartment in the event of a frontal collision.

Energy-efficient turbodiesel from the second-generation D5 series
As an alternative to the six-cylinder normally aspirated engine, the Volvo XC70 is available with Volvo's five-cylinder diesel engine from the second-generation D5 series. It is a very powerful and easy to drive turbodiesel that provides a massive 400 Nm of torque - across a particularly wide rev range. A service-free particle filter is fitted as standard and makes the D5 a highly environmentally suitable alternative.

The engine features four-valve technology and twin overhead camshafts, which contribute to quick response and good high-speed properties

Engine range, Volvo XC70

Engine Configuration Power kW/hp Torque Nm
3.2 R6 175/238 320
D5 diesel R5 136/185 400

Six-speed Geartronic
The two engines for the Volvo XC70 are mated to a six-speed transmission, manual or automatic with Geartronic. The gearboxes are designed to handle the immense power delivered by these engines.

Volvo XC70 Model Year 2008

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