Volvo V70XC Cross Country, S40 V40 T4

The pages linked from here are extracts from earlier copies of the club magazine Volvo Driver. The pages are left here for historic reference. More information on news from the Volvo Car Corporation are on our Volvo Press pages.

Autumn 1997

Volvo joins the Cross Country Set - The XC

The modern and versatile image of today's Volvo cars will be further enhanced with the announcement of its latest model, the V70 Cross Country, which allows its driver to go further than ever before. The new V70 Cross Country has been developed from the V70 All Wheel Drive and underlines Volvo's dominance in the estate car market. An on-road car with an off-road look, the Cross Country (which will be badged as the XC) boasts the elegant design of the V70 but with enhanced driveability and versatility for those with an outdoor lifestyle. The XC is powered by the same 2.5-litre, five-cylinder, light pressure turbo engine with 193 bhp as the V70 AWD model. It will be available with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed electronic automatic with three driving modes sport, economy and winter. Although the V70 XC is not a Sport Utility Vehicle, it does have a touch of SUV character being a vehicle for active people who do not want to be restricted by the limitations of a regular car. Compared to the regular V70, the XC's ride height has been increased by 50mm to give approximately 25mm extra ground clearance.

The XC can be differentiated from the standard AWD by its revised front grille and spoiler, as well as new roof rails with cross bars, new wheels and slightly modified rear. Inside, new upholstery, storage nets and floor mats for the passenger and load compartments have all been designed to match the XC's exterior look. But despite these cosmetic and mechanical changes, there has been no sacrifice on the XC's handling, comfort or driving enjoyment which, combined with the traditional Volvo values of safety, quality and environmental care, make this one of the most capable and flexible Volvos on sale. Production of the V70 XC at Volvo's Gent plant commences later this year, with the car going on sale in the UK in September. The price of the Cross Country will be approximately £30,000.

Torque about performance - Volvo unveils the T4

A pair of stylish stablemates to complement Volvo's renowned high performance T5 models are unveiled today in the form of the Volvo S40 and V40 T4. Taking their lead from the T5 - dubbed 'The Terminator' by the motoring press at launch - the new T4 models offer a blend of scorching performance allied to traditional Volvo practicality and safety, at prices starting from below £20,000. Understated exterior styling belies the potent performance on offer. Underneath the bonnet is a 1.9-litre turbocharged engine, which packs a 200 bhp punch and a massive 300 Nm of torque, readily available from as low as 2,400 rpm. In pure performance terms this enables the T4 to reach 62 mph from rest in just 7.3 seconds and run to a top speed (where legal) of 148 mph. Uprated brakes, suspension and steering ensure that the driving experience in the T4 is enhanced still further from the standard S40 and V40 models. Externally, lowered dynamic suspension, twin headlights, wider wheels and subtle spoilers distinguish the T4 without detracting from the car's stylish original lines.

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