Volvo XC60 (2018)

Both the D4 and D5 have two turbochargers that work sequentially to provide responsive performance at low and high revs. The D5 takes this one stage further with an ingenious Volvo-designed system called PowerPulse. This injects compressed air - which is stored in a small tank in the engine bay - into the path of the first turbocharger to get it spinning when it would otherwise be dormant, such as at very low engine revs. This enables the engine to respond as soon as you press the accelerator, overcoming the momentary delay (known as turbo lag) you can feel in powerful turbocharged diesel engines.

The T8 Twin Engine offers an unrivalled mix of performance and efficiency. It features a supercharged and turbocharged 320 hp petrol engine that powers the front wheels and an 87 hp electric motor that drives the rears. Total power output is 407 hp, yet CO2 emissions are just 49 g/km. It is also possible to drive for up to 28 miles in electric-only mode, in near silence while emitting no tailpipe emissions. The T8's 400 V/10.4 kWh high-voltage battery pack can be recharged in as little as two and a half hours using the optional 16-amp fast-charging cable. Fully recharging via the standard three-pin plug cable takes between three and a half hours (at 10 amps) and six hours (at six amps).

Every XC60 comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, made by Aisin-Warner.

Advanced SPA platform

The Volvo XC60 is the first of Volvo's mid-size 60 series models to be built on its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. Not only is this architecture highly modular - so its dimensions can be easily adapted to suit different cars - it is designed to incorporate next-generation electrification, connectivity and safety technologies as they become available. SPA is the ideal platform from which to build a car with exceptional dynamics.

Based on a deep understanding of Volvo customers, the engineers tuned the XC60's dynamics to be controllable, predictable and comfortable, no matter what the road surface or speed. "The XC60 is designed to provide you with 'inspired confidence'," explains Per Ola Fuxin, Director of Volvo's Vehicle Dynamics Centre. "This is the feeling of the car supporting you, of it and you working in harmony."

R-Design suspension settings

R-Design XC60s come with a more dynamic version of the standard suspension set-up. They feature 30% stiffer springs, thicker anti-roll bars (+1 mm) front and rear, and faster-acting dampers (shock absorbers) for sportier, more responsive handling.

Active Four-C Chassis

For an even greater breadth of dynamic abilities, the Volvo XC60 can also be fitted with electronically controlled air suspension. This replaces the coil springs at the front and the transverse leaf spring at the rear with separate air chambers for each wheel. The dampers are also replaced with adaptive ones. The system has numerous benefits, including:

• selectable suspension firmness to tailor the car's dynamics to the road surface or your personal preference
• suspension that constantly adapts to the driving conditions, providing improved ride comfort and handling
• automatic self-levelling control, keeping the car at a constant height and level, irrespective of the passenger or luggage load, or when towing
• easy entry and exit mode, which lowers the car by 40 mm when the engine is turned off
• automatic lowering at high speeds to improve aerodynamic efficiency
• increased ground clearance when driving off-road (+40 mm)

The Active Four-C Chassis is standard on R-Design Pro and Inscription Pro XC60s, and optional on all other versions.

All-wheel-drive system

Every version of the XC60 comes with the reassurance of all-wheel drive (AWD). The system uses a light and compact coupling from BorgWarner to distribute the engine's torque between the front and rear wheels. Under normal conditions, almost all of the engine's torque is sent to the front wheels. The system constantly monitors the need for traction, and can instantly distribute up to 50 per cent of the engine's torque to the rear wheels.

The T8 Twin Engine offers a different all-wheel-drive solution. Its petrol engine powers the front wheels only, whereas its electric motor drives the rears. Both power sources can work independently or together, so the T8 also offers the traction and stability advantages of all-wheel-drive whenever you need them.

Drive Mode settings

The Volvo XC60 is fitted with Drive Mode settings, which allow you to alter certain dynamic functions and convenience features of the car to suit the conditions or your personal preference. These include the responses of the engine, automatic gearbox, steering, brakes, stability control and optional air suspension, and even the operation of the climate control system.

The D4, D5 and T5 have five modes - Comfort, Eco, Dynamic, Off Road and Individual - whereas the T8 Twin Engine has six - Hybrid, Pure, Power, AWD, Off Road and Individual.

Hold and Charge functions

In addition to the Drive Modes, the T8 Twin Engine also offers Hold and Charge functions. Hold reserves the battery's charge for later use - such as when driving through an urban area at the end of a long journey - while Charge uses the petrol engine to help partially recharge the battery.

Practical, thoughtfully designed interior

A long, wide cabin means there's plenty of space for all five occupants inside the Volvo XC60. The generous glass area - especially in models fitted with the optional panoramic sunroof - ensures the cabin is full of natural light, while the high seating positions give everyone a commanding view of their surroundings.

The large boot holds 505 litres with the standard split-folding rear seats up, and an impressive 1,432 litres with them down (the T8 Twin Engine version offers 468 and 1,395 litres respectively). Particular attention has been paid to making the boot a practical shape, helping to maximise all the available space for everyday items such as suitcases.

Every Volvo XC60 also comes with a power-operated tailgate, which can be raised or lowered at the touch of a button. The optional handsfree tailgate is an innovation from Volvo's larger 90 series models. Available across the XC60 range, it enables you to open and close the tailgate by simply putting your foot beneath the rear bumper - perfect for when you've got your hands full or when loading bulky, heavy objects in the boot.

Thanks to its placement between the front seats, the T8 Twin Engine's high-voltage battery pack doesn't compromise passenger space. It also offers superior weight distribution, a lower centre of gravity and improved safety compared with other possible locations.

Like every Volvo, the XC60 also offers clever design details to make life that bit easier. There's a hidden storage compartment, for example, beneath both outer rear seats that is the perfect size and shape for an iPad, book or magazine.

Intuitive, useful technology

The XC60 introduces the class-leading technology from Volvo's larger 90 series cars to a new segment.

Chief among this is the intuitive nine-inch touch screen, which allows you to easily control most of the car's entertainment, convenience and safety functions from one interface. It's an innovative system that operates more like a smartphone or tablet than a traditional car control screen, helped by its portrait design and swipe, pinch and zoom functionality. Its four home screen 'tiles' also keep the information you need most in one place, while its infrared technology means it works even when you're wearing gloves.

The screen's size and shape really come into their own when combined with Smartphone Integration. This includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and lets you access your phone's functions - including calls, text messages and music - and selected media-streaming apps directly from the touch screen. The large portrait-style display means there's still space for the car's other functions to be displayed at the same time as Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, making it easy to access them at all times. Smartphone Integration is an optional extra on the Volvo XC60.

The touch screen works in tandem with the advanced voice-activated control system. This is sophisticated enough to understand natural speech, and allows you to change the radio station, input an address in the sat-nav or change the cabin temperature, all without moving your hands from the steering wheel or your eyes from the road.

You can also turn the XC60 into a WiFi hotspot via the built-in car modem (standard on all Pro variants) and a SIM card with a mobile data allowance. This allows your passengers to connect their mobile devices to the internet via the car, benefitting from the improved signal strength of the car's antenna.

A wide range of cloud-based apps are also available, including TuneIn, Stitcher, Yelp and Local Search, along with a standalone Spotify app that does away with the need to use a smartphone altogether for music streaming while driving and provides a search function.

Pro versions of the Volvo XC60 are fitted with Volvo's ground-breaking Volvo On Call service. You can use this to control various functions of your car remotely via your smartphone or smartwatch, such as locking and unlocking the car, flashing its headlights to help you find it in a crowded car park, or even starting the engine to heat or cool the cabin to the desired temperature before you start your journey. You can also send a destination directly to the car's satellite-navigation system or view the trip computer information, while the ability to download detailed journey data makes life easier for company car drivers.

Volvo On Call will help you in an emergency, too. If an airbag is deployed or a seatbelt pre-tensioner is activated in a crash, an operator will contact the car and can even send the emergency services to your precise location using the car's inbuilt GPS system. You can also use Volvo On Call to summon roadside assistance - for example, if your car has a puncture - and the GPS can be used to track your car if it is stolen.

Bowers & Wilkins sound system

If you're after world-class audio in your Volvo XC60, look no further than the optional Premium Sound by Bowers & Wilkins system. Developed in collaboration with the respected British audio equipment company, the set-up includes 15 speakers and an output of 1,100 watts.

Its innovations include an air-ventilated subwoofer that is integrated into the car's body (as opposed to being in a freestanding unit) to provide extremely low bass tones, and a speaker on top of the dashboard with a forward-facing tweeter that limits acoustic reflections from the windscreen for a purer, more detailed sound.

Thanks to advanced sound processing software, the system can also replicate the exact sound of the Gothenburg Concert Hall, a recording studio or a stage - all at the touch of a button.

Luxurious equipment levels

Every Volvo XC60 is incredibly well equipped as standard, including many technology, comfort and convenience features that are optional extras on premium rivals.

There are three main trim levels - Momentum, R-Design and Inscription - all of which can also be specified in Pro form, which adds even more desirable equipment.

Pilot Assist semi-autonomous drive

Volvo's pioneering semi-autonomous drive technology, Pilot Assist, is available across the XC60 range.

Pilot Assist is a driver-support system that helps take the strain out of long journeys. It uses a forward-facing camera and radar to detect your lane and any vehicles in front, then helps with the steering (up to 80 mph) and takes care of the accelerator and brake inputs required to keep the car within its lane and at the desired cruising speed. It accelerates and brakes with the flow of traffic, right down to a standstill.

Pilot Assist is optimised for motorway driving and requires you to have your hands on the steering wheel. It points the way towards fully autonomous driving, which is a key innovation area for Volvo.

World-class safety technology

The Volvo XC60 introduces three ground-breaking safety technologies to the mid-size SUV segment. Chief among these is Steer Assist, which automatically provides steering input in an emergency to help avoid potential collisions.

Steer Assist acts alongside Volvo's City Safety suite of safety aids. It uses radar and a forward-facing camera to detect and identify objects in the path of the car. It activates once the driver clearly starts to steer away from an object between 31 and 62 mph, and, if necessary, adds to the steering input and brakes individual wheels to maximise the car's evasive potential while keeping the car stable.

The second technology is Oncoming Lane Mitigation. This operates between 37 and 87 mph, and is designed to prevent head-on collisions. If you move out of your lane into the path of an oncoming car, the system will warn you of the potential danger by automatically providing steering assistance to guide you safely back into your lane.

The third system is the optional Blind Spot Information System with Steer Assist. This also operates between 37 and 87 mph, and automatically applies the steering to bring the car back into its own lane and away from any vehicles in your blind spot.

"All three of these new features represent clear steps in our work towards fully autonomous cars," says Malin Ekholm, Vice President of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre. "This is fully in-line with our strategic approach to develop automotive safety systems based on real-life, real-road safety."

The Volvo XC60 also uses much of the advanced safety equipment from Volvo's larger 90 series cars, including Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection with fully automatic emergency braking, and Road Edge Detection and Run-off Road Protection, which help prevent the car inadvertently running off the road and protect the car's occupants should this be unavoidable.

This continued focus on safety innovation is all part of Volvo's Vision 2020 - that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2020.