Volvo pimps the XC70

All-wheel drive estate gets a facelift

5 March 2007 22:53 GMT / By Jonathan Goddard

Volvo has given its rather sedate XC70 AWD (all-wheel drive) estate a shot in the tracking rod with some bold new styling and a shed load more equipment.

Available with a 3.2-litre straight six-cylinder petrol engine (245bhp) and its second generation 2.4-litre five-cylinder D5 turbo diesel engine (190bhp), the XC70 gets a new chassis complete with high-strength steel that provides more stability.

Dynamic stability and traction control comes as standard, while ground clearance and wading depth have been raised to allow better off-road abilities. Hill descent control, which regulates the vehicle’s speed on steep downhill gradients in all conditions, is also thrown in along with a host of other electronic driver aids such as speed-dependent power steering and a power parking brake. Oo-er.

Looks wise, the XC70 looks as though it’s been properly pimped, with a raked windscreen, blacked-out side pillars, funky taillights, and an off-road body kit. Hard-wearing scratchproof protective cladding covers the flanks and you get chunkier bumpers around the wheelarches.

Prices will be announced in June, with the XC70 hitting showrooms in September.