Volvo XC60: All pig

TO Volvo Designer once told me that “Volvo Don't Do Pig Lipstick”. This, in case it has not noticed, is not a reference to any dark component in the lubrication system, but to the American phrase: “You can put the lipstick in a pig, but it is still a pig,” used by Barack Obama on his 2008 presidential opponent John McCain.

Perhaps, although I have seen some, how can one say it, challenging Volvo's designs in my time? However, they do what the industry used to call “Faceliftas” and now term “an update”. What takes us to Volvo XC60, now in its eighth year and in its second “soda”. Therefore, to retain some attraction for the exposure room in front of more up -to -date rivals, we have a larger 11.2 -inch screen, a “UX” interface improved with Google software, crimeter graphics, more luxurious materials, an excellent induction phone charger (which also increases the oldest smartphones) and an air purification system.

Outside, we find a new fashion grid with cross -linked lines (without lipstick), new wheel options, darker rear lights and some new colors for paint, including a “red -colored red” that, to be fair, looks like a dark tone of lipstick. Transmissions, including plug -in hybrids, and optional air suspension do not change, and driving experience is practically the same as the originals of 2017.

Now, the reasons why XC60 is extending its life are interesting and triple. First, Volvo's trip to complete electrification is to take a little longer than the ideal. The little ex30, which includes a quick and versatile version of “Cross Country”, Smallish Ex40 and Giant Ex90 are everything you can offer at this time, leaving an abyss in the important Middle SUV market, where Tesla, VW Group, Hyundai/Kia and Byd are dominant. To create a presence in this segment, Volvo has to continue with the XC60, until it appears completely electric and everything, probably next year.

Secondly, there is still a demand for the XC60, since there is for his older brother the XC90, both with a fairly loyal monitoring. A company needs to sell cars that people want, provided they meet its share of battery vehicles, and larger models tend to obtain more profits. The XC60 has been a family view since the first iterations arrived in 2013, and has now overcome the Volvo 240 (1974-93) series known as “The Tank” or “Snowploough” in total global sales, a remarkable achievement. In that sense, the XC60 is the final volvo, and that is why it has such a loyal fan base. It does everything quite well, and manages to be a practical SUV without excessive size or no sports claims. It is, like the Volvo Estates who are also on sale for the same reason for popular demand, largely a medium -sized car for a middle -class family that approaches the median age. Hence his state in Middle England.

The third reason for the forced longevity of XC60 is geopolitical. Now that Donald Trump has slapped tariffs on cars in Europe and China, and discarded the mandate of electric cars, it makes sense that Father Geely de Volvo, a Chinese giant, changed and expand the production of the XC60 to his US plant in Charleston, South Carolina. The production of XC60 could also rival the 240.

Perhaps to demonstrate a point on how “Premium” an XC60 can be, Volvo lent us an example of a large range in the “smoke gray” solid, with “black package” and loaded with air suspension and the most powerful 2 -liter motor combination and “clean” hybrid batteries package with plug capacity, in addition to total traction. As is universally the case with PHEV (plug -in hybrid vehicles), it is green and economical only to the extent that the user really connects the thing to the electricity grid, preferably in the cheap rate at home. In that circumstance, you can obtain 40 or 50 miles of automobile only electric. Otherwise, it is only a great slightly thirsty volvo that transports weights “empty” heavy “. Therefore, the cheapest option of “mild hybrid” makes more sense, unless it can capitalize better tax rates in kind.

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The XC60 in any format is at its best on a long journey, where its wide performance and its flexible trip combine with these magnificently adapted seats to leave it without stressing at the end of a sprint of several hours. It is surprisingly well managed, and it is a perfectly civilized partner, but it is those durable Volvo values ​​that sell it, often, Volvo drivers are not so interested in what the competition is doing, but more interested in incorporated security. In general, they do not care that the 2 -liter engine quite stressed can be a bit intrusive when it is pressed strongly, and is not rival for refinement with its many totally electrical competitors.

Good news: In January, a new totally electric brother, the former60, will be revealed along with a luxurious hall that promises a range of 435 miles. Maybe one day he succeeds on 240 and XC60, and no one will call him pork with lipstick.