Volvo showcased the updated S60 and XC60 at the Geneva Motor Show in February this year. The company said that this will be the most comprehensive facelift in the company’s history and shared the information to launch both new models by the end of 2013. However, the recent notification we get from our reliable sources is, Volvo will introduce the facelift of both the S60 and XC60 on 17th October 2013 in India. The Volvo S60 sedan has been playing rivalry with the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4 since 2011 in India, while the XC60 has been the company’s largest selling product across the world.
Volvo sells both models in diminutive numbers against their rivals but the S60 and XC60 offers several upstate features which are hard to find in the competition. Brake Assist, pedestrian warning are few bits of the class-leading features that has made the XC60 get the 5 star rating from EuroNCAP. The forthcoming S60 and XC60 will obtain distinctive changes and the body design will be more serious and executive, appealing in comparison to the peppy design that the current models have. Both models will sport new front grille, headlights, tail lights along with DRLs loaded front bumpers.
The headlights will be interestingly advanced that fade out itself automatically to avoid blind spot for oncoming traffic. The next technical advancement that could be seen on headlights is the corner adaptive headlights that allows the light beam to turn along with the car’s turning direction. The feature list on Volvo cars has always been epic and the new S60 and XC60 brochures will be more interesting with 7-inch infrared touch screen system on the dash that works flawlessly and the user can also play with navigation, entertainment, Google maps and weather app. The interior trim and upholstery along with the wooden finish will be of more high quality.
The front sports seat and suspension will be offered as an additional option for the Volvo S60, which was earlier available only with the S60 R-Design performance variant. The XC60 is a potent 5-seater SUV in the market and shares several mechanical and structural foundations with the Land Rover Defender. Even the off-road tunings has been done by Land Rover in the UK. The engine options will be same as on the current variants of the S60 and XC60, however fuel efficiency and emission levels will be improved.
The prices of the Volvo S60 sedan ranges between Rs. 25-35 lakhs while the Volvo XC60 is showcased in Volvo outlets with a starting price tag of Rs. 35.25 lakhs which goes upto Rs. 42.65 lakhs (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi) for the top-end variant in India.
Volvo is likely to revise prices upwards on the facelifted models. The company is focusing on consolidating its presence in India. Volvo launched the V40 Cross Country last month, which competes with the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. The Chinese owned auto company doesn’t have any near future plans to develop its assembly line in India and both new models will also reach our shores via the CBU route as per the company’s current business model.
