You’re looking at a heavily camouflaged prototype of the second generation of Volvo’s popular XC60 compact luxury SUV that our scoops snagged testing in Amsterdam.
Expected in late 2017 or early 2018, the redesigned XC60 will become the sixth Volvo model to be based on the Swedish firm’s flexible SPA platform after the new XC90, S90, V90 and next year’s XC40 and S40, which were previewed in concept form last month.
Our spies on the ground said that the tester had a similar footprint to the current model that measures 4,628mm (182.2 in.) long and which has been in production since 2008, though the pictures suggest that it might be riding on a longer wheelbase than the Mk1 (2,774 mm or 109.2 in) for improved passenger space.
The car’s body armor doesn’t exactly allow us to make out any styling cues other than a possibly more athletic stance, but the 2018 XC60 should borrow heavily from its larger sibling, the XC90, both inside and out, adopting elements like the distinctive ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED headlamp designs and an oblong front grille.
The SUV’s safety and tech features will be upgraded with most of the things we’ve seen on the latest XC90 and S/V90 models too, such as Smartphone connectivity including Apple CarPlay, a larger tablet-like touchscreen for the infotainment system and possibly even Volvo’s Pilot Assist II semi-autonomous driving system.
Our spies were able to check the prototypes number plates revealing that power comes from Volvo’s 2.0 liter T5 turbocharged petrol engine, which on the XC90 is rated at 254hp and 350Nm (258 lb-ft) of peak torque. The range will include additional Drive-E four-cylinder gasoline engines and a plug-in hybrid variant, with Europe and other markets around the world getting an assortment of diesels too. Some markets may also get the option of three-cylinder engines at a later stage. Entry level XC60s will be front-wheel drive, with more powerful models to be combined with all-wheel drive.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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