Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Volvo XC70

While station wagons are a very big part of the European automotive landscape, here in the States the two-box design sells much better when it's a crossover. We Americans don't have many choices on the true wagon front, mostly because high volume demand simply doesn't exist. One wagon that has been around for a while is the Volvo XC70, which combines much of the rugged AWD utility of an SUV with traditional wagon packaging.

The XC70 is all-new for 2008, including its Ford Mondeo-derived platform, 3.2L engine and more refined sheet metal. On paper, the XC70 delivers a good-looking, safe and evolved station wagon to go head-to-head with upscale utility vehicles, but how will it hold up in the Autoblog Garage? Hit the jump to find out.


All photos Copyright ©2008 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.

click on above image to view high-res images of the 2008 Volvo XC70

The press days for the 2007 Geneva Motor Show don't start until tomorrow technically, but Volvo doesn't care. This afternoon it released all the info and images it has on the new 2008 XC70 soft-roader. Hot on the heels of its on-road only brethren, the V70, this new XC70 features an updated appearance that's pleasing to the eye, yet retains the rugged matte black lower cladding, subtle fender flares and increased ride height of its predecessor. The rugged wagon will come with either the automaker's new 3.2L inline six-cylinder gas engine developing 238 hp and 236 ft-lbs. of torque or a five-cylinder diesel making 185 hp and 295 ft-lbs. of torque.

Being a Volvo, the new XC70 has an incredible number of safety features including a world's first new child safety seat with a height adjustable cushion, a Collision Warning with Brake Support system, Adaptive Cruise Control, a Blind Spot Information System, Intelligent Driver Information System, swivelling Bi-Xenon headlights, and much, more more. We're particularly interested in the optional Four-C active chassis that can vary car's dampers based on its speed and surrounding conditions. The driver can also choose Comfort, Sport or Advanced modes to manually modulate the damping. We're curious to know, however, whether the system is infinitely variable like the electromagnetic suspension on the Corvette and other high-end sports cars. Of course, all XC70s have all-wheel drive standard with Dynamic Stability and Traction Control.

It appears that the 2008 Volvo XC70 will definitely have the content to impress most consumers interested in a useful hauler that handles better than an SUV, and as with all new Volvos, the styling keeps improving with each new generation.

Check out the official press release after the jump for every little detail on the 2008 Volvo XC70 and visit the high-resolution gallery to view it from all angles.

[Source: Volvo]