Volvo XC30

The trend of compact crossovers made to look to big, sporty and aggressive is gaining momentum all over the world. So much so, that not even luxury carmakers want to be left behind in this rapidly growing and hugely lucrative segment. The latest automaker to join the bandwagon of compact crossovers is the Swedish automaker Volvo who have reportedly, prioritised the development of an entry-level SUV as part of a broader future model strategy. This new model will be tagged as the Volvo XC30 in the global markets and will be based on larger XC60 SUV. Pegged to launch sometime by the end of 2017, the XC30 will rival the likes of Audi Q3, BMW X1 and the Mercedes Benz B-Class. The baby Volvo will be based on the four wheel drive version of the existing C30s contemporary unitary platform that is internally being termed as the P1 structure. Dimensionally, the Volvo XC30 measures 4,350mm in length making is 280mm shorter that the current XC60. It is understood that Volvo might build two versions of the XC30 - a standard wheelbase model for the markets in Europe and an extended wheelbase model for the customers in India and China. The Volvo XC30 will reportedly, be built at the Swedish carmaker’s newly acquired Geely Automotive in China and is expected to debut in the international markets sometime by the end of 2014 and is slated to make its commercial debut in the country in 2016. With the XC30, Volvo is hoping to attract the younger generation of buyers and is aiming to achieve the sort of profitability that the larger XC60 gathered in the global markets.

*Disclaimer: The date of launch is tentative and purely based on the information received from OEMs. Autoportal will not be responsible for any discrepancy and delay with the launch dates.

The styling of the XC30 is very youthful and there is a sporty appeal to the car too. It combines the rugged styling of an SUV with the sporty performance of a sedan. The aerodynamic design of this car is sure to have heads turning everywhere you pass. This five seater luxury SUV sits on a 2.6 meters of wheelbase, and measures 4.5 meters in length.At the front it is equipped with Volvo’s attractive looking signature grille.The neatly crafted wheel arches of this car are expected to be fitted with an elegant set of alloy wheels, which gives the side profile a sporty look. The body-colored front & rear bumpers accentuate the overall appeal of the car. At the back too, the XC30 looks quite attractive with its smartly shaped’ tail-lamps.

Enter the XC30’s gorgeous cabin and you get a whiff of luxury. The leather upholstery on the seats and dash lends a sense of class to the cabin. The front seats are extremely comfortable for long journeys and the driver would get electrically adjustable seat with lumbar support. At the rear, the seats are again pretty comfy and can be reclined too. You also get a centre armrest at the rear which is a useful feature. There is more than enough space both at the front and for the rear passengers. Sunroof adds to the feel good factor. The multifunctional steering wheel feels good to hold and has numerous buttons to control the audio system, phone and also read data on the instrument cluster.
The interiors are expected to be loaded with latest tech and high-end features. The car is bestowed with an efficient air conditioning unit and the presence of rear AC vents keeps the entire cabin cool. Expect its features list to include multi-functional steering wheel, sunroof, power steering, multi-information display, auto-folding ORVMs, projector headlights, reverse parking sensors, leathers seats, touch-screen infotainment system, advance audio system that has CD, USB, AUX and bluetooth options are just to name the few.

Volvo XC30 is available in two engine options - 2.4-litre turbocharged diesel engine and a 1.6 liter petrol engine that also powers XC40. Speculations are on rife that Indian model will be powered by 2.4 liter diesel engine that discharges peak power of 185 bhp @ 4000 rpm and the peak torque of 400 Nm @ 2000 rpm.Sending power to the wheels is the 6-speed manual transmission which delivers power smoothly.

The exact details regarding the efficiency will be revealed once the car hits the market. According to certain sources the car is expected to deliver an estimated mileage of 13-14 kmpl.

Braking responsibilities would be handled by disc brakes on all four corners. Their progressive nature makes it amply comfortable to drive in the traffic. Tight seatbelts hold the passengers down always, in addition to airbags shielding them at all times. Volvo has incorporated many safety and security features in the XC30 including Anti-Lock Braking System,Electronic Brake-force Distribution System, Electronic Stability Program, Traction Control,parking sensor and many more features to ensure maximum safety of the occupants.

The Volvo XC30 offers good city performance with decent grunt for the highways. The engine is powerful enough to perform well on the Indian roads. Acceleration is very impressive with linear power delivery and excellent torque available throughout rev range.It is reported to do 0-100 kmph sprint in merely 15 seconds, while clocking a top speed of 200 kmph. The handling is good and body control is excellent too. The car is very stable at high speed being glued to the road at all times.There is no information regarding the suspension of the car, however, most of the cars from the company have done well with the suspension and the same can be expected with XC30 as well.

The upcoming Volvo XC30 looks quite appealing both inside-out and comes loaded with a host of features.

The car will challenge the likes of BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC in the Indian market.