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By Charl Bosch

Motoring Journalist


New front-wheel-drive option heads-up facelift Volvo XC60 range

Makeover means the XC60 also loses its turbodiesel engine option.


Volvo, after the confirming the updated XC60 for South Africa in November last year, has now officially introduced the local line-up, headed by new front-wheel-drive model.

Revealed internationally last March, the XC60, which this year enters its fifth of year production, comprises six models lead by the front-paw gripping B5 Momentum.

Aside from adopting the same “B” designations as the XC90, exterior changes include a redesigned grille and front bumper, new alloy wheel choices of a selection of new or updated colours.

updated Volvo XC60 priced in South Africa
Nothing has changed at the back

Inside, the more minor tweaks involve Google’s latest Android operating system with over-the-air updates for the Sensus Connect infotainment system, the option of having no leather upholstery and the City Weave textile that famously featured on the long-since discontinued V40 Cross Country.

Like its all-wheel-drive sibling, the front-wheel-drive B5 Momentum comes specced as standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats with all chairs trimmed in fabric, a reverse camera and keyless entry.

Not divulged until now, the power for the B5 comes from the familiar 2.0-litre Drive-E turbocharged petrol engine, now aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

ALSO READ: Updated Volvo XC60 heading for South Africa

Producing 183kW/350Nm, the unit is again mated to an eight-speed Geartronic transmission, the setup resulting in a limited top speed of 180 km/h and 0-100 km/h in seven seconds, 0.3 up on the all-wheel-drive.

Higher up, the B5 also powers the upscale R-Design and Inscription, with the latter also having the option of the more powerful B6 unit. In this form, the carryover powertrain has been tweaked to deliver 220kW/420Nm.

With the eight-speed ‘box sending the amount of twist to all four wheels as standard, the B6 will sprint from 0-100 km/h in a claimed 6.2 seconds, before also topping out at 180 km/h.

updated Volvo XC60 priced in South Africa
Sensus Connect infotainment system now runs Google’s latest Android software.

As indicated by the range, the XC60 no longer has the option of a diesel engine in lieu of Volvo’s commitment to electrification with the aim of being a completely electric marque by 2030.

Unchanged is the warranty with all models being covered by a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. 

Price

  • XC60 B5 Momentum Geartronic – R750 094
  • XC60 B5 Momentum AWD Geartronic – R889 498
  • XC60 B5 R-Design AWD Geartronic – R941 998
  • XC60 B5 Inscription AWD Geartronic – R944 598
  • XC60 B6 R-Design AWD Geartronic – R1 007 602
  • XC60 B6 Inscription AWD Geartronic – R1 011 102

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