The Hammer Strikes

Volvo continues its resurgence after a couple of shaky decades, and now aims to improve on its best-selling model – the XC60 SUV. We drive the latest-generation XC60 in Spain to find that Volvo continues to set the bar higher with each new model.

- Ishan Raghava

The fact that Volvo is now truly back in the high-stakes game of luxury performance is acknowledged the world over. Chinese ownership of the brand has brought about many benefits, along with resurrection from the brink of disaster in the Ford-era. And most of these benefits are clearly evident in their new product offerings.

As a result, off late we’ve seen brilliant products from the brand – such as the XC90 SUV, which has been quite successful in India, and the S90 saloon, which has been well received too. However, worldwide, and in India, it’s the XC60 that makes up the bulk of the sales for the brand. So, for Volvo, the new XC60 is a vital product. Not only does it offer the promise of large volumes, but, as the brand progresses, you could say that it holds the key to further expansion and success for the brand.

And, at first impressions, the XC60 delivers what the brand promises. It’s a handsome looking car – quite similar to the larger XC90, but with its own twist to the design. So, you get the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights – which have become a brand signature – as well as large taillights at the rear. However, the XC60 has a pronounced indent on the lower half of the doors that give it a unique visual identity. All said and done, it still remains a good-looking car – and the India specific version will also be equipped with large, and striking, 19-inch wheels as standard.