Volvo XC60 Concept - Auto Shows - Car and DriverDecember 2006

Volvo XC60 Concept - Auto Shows - Car and DriverDecember 2006: "Volvo XC60 Concept - Auto Shows
Volvo set to enter the expanding, premium-small-ute segment in 2009.
BY DAVE VANDERWERP, December 2006


These images of the XC60 concept, released ahead of its official debut at the Detroit auto show in early January 2007, are a clear indication of what the production XC60 will look like when it makes its way to market in early 2009.
The XC60 is based on the Land Rover LR2 platform, which also underpins the new S80, while the styling is a bold take on the current XC90’s. The shape is definitely sleeker, looking almost stretched, with strong character lines running the length of the profile. Volvo says this makes the XC60 look like an “elegant, sporty coupe” but we see more of a wagon—think Cadillac SRX—but, to us, that’s not a bad thing.
Inside is a more futuristic version of Volvo’s floating center stack that we’ve already enjoyed in the S40 sedan and V50 wagon. To that, Volvo has added “visually floating” front and rear seats. Who knows, all this obsession with floating could lead to a Volvo blimp or hovercraft concept one day.
The XC60 concept also has Volvo’s new City Safety low-speed, collision-avoidance system, which is active at speeds below 20 mph and will automatically apply the brakes if the driver happens to be paying too much attention to his Blackberry.
Volvo didn’t mention what is powering this concept, but we wouldn’t be surprised to find the new, 235-hp 3.2-liter inline-six that powers the entry-level version of big brother XC90 as well as the LR2.
The “Small Premium Utility” segment—things like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, and Land Rover LR2—is the fastest-gro"

Car and DriverJanuary 2007-10Best Cars

2007 10Best Cars - 10Best Cars - Car and DriverJanuary 2007: "2007 10Best Cars - 10Best Cars
Our annual stomp in the woods turns up 10 outstanding machines.
BY CSABA CSERE AND TONY SWAN, PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON KILEY
January 2007


Every year the entire Car and Driver staff gathers at a rural site about 30 miles west of our home office in Ann Arbor, Michigan for a week of evaluating all the new cars and, hopefully, avoiding cops. We judge the cars in three general areas: First, how well the car performs its intended functions. We expect sports cars to be fast and exhilarating, while we presume a family sedan will be practical. Second, we show a preference for the more engaging cars in each category; be it better driving manners, a double-take-inducing look, or a powerful engine. Finally, we are suckers for a good deal, so an inexpensive car that’s fast, fun, and practical will certainly rise to the top of our list.
The invite list works as follows: Last year’s winners are automatically invited back, as well as other all-new or significantly upgraded machinery for 2007 — each car gets only one shot at making our 10Best list, but many stay on the list for years. This year, all cars had to have a base price no higher than $71,000, which is 2.5 times the average new-vehicle transaction price as of August 2006. Eligible cars must be on-sale no later than January of 2007, and the manufacturer must, of course, deliver an example for our evaluations.

http://www.caranddriver.com/bestcars/12056/2007-10best-cars.html