Volvo announced today that it will reveal a Cross Country version of its S60 sedan at the Detroit Auto Show, which will kick off on January 12.
Before delving any deeper into the subject, however, let us give you a quick history lesson (or reminder). Volvo introduced the first Cross Country model back in 1997 and has since expanded the lineup with meatier versions of the V40, V60 and V70. The idea behind the whole Cross Country phenomenon is rather simple – take a certain vehicle type, such as a wagon, and infuse it with the properties of a crossover, which basically adds up to bigger wheels and beefier body.
In the past, Volvo has focused strictly on wagons, but as of this year, the honour of being “Cross Country” is to be bestowed upon a sedan. The S60 will not feature the longer roof of the V60 Cross Country and will instead feature a 2.5-inch increased ride hide in combination with a lower body.
The vehicle will come with all-wheel drive to send power to its 18- or 19-inch alloys, which, according to Volvo, will make the S60 Cross Country “the only truly capable and stylish all-road sedan crossover on the market.” Under the hood, the car will feature a T5 2.5-litre turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine that produces 250 horsepower. However, if you decide to buy the vehicle in Europe, you will be able to get a front-wheel-drive version with a 190-horsepower 2.0-litre D4 diesel engine – later to be joined by a 2.4-litre diesel with all-wheel drive.
The current assumption is that Volvo will connect the engine to the same six-speed automatic transmission that you can find in the North American version of the 2014 S60 model. The plan is to sell the new S60 Cross Country in the United States, Canada and Europe, which will begin this summer.
You can read our full review of the most recent S60 sedan right here!
