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Volvo’s S60 Cross Country hits Detroit, traverses fields

 

For nearly two decades, Volvo’s Cross Country wagons have packaged a beefed-up ride height, with the practicality of an estate body shape. The XC range spawned the XC60 and XC90 SUVs as well – but until now, there’s never been a Cross Country sedan.

Well, any dreams you’ve had of deftly working your way down a rutted and muddy trail in a traditional four-door saloon can now come true: from later this year, the excellent Volvo S60 will be available in a niche, 65mm-higher Cross Country variant.

It’s not going to be a volume seller, but for a select few, the S60CC will offer a tempting package of additional grip, height to surmount small obstacles, and a higher hip point for easier entry and exit. Plus, there’s an argument that the S60, already quite a looker, takes on even more of an interesting style with the toughened-up enhancements like black wrap-around cladding.

Volvo’s Drive-E two-litre turbodiesel four will be the base engine, offering 142kW and front-wheel-drive. But the point of this car is the all-wheel-drive security, and all-paw handling will be offered by two five-cylinders: a hot 186kW turbo petrol, and a 2.5-litre turbodiesel.

Will it come to Australia? We’re not sure. We hope so, though, because this will be one of the most interesting launches of 2015. If we did see the S60CC here, we’d envisage a starting price of around $60,000.

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