Posts Tagged ‘Volvo XC60’

VOLVO XC60 DRIVe DRIVES DOWN RUNNING COSTS FOR COMPANY CAR DRIVERS

Volvo XC60 DRIVe

Improved residual values
Volvo XC60 DRIVe falls below the all-important 160g/km Writing Down Allowance threshold and offers up to 47.1 mpg
Standard City Safety technology helps drivers to avoid low-speed collisions – keeping repair bills to a minimum
The Volvo XC60 DRIVe is ideal for company car drivers who want all the benefits of a comfortable, raised driving position, but like the idea of lower tax and fuel consumption benefits of two-wheel-drive.

CAP recently upgraded its residual value predictions now that it has spent some time behind the wheel of the Volvo XC60 DRIVe estimating the trade price of a 2.4D DRIVe SE at 40% (£10,525) of its cost-new price after three years and 60,000 miles. Add roughly 15% to the trade value and you have a retail value which would be an estimated £14,597.

With the DRIVe model fitting in neatly below the crucial 160g/km tax band at 159g/km, its Benefit in Kind and Vehicle Excise Duty credentials are strong. A 20% tax payer will pay less than £100 per month (£97.83) and a 40% tax payer £195.75 per month. Annual road tax is £150.

The Volvo XC60 joined the DRIVe range in summer 2009 to become the first premium Crossover to fall below the all-important 160g/km Writing Down Allowance threshold for company cars. The introduction of front-wheel drive and the new 2.4D engine to the XC60 saw CO2 figures tumble to 159 g/km and fuel economy improve to 47.1 mpg.

“When we first discussed the concept of what has become XC60 DRIVe with the residual value guides and larger fleets 18 months ago, about 40% weren’t convinced there was a market for a front-wheel-drive premium Crossover. Since then, you could say the world has changed, and most have changed their minds. Residual value predictions have increased which has led to lower monthly contract hire rentals and more fleets adding it to their company car choice lists,” explained John Wallace, National Corporate Strategy & Development Manager at Volvo Car UK.

“No other car offers this combination of equipment, dynamic looks, safety and environmental prowess, at the same time offering great fuel economy and lower CO2 figures. The awareness of DRIVe across all models in the Volvo range has increased enormously and in a recent Fleet News survey regarding familiarity of green car brands, DRIVe jumped up into fourth position – up from eleventh place in 2008,” he added.

All XC60 models, including DRIVe, come as standard with Volvo’s award-winning City Safety system, which helps drivers to avoid low-speed collisions, reducing the risk of injuries such as whiplash and keeping bodywork repair bills to a minimum.


SUCCESS FOR VOLVO AT THE CARAVAN CLUB TOWCAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2010

Volvo XC60 Diesel

Volvo XC60 D5 AWD SE voted best tow car in the £25,000 to £32,000 category
Volvo has again demonstrated its legendary towcar credentials with another class win at the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards 2010.

The Volvo XC60 D5 AWD SE secured victory in the £25,000 to £32,000 price category, beating rivals from Honda, Isuzu, Skoda, Subaru and Toyota.

Judges praised the Volvo XC60’s sure-footed handling, flexible power delivery and all-wheel-drive – all of which contributed to effortless performance during the towing tests. The Volvo XC60 was also praised for its practical load carrying capabilities and poise when hitched to a caravan.

Grenville Chamberlain, Caravan Club Chairman, said: “This vehicle has an extra powerful version of Volvo’s excellent five-cylinder engine as well as AWD. Gear changes are smooth and speed builds up rapidly when needed.

“Terms such as ‘confident’, ‘sure-footed’ and ‘doesn’t feel like it’s towing’, were used plentifully by the judges. Volvo has produced another excellent towcar.”

The new powerful twin turbo D5 diesel engine provides a winning combination of high performance and torque levels in a spacious compact SUV package. The D5 engine delivers 205 PS and comes with a choice of 6-speed manual or 5-speed Geartronic transmission. The All-Wheel-Drive system features PreTension®, which improves take-off speed and delivers higher traction in slippery conditions.

Volvo XC60 models are also fitted with Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) which detects if the trailer starts ‘snaking’ – a phenomenon that can occur at certain speeds, depending on the mass of the trailer and how it is loaded. If TSA senses snaking tendencies, it brakes the car’s individual wheels to counteract the oscillation.

Peter Rask, managing director, Volvo Car UK, said: “The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year award is the ultimate towing trophy and a welcome acknowledgement of Volvo’s continuing commitment to developing good towcars.”

This award continues Volvo’s run of success at the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year competitions and follows success for the Volvo V70 D5 AWD in last year’s event. In 2007, the Volvo V50 D5 Sport secured a class win and the overall winner titles, while the outgoing 185 PS variant of the Volvo D5 turbodiesel engine powered the XC70 AWD and V70 AWD to victory in no less than three classes in 2006.