Volvo creates a new niche with the S60 Cross Country

The Volvo S60 Cross Country has been revealed by Volvo as a high-riding S60 saloon, creating a new niche for premium saloons with off-road pretensions.

The Volvo S60 Cross Country (pictured) creates a new premium niche.

Volvo recently revealed the V60 Cross Country as a sort of halfway house between a proper SUV and a normal estate; the Volvo take on the ‘Allroad’ idea.

Now, in what could be seen as a logical move – even though no other car maker has really seen the same logic – Volvo has decided that what the world really wants is a high-riding saloon car, so the world is getting the Volvo S60 Cross Country, set to be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show next week.

Just like the V60 Cross Country, the S60 Cross Country gets its ride height increased by 2.5″. some added butch with extra cladding and either 18″ or 19″ alloys.

The S60 Cross Country will be available with four-wheel-drive and, rather oddly, be powered by Volvo’s old 2.4 litre 5-pot diesel rather than the far more impressive 2.0 litre Drive-E D4 engine that is quicker, quieter and more economical.

You will be able to get the new Drive-E D4 engine in the new S60 Cross Country, but if you choose that sensible route you will have to forsake the 4WD and make do with FWD. Which seems a bit odd.

Volvo’s Lex Kerssemakers said:

We want to further explore the market with our Cross Country brand. We did this back in 1997 with the V70 Cross Country and it led to the birth of a whole new segment.
We have included all the capability-driven benefits of the Cross Country brand in this new model, while offering a completely unique expression of adventure and all-road readiness in a distinctly sporty and stylish package.

At first look, the idea of high-riding saloon car seems a bit odd. But the more we think about it, the more sense it makes.

The Volvo S60 Cross Country will arrive in the UK in the summer priced from around £30k.