LA show: Volvo jacks up V60 with Cross Country

VOLVO has added a second trail-focused Cross Country model to its ranks with a ride height-boosted version of its mid-sized V60 wagon joining the fleet alongside smaller V40 Cross Country.

The V60 Cross Country will make its debut at the Los Angeles motor show later this month, revealing its 65mm boosted ride-height, higher profile tyres and chunky body modifications.

Volvo says the alterations give the latest V60 variant a new level of versatility with “unparalleled control on and off the beaten track” for owners wanting “rugged capability”.

Australian allocation is yet to be confirmed but Europe will get three diesel-only versions of the V60 Cross Country starting with a front-wheel-drive D3 four-cylinder, a mid-range front-drive four-cylinder D4, while top-of-the-range four-wheel-drive versions get a five-cylinder engine.

This might be a last hurrah for the five-pot engine in V60, as Volvo's Drive-E four-cylinder engine eventually will power all models in the Swedish brand's range including the V60 Cross Country D4 and D3.

Power transmission is optimised on and off-road with 'torque vectoring' and 'corner traction control' for both front-drive and four-wheel drive versions.

The V60 Cross Country range will wear either 18-inch or 19-inch wheels wrapped in high-profile tyres to improve ride quality and offer better rim-protection on rougher surfaces.

Front and rear skid-plates, side scuff-plates and bumper extensions visually set the Cross Country apart from its more road-bound sibling, and increase durability when on changeable surfaces.

Interiors have brown-stitched black leather upholstery with an option to upgrade to a two-tone colour-schemes.

Exact specification and pricing will follow closer to an official launch date but Australian versions will likely carry similar equipment to the two diesel V60 wagons currently on offer.

Those are priced at $57,890 before on-road costs for the Kinetic and $62,890 for the Luxury, but neither are available with four-wheel drive, meaning the flagship Cross Country would likely carry a premium if it is chalked for Australia.

Volvo has previously offered a third Cross Country model based on its larger V70 wagon but the car-maker is reporting no plans to resurrect the vehicle.

European customers can place orders for the V60 Cross Country early next year with deliveries expected during the middle of 2015.