Volvo Car Malaysia launches the new XC60 with Drive-E Powertrain, RM289k [+Video]



Volvo’s new Drive-E powertrain made its debut appearance in Malaysia, residing under the facelifted XC60 body. Revealed by Volvo Car Malaysia‘s Managing Director Keith Schäfer in Glenmarie, the refreshed XC60 is assembled locally at Swedish Motor Assemblies in Shah Alam, and currently offered in the T5 guise with a base price of RM288,888. A more powerful T6 version of the same Drive-E engine will be introduced by next year.

Volvo XC60 with Drive-E Powertrain launch in Malaysia - AutoBuzz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQjEryNxYJw

QUICK FACTS

Name Volvo XC60 T5 Drive-E
Segment Compact SUV
Engine 1,969cc In-line 4 Turbo
Max Power 245hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque 350Nm @ 1,500–4,800 rpm
Price RM 288,888

 

The Drive-E powertrain marks a new milestone for Volvo, where future Volvos claimed to deliver a mix of power, driveability and fuel efficiency from it. Formerly known as Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA) during its development phase, the 2.0-litre four cylinder engine was developed in-house and built at Volvo Car Group’s high-tech engine plant in Skövde, Sweden.

Volvo XC60 with Drive-E Powertrain launch in Malaysia - AutoBuzz

EXTERIOR
The facelift brings a cleaner look to the XC60. The grille is wider than before and the headlamp design is simpler, with the auxiliary light strips moved down to the edge of the front bumper and function as the daytime running lights.

Volvo XC60 with Drive-E Powertrain launch in Malaysia - AutoBuzz

At the back, a horizontal chrome strip has been added on top of the number plate garnish. There are still twin tailpipes on the facelifted XC60, but they are now trapezoidal as opposed to the round pipes on the pre-facelift XC60. The lower part of the body loses the unpainted black cladding thus making the XC60 less utilitarian.

Volvo XC60 with Drive-E Powertrain launch in Malaysia - AutoBuzz

The rest of the car remains the same including the silver roof rails, and the new XC60 rides on 17-inch ‘Valder’ wheels as standard fitment. The side mirrors have lost their cameras, as the new Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) now uses radar to scan the surroundings.

INTERIOR
Nothing much has been changed on the inside, with familiar dashboard design and Shimmer Graphite aluminium inlay on the floating center console. However, the steering wheel gains a nice pair of paddle shifters, and the illuminated gearknob‘s face is now finished in black. Adaptive Digital Display as previously seen on the V40 reviewed here is available at a cost.

Volvo XC60 with Drive-E Powertrain launch in Malaysia - AutoBuzz

Leather is offered as standard along with 8-speaker High Performance Multimedia audio system that supports Bluetooth and DVD. In the back there are aircond vents on the B-pillars for the rear passengers and the outer rear seats comes integrated with two-stage booster cushions as well as ISOFIX mounts.

Volvo XC60 with Drive-E Powertrain launch in Malaysia - AutoBuzz

Occupants will be protected by Side Impact Protection System (SIPS), Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), Roll Over Protection System (ROPS), two front airbags, front side airbags, and Inflatable Curtain (IC). City Safety collision prevention system that automatically brakes the vehicle has also been updated to work at speeds up to 50km/h.

PERFORMANCE
The new Drive-E powertrain takes center stage in the new XC60. The T5 badge now no longer means it has a 5-cylinder engine under the bonnet, instead a new 4-cylinder turbocharged engine is now on duty to power the XC60 T5.

Volvo XC60 with Drive-E Powertrain launch in Malaysia - AutoBuzz

The Drive-E engine offers incredible flexibility from only a single displacement of 1,969cc. With varying states of tune, it will replace the previous four, five, and six-cylinders engine from the previous T4, T5, and T6.

In this T5 guise, it is more powerful than the previous 5-cylinder engine in the outgoing T5, providing 245 hp at 5,500 rpm and 350 Nm of torque 1,500–4,800 rpm. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 6.7l/100km.

Volvo XC60 with Drive-E Powertrain launch in Malaysia - AutoBuzz

Driving the front wheels via a new 8-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox, the XC60 T5 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h. Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) with Advanced Stability Control is fitted to the XC60, with the inclusion of Corner Traction Control by Torque Vectoring that should reduce understeer in corners.

WHAT ELSE?
Volvo’s 5+5+5 extended coverage plan is included in the base price of RM288,888 which means five years unlimited mileage warranty, five years free scheduled maintenance, and five years free Volvo On Call service. On top of that, a number of optional packages can be had with the XC60 at a special discounted price until 31st August 2015.

Candor gives you four huge 20-inch wheels at RM15,400, Olav is a set of front and rear mouldings with running board and side step at RM6,650, Sigrid buys you the bumper skid plates at RM3,300, and Vidar Adaptive Digital Display can be had for RM2,600. The Twilight Bronze XC60 T5 you see here is decked out with the full Viking Package that includes everything mentioned earlier and costs a cool RM25,155.

Volvo XC60 with Drive-E Powertrain launch in Malaysia - AutoBuzz

[divider]

IMAGE GALLERY