New Volvo XC60 enters production 90 years after their first model, the OV4



On 14th of April 1927 the Volvo ÖV4 rolled out of the production line in Sweden. 90 years later, the first batch of the highly-anticipated Volvo XC60 begins its production in Gothenburg, Sweden. What started as an offshoot from a ball bearing maker is now the only remaining mass-production car company from Sweden.

A Swedish abbreviation for “Open Carriage 4 cylinders“, the ÖV4 was a dinky open-top car that sits on a wooden frame made of ash tree and beech, powered by a 1.9-litre 4-cylinder engine. The engine generates about 28 hp and it’s paired to a 3-speed manual transmission to drive the rear wheels.

Fast forward to the year 2017, the base XC60 D4 with its 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel churns out more than six times the horsepower count and the only wood used are for the inlays inside the cabin. Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo Cars says “Volvo is very proud of its history. The past 90 years have been exciting, but the 10 years left until the 100-year anniversary may come to be more exciting as industry focus shifts to autonomous driving, electrification and connectivity.”

Volvo UK recently launched the XC60 for the UK market, and the Malaysian launch is said to be in late this year or early next year. In the mean time, you can build your dream XC60 using Volvo’s online configurator. We specced our XC60 T8 R-Design in Passion Red with 22-inch 10 Open Spoke Black Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels.


IMAGE GALLERY

1927 Volvo ÖV4

2017 Volvo XC60