The well-equipped XC70 SE +óGé¼GÇ£ at $56,950 +óGé¼GÇ£ offers buyers in the rapidly growing medium SUV segment an opportunity to buy up to a luxury SUV. The XC70 SE provides as standard world-leading safety features, luxury comfort features such as leather interior, 40-20-40 folding rear seat, rear seat child booster cushions and a cabin air filter (removes dust, pollen and particulates from air entering the cabin).

The medium SUV segment is growing (year to date) by approximately 35 percent this year and has shown impressive sales growth from 2003. On the other hand, the luxury SUV segment is contracting (year to date) by approximately 6 percent.

There is not doubt that the SUV market is growing, but that growth is in segments below the luxury car tax.

"At this price point, the XC70 SE enters a much larger and more active SUV segment with only a slight adjustment in features," said Steve Blyth, Volvo Car Australia managing director. "The all-wheel-drive XC70 SE wagon is luxurious, versatile, very capable and a hardy, proven product."

XC70 SE accompanies the XC70 LE (Lifestyle Edition) as Volvo Car Australia expands the all-wheel-drive wagon's model range. With the release of the new XC70 SE, Volvo's SUV product range now includes:

XC70 SE +óGé¼GÇ£ $56,950
XC70 LE +óGé¼GÇ£ $64,450
XC90 LE +óGé¼GÇ£ $69,950 (seven seater)
XC90 T6 LE +óGé¼GÇ£ $79,950 (seven seater)

The introduction of the XC70 SE at below the luxury car tax is, of course, expected to improve XC70 sales volume.

"With the XC70 SE, we're offering potential buyers an incredibly capable wagon with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 154kW five-cylinder engine that exceeds the needs of a traditional wagon buyer," said Blyth.

As a consequence, Volvo Car Australia has deleted the V70 wagon from its 2006 model range. "V70 just didn't make product sense positioned between the new V50 wagon and the all-around XC70 SE," he added.

XC70 SE Standard Features:
2.5-litre light-pressure turbocharged, inline five-cylinder engine

Standard Safety Features
Home safe and approach lighting system
Inertia reel, three-point seat belts on all five seats
Front seat belts with automatic height adjustment
Belt tensioner on all seats
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Traction Control (TRACS)
Dual-stage front air bags (driver, passenger)
Inflatable Curtain (IC) front seat and rear seat passengers
Side Impact Protection System (SIPS)
SIPS head and thorax air bags in front seats
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)
Head restraints on all five seats

Highlights of XC70
Very light kerb weight +óGé¼GÇ£ 1655kg
Fuel consumption (ADR81)

For further information please contact:
Todd Hallenbeck
Public Affairs Manager
Volvo Car Australia
65 Epping Road
North Ryde, NSW 2113
Phone: 02-9020 1613
Mobile: 0412 259 635
Fax: 02-9020 1597
Email: thallen2@volvocars.com