• Ongoing "crossover" success
• More luxury and added capability
• Target 40,000 cars per year
• U.S. the largest market in volume
• Australia - as percentage of mix - is XC70's best market
• All-new XC70 to arrive in volume in Australia from February

When the first XC model from Volvo Cars took to the roads in 1996, it was not only an immediate sales success; it also carved out an entirely new Cross Country segment.

At its debut 10 years ago, Volvo Cars expected XC sales of 15,000 cars. That became 17,500 when American buyers, above all, discovered that they could have everything that an SUV could do, but in a true premium car with a distinct Volvo feel. The term "crossover" was born.

The Volvo XC70 has retained its power of attraction ever since and the current generation reached sales of around 40,000 in its best year.

"We had a winning concept from the very outset and we have refined it continuously. The all-new XC70 maintains its tough, capable attitude while at the same time growing more comfortable. What is more, our design team has given the car a more elegant, more luxurious look," says Volvo Cars President and CEO Fredrik Arp.

Perfect for an active lifestyle
The all-new Volvo XC70 is equally at home outside that favourite downtown bistro or the opera house as it is on rough forest tracks, out in the wilderness or halfway up a mountain.

With an elevated driving position, comfortable ride quality, luxurious interior, a full-size wagon's versatility and the XC model's AWD capability, the all-new XC70 is the perfect tool for thrilling activities.

Many lifestyle cars are largely about perception and image. However, a large proportion of today's and tomorrow's XC70 owners choose their car because they intend to fully exploit its capabilities.

"The XC70 has primarily been created to get you to the end of the road. But it has also shown its ability to take you further if you want to and dare to," says Arp.

The all-new XC70 flexes its muscles still further. The model is available with a six-cylinder petrol or five-cylinder turbodiesel engine. In the new model, the electronically controlled all-wheel drive from Haldex of Sweden is supplemented with features such as Hill Descent Control.

An American love affair
The XC70 will continue to be mainly a North American love affair. Almost half of the total annual volume of about 40,000 cars will be shipped to North America, where the USA is naturally the largest single market.

However, the crossover model is also on the upswing in Europe, which will account for about 40 percent of total sales. Sweden is the largest single European market followed by the United Kingdom and Germany.

Introduced in China too
Volvo is also planning to introduce the all-new XC70 in China, which is quickly expected to reach third place in the model's sales statistics.

"There is a considerable appetite for cars with pronounced attitude on the fast-growing Chinese market. The Volvo XC90 is already very popular and we are convinced the all-new XC70 will play a significant role in our plans for continued fast sales growth in China," says Arp, and adds: "Our successful XC range will soon be expanded with the new XC60. With three exciting XC models, we will cover even more of the growing number of car buyers who want the best of two worlds - performance and luxury comfort. And it all began with the XC70, which has now become even more attractive than before."