New Volvo XC60 is crowned SUV of the Year - Twice!
The Volvo XC60 has been crowned ‘SUV of the Year’ in both the 2009 What Car? Awards and 2009 Fleet World Honours.
The Volvo XC60 was launched last November and, in addition to the Fleet World Honours accolade, the car was also awarded the What Car? SUV of the Year at the magazine’s 2009 Awards. It fuses SUV-like toughness and practicality with coupé style and driving dynamics and also features the ‘world first’ new safety technology, City Safety. City Safety eliminates the possibility of crashing into the car in front at in-town speeds of up to 9 mph and lowers the risk of crashes below 19 mph, reducing injury (especially whiplash) and cutting repair costs.
'Volvo is renowned for two things - making some of the world's most family-friendly cars, and some of the safest. The XC60 reinforces that reputation' praised Steve Fowler, What Car? Magazine group editor.
Up against fierce competition in the SUV class, the XC60 2.4D SE impressed the What Car? judges with its comfort, durability, safety and class-leading refinement. The judges commented "The ride is smooth, so you glide over bumps in the road as though they were never there, and it feels secure and composed in a set of bends thanks to strong grip and impressive body control. Refinement is class-leading, too; there's barely any road noise, wind noise is well isolated, and although there's a distant rumble from the 2.4-litre diesel engine as you accelerate, it's not enough to spoil the calm."
The Fleet World Honours meanwhile are presented annually to those motor manufacturers, service companies and individuals who have, in the opinion of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.
The judging panel is chaired by industry professional George Emmerson, who has managed fleets at IBM, NHBC and Black Horse Agencies. Other members of the judging panel include Ken Rogers, John Kendall and Ross Durkin from Fleet World’s editorial team, and fleet manager Jackie Pomfrett.
George said: “Based on a three-year/20,000 mile per year profile, CAP predicts the XC60 2.4D and D5 SE versions will retain 44% of cost new, while EurotaxGlass’s predicts the 2.4D SE will retain 46% of its cost. A 47% residual is estimated for the D5 SE – so residuals promise to be best in sector.”
The recent introduction of front-wheel drive and the new 2.4D engine to the XC60 also sees fuel consumption improve up to 47.1 mpg and CO2 emission figures tumble to 159 g/km – ensuring the model benefits from a 20 per cent Capital Allowance rate following the introduction of new rules earlier this year. The new rules result in lower whole life costs for companies, while drivers of these lower emission vehicles are rewarded with reduced Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax bills.
And now the Volvo XC60 is available with 3 years free servicing! Click here for more...