2015.5 Volvo V60 Cross Country Debuts at L.A. Auto Show

Following in the footsteps of the existing XC70, Volvo will revisit the idea of a station wagon that's ready to leave the beaten track with the V60 Cross Country debuting at this year's Los Angeles auto show. Based on the standard V60 station wagon, the new V60 Cross Country adds more rugged looks and mild off-roading ability. Compared to the standard wagon, the Volvo V60 Cross Country has 2.6 inches more greater clearance, and both all-wheel drive and hill descent control come standard. While nobody expects to see this model tackling the Moab Trail, the Volvo V60 Cross Country also comes with higher-profile tires on 18- or 19-inch wheels, front and rear skid plates, and fender cladding. The treatment is similar to the way Subaru transforms the Impreza into the XV Crosstrek, or Audi turns the A4 Avant into the Allroad.

When the 2015.5 Volvo V60 Cross Country launches early next year in the U.S. and Canada, it will be offered exclusively with a 250-hp, 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. A Volvo spokesperson in the U.S. said that will be the only engine for the V60 Cross Country for the immediate future. We suspect that at some point, however, the Cross Country could add the 2.0-liter turbo-four T5 Drive-E engine and eight-speed automatic that make 240 hp and return 25/37 mpg (city/highway) in the standard V60, as well as possibly the 325-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six from the V60 R Design. It's even possible Polestar will get its hands on the Volvo V60 Cross Country and tune it; the company already gave the regular V60 wagon a 345-hp punch. http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/los_angeles/2014/1411-2015-5-volvo-v60-cross-country-debuts-at-l-a-auto-show/