New Volvo XC60 Review and Specification

Extraordinary steps ahead of the previous model . Lower than five centimeters, longer than nine, with the same width the new Volvo XC60 succeeds in the extraordinary intent of redefining the proportions. Compared to the XC90, these are all well-liked, so that after having seen the interior, only those who have higher load requirements, whether they are passengers or luggage, will have to choose Volvo XC90 instead of Volvo XC60. In the blue oil color available to us, with the 20-inch rims, the new XC60 sees uplighted the existing Thor-shaped LED light-shields already seen on the 90 's . The mask is impact, it hides the adaptive cruise control radar, while safety attention also moves on the windshield where the emergency braking camera (but not only) takes place. There are also cameras available in front of 360 degree view, while on the side are the big windows, the keyless entry and the design that is particularly well-suited to make the tallest occupants comfortable with their heads. Not even the huge open roof that brings brightness into the passenger compartment. Behind here comes the design of the headlights seen on the latest Volvo, with an opening mechanism for the electric trunk , and the ability to close the locks as well as to raise and lower the loading threshold due to the pneumatic suspension.

Interior

Another car, compared to the old Volvo XC60. Warning: The 2008 model was certainly not bad, but here is the tangible turn to the premium universe. Skins are of great quality, as well as opaque wood and in general all the materials used for assembling a dashboard designed with taste. At the center puts the big tablet that at first seems a little complicated to use; not so much for touchscreen technology, in fact capacitive, as for the many items included and the features available. One must remember that it should be treated exactly as a tablet , and move in the four directions. For the rest, we have compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the central one is not the only display available. In front of the driver's eyes, in fact, puts in place a large LCD that provides, in addition to the information on the on-board computer, the large map. In order to better manage the display between tachometer and tachometer there are the controls on the steering wheel, and here too we have unfortunately no immediacy in their use. There is a period of study to use the system at its best, also because the steering wheel passes the activation of the pilot assist and the adaptive cruise, good in an ecosystem of great attention to driving safety. The driver occupies an armchair rather than a driving seat: it can handle everything electrically, from the length of the seat to the lumbar protector up to the width of the back flank. The steering wheel, on the other hand, has a good depth and height hike, but it must be handled manually. The central tunnel has been raised from the past, and offers several well-furnished rooms in a very elegant way. The passenger compartment on the passenger side is large and easy to reach. Passenger's driver's position is also from business class, as well as rear seat seats, which offer easy Isofix couplings and also air conditioning, as well as a 12v power outlet. The luggage compartment guarantees a load capacity of more than 1400 liters, has inside the wheel and a belt to secure small items.

Engines

4 cylinders in line, permanent full drive and 2.0 liters of displacement also for the D5, the most powerful engine offering on Volvo XC60 in diesel key. We have a monstre pair of 480 Nm and 235 horses, which also means performance. The acceleration from zero to one hundred sets the speed in 7.2 seconds , and the maximum speed is 220 kilometers per hour. The driving mode switch changes the car's soul by lifting and lowering the pneumatic suspension. In sports mode we have a drier car, and a faster engine response. Consumption is not bad: 11 kilometers in the city with one liter of diesel , 16 on the freeway, 18 if we drive at 110 hours. Emergency braking generates an obvious pronounced pitch, but luckily the stopping spaces are not abundant, as well as the force to be applied to the brake pedal.

Driving sensations 

Driving this XC60, but also aboard, is a pleasure . We have an 8-speed automatic transmission, but it's not very intelligent. Compared to the past we have a step forward, no matter what, but still some margin of growth is there. The positive value is given by the fact that we do not have heavy vibrations when we come back from the start and stop, and we also do not have the uncomfortable bus effect that a car of this size might think to find . No, it's just that we would have liked it a bit more dynamic in the sporting phase, though the rewarding attitude to driving this car is a soft setting for pleasure and uniformity. Steering does not get harder than so, not in sportswear, but the crown has the right size. The behavior he is convinced is determined by the pneumatic suspension, which raises the car in off-road mode so it does not even seem to drive in wading or muddy trails, and that it lowers the air and makes it easy to drive highway, where there are no loads in the big curves and where the seal is granitic, even pure all-wheel drive. Even the Volvo XC60 off-road vehicle behaves very well , leaving a great soundproofing inside that helps conversation even at high speeds.

Active security systems

Many, and all are well-functioning. It goes from the pilot assistance that also acts in the city on steering wheel and steering by braking and accelerating the car , the blind angle sensor, the active lane assistant, to the adaptive cruise control that leads to the arrest of the car, the anti-collision braking in the city. Volvo continues to sail with its Vision2020 , which we have already told you for a long time.

Other optional

Let us first say what is missing: nothing. There is the split automatic air conditioning system with which you can also handle the rear seat area, there is the 360 ​​degree camera that is absolutely taken in spite of the cost, there is the sunroof that brings brightness to the car, there are the full led lights , boot lid hatch, and opaque wood inserts that result in a sense of tangible exclusivity. Sure, all these things cost, but we would not even leave the refreshed and heated seats back!

Target, prices and conclusions

Families with two children, the exclusive captain who does not need the XC90 size. This new Volvo XC60 exudes luxury in everything and everything, and the price goes in that way: it starts at 51,000 euros and comes to over 61 of our Inscription version. With all of the options we've told you, we're paying 71,000 euros , a price that brings XC60 to a luxury and battle segment, but you can win it. If we did not understand it, we liked it. Very. Very much.

Plus

+ Design 

+ Driving Experience 

+ Premium feeling

Minus

- Good but not perfect exchange 

- Many commands to learn

Voting 

8.5

Specification

Engine in 

Cylinder Engine displacement: 2.0 turbo diesel 

Cylinder number: 4 in line 

Power: 235 horsemen 

Pair: 480 Nm at 1750 rpm 

Gearbox: 8-speed automatic 

Traction: permanent integral 

Power consumption km / liter: 11 in cities, 16 to 130, 18 in 110 Hours 

CO2 emissions per km: 144 grams

Performance: 

Maximum speed: 220 km 

0-100 hours : 7.2 seconds

Measures: 

Length / Width / Height in cm: 469/190/166 

Pitch: 287 cm 

Cargo: 505-1432 liters 

Tires: 20 inches 

Weight: 1879 Kilograms

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New Citroen C4 Cactus 2018 Review

The New Citroen C4 Cactus 2018 is certainly interesting in the five-door segment within 4.2 meters, less niche than the previous one in terms of style. High but not as a SUV (1.47 m.) Deliberately not defined Crossover but sedan, differentiating from the C3 Aircross and C5 Aircross sisters , with the latter having positively hit the presentation but in Europe will only arrive at the end of next year. Real-time French technology, as always happens to a Citroen, is a solution of the wondrously analogous solutions: we talk about new dampers with hydraulic damping, an ingenious variant that replaces physical parts that give a sense of dry response, with hydraulic circuits inside the shock absorber that make the start and the suspension stroke more straightforward ; particularly appreciable on urban bumps, but also dry cuts and not compromising bending, as explained. Simple elements, capable of generating the historic progressive effect, almost as a "magic carpet" that characterizes the Citroen of a time, at least seems to be. We are not talking about overwhelming technical evolution, modern and expensive electronics, but a PHC cushion made by the European Kayaba network(Kyb) on Citroen specification, which could then be exported to other models of the House. There are twelve today's inevitable driving help functions and three connectivity technologies. To improve acoustics there are thicker, encapsulated rear windows, new sealing gates around the doors, soundproof windscreens and sound absorbing material on the bulkhead of the passenger compartment and floor.

Very varied C4 Cactus front, widened with dual optical line and fog lamp frame

How it look like

Personal, cute according to taste. It is the C4 born in 2014 that uses PF1 platform , but it is no longer true that it is "the Cactus" at first glance because airbumps are really much smaller and much lower, almost invisible from afar. What's more, however, is the front, now shared in the style of the recently released sisters , which propose the new Citroen's setting for the upcoming models: there are the front optical lenses with double row leds and a horizontal direction that makes wider the visual impression of the new C4 Cactus, more serious than the previous one. But it is also more visually pleasing, it looks less high because the overall visual effect is less high thanks to the large glazingand the glossy black finish, which set the gap between the lower part of the body and the upper part, just to make C4 C4 Cactus look more seductive than the previous one. The effect to us has seemed pleasing, at a static level, it may look different in the street on wider spaces alongside models that are very different from her. Even sides, air vents and especially the rear evolve, improving in general refinement compared to the past that was just singular and for someone nice. Behind these there are new 3D LED optical groups and the glazed glass roof combines the rest for the sensation of brightness and spaciousness desired. Nine car body colors, plus four pack colors, extending to the fog lamp profiles. Four instead the variants ofAlloy wheel, 16 or 17 inches .

Mattress effect not only visible but also seated inside the New Citroen C4 Cactus 2018

Interior

Opening the C4 Cactus 2018 door, the French Generalist car is perceived as the previous one, but the new color tones , very varied, all nice enough, and the impression of brightness given by the large glass surfaces, come to the eye. are 1/3 of the total area. Objectively space, size, space (many and very wide) as material quality, are similar to the previous C4 Cactus, of which we have already talked about Automoto.it; what is changing is the feeling of contact with the seat, which in fact is one of the most perceived by those in a moving car. Here you will find new polyurethane materials with a thickness of up to 15 mm in intensity, able to give a mattress effectjust like the one wanted by the Citroen past, without being too "overwhelming". Being stuck inside the new C4 Cactus 2018, the feeling is very pleasing, comfortable and physically comfortable even in the small essentiality of the environment, decorated (among the five variants also leather and alcantara) and also illuminated by the large glass on the roof (UV4 protection) which lets you think of something else when you do not have to drive. Not a saddle of the most containable, but certainly comfortable more than the average, even for those over the meter and ninety-high, with lumbar control for the driver. For the rest, Infotainment is fully managed on a seven-inch Touch Pad, including Connect Nav 3D, which has sharing with the Android and iPhone world(Mirror Screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink). Above all, to use, or to be ready to get started, there are twelve definable security systems or driving assistance, more or less direct: more than twice as many as before. Among those, the automatic emergency braking (5 to 85 km / h) the recognition of the limits of speed, the warning of inadvertent exceeding of the carriageway (65 km / h) and the Coffee Break Driver Attention Alert, surveillance of the dead angle . Helping Park Assist with Reversing Camera, while also having a Grip Control switchto move on difficult surfaces: it adjusts the motricity on five operating modes (snow, mud, sand, standard and ESP OFF). Another useful point for security is the Connect Box with Pack SOS & Assistance.

On the market

The debut day, scheduled for the first quarter of 2018 and the launch price for the new Citroen C4 Cactus, has not yet been defined; speaking with the technicians who have explained the value of the added content, it is assumed a slight increase in cost, in the face of greater talents. Certainly there are three PureTech gasoline engines, 82, 110 or 130 hp and two BlueHDi (100 and 120 HP) diesel all S & S, therefore a range of performance, and also a new six-speed automatic transmission, which is can be particularly suited to the triclindric gasoline turbocharger. With regard to performance, while about 40 kg more heavy than the previous C4 Cactus, for the soundproofing, the new French still has a small mass and some advantage over many segment competitors. Let's wait for it on the road.

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