Volvo plans to boost XC70 sales with new model

Date: 30 March 2007

Volvo is predicting its biggest ever mix of XC70 soft-roader among V70 sales when the new models launch in September.

XC70 sales have grown every year until 2006, the car's final full year, and a Volvo spokesman said the jacked-up and plastic-clad car is expected to hit 2500 units to the V70's 7000 next year.

The new V70 is longer, taller and wider than its predecessor, with most of that extra space going on more rear passenger and luggage room, the latter increased by 55 litres. The off-roading ability of the XC70 is also slightly improved, with Volvo claiming it's a car that "people generally take off-road", even if that's just towing trailers across muddy fields or wet slipways.

Meanwhile, the production version of the XC60 small off-roader that Volvo showed in concept form earlier this year won't go on sale until 2009, with a debut at the 2008 British motor show a possibility.

The S40 and V50 are also due for their mid-life refresh this summer, with the disappointingly slow-selling models due a substantial refresh.

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