The very first video footage of the all-new Volvo S60 will be released exclusively in social media. Volvo's Facebook fans were the first to see it exclusively already in 2009. The video will then be released to the general public on YouTube as soon as the new year begins.
 
"We will ensure that this is the first car video on YouTube in 2010. It will be released on Volvo Car's channel on YouTube a few seconds after we have entered the new year," says Olle Axelson, Senior Vice President Public Affairs at Volvo Car Corporation.
 

The first photos of the all-new Volvo S60 were released to the world press on 10 November 2009. But no TV or video footage was released at that time. Instead Volvo Car Corporation has decided to release a video only in social media at this point.
 

"We want to acknowledge all the Volvo enthusiasts around the world by giving them an exclusive pre-view of this video on the Volvo Cars Facebook fan page. Then it will be available to everyone through Volvo Cars' channel on YouTube right after midnight on New Year's Eve," says Olle Axelson.
 

The all-new Volvo S60 video will be released to the public on the YouTube channel VolvoCarsNews www.youtube.com/volvocarsnews a few seconds after midnight on Jan 1, 2010 CET (Central European Time).
 

It can already be viewed by members on the Volvo Cars Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/volvo
 

The all-new Volvo S60 will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early March 2010. Production of the sporty sedan model will start in early summer 2010 at the Volvo Cars' plant in Ghent, Belgium.

Given Volvo's reputation for safety, when the company calls its new XC60 the safest Volvo yet, and probably the safest vehicle in the world, it's not just hyperbole. It should be a serious consideration when out shopping. Impact test data was not available at the time of this review, but if a crash test dummy could 'come to its sensors' it should try to get in line for the XC60 test that day.
 
Volvo has rolled out the XC60 for 2010 to stake its share in the extremely popular small luxury crossover SUV segment, taking on the BMW X3 and much newer Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLK, among many, many others. Safety being in its DNA, this part of the XC60 story starts with the very steel used to make it and body structure that employs collision management to distribute energy. The very shape and flush elements of the energy absorbing front-end reduces the severity of impact with pedestrians and cyclists. Bumpers that match the height of lower car bumpers negate bigger than usual fender bender bills, and the transversely mounted engine will be less likely to penetrate the passenger cabin in a front-end collision. The XC60, of course, comes with a full complement of multi-stage front and side curtain airbags. We are talking about the company that invented the side airbag, not to mention the single most important advancement in automotive safety - the three-point seatbelt. Fifty years later, the XC60 boasts another nifty Volvo first. It stops itself!
 
The City Safety system is born out of these statistics. Seventy-five percent of crashes occur at speeds under 30 km/h, and half of those are because of distraction, where the driver did not brake at all! Behind the rear-view mirror on the XC60 is a laser that scans for objects 6 metres ahead. Based on the distance to any vehicle or object and your speed, the system calculates braking forces needed to avoid collision. If you exceed that threshold by, you guessed it, NOT hitting the brakes or not pressing down on the peddle hard enough, the system takes over. The City Safety system does not promise to avoid collision, but even if there is contact the severity of the crash will be reduced significantly. There are some limitations, however, like snow and ice covering the laser. In addition, that laser is best at reading reflective objects like a car, so don't plough through your flat beige garage door showing off this cool new feature to your neighbour.
 
There are some other high tech goodies on the XC60's grocery list of standard features. Notably, BLIS, or Blind Spot Information System. It provides visual warnings via lights integrated into the A-pillars when a vehicle is in your blind spot. The $4000 Tech Package features adaptive cruise control and Distant Alert Control (DAC), a warning light in the windshield that flashes when you come too close to the vehicle ahead, based on a preset distance. An onboard digital camera integrated into the Driver Alert Control and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems detect erratic driving with an audible alert. This can be disabled, which I ended up doing because I am worse behind the wheel than I initially thought! Actually, I found that the latter system, which activates at speeds over 40 km/h, was far too sensitive and quickly became irritating.
 
All-wheel drive with Volvo's Instant Traction is an obvious safety feature, and is one of three variants for the XC60 priced in between the FWD and Turbo AWD models. The base AWD version features a 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine providing 235 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque mated to a six speed automatic transmission with Geartronic manual mode. While the performance may not be sexy without the turbo, it is responsive and the handling is crisp. The suspension can be tweaked for comfort, sport and advanced settings. The four-wheel anti-lock brakes, the most important safety system of all, feature Electronic Brake Distribution.
 
The XC60's styling is a beautiful transition, morphing the S60 sedan to a crossover SUV. Inside, the quality is immediately apparent. The leather is top notch, while the waterfall centre stack in brushed aluminum is both ergonomically intuitive and attractive. While my tester did not come with the Navigation option, a tray at the top of the centre console fits most of the aftermarket GPS units out there. A 'Swedish for Common Sense' IKEA type idea considering the advanced portable units cost about ten percent of the factory versions. Bluetooth connectivity, power heated seats, a panoramic moon roof, Hill Descent Control (HDC) and 17-inch alloy wheels are among he many standards.
 
Despite its 2,774-mm (109.2-inch) wheelbase the XC60 provides a lot of leg and cargo volume at 1,907 litres (67.3 cu ft). Built-in two-stage booster seats are a very nice feature, too. XC, of course, stands for cross-country, and the XC60 provides ample ground clearance of 230 mm (9.0 inches) for off-road use. It does not offer lower gearing, however, because at its heart it is a luxury family mover.
 
The safety considerations do add a weight penalty to the XC60, as its 1,926 kilos (4,247 pounds) negatively affects its fuel economy, with an estimated 9.1L/100km on the highway and 13.5 in the city. I experienced 10.9L/100km in mostly highway driving.
 
The XC60 starts at $39,995 in front-wheel drive or $44,495 with all-wheel drive, and with the turbo for $49,995. As tested it checked out at $53,445. As mentioned off the top, you have plenty of choices in this segment, but if safety is a top consideration the XC60's billing as the safest vehicle in the world should help narrow down the list for you.

The Volvo XC60 was named 2010 International Truck of the Year by the International Car of the Year (ICOTY) jury on December 2. The award was given to Doug Speck, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, LLC at the Volvo display at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The XC60 was chosen over 10 new crossovers, SUVs and trucks by a distinguished panel of top automotive journalists.

"This ties a very pretty bow around what's been a truly amazing year for Volvo," commented Speck. "The XC60 has not only been recognized by the media but it's been extremely well received by our customers."
 
The 2010 XC60 has helped VCNA earn six consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases since June.

The XC60 was chosen the winner from a panel of 19 automotive media from around the U.S. and Canada representing top newspapers, magazines and websites. The jurors must consider the ICOTY mission of "honoring vehicles that reflect an emotional connection between car and consumer lifestyles" when making their nominations.

"The ICOTY awards are not centered on power and performance," said Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY's creator and executive producer. "It's about how cars reflect our personalities, lifestyles and self image, an attitude most consumers identify with."

"This is one of the most prestigious car awards in the world and we feel very proud to receive it for our best-selling XC60", said Stephen Odell, President and CEO Volvo Car Corporation.

Once approved by the ICOTY nominating committee, the awards jury then bases their decision on a number of important criteria: The vehicle must be new or substantially revised, it must be offered for sale to the general public by the judging deadline of November 16, 2009, and may not have been previously considered for the ICOTY Awards.

The International Truck of the Year award marks the 20th accolade the Volvo XC60 has received since sales began in Europe in late 2008. The XC60 is the first vehicle to offer City Safety as standard equipment. This unique Volvo technology can help the driver avoid frontal collisions at low speed. If the driver is about to drive into the rear of a vehicle and does not react in time, the XC60 will apply the brakes by itself.

From the "You knew it was coming" file is word that Volvo is readying an R-Design variant of their new XC60 crossover. With the company's sporty trim designation finding its way into nearly every product in the fold (C30, S40, V50, S80, V70, and XC90), the move may be an expected one, but it is pleasant nonetheless.
 
Given that it features stiffer damping (Volvo doesn't specify how much firmer), a more robust chassis (Volvo doesn't specify how it's reinforced) and improved steering (thanks to a new, "direct steering gear") than its more prosaic counterparts, the R-Design isn't purely an appearance package, but with no underhood work, it isn't far off. That's in keeping with the brand, though, as Volvos aren't traditionally the most sporting offerings in their segment.
 
In the case of the XC60, the R-Design is distinguished by its color-keyed lower body (standard XC60s are matte black), "matte silk metal finish" flourishes (grille, mirror caps, trim moldings), unique 18-inch "Cratus" pattern alloys (20-inch pieces are optional) as well as skid plates and a pair of chromed exhaust outlets.
 
The interior also gets some new trimmings, including aluminum steering wheel inserts, door moldings, and a darker finish floating center stack that features "a circular pattern that expands outwards in a dynamic way" - a pattern that is replicated in the striping of the two-toned seating surfaces. The pedals gain aluminum surfaces with grippy rubber inserts, and there's the requisite complement of R-Design badges as well.
 
As shown in the images, Passion Red is an R-Design-specific available color, but there are six other colors to choose from.
 
No word yet on model cost or availability, but we expect to see the the XC60 R-Design hitting dealers soon. For now, however, check out the gallery of high-res exterior photos below and the press release after the jump.