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2005 Volvo XC70 Cross Country Winter Road Test

Ice Racing Anyone?

Prior to a recent drive, I had forgotten just how good Volvos XC70 Cross Country is, what with most everyones focus being diverted to the Swedish automakers more recently introduced XC90, a true sport utility.

The fact that the XC70 is not a true SUV, but rather a tough looking wagon cum crossover, similar in configuration to Audis allroad quattro (lower case intended) and Subarus Legacy-based Outback, the latter being one of the Granddaddies of the crossover segment, is a bonus in my books. While still offering considerable ground clearance for clearing rougher ground, Volvos first "off-roader" still manages to deliver the agility of a sport sedan and comfort of a luxury car.

Yes, Im aware

Until a recent press event, I had forgotten just how good Volvos XC70 Cross Country is. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

that by dubbing the car with 4x4 creds Im on rocky ground, especially considering the XC70 doesnt even offer a low range of gears or locking differential, two staples of anything even hoping to be deemed capable while off the beaten track. Instead, Volvo offers up a very sophisticated all-wheel drive system made by Swedish auto supplier Haldex, a company that Volvo insiders jokingly remark

Volvos first "off-roader" still manages to deliver the agility of a sport sedan and comfort of a luxury car. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

has so much of its equipment in its factory it is partially owned by the profitable carmaker.

No doubt, with the kind of sales success Volvo has enjoyed within the last few years, 2004 being its best on record, it could easily purchase Haldex if needed.

Part of its success is directly attributable to a newly minted Volvo philosophy; offer all-wheel drive on

The XC70 benefits from Volvos new "all-wheel drive on all models" philosophy. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

all models across the board. This, among other things, such as dramatically elegant styling, dynamic performance, top notch interior quality and competitive pricing, has allowed it to gain market share while rising up from an entry-level premium brand to true premium status.

Essential for that premium status is rear- or all-wheel drive. Premium customers dont buy in to front-wheel drive, at least for the most part. The collective position of companys such as BMW

Premium customers dont buy in to front-wheel drive. (Photo: Volvo Cars of America)

and Mercedes-Benz, which infer that rear-wheel drive as the optimal setup for sport-oriented performance, has been strengthened all the more by top-tier luxury newcomers such as Lexus and Infiniti. Even GMs Cadillac luxury division, which will have entirely abandoned front-wheel drive when the upcoming DTS soon replaces the DeVille, now preaches the merits of rear- and all-wheel drive. It should be mentioned that the old German guards have all recently come on-board with all-wheel drive variants of their most popular models, but the stoic firms make sure to

Despite long rivalries with Swedish competitor Saab, Volvo now sees Audi as its number one competitor. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

point out that the cars are rear-wheel biased until the need for all-wheel drive intervenes.

Actually, only a handful of premium automakers still offer anything configured to power only the front wheels anymore. Audi only offers its recently updated Cabriolet with front-wheel drive, dubbed FrontTrak, while Acura, on the low end of the premium price line, only offers all-wheel drive on its MDX sport utility and recently introduced RL. Four-wheel power is expected as part of a mid-cycle TL upgrade, however, as well as the upcoming

The XC70 is built to exacting standards and can stand tall and proud beside any premium competitor. (Photo: Volvo Cars of America)

RXD compact sport utility.

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