Volvo have big plans in India and aims to sell about 800 units in the calender year despite against the slowing down economy. In the first three quarters of the year, sales figures are up considerably than they did in the whole of last year. The four Volvo models on offering are being imported either from Belgium or their home country of Sweden and to cut down the cost, setting up assembly lines in India could be helpful to a large extent which they are working at now to establish.
Making sure to gain more customers, three new dealerships are being readied to put in place at Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Delhi. Desperate to enter into German-dominant luxury car segment, Paris Motor Show paved its way for a brand new Volvo – the hatch based cross country in V40. Looking at it, you feel the presence of every bit of sportiness in V40 hatchback yet rugged to hone the terrain.
The cloak lifted R-Design V40 hatch and V40 cross country of late have seen the pricing listings being announced in the UK starting at £22,295 and £ 22,595 respectively. Volvo are no strangers to this segment, though, they are cautious to get things right at when and where they want. Although we could only dream about having the hatchback to India, the Cross Country is more appropriate in every possible way. Rain sensor
Volvo’s very own Pedestrian Detection System, Pedestrian Airbags, City Auto Braking Technology along with other features like Rain Sensors, Hill Descent Control are expected to be retained. The high-riding V40 comes from a small 5-door hatch to an off-roading beast with massive front grille, skirt trims and chunky bumpers. Raised about 40mm above normal from underneath, the interiors are carried over from the standard V40 with inserts on the centre console to fill in bits and pieces.
The exhibited model had copper colourings on the inside. Among the standard kit: automatically folding door mirrors with ground lights, silver roof rails, 16-inch alloys and unique tread plates were available. As of the luxury package: leather upholstery, larger alloy wheels and bending xenon headlights were on display.
The safety pioneers will have a tough time competing against the likes of BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Merc B Class as the price figures are expected under 30 lakhs. With the cramped up price, beckons less goodies. Only the luxury nav, as they call, has all-wheel drive option with Turbo boosted T5 Geartronic Petrol engine churning out 250bhp which is highly unlikely to feature here.
Of all the other petrol and diesel engines that are two-wheel-drive-only, the most efficient, 1.6-litre D2 diesel with 113bhp, may fancy ride on Indian roads. Also in availability, 148 and 177bhp diesels along with 1.6 L petrol of 177bhp which are more relevant and may find its way into production lines. With huge expectations rest on their shoulders, the craggy Cross Country will probably be launched in the early parts of 2013.
