We are with Volvo XC60.
I'll be performing the test drive of this car around lake Chimsee near München that you see behind me.
I'll have the opportunity here to test the D4 and the T5 engines that are Volvo's own productions.
These engines are put on the market in our country at models S60, V60, V70 and S80 now.
But at this location my preference is XC60.
That's why I would like to sit on the driver's seat and see how this new engine works erewhile.
I'm at the driver's seat of XC60 but before the engine characteristics I would like to mention shortly the design details.
This car had a facelift recently and obtained a new look.
I think it is more modern and beautiful this way.
Additionally there are not many alterations inside the XC60.
What is directly noticeable here and the most important matter is that the digital display
that was used on the V40 initially is now used on all the Volvo models.
This display is used in the XC60 as well and frankly I like it a lot.
Another feature that I very much like in the Volvo models is that the depth of the steering wheel can be adjusted on a long span.
Because of this way I can arrange my ideal sitting position very easily.
And I guess very short and very tall persons can also regulate their comfortable sitting positions due to this.
Now is the time for the anticipated engine properties.
First thing first, I can say that these new engines are completely Volvo's own productions.
Under the bonnet of the XC60 that I drove, 2-liter diesel engine called D4 is functioning.
Actually the D4 is the engine we have known from other Volvo models. But this is new.
In the past the engine had five cylinders. In the new generation it has four.
Therefore it seems that the Volvo engineers have made a profit of one cylinder.
But while doing this they gave you everything you want.
In other words this car has 18 HP more than the previous one.
Even though the engine power is increased to 181 HP due to power ramp there is no increase on engine's torque.
It is still 400 Nm as before and in my opinion a satisfactory torque value has been preserved.
Of course these alterations on the engine returns to you as performance.
Formerly it used to reach from naught to 100 km/h in 10,3 seconds.
In this generation that is with the new D4 engine, from naught to 100 km/h acceleration value is indicated to be reached in 8,5 seconds.
So as 1,8 seconds difference in a car like this is a very good value.
Of course it is not enough to increase the power only.
Nowadays what do we want is to consume less fuel and to have less emission values. This engine has that too.
That is to say in the past it use to consume 6,0 liters/100 km, in the new generation it is said that it consumes 4,7 liters/100 km.
Of course it is not very easy to catch the factory values in everyday use.
Here I'm in Germany spending time around plains of Chimsee Lake and on mountain roads as now for 150 km.
And my trip computer indicates that my average consumption as 6,9 liters.
It may sound high but when you think of an 1850 kg car, when you think of a compact SUV you actually are glad for this value.
Of course the Volvo engineers didn't just put a new engine to this car.
Previously 6-speed automatic gearbox use to be employed, in the new generation 8-speed automatic gearbox is being used.
And you can control it through the pedals behind the steering wheel manually.
The passes is not very fast. Okay, we can accept that but you do not anticipate having reaction as soon as you touch the pedal from a car like this anyway
When you want to overtake and touch the pedal to decrease the gear one or two speeds it answer you fast.
And be assured that in daily use this gearbox will make you happy.
The suspensions are quite comfortable.
In any case while driving on smooth asphalts of Germany to be able to criticize the suspensions is not very possible.
The XC60 with the new D4 engine and 8 speed automatic gearbox is more powerful and more economical.
It is being sold at favorable price and possessing much higher safety features;
is to me its greatest advantage against its main rivals X3, GLK and Q5.