Spy shots: 2008 Volvo XC60

Volvo’s only SUV, the XC90, will be getting a little brother in 2008 in the form of the XC60. Volvo’s latest crossover will go under the XC60 moniker, rather than the XC50 name as was originally expected. In the Volvo car hierarchy it will sit below the XC90, similar to the relationship shared between BMW’s X3 and X5 models. Volvo will be showing a ‘concept’ of the XC60 at Detroit in January, but production of the car isn’t expected until 2008. It is expected that the XC60 will be very aesthetically similar to the XC90, and will be a similar size to the BMW X3. The XC60 is also expected to integrate the brilliant Haldex AWD system from Land Rover’s range of SUVs, and will also share components with the V70 and possibly other Volvo models.

The mini-SUV world is a market that has been supplied mainly by BMW’s X3 and Lexus RX330, and the arrival of the XC60 will certainly be shaking things up with the Swede’s reputations for safety and innovation, and will hopefully force a little more competition in the mini luxury SUV market.

Update: Official images of the Volvo XC60 concept have been released. Click here to view them.