Volvo prepares to unveil new XC60 'concept' in Detroit

Volvo is to introduce a new mid-size SUV next year.

The new XC60 will be unveiled in concept form next month in Detroit, with an official production launch in January 2008. The car is not expected to be on sale on the Irish market until later that year.

Carrying similar styling to the XC90, the current flagship SUV, the concept is expected to be virtually identical to the production model, apart from the use of chrome on the air vents.

It is set to enter one of the fastest-growing segments in the car market, competing against the likes of the BMW X3, Land Rover Freelander, and the new Audi Q5 which is due around the same time.

Industry estimates suggest that between 2007 and 2009, the segment's sales volume is expected to expand by 75 per cent to 443,000 cars worldwide.

The new car will feature a new automatic braking system for city driving, which is likely to appear as an option rather than standard.

If the vehicle in front suddenly brakes and the sensors estimate a collision is likely the system will pre-charge the brakes to help the driver to avoid a crash.

However, when the system senses that a collision is imminent, the car will brake automatically.

The system, known as City Brake, will operate up to 30km/h.

If the relative speed difference between the two vehicles is below 15 km/h, the system can help the driver avoid the collision entirely.

Between 15 and 30 km/h, the focus is instead on reducing speed as much as possible before the impact.

As with the recently introduced Volvo C30, Volvo's XC60 project is aimed at a specific target group with high demands on design, brand value and high-tech solutions in their choice of lifestyle products.