Big cars with smaller engines have always sold well in Singapore. Very rarely is a model with a larger powerplant more popular, as the extra cost always serves to inhibit prospective buyers.
Obviously, the vehicle is more expensive. More road tax also needs to be paid annually. Finally, the fuel consumption is almost always higher, resulting in more visits to the kiosk – and more money spent at the pump.
There is an upside, though. Such cars boast higher quality standard equipment (more comfort and safety), which can be quite important to the must-have-it-all buyer. Furthermore, the extra power and torque that comes with a larger engine can make driving more enjoyable.
So, wouldn’t it be great if there was a car that was not only cheaper than its “larger” stablemate, but also had sufficient “horses” under its bonnet and was also generous with its features?
The Volvo XC60 2.0T is a fine example. Savings-wise, you pay $1118 less in road tax per year compared to the 3-litre T6. And if you travel an average of 20,000km, you need 456 litres less petrol, which works out to be $866 at $1.90 per litre (RON 98).
Armed with Volvo’s direct-injection, 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with overboost – mated to its new Powershift dual-clutch six-speed gearbox – this front-wheel-driven SUV has more than enough “push” to move its 1756kg bulk around and ensure it is never left behind, whatever the traffic conditions.
Volvo XC60’s single-CD change
The engine sounds rather uninspiring at idle and low revs, but this improves as the speed climbs.
The dual-clutch unit works smoothly, and you can manually select the gears via a lever. Steering wheel-mounted rocker or paddle shifters would have been good, but I’m really nitpicking here.
Despite lacking the four-wheel drive of the T6, the Volvo XC60 2.0T corners competently, with understeer setting in only when you’re less careful with the accelerator pedal.
Elsewhere, the only items missing from the equipment list are the active bi-Xenon headlights, Hill Descent Control and six-CD changer.
The Volvo XC60 2.0T has everything else – cruise control, rear park assist, power seats for the driver and front passenger and, most importantly, all safety features, including City Safety.
Compared to the Volvo XC60 T6, it makes a very good case for itself. You do not “lose out” on much. Best of all, you’ll have more in your pocket for a rainy day.
Volvo XC60 2.0 (A)
ENGINE 1999cc, 16-valves, inline-4, turbocharged
MAX POWER 203bhp at 6000rpm
MAX TORQUE 300Nm at 1750-4000rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed dual-clutch with manual select
0-100KM/H 8.9 seconds
TOP SPEED 205km/h
CONSUMPTION 11.8km/L
PRICE INCL. COE $187,888 (as of October 2010)
Check out the latest XC60 here
