VOLVO XC70 2007-2016 Photos, engines & full specs

Volvo unveiled the third generation of the XC70, a model that started as an experiment and ended up being the most waited model from the Swedish carmaker stable.

Volvo was still under Ford's ownership when it introduced the third generation of the V70 and followed the big carmaker rules when it introduced the new vehicle lineup. It was built on the P3 platform, which other brands from the American carmaker also used. That also allowed all-wheel-drive transmissions and a wide variety of wheelbases.

Stefan Jansson, the chief designer for Volvo, designed the XC70 with a rally-car image in mind. Rally cars were based on regular vehicles but featured modified elements to make them tougher and more capable while running on gravel roads. He installed broader underbody protection at the front and in the back of the car. The black bumpers sported chromed details around the fog lights at the front and the rear reflecting lights. From its sides, the 2007 XC70 featured black moldings on the fenders and the side sills to conceal the larger gap between the wheel-arches and the wheels due to the higher ground clearance than the regular V70 station wagon.

Inside, the XC70 featured a similar interior as its regular sibling. It featured the same minimalist design with a clean dashboard uncluttered by buttons. The center stack was already typical for the Swedish brand, with a panel for the climate controls and the CD-stereo above it. In the back, the XC70 featured a 40/20/40 split-folding bench. The front passenger's seat was also folding and formed an extended loading area from the tailgate to the dashboard.

Despite being part of the Ford, Volvo installed its engines with either five or six cylinders, all turbocharged.