Shielding and ground clearance, what else can you expect in the EX30 Cross Country? (Photo: manufacturer's website)
For those who haven't been exposed to the dubious pleasure of manufacturer press releases, here's a sneak peek, these documents are hundreds of words long, many of them general descriptions of the inspiration engineers drew from the shapes the wind sculpts in the dunes to design the side panel of the door. Or how a swell on the side of the hood gives the car "the stability of a prey animal about to charge" and these are just two examples, not from the Volvo EX30's press bag, but they get the message across.
But then, throughout the text, we suddenly encounter some hidden paragraph that actually caught our attention. And she talks about a cross-country version of the Volvo EX30. And it's interesting, and that's why.
Will also come with a smaller rim and a tougher tire (Photo: manufacturer's website)
The subgenre of cross-country versions in Volvo was not invented by her. Depending on how far back in motor history you want to dive, but before it was the Subaru Outback, preceded by other Subaru that preceded the AMC Eagle and more.
The idea is simple, take a handy station wagon, raise it and pair it with all-wheel drive and here you have a fantastic touring vehicle with easy trail capabilities on weekends and a car that doesn't require too many compromises on a daily basis like in SUVs. For those who lived in snowy areas, it was a blessing because of the all-wheel drive and the ability to efficiently lower power to the ground.
At Volvo this story began in 1997 with the first generation of the V70 Cross Country also known as the XC. All-wheel drive, slightly more ground clearance with 16.6 cm (which doesn't sound much, but was more than the regular model). And from there it continued to the second generation in 2007. Then to the V90 (the estate version of the S90) and also appeared in the compact V40 and the family V60.
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With the awning, it probably won't come from the factory (Photo: manufacturer's website)
So what's happening on the EX30? Well, starting next year the model will come in the cross-country version. The base is like the EX30, but here it will have some changes such as increased ground clearance, the option to get it with 18-inch wheels with off-road tilts or standard 19-inch tires. Its underbelly at the front, bottom of the sides and rear has rigid panels for protection beyond these are some small ornaments such as Swedish flags and other surface features.
Orders for this version will begin in early 2024, with production itself later this year. Although it is very early to say whether it will reach here as well, the Volvo importer to Israel knew how to offer these versions here in the past and as far as the current Cross Country based on the V60 is concerned, it also sells quite well compared to a not cheap estate car.
Volvo has also yet to reveal a price for the SUV version. The basic EX30 will cost 36,500 euros in Europe. The cross-country versions of other Volvo models are about 25% more expensive than the base models. If the gap is maintained in Israel as well, the EX30 Cross Country will be significantly cheaper than the all-wheel-drive Toyota bZ4x, which currently costs NIS 250,<>.
Creates a new subcategory of sorts (Photo: manufacturer's website)
Maybe we're running ahead in fantasies before the cart, but if Volvo does keep close to the idea they've pitched here. There's a good chance they're creating a kind of subcategory out of thin air. A kind of Subaru Crosstrek (although smaller), but electric and with a more premium aroma.
It is possible that Volvo will have its first foot in the door in an electric off-road driving experience, a taste of which we got in the Toyota bZ4X dual-drive an easy and simple off-road experience that is not in monsters like the Hummer EV, Rivian or Ford F150 Lightning and their ilk, which are more harmful than comparable gasoline cars due to the heavy use of materials to build their batteries.
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- Cross Country
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- Electric vehicle
- Electric car
