Volvo XC60 wins Middle East Car of the Year 2018 award

MUSCAT: The new Volvo XC60 has been named Jury Car of the Year by Mecoty’s jury panel at the annual Mecoty award ceremony, held in parallel with the Abu Dhabi International Motor Show, further adding to Volvo’s growing list of accolades.

The XC60 also received the Midsize Premium SUV award, while the XC40 won in the Small Premium SUV category.

“We are honoured and pleased to accept these prestigious awards,” said Jesus Fernandez de Masa, managing director at Volvo Cars EMEA Importers. “The MECOTY award, as well as both SUV category awards, proves that Volvo Cars have the right design, performance and connectivity that appeal to the customers of the Middle East, a key market for us.”

The XC60 also took home the prestigious North American Utility Vehicle of the Year award earlier this year in addition to the World Car of the Year 2018 at the New York Auto Show.

The XC40, on the other hand, was named European Car of the Year at the Geneva Motor show a few weeks earlier.

In the new XC60, Volvo’s City Safety Autonomous Emergency Braking system has been enhanced with steering support for when automatic braking alone may not help avoid a potential collision. In addition, Oncoming Lane Mitigation with Steer Assist, which helps mitigate headon collisions and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Steer Assist functionality has also been added to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions.

The XC40 is the first model on Volvo Cars’ new compact modular vehicle architecture (CMA), which will underpin all upcoming cars in the 40 Series, including fully electrified vehicles. Codeveloped together with Geely, CMA provides the company with the necessary economies of scale for this segment.

The company also reaffirms its commitment to electrify all Volvo Cars launched from 2019. Hybridised as well as pure electric powertrain options will be offered and the XC60 is already available with Twin Engine.

Driver assistance and safety features on both cars include the Pilot Assist system, City Safety, Run-off-Road protection and mitigation, Cross Traffic alert with brake support and a 360° Camera that facilitates manoeuvring the car into tight spaces.

Currently, in its 5th run, Mecoty is the automotive industry’s most prestigious accolade in the region, with each vehicle tested by a panel of the region’s top automotive journalists on 10 separate scoring parameters.