Hardy Volvo breaks out the ice masters
When snow falls in this part of the world everything grinds to a halt. But on the edge of the Arctic Circle, in Lulea in Swedish Lapland, they are ready for it.
I’ve been haring about in Volvo’s latest V60 family estate at a bonechilling -30c.
And it’s not just icy roads I’m navigating. Even the sea freezes – I am driving on a stretch of the Baltic where the ice is more than 1ft thick.
Each autumn the well-prepared Swedes swap to winter tyres, sometimes with studs, to improve grip.
After a good, long drive on iceand snow-bound roads and tracks, it’s time to go extreme on a special slippery track created out of the frozen sea.
I drive two V60 models and go dancing on ice in comfortable, smartly-appointed vehicles that are perfect load-luggers, with big boots for active families, whatever the weather.
First was the jacked-up and more rugged V60 Cross Country T5 allwheel-drive with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which has an extra 60mm of ride height over the standard estate.
This handsome vehicle is powered by a 250 hp, 2-litre, 4-cylinder engine that takes it from rest to 100kph in 6.8 seconds, and on up to 229ph.
It will cost from around €40,000, complementing the diesel D4, which is on sale from €40,750.
Electronic stability control cuts like skis into snow, keeping me grounded with confidence on the track when it senses its wheels starting to slip.
In ESC Sport mode, one can enjoy more latitude for sliding and skating.
I also have a go in the V60 T8 Twin Engine R-Design petrol-electric hybrid, which combines a 303hp 2-litre petrol engine with an 87hp electric motor to give a total of 390hp, resulting in a 0-100kph time of 4.9 seconds, with top speed limited at 250kph.
It has part-leather sports seats, lowered sports suspension and front parking sensors, and will cost from around €65,250 (excluding €5,000 SEAI grant). The V60 range starts at €41,200 for the D3 Momentum manual and comes in four trim levels.
EVEN THE SEA FREEZES – I’M NOW DRIVING ON THE BALTIC