(November 5, 2014) Volvo will unveil the long-awaited V60 Cross Country at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show later this month.

The Cross Country brand has a long and distinguished heritage. Volvo Cars was the first premium brand to offer increased all-road capability and styling on its wagons as far back as 1997 when it introduced the V70 Cross Country, creating a whole new type of car experience that has since captured the imagination of the motoring public.

“We are delighted to add the third true Cross Country model to our product portfolio. The successful combination of dynamic styling and rugged capability places the V60 Cross Country in a class of its own,” said Lex Kerssemakers, senior vice president Product Strategy and Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Cars.

Reflecting Volvo’s Scandinavian heritage and love of nature and adventure, the V60 Cross Country brings together the best of both worlds — a sporty, connected yet comfortable driving experience with the freedom to explore new horizons.

“With ground clearance increased 2.6 inches compared to the V60, the Cross Country’s sturdy construction offers unparalleled control on and off the beaten track, coupled with an enhanced sporty driving experience thanks to torque vectoring technology and corner traction control. The V60 Cross Country really is a getaway car – enabling an adventurous lifestyle in pure rugged form,” said Kerssemakers.

Offering new Cross Country 18” and 19” wheels, the V60 Cross Country comes with high profile tires, adding comfort and off-road aesthetics, reducing road noise and providing added wheel protection whether climbing curbs or negotiating rocky roads.

The V60 Cross Country also comes standard with Hill Descent Control, which controls the car's speed automatically when driving down steep inclines. The Hill Descent Control function makes it possible for the driver to focus completely on driving when descending steep hills. The driver can control the speed with the brake pedal or the accelerator when Hill Descent Control is activated.

Central to the Cross Country concept is the expression of go-anywhere capability and rugged design. It caters to those who have an active lifestyle, favoring the dirt road over the paved, handling either with ease. This is manifested in the V60 Cross Country through rugged design cues that enhance the adventurous nature of the car.

With increased ground clearance, skid plates front and rear, side scuff plates and fender extenders, the V60 Cross Country conveys an imposing, muscular presence that underlies its capable nature, while integrated tailpipes reflect its sporty side. To complement the capable exterior styling, sports seats in black leather with distinctive brown stitching will be available from launch, while two new two-tone leather upholsteries will be offered in early 2015.

The U.S. and Canada will get the first V60 Cross Country cars, and they will launch with Volvo’s five-cylinder 250 horsepower gasoline engine with All-Wheel Drive coupled to an automatic transmission delivering 23 mpg.