Nowadays, elevated variants of existing models are indispensable in the car landscape. Volvo was one of the pioneers with the V70 XC, of which the second generation has a number of oddities.
That second V70 Cross Country, as the car is called in full, was a derivative of the V70N generation of Volvo’s famous model series launched in 2000. The V70 XC also appeared that year, but would only exist for two years under that name. The model was renamed XC70 in 2002. Coinciding with a facelift did not change the name, because the first optical update appeared in 2004.
Rough
“Stowing” an existing model, usually a station wagon, is a proven recipe. Usually, such a car is a few centimeters higher on the legs and the cross-version receives pieces of plastic in the form of soil protectors. At Volvo, however, they worked remarkably rigorously in 2000. With a 7.5 cm difference, the car was considerably higher than a regular V70 and received extremely tough, completely black bumpers. That the front bumper also includes the coarse grille, gives the Cross Country an extra rugged appearance. Large fender wideners were mounted all around, so that even the enormous tires of the XC were given a safe place to live.
Mud
The Cross Country, however, only really becomes remarkable when we zoom in on the details. That is how Volvo decided to replace the exterior mirrors. The smooth, injection molded copies of the V70 gave way to larger, rectangular and made of black plastic. The XC also got narrow roof rails. The side flashing light moved from its inconspicuous spot in the bump strip to a much more eye-catching position higher up on the side screen. To continue to shine after a ride through the mud? Who knows may say.
The diamond in question
The hit of the XC70 adjustments, however, we find at the rear side window. The strip that runs here on every other V70 along the front and top of the remarkably long glass surface, is located on the bottom of the window with a V70 Cross Country or XC70. As a result, it is forced up a little and although that can be clearly seen, we cannot imagine that many XC70 drivers have ever noticed this detail. That is precisely why it is so strange that Volvo made the effort to replace the strip and window with specially developed parts for the XC70. Nowadays it is almost unthinkable that a brand makes the design and production process more complicated and therefore more expensive for such a barely perceptible difference, but the Volvo from the turn of the century simply did it.
Wiper
Incidentally, V70s of this generation carry a remarkable detail, namely the rear wiper. With some specimens it has a rest position on the left side of the window, while the wiper is carried on the right side with other V70s. Contrary to what you might think, it has nothing to do with left-hand drive or right-hand drive cars. It is also not a matter of adjustment, because the design of the wiper means that a left-wing copy actually has a different shape than a copy that spends a while on the passenger side. Judging by parts suppliers, early specimens appear to have a wiper operating from the left more often, but the photo gallery above suggests that both options were possible on all forms of the V70.
By the way, did you know that an early V70 with xenon headlamps has its city lights in the housing of the direction indicators, while in a version with halogen headlamps they are mounted near the low beam? You’re welcome!