Looks like a cast iron method to extract a huge profit margin on a lump of V70 to me.

A curvey Ford Focus....?

I think the current XC60 is a gorgeous looking car but do not see why it is so much more expensive than the equivilant Ford, Honda, VW , KIA, Hyundai etc. Volvo were a much more premium car at one time but all cars are so much better nowadays. They are still my favourite brand but far too dear. My last one I had was a 2000 model Volvo V70 2.5D which was fitted with a 2.5 litre Audi sourced diesel. It perhaps didn't look particularly sexy but it went and handled like a hot hatch, It was a fantastic car and I still pine for it lol

Let's hope the final version has four side doors, or it'll go the same way as the Renault Avantime.

Avant, it does have 5 doors.

One thing I am confident about: the production model won't have a flywheel KERS system. :)

www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-volvo-xc90...e

The front strut towers, however, are made from cast aluminum, which improves the stiffness of the mounting for the double-wishbone front suspension. These towers are glued and riveted to the steel bulkhead and inner wings.

Just think of the corrosion after a few years on gritted salty roads...