How can I get higher ground clearance on a V60?

[Christoh]

My 'ideal car' does not exist, but it would be a V60 Cross Country with T6 Plug in hybrid engine. Instead, I am considering buying a used Volvo V60 T6, 3 or 4 years old, under 50k miles. Budget up to £30k. I do not want an SUV.

I would like to soften the ride over potholes (loads where I live) and raise the ground clearance for occasional use off-road (e.g. during a fishing trip in Scotland last year, my current BMW 3 series estate bottomed out).

I'd love the forum's help with this... these are my first thoughts

• I could fit a Spaccer lift kit https://www.spaccer.com/en_GB/makes-...vo/v60-ii-8491 and achieve extra 12mm ground clearance. Or fit 2 at each wheel and get 24mm extra
• This would allow me to fit tyres with a higher side wall: going from 235/45/18 to 235/55/18 for example gets me another 10mm and would improve the ride.

Are these ideas naive? Are there other suggestions? Like I said, I do not want an SUV, so please don't say 'Buy an XC60'

[sandys]

buy an xc60 its pretty much one of those on stilts being quite small as SUVs go.

[Christoh]

Originally Posted by sandys

buy an xc60 its pretty much one of those on stilts being quite small as SUVs go.

Grrr
I do take the point. But my wife says 'over my dead body' to the idea of an SUV. Also, weirdly, it seems like the XC60 boot space is actually smaller. Not sure I can anger both the wife and the dog at the same time.

[sandys]

Yup XC60 is smaller in length by a couple of inches than a V60 that's probably where the few litres or so is lost but still if the dog is fine in a 3 series it'll be fine here.

XC60 barely fits in parking spaces already, no more length needed IMO, it's already too long.

It will get you the ground clearance and of course won't count as a modified harder to insure car though and you'll be able to get it with the Plugin powertrain.

[Thekilt]

This V60 cross country fits most of your requirements? its a petrol hybrid and a smidge over £30k: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-det...s=1500&fromsra

[James77]

Why not look out for a V60 Cross Country does sound like an ideal compromise or an Audi A4 all Road. I think jacking up a standard V60 will look weird in proportion.

[Christoh]

Originally Posted by James77

Why not look out for a V60 Cross Country does sound like an ideal compromise or an Audi A4 all Road. I think jacking up a standard V60 will look weird in proportion.

Yes I'd love a Cross Country. They're beautiful. But I'm after more than 'mild hybrid' - something that gives me the opportunity to do the all-electric everyday short trips, with a combustion engine to handle the less frequent long journeys to remote places. If only Volvo made a CC with the T6 or T8 engine.

As for jacking up, that's basically what a CC is - and it looks all the better for it.

[James77]

Originally Posted by Christoh

Yes I'd love a Cross Country. They're beautiful. But I'm after more than 'mild hybrid' - something that gives me the opportunity to do the all-electric everyday short trips, with a combustion engine to handle the less frequent long journeys to remote places. If only Volvo made a CC with the T6 or T8 engine.

As for jacking up, that's basically what a CC is - and it looks all the better for it.

I see. Yes annoying they're dropped in the UK. I'm not interested in the hybrid stuff but was considering one myself.

FYI - Mild Hybrid doesn't give you an all electric range it assists systems, you'd need a hybrid for that mild hybrid doesn't have a separate battery operated motor. You can get self charging hybrids (my parents have such a thing on some Hyundai thing they have. The T8 is a plug in hybrid with c30 miles of range (could be more now)

[Christoh]

Originally Posted by James77

I see. Yes annoying they're dropped in the UK. I'm not interested in the hybrid stuff but was considering one myself.

FYI - Mild Hybrid doesn't give you an all electric range it assists systems, you'd need a hybrid for that mild hybrid doesn't have a separate battery operated motor. You can get self charging hybrids (my parents have such a thing on some Hyundai thing they have. The T8 is a plug in hybrid with c30 miles of range (could be more now)

Yes. That's why I wish there was a proper plug in hybrid for the Cross Country rather than only the mild hybrid, which seems to just slightly improve mpg. Even 20 real-world miles of all-electric range would be fine, but the mild hybrid has zero.

[James77]

Wonder what mild actually does if you compare stats there's zero discernible advantage in either MPG, CO2s or performance.

We're (generalising here) obsessed with SUV in UK part is safety high ride position part is lording it over others I suspect mostly lording it over others we do love to feel superior even is we don't have 2 pence to rub together.