THE sleek Volvo XC60 concept, a crossover vehicle which combines the four-wheel-drive versatility of a Volvo XC model with the sporty charisma of a sleek coupé, made its first UK public appearance at the MPH shows in London and Birmingham.

Volvo said it gave a glimpse of the future Volvo XC60, expected in UK showrooms by early 2009. The Volvo XC60 Concept was first unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in January this year, ending four months of work at Volvo Cars' Concept Centre.

The Concept Centre is Volvo Cars' own inventors' workshop' and comprises eight different departments. The XC60 concept required teamwork at a record speed of eight months and involved 70 members of staff from experts in milling techniques, lathe operators and sheet-metal workers to upholstery experts, technicians and engineers.

The XC60 Concept joins the all-new Volvo XC70 and XC90 in Volvo's All Wheel Drive (AWD) XC' (Cross Country) model range.

Show-goers also had the opportunity to view the all-new Volvo V70 and XC70 premium estates, the funky C30 SportsCoupe and the smart Volvo S40 saloon in new R-Design Sport specification.