The new Volvo V70 is an impressive wagon, designed from the beginning to enhance Volvo's position as the market leader in the premium wagon segment.

Safety, comfort, drivability, refinement, versatility and desirability harmoniously reside in the new V70.

The V70 is typically Scandinavian in terms of its simplistic form and multi-function design.

For exterior - the objective was to create an aerodynamic and powerful impression, with a sense of direction. That is to give the V70 a sense of forward motion much like an arrow. The V70's design is uncluttered; its simple long lines yield a graceful car while it bares unmistakable family resemblance with the S80 sedan.

From the moment that Peter Horbury, Volvo Cars Head of Design, first carried pen across paper to conceive the V70's form, his sole intention was to design a pure wagon which incorporated Volvo's heritage and future.

"We have endeavoured to strengthen Volvo Cars' new style while conserving this strong heritage. One design feature which links back is the V-shaped bonnet. This first appeared with the Volvo PV444 in the 1940s and returned in the S40/V40 of the 1990s, as well as on the Volvo C70," says Horbury. "It is even more evident on the Volvo S80. Another typical Volvo feature is the Volvo grille – upright, almost proud, with its unmistakable cross-brace."

The side window, with a single and simple line running along the top edge from the roof to the rear, is another characteristic feature. More telling, perhaps, is that this line shows the V70 was designed from day one as a wagon, and is not a converted sedan.

Like all Volvo wagons before it, the third side window is longer than the others to show that the V70 is a genuine wagon and to retain proportion in profile.

Substantial side glass area presents the driver with almost 360 degrees of undisturbed vision.

The rear end finishes abruptly, standing vertically to preserve as much interior space as possible. Some say the new V70's strongest view is from the rear where its wide hips and widened track give it a solid and sturdy appearance. Looks are not deceiving. The rear area is substantially reinforced to retain body torsional rigidity.

"When we developed this car, we wanted to create a front end like a sporty-looking car and a rear end like a wagon. The design elements that bind together the distinct parts are the shoulders that run along the car. This has been inherited from the Volvo S80, but is reminiscent of the ancestor of all modern wagons – the Volvo 145/245 – which had the same feature," says Horbury.

Viewed from the front, the front side windows start with a dynamic, angled line which is precisely what one would expect of a tremendously efficient wagon – a positive effect of the reclined front windscreen. Towards the rear, the angle becomes more vertical and practically upright as it reaches the luggage compartment.

This blend of Volvo heritage and hyper-modern design creates a new generation of wagons from Volvo Cars.

Sharing the S80's platform has advantages, one of which is size. Front and rear track are wider on the new V70 and the wheelbase is 91mm longer (2755mm versus 2664mm). As a result, the driver and front seat passenger are offered more leg, head and shoulder room. Cargo area, too, is more expansive. Yet on the outside, the new V70 in overall length is 19mm shorter (4710mm versus 4729mm) than the previous model.

In order to create extra interior space without making the wagon longer overall, the front of the Volvo V70 is packaged more efficiently. The front bumper has been designed to absorb more energy in a shorter distance.

The new V70 wagon is also slightly taller in overall height (1488 mm versus 1428 mm), excluding the roof rails (standard on all Australian specification V70s).

The interior is full of handy surprises which will make owning the V70 user-friendly. Most of these clever bits are integrated as standard features into the V70's interior. Others are options or accessories.

• Child booster seats are incorporated into the rear seat lower cushion.
• The split folding rear seat folds flat, and each portion contains a restraint netting to keep luggage or cargo from entering the occupant area – an important safety feature.
• When upright, the rear seat backs can be locked into two positions. One is slightly reclined for maximum comfort and the other is more upright to provide a few extra centimetres of luggage space.
• The rear seat centre armrest incorporates two cup holders!
• A rear table (optional) hinges from under the rear seat and rests on the centre armrest.
• A rubbish bin holder (optional) flips from the centre console. Or the bag frame can be used to hold larger water bottles.
• A small waste bin, map scabbard or hand bag holder (optional) attaches to the front passenger footwell.
• A coat hook is attached to the passenger-side headrest. Positioned there, the hanging coat or jacket doesn't impair the driver's vision out of the rear side window.
• In the cargo area, the floor flips up to provide a handy grocery bag holder (optional).
• The interior of the new V70 is fitted with a number of useful compartments and pockets. A large bin in the centre console is partitioned to hold CDs or can stow small valuables. A pen holder is located under the ECC controls. The glove compartment also includes a pen and parking card holder.