Volvo kicked things off early at this year's Geneva Motor Show with the reveal of its new V70 and XC70 at an intimate gathering on the eve of media preview days. These vehicles have come a long way from the original.

Both vehicles are completely new, both in appearance and under the skin. And while they are obviously from the same family, designers have done a great job of giving these two vehicles rather different personalities.

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Exterior Look

Both versions of these new wagons take on the latest Volvo designs, with many styling cues coming from the new S80. While it is still built for the family as one of the safest vehicles on the road, the V70 has a powerful, sporty look, with a strong lines, a raised hood and a roof line that slopes down at the rear, giving the look of moving forward, even when standing still.

The XC70 shares this powerful stance, however while the V70 looks like its built for speed, the XC70 appears to be ready to head off the pavement with its increased ground clearance and protective cladding round the lower regions of the car.

At the rear, the taillights seem to stretch to the outside edges, giving the new wagons a wide stance. In a styling cue taken from the XC60 concept, the Volvo brand on the tailgate is more pronounced with large letters widely spaced across the rear.

Interior and Engines

Inside, Volvo has brought the level of luxury up a notch, featuring a high-end audio system, some of the most comfortable seats in the industry, and with the slim center stack, which has become a trademark of Volvo cars.

Under the hood there has also been an addition—the V70 and XC70 will be available for the first time with a 6-cylinder engine. The normally aspirated 3.2-liter inline-6 puts out 238 horsepower, while the top-end T6—only for the V70—adds a twin-scroll turbocharger which boosts power to 285 horsepower. A turbocharged 5-cylinder, as well as two diesel options for Europe will also be available.

While both these vehicles have increased luxury and capabilities, they haven't lost the utility typically associated with a wagon. Cargo space has been increased over the current generation, and the rear seat easily folds, with a 40/20/40 split. An innovative hook and track system in the cargo area along with a flexible cargo net provide an easy way to secure loads.

Of course, you can't talk about a new Volvo without mentioning safety innovations, and these new wagons have plenty. Some examples include integrated booster seats in the outward rear seats; Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) which tells the driver if there is a vehicle in his or her blind spot; Collision Warning with Brake Support which can help driver's to avoid causing rear-end collisions; and a number of advanced braking functions.

The XC70 will be introduced in North America—its best market—this fall. It will be followed by the V70 in the first quarter of 2008.