VOLVO will tighten its grip on sales in the business sector by offering a newcomer which adds up to a better deal in the 4x4 market place, it was claimed at the Geneva Motor Show. 'I think we can say with confidence that our new V70 XC model makes a strong case for itself with fleet managers with better running costs and stronger residual values than traditional all-drive cars,' said a spokesman.

Due to go on sale in July, the bolder, more chunky version of the Swedish firm's latest estate model could carve out a fresh market niche as a sub-SUV car. 'We're offering the drive and handling of a road car in a package that's proved to be surprisingly competent in off-road situations and underlines it with a 200mm ground clearance.

'Its predecessor took 7% of V70 sales in Britain, but we're looking for this model to account for 17%,' said the spokesman. The car's price will be announced later but is expected to be between £28,000 and £28,500.