Pick-ups, 4×4 panel vans, classic off-roaders: those are the vehicle types we often see as off-road 4×4 travel vehicles in the scene. Look a little left and right, though, and there are plenty of other exciting concepts. Thore Fahrenbach’s Volvo XC70 Overlander is one of them.
Volvo carries a certain reputation for toughness. Naturally the legendary Volvos of the 240 series from the 1970s or the Volvo 740 from the 1980s spring to mind at once. Now and then we still see these strikingly boxy cars out on the road. Volvo has been building off-road-capable vehicles for a long time. Suggan, Radiobil, Lappländer and Terrängbil are the names that make fans of rugged four-wheel-drive tech prick up their ears. In 2002 the XC90 became the first SUV from Volvo. Thore went for the raised XC70 Cross Country estate and built his Volvo XC70 Overlander on that base. We’re introducing the vehicle to you today.
An off-road-capable version of the V70 estate
The first generation of the XC70 arrived back in 2000, before the XC90 SUV. Back then still sold as the V70 XC, an off-road-capable version of the V70 estate. Volvo presented the second generation of the XC70 in 2007. The odd facelift here and there in between. In mid-2016 the four-wheel-drive estate was discontinued.
For engines, Volvo offered various diesel and petrol units in the XC70, with an output range from 163 hp in a 2.4-litre inline five-cylinder diesel up to a brutal 304 hp in an inline six-cylinder petrol engine.
From the factory the XC70 has raised suspension and four-wheel drive, later a hydraulically-electronically controlled 4WD system with a Haldex clutch that distributes power variably between the front and rear axles.
Thore caught the Volvo bug early
The Volvo XC70 Overlander shown here is a 2007 model, so a first-generation XC70 after the facelift. Its current owner bought it in 2019 with 190 thousand kilometres already on the clock and, on the advice of a Volvo master mechanic, went for the version with the 185 hp D5 engine, a five-cylinder diesel. The D5 engines are known for their longevity, and the four-wheel drive with Haldex clutch does its job quietly. This XC70 also has the Four-C suspension system, where the damper characteristics can be adjusted at the push of a button from the cockpit.
The road to the Volvo XC70 Overlander first led Thore via a standard V70 estate. And even as a child he loved the rides in his father’s 245 GL.
By now the XC70 has covered pretty much exactly 80,000 kilometres more and held up brilliantly. More on the off-road ability later.
A vehicle concept proven on trips and in everyday use
This Volvo combines a good amount of space, ride comfort and off-road ability that’s enough for many overland trips. This XC70 has proven all of that on countless tours. This Volvo has even seen Iceland and safely got its driver everywhere he wanted to go. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain tyres in 215/65 R16 have proven a good choice, combined with the right tyre pressure and, when it gets really nasty off-road, a couple of Maxtrax recovery boards. For looks, 15 mm Eibach spacers are fitted left and right on the front and rear axles.
Only the ground clearance, at 210 mm quite impressive for an estate, is sometimes a touch too low. Especially in ruts already worn in by other vehicles. Otherwise he’d choose a Volvo XC70 for travel again any time, Thore tells us. A moderate lift could help with the clearance. A skid plate from the Romanian maker Hexprotect is fitted already anyway.
The car’s reliability is almost legendary. This Volvo did have its phase too, mind, as we know from other vehicles. Its owner spent a long time chasing a gearbox problem that made the car judder in certain rev ranges. A gearbox flush and refill eventually sorted it. That’s also when the XC70 Overlander got its nickname, Ove. After the Swedish novel En man som heter Ove (A Man Called Ove). Ove comes across as grumpy at first, yet turns out to be a kind-hearted soul. Fits pretty well, doesn’t it?
Gear and modifications round out the whole concept
Sleeping is in an Autohome AIRTOP+ roof tent (130×210 cm), mounted on Rhino Rack crossbars on the Volvo’s original roof rails. Shade or weather protection comes from a 2.5-metre Sunseeker awning, also from Rhino Rack.
There’s plenty of storage for luggage inside. For the boot, Thore came up with a storage concept using various aluminium boxes. The boxes are sorted by theme, for example the kitchen & fire box. That saves annoying searching. Five such boxes fit in the big Volvo’s boot. Light things like jackets are stowed in a cargo net. On top of that, lots of small, clever storage solutions for things that need to be within reach yet safely stowed. These find their place on a MOLLE panel and in a pocket system on the rear seat, among other spots.
To keep the classic Volvo design, instead of LED auxiliary lights or an LED light bar, Thore fitted Hella 500 Black Magic with yellow bulbs. These give him much better vision, especially in foggy or hazy conditions. He’s also mounted Hella work lamps left and right under the roof rack for good all-round visibility. For both sides there are custom-made red covers, to use the light in camp for example.
Plenty of other modifications and additions for travel
The recovery boards already mentioned, Thore mounted on the rear side, following the example of larger 4x4s. For that he fitted aluminium profiles. Off the road, the mobile Makita compressor and an ARB tyre pressure gauge and deflator do good service. For the compressor Thore recommends carrying a spare battery, because even with the relatively small tyres for a 4×4, it takes a while to restore road pressure after an off-road trip.
Land Rover enthusiasts will find something on this vehicle familiar. The rear ladder originally comes from a Discovery 4 and fits the Volvo XC70 perfectly. Great idea, well done.
On tour, an iPad rides along in the cockpit. For navigation it runs either the Overland Bound 1 app or GaiaGPS. He also likes travelling with like-minded people and organises smaller tours and meets. Then communication on the move matters. For that a Midland G9 Pro 16-channel PMR handheld radio is always along.
Thore still has a few ideas for this Volvo XC70 Overlander
Even though he’s very happy with this vehicle, an off-roader is famously never finished and there are always little things to improve. A mounting option for a Peli case on the outside is planned. Like the recovery boards, it’s to be attached securely to the vehicle with mounting rails. The recovery boards are to become foldable, so they can double as a table. A full-size spare wheel might be added too, at least for longer tours.
And when it comes to tours and travel, Thore has plenty more in mind. Ideally off-road to Iceland again, of course.
This is a good all-rounder among off-road travel vehicles, one that cuts a fine figure on tour, in light terrain and in everyday use. Many thanks for letting us feature this interesting vehicle concept. We wish many more exciting trips and great experiences with the Volvo XC70 Overlander, Ove Lindahl. If you’d like to learn more about the adventures of this great Volvo, take a look on Instagram, where Ove has his own social media presence with some photos.
© Photos: Thore Fahrenbach