Volvo's new S60 will debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and features the best attributes of a sedan and a utility.

Volvo will be showing off its new XC90 crossover-utility vehicle at the North American International Auto Show next week. But while the ute might be one of the maker’s most important new products in a number of years, it will also share the stage with a second Cross Country model, this one based on the latest-generation S60 sedan.

And with the launch of the S60 Cross Country, the Swedish automaker says it hopes to head into “new territory,” by combining the best attributes of its sedan and utility models.

“We want to further explore the market with our Cross Country brand,” explains Lex Kerssemakers, senior vice president, Product Strategy at Volvo Cars. “We did this back in 1997 with the V70 Cross Country and it led to the birth of a whole new segment.”

The goal is to give the conventional S60 the “capability-driven benefits” of an SUV, while maintaining the sedan’s “sporty and stylish package.”

The S60 Cross Country is "new territory" for Volvo, much like when the V70 was introduced in 1997.

The effort to blend ute-like features into a more conventional, car-like body isn’t entirely unique, as Kerssemakers noted. Volvo more recently announced a similar approach with the creation of the V60 Cross Country wagon.

Among other things the U.S. version of the Volvo S60 Cross Country will see its ride height increase by 2.5 inches, while gaining the same all-wheel-drive system as the V60 Cross Country wagon. The maker will offer a front-drive version of the new model in Europe and a handful of other markets.

The S60 Cross Country will be offered with high-profile 18- and 19-inch wheels, meanwhile, for more road comfort and limited off-road capabilities.

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The sedan will be powered in the U.S. by a 250-horsepower version of Volvo’s T5 engine.

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Volvo isn’t expecting a major surge in volume for the S60 Cross Country, perhaps a few thousand units a year in the U.S., according to insiders. But the company is hoping it will help attract buyers who like the capabilities of an SUV or CUV, especially in snowy climes, but want something less boxy and fuel-swilling.

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The new addition to the Cross Country line comes amidst a broader shake-up in Volvo’s product and powertrain strategy, showcased by the launch of the flagship XC90. Now owned by China’s Geely, Volvo is hoping to reverse a number of years of declining sales by rolling out a procession of new products based on two all-new vehicle “architectures.”

It also has developed an all-new line of small but sporty powertrains, dubbed e-Drive. These range from a compact turbocharged four to a plug-in hybrid. Notably, all will be four cylinder derivatives, including the plug-in which is expected to deliver a mix of performance and high mileage.