The small SUV segment - Will Volvo make it?

We've got some really interesting small SUV's coming this fall, all competing within the same "premium" segment: Audi Q5, Mercedes GLK and Volvo XC60. I've already expressed my frustration with the Volvo and its hopelessly outdated engines. This frustration isn't getting any better after looking up some numbers:

Audi Q5 2.0 TDI (170 hp/350 Nm) - Fuel consumption: 6,7 l/100km CO2: 175 g/km
BMW X3 2.0d(177 hp/350 Nm) - Fuel consumption: 6,5 l/100km CO2: 172 g/km
Mercedes GLK 220 (170 hp/400 Nm) - Fuel consumption: 6,9 l/100km CO2: n/a
Volvo XC60 D5 (185 hp/400 Nm) - Fuel consumption: 7,5 l/100km CO2: 199 g/km

All these cars are equipped with four wheel drive, and have comparable engine specs and prices, although the Volvo is a bit on the slow side when it comes to acceleration, and a bit expensive (comparable to the Merc and BMW, and more expensive than the Audi). And if you want an XC60 with fuel consumtion on par with the other competitors, you'll have to wait until the spring, and buy a 2,4D with 163 hp and front wheel drive only (consumption: 6,5 l/100km). Now, who will buy that, instead of a proper four wheel drive from Audi, BMW or Mercedes? And why on earth didn't Volvo keep the brilliant ethanol-enigine from the prototype, that could have given it an advantage amongst its competitors? I don't know. I just don't know.

Oh, Volvo, no!

Speaking of Swedish car manufakturers, Volvo is about to launch its new small-size SUV, the XC60, this fall. The concept, first shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2007, was particularly interesting - at least to me - because of the 3.2 liter ethanol engine.

Almost two years later the production model will arrive at car salons with the following engine options: The old, gas-guzzling T6 engine, and the even older 2.4D and D5 diesel engines. What the heck happened to that ethanol optimized engine, that is all the more interesting today, with ridiculous fuel prices and CO2 awareness rising? Who will buy the XC60 with yesterdays engine technology? They can have all the new safety gadgets they want. I don't care. Give me a Volvo XC60 3.2 Flexifuel. We all know they've got the technology.