The Volvo XC-90 has been described as being “three years in the making and part of a £6.5 billion investment programme”, the Swedish car maker says the arrival of the XC90 marks “the beginning of a new chapter in Volvo’s history, capturing its future design direction”. It also claims that the new XC90 is “hard evidence of the ‘Volvo by Volvo’ strategy”.
The range-topping Twin Engine model will carry the T8 badge and, says Volvo, “be a plug-in electric car, hybrid car and high-performance car rolled into one”. It uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine to power the front wheels and an 80bhp electric motor to drive the rear wheels.
The XC90 also marks the beginning of the brand’s new design language, which is being masterminded by ex-Volkswagen Group designer ThomasIngenlath. Ingenlath said: “The new interior is pure and uncluttered… radiating sophisticated confidence and formality. The simplicity is perfectly in tune with our Scandinavian design heritage.”
Other cloud services will include internet radio, music streaming and apps for finding and paying for parking. The XC90 will also have the option of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for syncing smartphones. The cabin also features a gear lever made of crystal glass and a diamond-cut finish for the engine start/stop button and audio volume control.
If the driver loses control and run off the road, the car can detect what is happening and tighten the seat belts to keep the occupants in position. The XC90 is, according to Volvo, “the first car with automatic braking if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car”,
Volvo has chosen to launch a limited First Edition of the XC90. The 1927 individually numbered cars mark the year in which Volvo was founded and will only be available for sale online at a price of £68,785.
The First Edition cars will offer a choice of two engines, both based on the new 2.0-litre Drive-E engines. The supercharged and turbocharged petrol T6 has maximum outputs of 320bhp and 295lb ft, while the twin-turbocharged D5 diesel offers 225bhp and 346lb ft. The engines are both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
