Volvo XC90 diesel 2015
A tiny Swedish flag pokes out of the front seat stitching on each new Volvo XC90 – even though the brand is owned by Chinese car giant Geely.
It’s one of the ways Volvo is rediscovering its identity, even though it has been owned by foreign companies for two decades.
Volvo was acquired by American automaker Ford in 1999 and faced growing losses, and was sold to China following the 2010 Global Financial Crisis.
As the first Volvo designed, built, and manufactured under Chinese ownership, the eyes of the industry are on this important new model.
This is the first brand new XC90 in 12 years
Mothers on the road just want to know if it is better than the previous car and how it compares to the current luxury SUV.
To be fair, they waited long enough. This is the first all-new XC90 in 12 years (a period in the car industry where most models were replaced in half that time).
When the original XC90 appeared in 2002, it was one of the pioneers in the luxury SUV segment and became the best-selling Volvo in many markets around the world, including Australia.
Back then, Volvo was almost unrivaled. BMW and Mercedes-Benz have only recently entered the luxury SUV market, Audi is still growing and Range Rover has only one model (today it makes three models and is coming soon).
Today, connoisseurs can freely choose when it comes to seven-seater SUVs with shiny badges and a variety of styling elements.
To that end, Volvo strengthened the visual appeal, giving the new XC90 much bolder lines and charming eyes in the form of daytime running lights like Thor’s hammer.
To achieve the record, the designers created horizontal T-shaped lights inside the headlights because they look good (and different from other brands).
Then one day, someone entered the design studio and said “they look like Thor’s hammer”. And so another story about Scandinavian mythology was born.
As you might expect, Volvo has equipped the new XC90 with the latest safety equipment, including some of the world’s first.
In addition to automatic emergency braking (which Volvo pioneered on the XC60 in 2008), the Volvo XC90 will intervene if you try to turn in front of oncoming traffic.
If all the car’s precautions don’t work and you drive off the road, the car will prepare the safety system and fasten the seat belts immediately before the collision because of some cold Turn the new bang, it knows you’ve driven off the road. at speed.
During a preview drive ride in Europe this week, it was our mission not to test this crucial new element of the Volvo XC90’s suite of safety tech.
On the road
First impressions from behind the wheel? The new Volvo XC90 smells like a Range Rover. This is fitting, because the new Volvo XC90 has a much more premium look than before – and a matching price tag.
The range will start at $ 89,950 plus on-road costs – a huge $ 20,000 jump on the current model – when it goes on sale in Australia in August and goes up to $ 122,950 when the plug version is available. -in hybrid flagship to the end of the year.
But apparently Volvo didn’t put all the higher prices in its pocket. The details inside the new Volvo XC90 are very subtle, from the quality and feel of the material (if it’s like metal it’s metal, if it’s like leather it’s leather and if it’s like wood it’s also real), to the tiny, diamond-shaped impressions on the toggle and the crystal-like appearance of the gearshift (ok, that’s not real crystal) delight the senses.
The seat layout is clearly designed with families. The second row slides forward with the lift of a latch to reach – or provide extra legroom for – the third row. And there’s room in the back for two adults (185cm), with luggage space behind.
There are three engine options, all of which might take some buyers a bit of time to ponder. Volvo is using a four-cylinder engine in various configurations to move this two-tonne mass.
The 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel is expected to be the most popular choice (representing more than half of local XC90 sales) and it was the first we tested.
Strength is surprisingly good. To be honest, if I hadn’t known such a small engine was under the bonnet, I’d never have guessed it. It’s a bit noisy (even by diesel standards) but eager to get around, even with the gas pedal lightly pressed.
The 2.0-liter petrol engine, supercharged and turbocharged, is another surprise package. Deliver smoother and quieter power, as well as with the diesel engine, which works smoothly with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
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