Swedish car manufacturer Volvo today launched its popular and eagerly awaited SUV, the XC90. The car will come in two trims starting with the Momentum and the high-end Inscription variant; these will retail for Rs 64.9 lakh and Rs 77.9 lakh respectively (ex-showroom, Mumbai without Octroi). The company has started accepting bookings with deliveries slated to begin by September 2015.
Looks wise, it’s pretty impressive and has a theme which has been seen on the company’s other offerings. It is after all the big brother to the compact XC60. Visually imposing and more aggressive than its younger sibling, the XC90 comes across as a proper 4X4 with a dominating presence. Lending the SUV-ish attribute to the appearance is the distinct and imposing front grille and neat looking T-shaped LED DRLs lovingly called “Thor’s hammer” by the design team. Elements such as beefed-up side body claddings, roof rails, large wheel arches (housing different wheel sizes to a maximum of 20-inches), and skid plates adorning the front and rear sections complete the look. A hint of sportiness is conveyed through chrome finished twin tailpipes.
The manufacturer says that the XC90 has the most luxurious interior ever to have been designed for a Volvo. That is saying a lot keeping in mind their Scandinavian heritage. Step inside and you will know they have stuck to their roots. The cabin is uncluttered with the standout feature being the ‘Sensus’ in-car system. This is essentially a tablet-like touch screen control interface that can be used to access various car functions and internet-based products and services too. There are virtually no buttons to be seen, which add to the clean and neat look. Interior has a premium feel to it with soft leather and wood being used liberally. Diamond-cut accents around the start/stop button and volume controls are simply regal.
Volvo says that the XC90 is among the safest cars in the world. The car has what the company calls Safe Positioning, which means that in a run-off road scenario, the XC90 detects what is happening and the front safety belts are automatically tightened to keep the occupants in position. The belts are firmly tightened as long as the car is in motion. The SUV also has energy-absorbing functionality between the seat and seat frame cushions that help prevent spine injuries due to vertical forces that a car encounters during hard landing in the terrain. This solution is claimed to reduce vertical occupant forces by up to one third.
Engine doing duty under the hood is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Drive-E powertrain capable of 225 bhp and 470 Nm of torque. The task of transmission is handled by an eight-speed autobox delivering power to all wheels.
The new XC90 after launch will be in prestigious company, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Audi Q7, BMW X5 and the humungous Mercedes GL-class.
AutoWire 