Soon after the images leaked online yesterday, Volvo has officially revealed the 2015 XC90 midsize luxury SUV completely to the world, and going by first looks the Swedes definitely do not disappoint. Underpinned by Volvo’s new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) modular platform, the new Volvo SUV started life as the XC Coupe concept and manages to mix the design language from the concept while retaining certain design cues from the outgoing model. The next generation XC90 will be replacing its predecessor after 12 long years.
At first glance, the 2015 Volvo XC90 comes out as urban and modern, while retaining a strong and masculine profile. The new XC90 boasts of strong lines courtesy of the bold grille and the new ‘Thor’s Hammer’ T-shaped LED daytime running lights that are now common on most new Volvo concepts. The SUV manages to retain the overall estate-like silhouette from the outgoing model, albeit with a modern touch. Even though the new XC90 is completely redesigned, it still isn’t as radical as most would have hoped for and you do find a soft monotony that runs in the design, much like the outgoing model.
Nonetheless, the real star here is the interior of the 2015 Volvo XC90 that certainly hosts one of best looking cabins in the segment. The dashboard looks extremely well put together and will be a pleasing sight for the driver with oodles of wood and leather at work. The centre console gets a tablet size touchscreen infotainment unit that replaces most of the controls, while the front seats are divided by a centre control stack housing the gearshift knob and multi-function control unit and only adds to the luxurious feel of the cabin. The luxury SUV gets a 1400 Watt 19-speaker audio system from Bowers & Wilkins and a panoramic sunroof.
Coming to the powertrain, the 2015 Volvo XC90 gets the new range of Drive-E 4-cylinder engines that includes the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder unit producing 316 HP on the standard XC90 with AWD, whereas in the plug-in hybrid version the same engine is expanded with the help of an 80 HP electric motor, belting a combined output of 400 HP and 640 Nm of torque. Other engine options include the D5 twin turbo unit producing 225 HP and 470 Nm, while the D4 turbo diesel engine produces 190 HP and 400 Nm. Petrol options include the T6 turbo unit with a supercharger offering 320 HP and 400 Nm, and the T5 producing 254 HP and 350 Nm of torque.
Having made a name for safe vehicles, Volvo does not disappoint with the new XC90 either and the luxury SUV comes loaded with the ‘Run-off road protection package’ that absorbs the energy between the seat and frame providing a cushion, and also the ‘Intersection braking system’ that stops the SUV if it tries to pull in front of an oncoming car, apart from the usual host of safety equipment on offer.
Prices for the 2015 Volvo XC90 start at $48,900 (Rs. 29.56 lakhs) in the US, while an exclusive limited First Edition model is also available for booking online with only 1927 (the year Volvo was founded) units to be produced and individually numbered. The First Edition model has been priced at $65,900 (Rs. 39.84 lakhs). The new XC90 will go on sale internationally next year, while the Indian debut is expected in the second half of 2015 and will be brought in as a CBU, like the outgoing model.
