Volvo has unveiled the refreshed XC90 SUV, featuring
subtle design tweaks and the integration of newly-developed fuel efficient
powertrains. Just to remind you, the second-generation XC90 has been around
since 2014, which makes it close to being five years old.
Now, design-wise, Volvo’s flagship SUV gets new
wheel choices, additional exterior colours and a slightly revised radiator
grille. Inside, the existing design is carried over, but Volvo claims that the
most noticeable addition this time around is that the car can be ordered in a
new six-seat configuration in addition to the existing four-, five-, and
seven-seat setups. Elsewhere, things remain largely the same, although the T8
Inscription model gets a fancier, more ornate-looking Orrefors crystal gear
knob.
The biggest change is found under the bonnet. The
top T8 Twin Engine petrol-plug-in hybrid variant now makes 420 PS, up from the
current 407 PS mark. Driving range is said to increase by 15% thanks to fitment
of a larger battery (11.6 kWh from 10.4 kWh), and it also features
brake-by-wire advanced battery charging. This PHEV setup will be deployed on
all 90 and 60 Series cars moving forward.
The smaller capacity T6 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid
will also be similarly upgraded. Like the more powerful T8 PHEV, this system
also offers a 15% range increase and is available on the V60 and S60. In the
coming months, Volvo will introduce ‘B’ badged mild hybrid petrol and diesel
powertrains for the XC90 – the first two designations being the B5 and B6.
In terms of active safety technology, the XC90’s
City Safety and Blind Spot Information System now get steering assist – City
Safety with Autobrake is still the only system on the market to recognise
pedestrians, cyclists and large animals.
The Oncoming Lane Mitigation system first introduced
on the XC60 is now also available on XC90, while the Cross Traffic Alert
technology now also offers autobrake. All this, together with the safety cage
that forms the core of the passive safety technology, makes the XC90 one of the
safest cars on the road.
While the XC90 was the first Volvo to offer Apple
Carplay integration, it is now also compatible with Android Auto. The Sensus
infotainment system has gone through multiple updates in recent years, and it
includes Spotify music streaming in some markets.
Since its launch, the Volvo XC90 has found over
320,000 homes around the world. The new XC90 facelift will go into production
starting May at the Torslanda plant in Sweden and is now available to order in
all Volvo markets worldwide.
