IF THERE was one message that was conveyed, it was that the XC90 is a product of Sweden. And of its great men and women.
T-SHAPED running LED lights
When Volvo was turned over to its Chinese owners several years ago, there was much doubt about the direction that the Sweden-based company is taking.
The prophets of doom had declared the brand’s impending downfall under Chinese hands coming at the heels of its breakup with American giant Ford.
COMFORTABLE seven-seat configuration
The management change came so wild that the automotive world wondered if Sweden—a nation so powerful and wealthy of creative minds—was ready to let one of its iconic brands fall into oblivion?
Apparently not. And last week’s launch of the XC90 in Stockholm, Sweden is solid proof and Volvo made sure the world came to see.
If there was one message that was conveyed, it was that the XC90 is a product of Sweden. And of its great men and women. Nothing less, probably more.
A FASCIA quite distinct from the original
So, Volvo brought in a flock of motoring journalists from around the world to an art gallery in Sweden, and showed them the intricacies of the second-generation, three-row SUV one evening.
Then the next day, the visitors found themselves listening to a bunch of corporate bigwigs from a company called Ericsson and being given a rundown of how the magic of technology can make life so convenient, safe and easy for motorists.
Volvo. Ericsson. When two giants become one—not that they are co-investing or entering into a joint venture agreement but working on a collaboration— only the best can happen. And it’s the XC90 right there for you.
HAKAN Samuelsson, president and Chief Executive Officer of Volvo Cars, presents the XC90.
When you are just so busy at work and can’t have the time to go to the grocery or pick up the laundry, Volvo and Ericsson already have the capability to track your car’s location, open it with your own digital permission and put the stuff inside before letting you get back control of its privacy in the quickest possible time. This is part of cloud-enabled connected car services that also includes a park and pay scheme using a phone or any other gadget.
For some, it’s magic. For Volvo and Ericsson, it is the wave of the future.
The Ericsson designs aside, there is a lot about the XC90 that can ultimately change the SUV landscape.
ATTY. ALBERT Arcilla, Volvo Cars PH president, with Samuelsson.
The huge $11-billion cost that Geely Motors of China threw away to make sure that XC90 project becomes a reason for Volvo’s survival in the years to come is clearly evident with the craftsmanship that the vehicle, finally getting its first revamp in nearly 12 years, presents.
With a new fuel-efficient, four-cylinder engine, the XC90 features Volvo’s first plug-in hybrid with a range of at least 40 kilometers on electricity and electric four-wheel drive. The Twin Engine is one of the cleanest, most fuel-efficient SUVs in the world today.
The XC90 variants that are expected to hit the country in the first quarter of 2015 include a D5 twin turbo diesel with 225 hp, 470 Nm and the D4 turbo diesel with 190 hp, 400 Nm. Two petrol engine options include a T6 turbo engine with supercharger and turbo with 320 hp and maximum torque of 400 Nm with the second being a T5 with 254 hp and 350 Nm.
There is a tablet-like (maybe an iPad-like description is better) touch screen control console, which forms the heart of an all-new in-car control system at the cockpit, providing a virtually button-free system of controlling the car and access a range of Internet-based products and services.
THE TABLET-LIKE touch screen control console offers button-less operations
Then comes some Swedish elements like the T-shaped running LED lights dubbed “Thor’s hammer” by the design team and a gear lever made from exclusive Orrefors crystal glass only found in Sweden.
What’s a Volvo without its safety features?
The latest City Safety technology of the XC90 can now help avoid collisions at speeds up to 50 km/h and mitigate them at higher speeds. The system was optimized to work at night, and when visibility is poor.
For comfort, the seats are made of semi-aniline leather that has far less surface treatment than leather used in other premium cars, making the seats feel softer and more natural.
the 8-spoke wheels enhance the beauty of the body.
Two generations will never be enough for a car model to prove its lasting legacy.
But you better believe it when Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson claims that the Volvo XC90 models were designed by someone who “must’ve had children due to its immense practicality.”
Why? Clarkson has owned three of these vehicles.
And the fourth one is coming for sure.
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