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Volvo Pulls Out New XC90 at Paris

After 11 years of continuous production, the Volvo XC90 will soldier on as a China-only offering. Nevermind the has-beens, the newest star in the Volvo lineup is the second-generation XC90, a model so different from its predecessor it pushes Volvo to a whole new level of plushness, luxury and technology.
2015 Volvo XC90 at the Paris Motor Show 11 photos
Photo: newspressusa.com
2015 Volvo XC90 (front fascia design)2015 Volvo XC90 (front look)2015 Volvo XC90 (front three quarters)2015 Volvo XC90 (profile)2015 Volvo XC90 (rear three quarters)Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the all-new Volvo XC90Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, together with Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimović and the all-new Volvo XC90Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, together with Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimović and the all-new Volvo XC90Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, together with Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimović and the all-new Volvo XC90Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, together with Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimović and the all-new Volvo XC90
The new Volvo yardstick builds up on its forerunner's good points, but the overall package is such a far cry from what we've been accustomed by the Swedish family hauler. Previously teased by some concept vehicles, the highly anticipated replacement of the XC90 was first shown to the automotive press at the end of August in Sweden, but the Paris Motor Show marks the world debut of the all-new generation.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

It's virtually impossible not to like the second-generation XC90's styling cues. Volvo designers did an outstanding job with it in comparison to the rather bulky and simple-looking precursor, especially with the new front grille design and the "Thor's Hammer" LED-accented T-shaped headlights. Even the rear of this family-friendly machine is beautified by intricate taillights that flank the boot door almost entirely.

Only the profile sort of reminds us of the old model. The exterior pales when compared to the super luxurious all-Swedish cabin. The 12.3-inch completely digital instrument cluster is complemented by an iPad-like touchscreen media system dominating the center of the dashboard. Of course, the Sensus Connect Touch infotainment unit can do virtually everything you expect from it. It even integrates a feature that lets you mirror your Android or iPhone's screen on the tablet-like touchscreen interface.

In addition to that, there's an optional 1,400-watt Bowers & Wilkins audio system that integrates 19 speakers and an air-ventilated subwoofer for those that need crystal clear sound quality. Heck, all that sea of wood, metal and creamy leather surfaces are further beautified by the transmission's gear knob, which is made by renowned glass and crystal manufacturer Orrefors to look like a small jewel. It's one of the most upmarket, well-designed and best equipped interiors our eyes ever seen, that's for sure.

Can you have it with a V8?

Unfortunately not. It's highly unprovable for Volvo to offer a V8 with the all-new XC90, not even for the yet-to-be-announced Polestar performance model. But the sporty R-Design visual package might suffice the lack of V8 grunt only if you opt for the range-topping T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain. In this configuration, the XC90 not only looks like an athlete, but also packs a 320 horsepower petrol-fed four-cylinder engine displacing 2 liters, which is turbocharged and supercharged as well. In addition to the internal combustion unit (which drives the front axle), the rear axle is animated by an electric motor rated at 82 horsepower. In total, the T8 Twin Engine produces 400 hp and 640 Nm (472 lb-ft).

That's pretty neat for a PHEV mid-size SUV that's able to drive 25 all-electric miles (40 kilometers) in the city. If this configuration is a little too much for your budget or if you don't like hybrid power, the 2015 Volvo XC90 can also be had with a suite of highly economical four-pot petrol and diesel-fed mills. The Swedish seven-seater crossover SUV is offered with a 2-liter D4 turbo diesel rated at 190 ponies and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) and a D5 twin-turbo oil burner with 225 horsepower and 470 Nm (346 lb-ft) of torque.

Gasoline powerhouses include a 2-liter four-cylinder T5 turbo engine producing 254 ponies and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) and a 2-liter T6 turbo and supercharged powerplant rated at 320 horses and a hefty 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) on tap. All powertrain options are mated to a new eight-speed automatic tranny. In addition to the previously mentioned, electronically controlled dampers and super smooth air suspension are the other highlight features of the brand new SPA platform that underpins the luxurious Swedish model.

Can I buy one now?

Yes you can place an order and wait for it to come at the beginning of 2015, but not the First Edition model. That one sold out in just 47 hours, all 1,927 units of it. While the US-spec Volvo XC90 T6 AWD costs almost $49k, the most basic Euro-spec Volvo XC90 is expected to start from a smudge under €50,000 depending on the market, as well as that market's car taxation. That's considerably less than segment rivals from the German triad (Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz), which is saying something about how much attention to detail and careful planning went into developing the all-new 2015 Volvo XC90.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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