Volvo's Flagship SUV, the XC90, Enters its Second Generation | Volvo
Volvo XC90 | Volvo XC90
Volvo's Flagship SUV, the XC90, Enters its Second Generation
Volvo Car Japan has announced a full model change for its flagship 7-seater SUV, the XC90, and began sales on Wednesday, January 27.
Text by OHTO Yasuhiro
The Dawn of Volvo's New Generation
The "XC90" XC90, which has evolved into its second generation, is the first product born from Volvo's structural reform, pursued with an investment of $11 billion, the largest in Swedish history. It features the first adoption of the "Scalable Product Architecture (SPA)" platform for mid-to-large vehicles, which dramatically improves safety performance.
The design has also evolved into a new generation, incorporating the essence of the three design concepts unveiled from 2013 to 2014: "Concept Coupe", "Concept XC Coupe", and "Concept Estate". Particularly striking are the LED headlamps with T-shaped position lamps. This "T" motif, which gives the front mask a powerful presence, is said to be the hammer of Thor, the god of thunder from Norse mythology.
The grille design, instantly recognizable as Volvo, has also been renewed to be more elegant. Amidst this newness, Volvo's characteristic details, such as the distinctive side silhouette and the powerful rear end, are faithfully carried over.
The modern Scandinavian interior, featuring wood and leather, offers comfort and a sense of security to occupants. As befits a flagship SUV, it boasts a spacious cabin where adults can comfortably occupy the third row of seats.
The infotainment system is equipped with Volvo's proprietary "SENSUS." The driver is provided with necessary driving data via a 12.3-inch LCD instrument panel and a head-up display. Furthermore, a large 9-inch vertically oriented touchscreen center display significantly reduces the number of control buttons on the console. This allows for intuitive operation of in-car functions such as air conditioning, navigation, and audio, much like operating a tablet device.
Additionally, improved voice recognition capabilities allow for various operations without using the touchscreen. This "SENSUS" also comes standard with Apple CarPlay, enabling comfortable enjoyment of functions like calls and "Siri" not only on the touchscreen but also through voice commands.
Volvo XC90 | Volvo XC90
Volvo's Flagship SUV, the XC90, Enters its Second Generation (2)
Plug-in Hybrid Also Available
All powertrains feature the "Drive-E" downsized unit, which compensates for reduced displacement with a supercharger. In addition to gasoline specifications, a plug-in hybrid, making its Japan debut, is offered on the top-grade model.
The plug-in hybrid "XC90 T8 Twin Engine AWD Inscription" combines a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo + supercharger for front-wheel drive with a high-output electric motor for rear-wheel drive, creating an independent front and rear AWD system. While delivering a total system output of 407ps (640Nm), it achieves a fuel economy of 15.3 km/ℓ in JC08 mode. Furthermore, equipped with a large-capacity lithium-ion battery, it can travel up to 35.4 km on electric power alone.
In addition, two gasoline specifications are available. The entry-level 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo "T5" delivers a maximum output of 254ps and a maximum torque of 350Nm, while achieving a fuel consumption of 12.8 km/ℓ, offering excellent balance.
The higher-end "T6" model adds a supercharger to its 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo, boasting a maximum output of 320ps and a maximum torque of 400Nm. Its fuel economy is 11.7 km/ℓ.
All models use a highly efficient 8-speed automatic transmission. The gasoline models are equipped with electronically controlled AWD.
Volvo XC90 | Volvo XC90
Volvo's Flagship SUV, the XC90, Enters its Second Generation (3)
World-First Safety Features Included
Volvo has a tradition of innovation in safety technology, and the XC90 introduces two world-first safety features.
One is "Run-off Road Protection." When the vehicle's sensing system, ASDM, detects that the vehicle has veered off the road due to an accident, it retracts the seatbelts and a metal cushion between the seat and seat frame absorbs the impact on the occupants. This feature is implemented to prevent severe spinal injuries caused by accident impact.
The other is "Intersection Support." When making a right turn at an intersection, this system detects the distance and speed of oncoming vehicles traveling straight. If it determines a collision is imminent, an automatic braking system activates to avoid or mitigate the impact.
In addition to these new features, the XC90 is equipped with 14 advanced safety features, including a full auto brake system with pedestrian and cyclist detection that works even at night, offering a more comprehensive all-around safety. It has already undergone crash tests by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) and was selected as "Euro NCAP's Best in Class Cars of 2015" as the safest SUV.
The new XC90, imbued with an elegance befitting Volvo's flagship SUV, is priced starting at 7.74 million yen for the entry-level "T5 AWD Momentum," 8.79 million yen for the sporty "T6 AWD R-DESIGN," and 9.09 million yen for the elegant "T6 AWD Inscription." The top-spec plug-in hybrid "T8 Twin Engine AWD Inscription" is priced at 10.09 million yen.
Volvo XC90 T5 AWD Momentum | Volvo XC90 T5 AWD Momentum
Body Dimensions | Length 4,950 x Width 1,930 x Height 1,775 mm
Wheelbase | 2,985 mm
Ground Clearance | 225 mm
Vehicle Weight | 2,060 kg
Tread | 1,665 mm
Seating Capacity | 7 persons
Drivetrain | 4WD
Engine | Supercharged DOHC Water-Cooled Inline 4-Cylinder Transverse 16-Valve
Max Output | 187kW (254ps) / 5,500rpm
Max Torque | 350Nm (35.7kgm) / 1,500-4,800rpm
Transmission | Electronically Controlled 8-Speed Automatic
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 12.8 km/ℓ
Price | 7.74 million yen (XC90 T5 AWD Momentum)
XC90 T6 AWD | Volvo XC90 T6 AWD
Body Dimensions | Length 4,950 x Width 1,960 x Height 1,775 mm
Wheelbase | 2,985 mm
Ground Clearance | 225 mm
Vehicle Weight | 2,080 kg
Tread | 1,675 mm
Seating Capacity | 7 persons
Drivetrain | 4WD
Engine | Supercharged DOHC Water-Cooled Inline 4-Cylinder Transverse 16-Valve
Max Output | 235kW (320ps) / 5,700rpm
Max Torque | 400Nm (40.8kgm) / 2,200-5,400rpm
Transmission | Electronically Controlled 8-Speed Automatic
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 11.7 km/ℓ
Price | 8.79 million yen (XC90 T6 AWD R-Design), 9.09 million yen (XC90 T6 AWD Inscription)
XC90 T8 Twin Engine AWD Inscription | Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine AWD Inscription
Body Dimensions | Length 4,950 x Width 1,960 x Height 1,775 mm
Engine | Supercharged DOHC Water-Cooled Inline 4-Cylinder Transverse 16-Valve
Wheelbase | 2,985 mm
Ground Clearance | 225 mm
Vehicle Weight | 2,320 kg
Tread Front / Rear | 1,675 / 1,680 mm
Seating Capacity | 7 persons
Drivetrain | 4WD
Max Output (Engine) | 235kW (320ps) / 5,700rpm
Max Output (Motor) | 34kW / 2,500rpm (Front), 65kW / 7,000rpm (Rear)
Max Torque (Engine) | 400Nm (40.8kgm) / 2,200-5,400rpm
Max Torque (Motor) | 160Nm / 0-2,500rpm (Front), 240Nm / 0-3,000rpm (Rear)
Max Output (Total) | 269kW (320ps) (Front), 300kW (320ps) (Rear)
Transmission | Electronically Controlled 8-Speed Automatic
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 15.3 km/ℓ
Price | 10.09 million yen (XC90 T8 Twin Engine AWD Inscription)





