A Unique Aesthetic of Luxury

Volvo's Flagship Nears UnveilingSUV“XC90”, while its exterior design remains under wraps. However, it has been revealed that like the current model, it will be a 7-seater with all-wheel drive, feature a high-quality interior befitting a flagship, and boast Volvo's renowned safety performance.

Last year, Volvo unveiled the “Coupe Concept” at theFrankfurt Motor Show,the “Concept XC Coupe” at theDetroit Motor Show,and the “Concept Estate” at this year's MarchGeneva Motor Show,as concept cars symbolizing Volvo's new generation of models.

This new XC90 is the culmination of those concepts, realized for the first time in a production model. As such, its design philosophy and cutting-edge features can be seen as evolved from those previously showcased in the concept cars.



The interior of the spacious 3-row cabin retains Volvo's signature Scandinavian aesthetic while exuding an even more luxurious ambiance. The combination of wood and leather accentuates the warmth characteristic of previous Volvos.

The distinctive shift lever, available as an option, is crafted from crystal glass by Orrefors, a renowned Swedish glassmaker. This feature offers a glimpse into Volvo's unique approach to luxury, distinct from German manufacturers. Additionally, the engine start button and drive control buttons are finished with delicate detailing, akin to fine accessories.

The large screen in the center of the dashboard is a touchscreen, and it supports "CarPlay," allowing the use of an iPhone as part of the vehicle's interface. It is also compatible with the voice recognition system "Siri," enabling hands-free operation.

The instrument panel, displayed before the driver, is also a liquid crystal monitor, capable of optimal display for various alerts and navigation information according to the situation.

Cutting-Edge Technology Supporting "Vision 2020"

Volvo's "Vision 2020" is a safety goal to achieve zero fatalities or serious injuries in traffic accidents involving new Volvo cars by the year 2020. The new XC90 has been designed in line with this objective.

To this end, one of the newly adopted features is the "Safety Cage." To protect occupants in the event of a collision, high-strength hot-formed boron steel, the strongest available for vehicle bodies, is used extensively. Meanwhile, by using hot-rolled steel for over 40 percent of the total vehicle weight, the strength is significantly increased while suppressing weight gain. This proportion is said to be more than five times that of the previous XC90.

Naturally, the body is not the only part that has been reinforced. Advanced safety technologies, in which Volvo excels, have also been newly introduced. One of these is "Run-off Road Protection." This is a safety function designed for run-off-road accidents; if the vehicle detects it is leaving the road, it automatically tightens the seatbelts for the driver and front passenger until the vehicle stops, securing and protecting the occupants in the correct position.

Furthermore, the seats are equipped with a mechanism that reduces vertical impact forces by up to one-third when a vehicle that has run off the road lands forcefully on the ground, thereby reducing the risk of severe spinal injuries that can occur in run-off-road accidents.



Of course, preventing accidents in the first place is also a priority. Features such as "Lane Keeping Aid," which applies corrective steering to keep the vehicle within its lane if it drifts, and "Driver Alert Control," which detects and warns of driver fatigue or inattention, are included. Volvo developed these technologies after seriously considering the numerous accidents caused by road departures due to various factors identified in accident investigations; reports indicate that half of traffic fatalities in the United States are due to road departures.

Another feature is the automatic braking system, which not only helps avoid rear-end collisions and mitigate impact forces but also includes a groundbreaking function that detects and reacts to the risk of collision with an oncoming vehicle when making a left turn at an intersection (equivalent to a right turn in Japan). This function is expected to be particularly effective at busy urban intersections.

These two safety technologies are world-firsts and will be put into practical use with the XC90. The advanced safety features already present in the current model have been further updated and incorporated, including an automatic braking system that detects vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, "BLIS" (Blind Spot Information System) to alert the driver to vehicles in their blind spot, and a "Queue Assist" function for automatic following of the vehicle ahead in traffic jams, offering a more comprehensive suite of features.

The Top Model Features the "T8 Twin Engine"

To reduce environmental impact, the engines have been downsized. A notable feature is the top model, the "T8 Twin Engine," which refers not to two engines but to a plug-in hybrid model combining an engine and a motor. A 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine, boosted by both a supercharger and a turbocharger (twin-charged), drives the front wheels. An electric motor with an output of 80 hp (60 kW) is positioned at the rear of the vehicle, driving the rear wheels.

The "Twin" system as a whole boasts a maximum output of 400 hp and a maximum torque of 640 Nm. Naturally, an EV mode is also available, allowing for approximately 40 km of travel on a full charge using only the electric motor.



In addition, the "D5" twin-turbo diesel engine delivers a maximum output of 225 hp and a maximum torque of 470 Nm. The single-turbo "D4" produces a maximum output of 190 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm. For gasoline models, there are two options: the "T6" with a maximum output of 320 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm, and the "T5" with a maximum output of 254 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Nm.

With glimpses of its interior, engine, and safety features revealed gradually, the new XC90 appears to be nearing its unveiling. The exterior design is also expected to follow that of the three concept models based on the PSA architecture.

The date for its world premiere has yet to be announced, and naturally, the timing for its introduction in Japan has also not yet been decided.