2007 Volvo XC90: In Detail

Press Release

Driving dynamics: Steering, brakes and transmission

The new Volvo XC90 is as easy, responsive and rewarding to drive as a regular Volvo saloon or estate model. Its power-assisted rack and pinion steering has been developed to optimise driver feedback and response, both on and off road. Speed-sensitive steering is standard on V8 petrol models and optional on the rest of the range.

The Volvo XC90’s large disc brakes, which are ventilated at the front, have been designed and tested to help stop the vehicle safely, even when it is fully loaded with seven people and luggage, and are backed by sophisticated traction and stability control systems. All Volvo XC90s benefit from ABS brakes with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and EBA (Emergency Brake Assist), as well as Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC).

The V8 and 3.2-litre petrol models are supplied with the six-speed Geartronic transmission as standard, while the D5 turbo diesel has a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with the six-speed Geartronic transmission available as an option. Geartronic automatically adjusts its shift points to reflect the driver’s style and also offers a manual, sequential-shift facility.

Interior design

The interior of the new Volvo XC90 endorses the car’s move further upmarket, with an enhanced premium/luxury feel. The airiness, space and quality of the old model remain – as, of course, does the innovative and flexible design – but new materials and a higher standard of detailing impart an air of luxury and craftsmanship.

Key to the transformation is the use of new materials and upholsteries, including Sovereign Hide soft leather with contrasting seam stitching and panels in perforated leather. The centre console has been upgraded with new aluminium-effect trim and a new display for the audio and telephone systems. The dials and switchgear feature satin chrome inlays and a new choice of Sapeli wood has been introduced. For extra convenience when overtaking, a quick push of the indicator stalk automatically flashes the indicators three times. The interior door grab handles are also new and feature an improved design with a more tactile, black centre area.

“The changes we have made to the new Volvo XC90 can be regarded as precision tuning designed to increase the car’s appeal still further,” says Hans Wikman, Volvo’s Vice President Vehicle Line Large Cars. “Volvo wants to give the discerning XC90 customers a more luxurious, premium experience.”

The driver will appreciate one of the cleanest and most ergonomically designed instrument panels, which has a typically Scandinavian simplicity of line and functionality: plenty of information from a small number of meticulously designed instruments.

Compared with those found in a normal saloon, the instruments and controls are angled slightly up towards the driver’s eyes. Together with the high seating position, this enhances the feeling of control – the single quality that SUV buyers generally prize most highly.

Despite being just 88mm longer than a Volvo V70 estate, and smaller than the Audi A6 saloon, the new Volvo XC90 offers the greatest flexibility in the premium SUV class, with generous interior space housing seven individual, forward-facing seats – all with head restraints and seat belt pre-tensioners.

“Everyone rides business class in the Volvo XC90; nobody travels economy class,” says Peter Horbury, Volvo’s former Vice President and Chief Designer.

The middle seat in the centre row has an integrated child booster cushion and also slides forwards independently so it can be positioned directly between the two front seats, thus improving contact between a child and the front seat occupants. What’s more, the armrest between the front seats is removable to create more leg room for the passenger in this centre seat.

The third row features two separate seats, offering full comfort for children or for adults of modest build. Unlike some rivals, these do not take up valuable space or have to be clumsily removed, but instead they neatly and simply fold away individually out of sight into the boot floor when not in use, so are always on hand.

Both the second and third rows of seats can be folded down to create an entirely flat luggage compartment floor no less than 3845mm long and 1127mm wide, with a volume of 1837 litres. In addition, the front passenger seat also folds forwards to accommodate extra-long loads. Even with all seven seats in use, there is still a useful amount of load space for the family – 249 litres, to be precise.  In all there are 64 possible seating configurations.

Quality and equipment

The new Volvo XC90 is available in S (D5 only), SE, SE Sport, SE Lux and Executive trim levels, all offering a high standard specification compared with most other premium brand rivals.

In addition, a comprehensive range of optional items includes a choice of DVD-based rear-seat entertainment systems and an autodimming rear-view mirror with compass, as well as many of the features from the top-of-the-range Executive model, such as Active Bi-Xenon headlights, which move 15 degrees either way to give the driver a better view of the road ahead, integrated telephone, an upgraded, hard disk-based RTI satellite navigation system with TMC (Traffic Message Channel), rear headphone sockets and the Dynaudio Premium Sound audio system, while SE models and above can be upgraded with Volvo Inscription™, a collection of bespoke, exclusively designed, luxury interiors. Volvo On Call – a valuable safety and security feature – is also available as an option. This advanced telematics system uses an integrated GSM telephone with a built-in GPS unit for satellite positioning, and ensures help is always close at hand.

S
The entry-level S has a high level of standard equipment, including Rear Park Assist, Electronic Climate Control (ECC) with Air Quality System (AQS) and pollen filter, Information centre, leather gear knob, load cover, High Performance Sound audio system with 4x4w amp and CD, MP3/WMA compatibility, auxiliary input for MP3/i-Pod connection, 17in alloy wheels, front fog lights, Marstrand textile/vinyl upholstery, new Manganite trim, load-compensating suspension and an alarm with immobiliser.

SE
Additional equipment offered by the SE includes body-coloured wheelarches, mirrors, door handles and side rubbing strips, rear skid plate, electric driver’s seat (with memory) and door mirror memory, leather-faced upholstery, High Performance Sound audio system with 6xCD, 18in alloy wheels, rain sensor, autodimming rear-view mirror and wood or aluminium trim.

SE Sport
The SE Sport is customised with a more dynamic and exclusive feel. Externally, it has larger 19in alloy wheels, double chromed exhaust pipes, extended body coloured wheel arch extenders and exterior trim with a satin silver finish, rather than the standard chrome, with the lower skid plate also in satin silver. The unique sill mouldings are in brushed stainless steel. To accentuate the car’s sporty nature and create a sleeker appearance, roof rails are not fitted – although they will be available as a no cost option, if required. Inside, the XC90 SE Sport has figure-hugging sports seats, offering additional lateral cushioning to support the driver even in faster cornering, together with a sport steering wheel and gear selector of perforated leather. The leather seats use a combination of two different grades of leather with contrasting piping, while the instrument dials feature metal chronograph watch-style faces with a shimmering blue lustre.

SE Lux
The SE Lux specification includes as standard chronograph instrument dials, brushed aluminium roof rails, power folding door mirrors with ground lights and water-repellent glass, luxury Sovereign Hide soft leather upholstery, 18in Camulus alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlamps and cleaning system, power driver and passenger seats, heated front seats, Sapeli wood trim and luxury floor mats.

Executive
Additional Executive equipment includes Active Bi-Xenon headlamps, Dynaudio Premium Sound audio system, 5x130w amps extended body-coloured wheelarches, 19in Galateia alloy wheels, silver front skidplate, chromed wide tailpipe cover, satin chrome door mirror caps, chromed C-pillar with ‘Executive’ badge, Executive soft leather upholstery and door inserts, Executive soft leather extra-padded front door armrests, RTI satellite navigation system with RDS-TMC and Europe data on hard disk, integrated GSM telephone, rear-seat headphone sockets, refrigerator in front centre armrest, Executive Nubuck trimmed floor mats, metallic paint, unique matt silver grille and walnut wood trim in door panels, centre console and gear lever knob.

Safety

Like all Volvo models, the new XC90 features a comprehensive safety package designed to protect occupants in a wide variety of accidents. Given the higher centre of gravity of an SUV, however, there has been a greater focus on the increased potential for roll-over accidents – and on crash compatibility with smaller vehicles.

The Volvo XC90’s Roll-Over Protection System (ROPS) includes Roll Stability Control (RSC), which uses a gyro sensor to monitor the car’s roll angle and speed. If the roll angle becomes critical, it automatically applies the brakes and DSTC system to help the driver maintain control.

Volvo has also added extra-strong Boron steel to the roof structure for maximum protection for occupants in the event of a roll-over, and has designed the Inflatable Curtain (IC) to stay inflated for longer than normal across all three rows of seats in case of a multiple roll-over. As you would expect, the Volvo XC90 scores highly in a variety of international safety ratings, including pedestrian protection.

The Volvo XC90’s subframe has a lower cross member neatly integrated with the lower skid plate so it impacts at the same height as the bumper of a conventional car’s protective structure and crumple zones rather than above/over them.

An integrated booster seat is standard in the centre seat of the middle row, as are ISOFIX mounting points, and Volvo also offers a passenger airbag cut-off switch to enable child seats to be carried in the front of the car.

To improve the driver’s visibility and help avoid accidents, water-repellent glass is available for door mirrors (standard on SE Lux and Executive) and (laminated) side windows (optional).

Security

Volvo is committed to protecting the car, its occupants and their possessions, and it has won overall ‘Best Manufacturer’ in the annual British Insurance Car Security Awards (BISCA) two years running (2004 and 2005).

Every new Volvo XC90 is fitted as standard with a sophisticated alarm and immobiliser system that can be switched on and off using the remote controller on the key fob. The combination of deadlocks and optional laminated/dark-tinted windows can make the Volvo XC90 even more secure.

The remote control also operates the Approach lighting system, which illuminates the car and the surrounding area as the driver approaches. Likewise, a tweak of the headlight stalk activates the Home Safe system, switching on the headlamps for up to 90 seconds after the occupants have left the vehicle.

Environment

Volvo’s ‘Clean inside and out’ environmental programme reflects its continuing commitment to the environment. Its plants are some of the automotive world’s cleanest factories, and 85 per cent of each car can be recycled, plus every new Volvo is backed by an EPI (Environmental Product Information).
Like all Volvos, the new XC90’s interior is free from allergy-inducing emissions, and an active carbon filter ensures dust and exhaust particles do not enter the cabin, while an Air Quality System (AQS) shuts down the air input if outside air is too dirty.

Volvo’s PremAir® – a special catalytic coating on the radiator which converts up to 75 per cent of the harmful ground-level ozone passing through it into pure oxygen – is available with the new Volvo XC90 engine range. All the engines in the range combine outstanding performance with excellent emissions levels