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By
ALISTAIR KENNEDY
25 September 2006
Volvo has released the latest version of its XC90 luxury 4WD with
a mild facelift and two new engines, one a 4.4-litre petrol V8, the
other a five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbo diesel.
The XC90 is the larger of Volvo’s two SUVs and has been on
sale in Australia since July 2003 with moderate success in a
market segment dominated by BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Given the Swedish company’s environmental credentials, a
diesel-powered Volvo comes as no surprise in these fuel-conscious
times. However a V8 Volvo is likely to raise a few eyebrows.
However, although it is the largest engine, and the first
production V8, ever made by Volvo Cars it is also the first petrol
V8 engine to exceed ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, Stage
II), as well as Euro 4, emission standards.
It’s also relatively fuel efficient at 13.5 litres per 100
kilometres in combined city/highway driving, a moderate increase
over the 13.0 L/100km of the outgoing 2.9-litre T6 model and
comparable with its German rivals.
Volvo Car Australia expects the diesel-powered XC90 D5 model to
account for more than half the total sales of the vehicle. At 9.0
litres per 100 km it is claimed to be the most fuel-efficient
vehicle in its class.
The previous XC90 came with the option of 2.5-litre and
2.9-litre turbocharged petrol engines which struggled at times to
move the two tonne-plus vehicle. The smaller of these engines has
been retained in the XC90 LE model and will continue to be sold
alongside the two new units. The larger, previously sold in the T6
model, has been discontinued.
Buyers should have no such problems with the pulling power from
the two new engines. The V8 generates 440 Newton metres of torque
at 3900 rpm while the D5 gives out 400Nm between 2000 and 2750
rpm. These figures are up 37.5 and 25 per cent respectively on the
2.5-litre petrol LE.
Volvo claims zero to 100 km/h acceleration of 7.3 seconds for
the V8, compared with 9.3 seconds for the LE. The new models also
get six-speed automatic transmission while the 2.4-litre retains
the previous five-speed unit.
Volvo has a well-earned reputation for safety so its claim that
the XC90 is the world's safest SUV is credible. It comes with a
five-start Euro NCAP rating and all XC90 models have ABS brakes
with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), front, side and
curtain airbags, side impact protection system, whiplash
protection system, stability and traction control. To counter the
added risk of roll-over inherent in SUVs XC90 also comes with
Volvo’s Roll Stability Control (RSC) which uses a gyroscope to
assess the risk of roll-over and, when required, cuts engine
torque and applies the brakes to one or more wheels.
Another interesting safety feature is Volvo’s Blind Spot
Information System (BLIS). Using a digital camera mounted under
each of the side mirrors the system triggers a small yellow
warning light on the inside of each mirror whenever a vehicle
enters an area of 9.5 metres by 3.0 metres on either side of the
car. While such driver aids are useful, they should never be
allowed to replace good driving practices.
All XC90 models now come with seven seats. The rear pair are
best suited for children although we were able to sit three
six-foot adults in line with acceptable legroom for each. A clever
feature in the XC90 is the ability to convert the centre seat in
the centre row into a child booster seat, then to remove the
centre console between the two front seats and slide the booster
seat until it almost touches the front seats. Thus bringing the
child into closer contact with the parents.
While the majority of owners will use the XC90 as a luxurious
people mover it is a medium-duty 4WD and not simply a crossover
vehicle. Our test drive, in the V8 and D5 models only, took us
from Sydney to the NSW south coast where we were able to work the
big Volvo fairly hard on some rough forest roads as well as towing
loads up to its limit of 2250 kg.
On bitumen both XC90 models are almost car-like in their feel
and both cruise effortlessly on the highway. Such is the sound
suppression that it’s difficult to distinguish between the
petrol and diesel engines from within the car. The ride over some
reasonably rough bush tracks and a coupe of creek crossings was
equally impressive and the big car pulled strongly throughout our
test.
The 2007 Volvo XC90 range, with prices (excluding on-road
costs) is:
XC90 LE 2.5-litre turbo petrol: $69,950
XC90 D5 2.4-litre turbo diesel: $72,950
XC90 V8 4.4-litre petrol: $84,950
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Marque Publishing Company
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