The 2015 Volvo XC90 has officially been revealed and is expected to make its way to SA around August next year.

Volvo’s new face

Earlier this year Volvo announced its plans to use a different strategy and gradually unveil the all-new Volvo XC90 in different stages from the inside out instead of doing just one reveal. According to Volvo, this approach was so that it can fully share all the details, technology and pure Swedish craftsmanship – details that often get lost in the bigger picture of an all-new car reveal.

The XC90 boasts a number of world-first safety technologies, a new platform, and advanced powertrain options. From the images we can see the model features a fresh and aggressive design, with “Thor’s Hammer” T-shaped LED daytime running lights, high-strength boron steel panels, as well as a large upright grille and various aluminium trimmings.

To add more visual muscle from the sides, the all-new Volvo XC90 comes with a range of wheel sizes up to 22 inches. Other notable features include a prominent roof-mounted spoiler, round or rectangle double exhaust tips (depending on the version).

Luxurious interior

Inside the cabin, there are three rows of seats to house up to seven people. You will also find a four-zone climate control system and a 1400-watt 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, as well an iPad-like touchscreen infotainment system, and a digital instrument panel with diamond-cut controls.

New technology includes stuff like Run Off Road Protection, Lane Keeping Aid, Driver Alert Control and Rest Stop Guidance, all designed to achieve Volvo’s aim towards its Vision 2020, to ensure that no-one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car.

“The overall impression, both exterior and interior, has a strong connection to the key elements of the Swedish lifestyle: the generous space, the celebration of light and the focus on wellbeing,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design of Volvo Car Group.

Two exterior styling themes

The all-new 2015 Volvo XC90 is available with a range of accessories coming from two major exterior themes. The first is the Urban Luxury package which combines a colour co-ordinated body kit with polished stainless steel details, such as front deco frames, front and rear skid plates and side scuff plates. It also comes with 21-inch exclusive polished wheels.

The other is the Rugged Luxury kit which enhances the ruggedness of the XC90 SUV with tech matte black exterior trim, stainless steel skid plates, running boards with illumination and integrated exhaust pipes, as well as unique 22-inch wheels.

Brand new range of Drive-E engines

Upon launch, four new Drive-E engines will be available: a twin-turbodiesel D5 packing 168 kW and 470 Nm and allows the vehicle to return 6-liters/100 km; a D4 with 142 kW and 400 Nm which will return 5-liters/100 km; a T6 turbocharged & supercharged engine delivering 239 kW and 400 Nm; and a T5 variant will also be available with 189 kW and 350 Nm.

The top-of-the-range Twin Engine will carry the ‘T8’ badge and be a plug-in electric car, hybrid car and high-performance car rolled into one. The hybrid derivative features a 2.0-litre turbocharged & supercharged four-cylinder Drive-E petrol engine that powers the front wheels while a 60 kW electric motor drives the rear wheels. It has a combined output of 298 kW and 640 Nm and will do 40 km solely on electric power.

The all-new Volvo XC90 will be available in T8 in South Africa – more details will follow closer to the local launch next year.

2015 Volvo XC90 price in South Africa

Production of the second generation Volvo XC90 will kick off at the beginning of next year in Torslanda, Gothenburg, with first deliveries expected to commence in May next year.

In South Africa, the XC90 AWD D5 First Edition will cost R1050000. Full range details and pricing for the standard models will be available closer to the local launch which is expected to be around August next year. Entry level models will start from R800 000