Paris 2014: Next-gen Volvo XC90 revealed

The Paris Motor Show this year is turning out to be quite the scorcher with plenty of new metal (and carbon fibre) on display. From hypercars like the Lamborghini Asterion to this one, the 2015 Volvo XC90, there is a bit for all ends of the spectrum. The XC90 is garnering a lot of attention since Volvo revealed the car so here’s a second look at it. 

The XC90 is unmistakably Volvo in design but being the top-of-the-line SUV that it is, the flair is understated to achieve a classy styling. It’s got an imposing front end with a large rectangular grille governed by the diagonal Volvo slash. The headlights narrow with a signature ‘T’ shaped DRL that Volvo calls ‘Thor’s hammer’. It is a prominent design element of the new XC90. Like the outgoing car, the 2015 XC90 has muscular shoulders culminating into the typically Volvo hooked taillights. The XC90 will come with wheel sizes going up to 22 inches adding to its muscular stance. There’s a lot that reminds you of the old Volvo but a lot more that adds a contemporary touch to it.

It’s the interior though that bowls us over compared to the exterior of the XC90. It’s as minimalist as Volvo likes it to be and is beautifully designed. The dual tone steering wheel, the fine wood finish wrapping around from door to door and the neat central fascia are all tastefully done. A special mention goes to the unique vertically mounted central touch screen that looks a lot more logical for an SUV. The XC90 will feature a top of the line entertainment system with 19 Bowers and Wilkins speakers. The seven seater SUV will also have very flexible interiors and Volvo says that the third row can seat anyone up to 5 feet 7 inches height comfortably.

On the safety front as always, you don’t get any feature as optional equipment. Volvo’s standard set of safety features runs into pages, a few new ones on it include a run off protection package that tightens the front seat belts and to prevent spine injuries, the seat has an energy absorbing functionality between the seat and seat frame to protect the occupants from hard landings. The XC90 also has an auto brake function at intersections. If an oncoming car is going quicker than expected, the car brakes itself to avoid a collision. 

Coming to the engines, it’s the most promising part of the car. Volvo’s Drive-E family of engines ushers in a new era for the Swedish brand and promises performance and efficiency in a well rounded package. There is only one displacement – 2.0-litres - but with varying outputs that get complimented by a turbocharger, in some a supercharger, and both in fewer variants of the Drive-E lineup. The XC90 will get a 2.0-litre supercharged and turbocharged unit dishing out 320PS of power and sending power to all four wheels. For greener beings, there’s the choice of a plug-in hybrid XC90 too that gets a electric motor mated to the petrol unit to develop around 400PS of power and give out as low as 60 g/km of carbon dioxide emissions.