Product news: Orders begin for 2015 Volvo XC90
Volvo has finally begun taking orders for the hotly anticipated new XC90. After twelve years in production, the time finally came to retire the old model, the replacement for which has already built up quite a reputation for itself.
With a limited run of 'First Edition' XC90s among the first cars to be sold, Volvo's flagship SUV has started strong - all 1927 examples of the 'First Edition' XC90 sold out in little under two days. At times, orders were nearing seven per minute; a promising start for Volvo's first all-new all-Volvo car since before the Ford takeover.
Spearheading Volvo's new design language, the XC90 (pictured) is driven exclusively by the brand's frugal Drive-E engines - cementing the notion that safety and efficiency are at the top of Volvo's list of priorities. This reestablishment of what Volvo does best is important for Volvo after the Swedish carmaker's values became somewhat diluted during its shaky start to the 21st century under Ford.
Volvo's Media Relations Manager, Martin Bayntun, marked this event as particularly important, as the XC90 is "a landmark car for Volvo and the first product launch in a new era for the company." Of particular note are the new XC90's "cutting edge plug-in hybrid drivetrains, innovative interior design and connectivity, pioneering safety technologies and a unique Swedish take on premium car design,"
First deliveries of the new XC90 are set to take place in May 2015.
http://www.newspress.co.uk/ViewPressRelease.aspx?pr=54882
Interview material: original content obtained via email interview with M. Bayntun
8/12/14
Product news: Volvo reveals innovative new XC90 with twin-engine technology
Volvo's main source of news is the XC90, and with good reason. The XC90 T8 is a plug-in hybrid of the already groundbreaking new Volvo SUV, with a petrol engine coupled with a small but potent electric motor. Lauding the new T8 as "the world's most powerful and cleanest 7-seat SUV" is a bold move, but Volvo's ground-up approach to creating the hybrid giant has ensured that the combination of both engines find their place in the XC90, as well as work together to provide a variety of power deliveries, with selectable all-wheel-drive to boot.
A 2-litre, 4-cylinder Drive-E turbo- and supercharged petrol engine sits at the front and provides 314bhp, while the 81bhp electric motor is located just above the rear axle. Transmission is Volvo's 8-speed automatic gearbox, with "special adaptations" for the T8 hybrid.
Above: packaging is important - the placement of Volvo's new twin-engine technology in the XC90 T8 hybrid.
Volvo claim the XC90 T8 delivers 395bhp and 640Nm of torque, powering the car from 0 to 62mph in one tenth under six seconds, with a tiny CO2 output of just 59g/km, although it's not clear on which driving mode this figure is attained. Power is delivered in a variety of different ways from the two engines, with the usual electric-only and hybrid modes seen on most petrol-electric motors, with a 'Power Mode' for added performance, in which the electric motor provides low-end grunt while the petrol motor gets up to speed, for smooth and consistent power delivery. See the video below for a demonstration.
Video source: MotoringView, YouTube.
This cutting-edge technology again is tangible evidence of Volvo's main ideologies. As mentioned previously as a 'safety news' story, the XC90 has been rigorously tested in crash situations, the footage of which has been released for public viewing. This stringent testing, coupled with the frugality, cleanness and potency of the T8 XC90 mark it out as a symbol of all that Volvo stands for in 2014 and beyond.
Above: green credentials - the XC90 will have a variety of power delivery options, including full-electric mode.
http://www.newspress.co.uk/ViewPressRelease.aspx?pr=54889
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Z76ETlXYuQc
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