Volvo Car Malaysia launches the all-new Volvo XC90 SUV - Volvo gets back its mojo

Volvo Car Malaysia today unveiled the all-new Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine AWD SUV. The XC90 is Volvo's premium seven-seat SUV, equipped with world-leading safety technologies and powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain that delivers an unrivalled combination of power, fuel efficiency and low emissions.

Important facts to note are that the T8 Twin Engine utilises a combination of a 4-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor that outputs a total power of 407hp and 640Nm of torque, whilst still delivering a combined fuel consumption of 2.1l/100km and CO2 emissions as low as 49g/km. The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine goes from 0- 100km/h in only 5.6 seconds. And it weighs 2,300kgs (at least 140 of those kgs belongs to the battery pack and the electric motor) . Impressive for such an heavy SUV.

The all-new XC90 is the first Volvo model built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) modular chassis technology. SPA is part of the Volvo-by-Volvo strategy and forms the cornerstone of the company’s USD 11 billion transformation plan. The new modular architecture will also allow Volvo to retain or improve on safety features without compromising on design, size or weight. Thanks to the extensive use of high-strength boron steel, cars built on SPA can be made more compact and safer at the same time. The newly launched S90 also utilises the same platform.

But those are all facts which you can read in the press release below. The arrival of the all-new XC90 in Malaysia will mark a new chapter in Volvo’s transformation plan that started almost five years ago. This SUV looks like Volvo cars have gotten back their mojo. The previous XC90 had been around for oh so long and a replacement was at least a good five years or so overdue. Maybe it is a good thing as this time, Volvo has made the XC90 into a truly good looking premium SUV. This new one has most of the old XC90 good qualities but adds a whole lot of extra premium grade quality inside and outside. I actually like how the switchgear feels and the use of premium grade plastics mostly everywhere. Everywhere I touched felt premium. Switchgear felt that it had some proper weight to it too. This is a very good thing. 

The styling is bang up to date. The XC90 gets more chrome and a large grille that shows its more premium stature. This is a good thing as previously Volvos have seemed to have lost the plot in its quest. This is especially true in this region where once upon a time, Volvos outsold Audis by a fair bit. Now with a bit more bling and the very good quality the new XC90 has, things should look promising for Volvo cars. I like how the XC90 looks overall. The front is very grand looking even though the rear styling may be a little on the plain side compared tot he aggresive front end. But you can't really complain too much as they kept some similarity with the previous model for some continuity. And I like how much power the hybrid drivetrain pumps out too. 

Speaking about the drivetrain, it is quite a feat. It is All Wheel Drive but there is no propshaft running through the middle of the car. The front wheels get the engine whereas the rear wheels get the electric motor. The battery pack for the SUV sits in the place where the transmission console hump is, more to the front under the gearknob which is made out of crystal by the way. Everything is controlled via the transmission control unit and this setup actually makes sense. Two engines each powering a different set of axles. 

I spent a while chatting with the chap who made this car possible - Mr Kent Falck (above), New Car Director - Cluster 90 (which is basically all the new Volvo 90 series of vehicles and more), is the man responsible for the car from scratch. It took approximately 5 years from a blank sheet of paper or just ideas. He was there from start to finish and that is an accomplishment in every sense of the word. He also gave a talk on Volvo's safety and innovation based on the XC90 a few hours after the launch in which I was also present. Not many car companies these days actually design something from scratch these days. It is mostly an evolution of a previous chassis or with at least a thousand or so parts incorporated from the old car. 

This new XC90 only utilises the only one part from the earlier model - the child booster seat in the middle of the passenger seat that most parents love in the previous model. The rest is mostly new. Even the petrol engine is a totally new Volvo cars designed unit and not the one they used to share with Ford. I think the fact that Volvo kept the old one for so long added to the reasoning for a total new platform. 

Anyway, I learnt from him that the car is actually superbly engineered. I actually think the car is superb from that standpoint too. It has a range of 43km running fully electric and you can do so at speeds of up to 120kmh. So if your commute to and from the office is less than that, you can actually run the car on its batteries only. In the near future, if and when Malaysia adopts charging stations in every office  building, you could drive to work, charge the XC90 there and after work run home with a full charge and then charge at home thereby not even consuming a single drop of petrol. It could happen. 

Right now the Volvo XC90 T8 will be in CBU form and it would be sold at a price of RM453,888+(on-the-road price without insurance, inclusive of six per cent Goods and Services Tax). 

The local assembled version  should be on sale by the middle of 2016. This CKD version should be cheaper due to EEV tax breaks. But if you can't wait, get this now. It is comparable to something like an Audi Q7 but is priced so much more affordable. It looks better too. 

The new XC90 will also be exported to Thailand and other ASEAN countries soon. Did you know that Volvo cars has been exporting cars to Thailand since 2009? Volvo cars intend to make Malaysia its ASEAN assembly hub and hope to regain local market strength by 2020. I think this XC90 and the S90 which they just launched over in Sweden should be the start that they need. And yes, these are part of at least ten new cars from Volvo which we shall see over the next few years. Stay tuned for more interesting Swedish stuff. Not only trucks, buses and IKEA mind you. 

PRESS RELEASE 
Date of issue
Dec 3, 2015
The launch of the all-new Volvo XC90

 The iconic SUV returns to Malaysia powered by Volvo’s class-leading plug-in hybrid powertrain, the T8 Twin Engine

CYBERJAYA – Volvo Car Malaysia today unveiled the all-new Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine. The arrival of the all-new XC90 in Malaysia will mark a new chapter in Volvo’s transformation plan that started almost five years ago.

The XC90 is a premium seven-seat SUV, equipped with world-leading safety technologies and powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain that delivers an unrivalled combination of power, fuel efficiency and low emissions.

The all-new XC90 will be the first Volvo model built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) modular chassis technology. SPA is part of the Volvo-by-Volvo strategy and forms the cornerstone of the company’s USD 11 billion transformation plan.

The new modular architecture will also allow Volvo to retain or improve on safety features without compromising on design, size or weight. Thanks to the extensive use of high-strength boron steel, cars built on SPA can be made more compact and safer at the same time.

The innovative electrical architecture in SPA elevates the car’s intelligence level significantly. It is designed to integrate with new technologies such as microprocessor, sensor and camera technology, with greater ease. This facilitates the introduction of new accident-preventing safety solutions and enables rapid introduction of new multimedia and connectivity options.

“With SPA, we are able to have the best combination of luxury, space, versatility, efficiency and safety in the all-new XC90. This will bring the SUV segment into a new dimension, just as the original XC90 when it was first introduced,” says Keith Schäfer, Managing Director, Volvo Car Malaysia.

Mr Schäfer adds, “Our decision to bring in the T8 Twin Engine variant was bolstered by the government’s ambition to turn Malaysia into an ASEAN hub for Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV), in line with the National Automotive Policy. We are very thankful to have the support of all relevant government agencies and ministries in helping us bring this technologically advanced plug-in hybrid here.”

The T8 Twin Engine is Volvo’s most powerful powertrain offer for the SPA platform. The T8 Twin Engine utilises a combination of a 4-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor that outputs a total power of 407hp and 640Nm of torque, whilst still delivering a combined fuel consumption of 2.1l/100km and CO2 emissions as low as 49g/km. The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine goes from naught to 100km/h in only 5.6 seconds.

The standard safety package for the XC90 T8 Twin Engine will include two world first safety technologies: a run-off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability. These innovations will form part of a suite of safety features that will make the all-new XC90 one of the safest cars ever made.

The range-topping Inscription trim is standard for the XC90 T8 Twin Engine. It features, amongst others, Nappa leather seats, Orrefors® handcrafted gear lever and diamond-cut controls. Prospective customers will get to choose from eleven exterior colours, five interior colour combinations and three types of inlays.
The recommended retail price for the XC90 T8 Twin Engine is RM453,888.00 (on-the-road price without insurance, inclusive of six per cent Goods and Services Tax).

DESIGN
Volvo’s new face
The new XC90 is the first Volvo to carry the company’s new more prominent iron mark, which has the iconic arrow elegantly aligned with the diagonal slash across the grille. Together with the T-shaped “Thor’s Hammer” DRL lights, the iron mark introduces an entirely new, distinctive face for Volvo’s forthcoming generation of cars.

The XC90’s larger bonnet with its new topography, the beltline and the sharpened shoulders connecting with the tattoo-like, new rear lights are other important design signatures that will be mirrored across the range.

Luxurious interior

The XC90’s interior is the most luxurious to have been designed for a Volvo. The most striking feature is a tablet-like touch screen control console, which forms the heart of an all-new in-car control system. This system is virtually button free, a simplicity that opens up generous surfaces and gives us the opportunity to create a modern, luxurious interior architecture.

The all-new XC90 interior combines materials such as finest Nappa leather and wood with handcrafted details, including a gear lever made of crystal glass from Orrefors®, the famous Swedish glassmaker, and diamond-cut controls for the start/stop button and volume control.

New seats

Volvo already enjoys a reputation for providing the most comfortable seats in the industry. The new XC90 enhances this reputation by offering innovatively designed seats that also free up interior space for passengers both in the second and third seat rows, helping to make the new XC90 a genuine seven-seater.

The full seat core has an ergonomic shape that resembles the human spine. A multitude of adjustment possibilities makes it possible for the individual user to create an ideal seating position. The new seats are available with seat cushion extensions.

The second row features three individual seats with recline adjustment. The sliding function can be used to create more legroom for the passengers in the third row – or to increase loading space. An integrated child booster cushion in the centre seat is standard.

The seats in the third row offer class-leading comfort for passengers with a height up to 170 cm.

CHASSIS & POWER TRAINS
Completely new chassis

When it comes to driving dynamics, the XC90 gives the smooth, solid ride of a premium SUV combined with sharp handling and response. There is a completely new chassis, front and rear.
There are a double wishbone front suspension and a new electronically controlled air suspension with a choice of five modes.

Unrivalled combination of power and fuel efficiency
The XC90 T8 Twin Engine is Volvo’s top-of-the-range powertrain which combines a supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, offers an unrivalled combination of power and clean operation: 407 horsepower with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as low as 49 g/km.

Normal driving is conducted in the default hybrid mode. But at the push of a button the driver can switch to quiet and emission-free city driving on pure electric power where the range will be more than 40 kilometres, and then, when needed, immediately revert back to the combined capacity of the petrol engine and electric motor. Combined maximum torque is 640 Nm, making the XC90 accelerate from 0 to 100 in 5.6 seconds.

SENSUS
Most modern control system on the market
The new Sensus user interface is without doubt the most modern in-car control system on the market. It completely reinvents the way drivers operate their cars.

The traditional selection of buttons and controls has been replaced with a smooth, intuitive interaction between a large tablet-like touch screen, controls on the steering wheel and a capable voice-control system.
The digital instrumentation and the head-up display in front of the driver make sure that the most relevant information is available when needed.

Sensus gives comfortable access to a wide selection of cloud-based applications. The outstanding in-car possibilities includes Internet radio, connected navigation, finding and paying for parking, seamless music streaming, the ability to mirror and use Apple and Android devices in the touch screen display, a hot spot for using a tablet in the car – and much more.

Digital craftsmanship
The groundbreaking digital craftsmanship, interaction design, is based on extensive discussions with customers. The layout on the portrait screen can be described as a stack of flexible ‘tiles’, each of them displaying a key functionality.

Information, navigation and media are high up and easy to check. Phone controls, application icons and climate controls are located low, comfortable to reach and touch.

When one of the tiles on the touch screen expands on interaction, the others are compressed but still visible and instantly accessible. This makes the touch screen exceptionally user-friendly, without a need to navigate back to the main menu when switching between functions.

Four-zone climate system
The all-new Volvo XC90 can be specified with a four-zone climate system with individual settings for the occupants in the front seats and in the second row. A separate air-conditioning unit is also available for occupants in the third row.

Volvo Cars’ CleanZone air purification system, one of the most efficient on the market, has been further improved by adding a new carbon filter for more efficient capture of small, harmful particles and pollen in the incoming air.

SAFETY AND SUPPORT
Most comprehensive standard safety package
The all-new XC90 offers the most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry. It includes two world first safety technologies: a run-off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability.

In a run-off road scenario, the all-new Volvo XC90 detects what is happening and the front safety belts are tightened to keep the occupants in position. To help prevent spine injuries, energy-absorbing functionality between the seat and seat frame cushions the vertical forces that can arise when the car encounters a hard landing in the terrain.

The XC90 is the first car in the world with technology that features automatic braking if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car. This is a common scenario at busy city crossings as well as on highways, where the speed limits are higher.

City Safety becomes the umbrella name for all of Volvo Cars’ auto brake functions, which are standard equipment in the all-new XC90. It now covers vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians in front of the car, day and night.

Automatic support in queues
On the driver support side, the new Adaptive Cruise Control with Pilot Assist enables safe and comfortable semi-autonomous driving by automatically following the vehicle ahead in stop-and-go traffic. Acceleration, braking and now also steering are controlled automatically.

Making sure that the driver remains in full control also when manoeuvring and reversing in tight spaces, the all-new XC90 features a 360° Surround view. It gives the driver a birds-eye view where information from all cameras are added up digitally to a one 360° image. The Park Assist Pilot now also offers automatic reversing into a parking bay.

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