Volvo Car Malaysia has announced the local availability of the the highly-anticipated Volvo XC90 T8 seven-seater luxury SUV in Malaysia.
With the introduction of the XC60, the Volvo brand, which has been re-energised under China-based Geely, showcases the company’s future design direction, incorporating its own range of new technologies and utilizing its new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) technology.
The new XC90 is also the first of its cars to carry the company’s new iron mark logo, which has the iconic arrow aligned with the diagonal slash across the grille. This is together with the T-shaped “Thor’s Hammer” LED daytime running lights that I personally think looks pretty darn awesome. The XC90’s larger hood with its new topography, the belt-line and the sharpened shoulders connecting with the tattoo-like, new rear lights are other important design signatures that will be carried across the range as well.
Under its skin lies a powerful yet very efficient powertrain. The T8 Twin Engine utilizes a combination of a 4-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor that outputs a total power of 407hp and 640Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. As a result, the Volvo XC90 goes from naught to 100km/h in only 5.6 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 230km/h.
In terms of fuel economy, the XC90 delivers a combined fuel consumption of 2.1l/100km and CO2 emissions as low as 49g/km.
Normal driving is conducted in the default hybrid mode. But at the push of a button the driver can switch to an 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.
Ensuring a supremely comfortable ride for all its passengers, the XC90 rides on air-suspension all-round with a choice of five modes. (I personally love the fact that the Daytime Running lights [above] become the highly-visible turn signals! – CW)
Volvo is well known for its class leading safety package and the new XC90 is no different with some brand-new tech. First, there’s a run-off road that 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.
Meanwhile, the Volvo XC90 will automatically apply braking if the Volvo driver starts to turn in front of an oncoming car that is going quicker than expected. 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.
The XC90’s interior screams Scandinavian luxury. The interior combines materials such as Nappa leather and wood with handcrafted details, including a gear lever made of crystal glass from Orrefors and diamond-cut controls for the start/stop button and volume control. On the centre console, you’ll be able to find tablet-like touch screen control console that allow drivers to control their car and access a range of Internet-based products and services.
The genuine 7 seater features new designed seats that also free up interior space for passengers both in the second and third seat rows. The third row seats were designed to accommodate passengers in comfort up to 5’7″ inches tall.
Available in eleven exterior colours, five interior colours combinations and three types of inlays, the recommended retail price for the XC90 T8 Twin Engine is RM453,888 (on-the-road price without insurance, inclusive of 6% Goods and Services Tax).
