19th September, 2006
- First production V8 powertrain in Volvo's history
- Compact engine with unique 60-degree V
- Transverse mounted with six-speed automatic
The Volvo XC90 with V8 power under the bonnet puts added performance on the
tarmac when compared to the standard XC90 - but will it be enough to sharpen
Volvo's performance in the tough premium SUV segment?
The Volvo XC90 V8 is in the same class as the very best in the segment.
Vehicles such as the Volkswagen Touareg, the Land Rover Discovery 3, the just
released Audi Q7, together with the Mercedes Benz M-Class and the BMW X5 will
make life very tough for Volvo's new V8.
HEAR MOTORING NEWS
ON RADIO & ON THE WEB
SHOP ON-LINE AT
OPTICAL AND HEARING
|
|
Powertrain with compact V8
The major feature of the new Volvo XC90 V8 is certainly the powertrain.
That is to say the engine combines with a new six-speed automatic transmission
and the world's first system for All Wheel Drive with Instant Traction, which
gives enhanced grip on poor surfaces.
Thanks the engineering, the engine is the most compact V8 on the
market - making it possible to install the new engine transversely within the
existing crumple zones.
From the environmental viewpoint, this is the first petrol V8 that meets the
American ULEV II emissions regulations.
Driving characteristics and performance
The safety and environmental properties add a healthy measure of
extra spice to a V8 market where buyers often base their choices on emotional
arguments such as driving pleasure, power - and even engine sound.
In the world of V8 development, engine sound is a science in its own right. A
traditional American V8 has a throaty offbeat growl, while Europeans favour a
slightly smoother, sportier rumble.
Volvo's V8 throb is there, but it's
overlaid with a note that announces that this is a European SUV.
|
Sales success
The Volvo XC90 has been a success for Volvo Cars. The
original production volume of 50,000 cars a year has been successively
increased, and since spring 2004 annual XC90 production in the company's
Torslanda factory in Sweden has been raised to 90,000.
When Volvo introduced the Volvo XC90 in 2002 (2003 in Australia), Volvo was
aware that it had designed and engineered the next-generation SUV. The
combination of a compact SUV with seven seats, a high level of safety, the
driving properties of a passenger-car and competitive environmental properties
has made the Volvo XC90 one of the company's most successful models.
Australia's three-model range
The XC90 consists of a three-model range in Australia for 2007:
XC90 LE -
$69,950
XC90 D5 - $72,950
XC90 V8 - $84,950
All XC90 model variants are offered standard with seven seats, leather
interior and a long list of dynamic and occupant protection safety features.
Other Volvo news:
here.
More news:
Holden To Offer Four Models In Captiva Range
18th September, 2006
Holden has announced it would offer four models across the
range of its new Captiva sports utility vehicle, all powered by the Australian-built 3.2 litre Alloytec
engine .....
more
Audi Q7: The performance SUV
15th September, 2006
The Q7 is priced at $85,700 for the 3.0 TDI quattro and
$116,800 for the 4.2 FSI quattro version .....
more
World Premiere for the new Mitsubishi Pajero
13th September, 2006
Debuting at the Paris Motor Show, this Pajero is the fourth generation
Pajero. The latest Pajero offers reliability forged in the crucible of grueling competition and use under the
harshest conditions to be found on the planet .....
more
Peugeot 207 EPURE concept car
13th September, 2006
At the Paris Motor Show later this month Peugeot will reveal the “207 EPURE”
concept car – a glimpse of a future 207 model with a futuristic power plant .....
more
Nepta: A Prestige Cabriolet Concept from Renault
12th September, 2006
Renault is unveiling its new Nepta concept car, a four-seater cabriolet
with fluid lines and a thoroughbred profile, at the 2006 Paris Motor Show .....
more
Holden Launches WM Statesman And Caprice
12th September, 2006
Holden has launched its top-of-the-range WM Statesman and
Caprice models, offering more differentiation from their short wheelbase siblings than ever before .....
more
World Premiere of Nissan Qashqai
11th September, 2006
Inspired by the concept car of the same name that was presented at
the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, the Qashqai is a new vehicle for Nissan in Europe .....
more
Mitsubishi Wins Second Targa West
11th September, 2006
Mitsubishi has won Targa West for the second successive year, beating a
class field that comprised many exotic marques .....
more
Peter Brock (1945 - 2006)
10th September, 2006
Australian motor sport legend Peter Brock, 61, died around midday
(local time) on Friday 8th September, 2006, in a car crash in Gidgegannup, Western Australia .....
more
New Peugeot 307 XSE HDi 6-Speed Automatic
8th September, 2006
With many customers looking at their choice of vehicle in a new light,
whether it be for fuel economy without sacrificing drivability, or even from an environmental perspective, the 307
is providing many with the answer, especially in its diesel guise .....
more
Motor Vehicle Sales Dip in August
7th September, 2006
Australian vehicle sales dipped slightly in August as the effects
of high fuel prices and rising interest rates combined to discourage some buyers from car showrooms .....
more
New Ford Transit Has It All
7th September, 2006
Ford's most successful global commercial vehicle range,
Transit, enters a new era in its long and accomplished life with a series of extensive improvements .....
more
Saab Diesel Confirmed for Australia
31st August, 2006
Saab is expanding its product offering in Australia with the
addition of the diesel range of 9-3 TiD vehicles .....
more
Dual Airbags for the Nissan Patrol DX wagon
28th August, 2006
Nissan Australia has announced another safety upgrade for its
rugged Patrol four-wheel drive range – the addition of standard dual airbags to the Patrol DX wagon -
available from October 2006 .....
more
Around Australia for Under $1,000!
27th August, 2006
Ford's LPG Challenge returned to Melbourne at 3:15pm on Friday 25th August
after driving more than 13,950kms around Australia and spending only $997.55 on fuel by filling up solely on LPG .....
more
Volkswagen Iroc concept car
25th August, 2006
The largest car maker in Europe showed the reinterpretation of the
successful Scirocco idea in a world premiere in Berlin last night – the Iroc concept .....
more
Saab Icon Celebrates 20 Years
24th August, 2006
The iconic Saab convertible turns 20 this year and to celebrate Saab
is launching a limited edition 20th Anniversary Convertible .....
more
VW supply 200 T5s to the UK's AA
22nd August, 2006
The UK’s largest breakdown organisation, the AA, has
strengthened its roadside recovery fleet with an order for 200 Volkswagen Transporters .....
more
Team Hummer Looks to Continue Winning Streak
22nd August, 2006
Team Hummer, one of off-road racing's most successful teams,
looks to continue their 13-race streak of placing a Hummer on the podium .....
more
New cone laying machine
21st August, 2006
A new machine to improve safety and reduce congestion at roadworks
on high-speed roads was unveiled, in England .....
more
VW Eos Highway 1 Debuts At Pebble Beach
20th August, 2006
The Volkswagen Eos Highway 1 design study debuted, this
weekend, at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance .....
more
| 
