Volvo XC90

As a kind of tester of the market, throughout 2001, there were released images and information about the upcoming Volvo SUV, but it was in January 2002 that the official unveiling happened. The Volvo plant in Sweden produced the XC90 automobile with the trim levels of T6 or 2.5 T. The initial entry of the 2.5 T, had a 2.5-liter B5254T2 turbocharged engine, capable of 208 hp 155kW, and mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. When the T6 was introduced to the market, it brought a 2.9-liter twin-turbo engine churning out impressive 268 horsepower 200kW. This engine was paired with the 4T65EV/GT modified Volvo automatic four-speed. The first one, the 2.5 T, is a front-wheel-drive with an option of adding in the Haldex Traction AWD System (All Wheel Drive). The T6 only comes in the AWD system mode. In 2005 there was an upgrade to the engine involving the addition of a Yamaha V8, Volvo B8444S 4.4-liter engine capable of 288-hp and 215kW.

Later still, the engine was further modified to release 311hp 232kW power with a 325 lb.ft torque rating. During its run, this first generational model scoped several awards. Re-imaging of front and rear of the Volvo XC90 happened in 2007, with the interior also getting some touch-up work done. The next upgrade released the 3.2-liter SI6 engine churning out 235hp 175kW power, but more work was to be done in the years to come. The 2009 model-came with a redesign of the Volvo logo that had more spaces between the letters Volvo and the following year saw another redesign presented on the front grille. There was a split between entry-level Volvo in 2012, and specific models in that same year. The LED taillights illustrated this. The next year saw higher consideration given to the exterior of the car with added daytime LED lights, body-color bumpers, and silver trims where the black plastic trim once was. The Volvo XC90 Ocean Race and the XC classic were released were also released. The Ocean Race was blue with unique interior accents, while the XC brought an AWD system for a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

For the second generation, the emphasis was on the Scalable Product Architecture SPA technology meant to reduce the weight of the car and improve efficiency and safety features. As compared to its previous version, this current model is lower, longer, more comprehensive, with eight-speed Geartronic transmission paired to the 2.0 liter 4 cylinder drive-e powertrains. There are two petrol engine types including the 2.0 liter turbocharged & supercharged T6 engine capable of 400 nm torque, and the 254 hp T5 turbocharged engine. There are diesel engines, such as the turbocharged 190 hp D4 unit and the twin-turbo 235hp D5 option. The top of the line alternative is the XC90 T8 twin-engine, which is a plug-in hybrid. It combines the frontal petrol engine and back electric motor, which is a plug-in hybrid providing 400hp 300kW and 640 nm torque.

When it comes to the exterior dimensions of the second-generation Volvo XC90, it is worth noting; the chassis has been redone chassis, so it has a double-wishbone front suspension, and the rear axle has a transverse leaf spring made out of lightweight material. Volvo Company had a slight change on the grille with the second generation considering the metallic slash on the front grille. They also added their version of what they call Thor’s Hammer, including t-shaped daytime, LED lights. According to the “expressions” Volvo has created, which is what they call their five different trim levels, there is the base entry trim, the luxurious trim, the sporty version, and the ultra-luxury trim. The “expressions” as they are nicknamed are Kinetic, Momentum, Inscription, R Design, and Excellence. In terms of tire sizes, customers can now get 19-inch offerings, which are standard though there is an option for 22 inches.

The air suspension of the car is electronic and has five settings. For the interior, the seating has more comfort, and side bolsters that are adjustable. In the middle row, there are three seats with recline adjustment features. The sliding function for the very back seats can instantly create more legroom or create more carry space in the back. There is an option of having the 5-seater or adding another row of seats for a 7-seater car for both generations. The new model, though, has improved the carbon filters added to the air purification system just to filter out small particles that come into the system.
The Volvo interior finish is high grade, and it increases the higher one goes during upgrades. Compared to the first-generation XC90, the Volvo XC90 boot space is considerably bigger. The hybrid T8 version has to sacrifice some boot space for placing the electric batteries, though there it still has plenty of room.

The feedback from the steering wheel during sharp turns bolsters driver confidence, and the car has good road grip despite its size. There will be minimal noise coming in from the tires and the suspension as well. The T8 hybrid electric motor is even quieter, considering the lack of engine noise unless there is a need for it from the driver. The Volvo XC90s all have the 8-speed gearbox automatic, which is regarded as a bit hesitant when it comes to quick accelerations and quick demands on the engine, but not particularly sluggish. In comparison, the six-speed automatic may have been slightly faster on the gear changes towards the end of the first generation models.

There are a plethora of technology packages within the car, including steering wheel controls, voice control, and the tablet 9-inch touch screen controls. All of these are standard for both the new and old models and run through the Sensus interface. As operating software, it maintains different connections, including internet radio, navigation, music streaming, operating system mirroring for android and apple devices, wifi hotspot, and parking. The gear lever with its Orrefors crystal looks perfect next to the start-and-stop and drive mode control buttons fashioned as diamond-cut controls and placed between the driver and passenger seats on the console. For the new model, the audio system entails Bower and Wilkins speakers, a 1400w class d amplifier, and an air-vented subwoofer. The hardware for the sound system is controlled by software that coordinates the sound quality. The Park Assist Pilot is a rear camera sensing system that aids in reverse parking. There are different cameras, allowing for a 360-degree view at all times and enhancing the driving experience.

The Volvo XC90 comes available with several standard options, along with others developed by the brand. The design of the new Volvo XC90 front end has a safety consideration, allowing for impact most of the effect of an impact to be absorbed by the front. Secondly, it pushed people onto the hood in case of an impact from the exterior. This was opposed to dragging them underneath the automobile. The result was a significant reduction in the possibility of casualties. Volvo has a patent for their design, and they have prefixed positions for the engine and crumple zones among their safety features on the front of the car. Other safeguards include reinforced steel on the roof, minimizing the risk of collapse of the roof during a rollover, and other accidental prevention systems like the Electronic Stability Control DSTC. At the back, the passengers are catered for by the WHIPS system that holds them tight to minimize whiplash during a collision. All these safety options and features did not go unnoticed in the car industry, and various safety bodies and critics applauded the Volvo XC90 as one of the safest vehicles.

There is the IntelliSafe feature, as well for ‘auto-break at intersection’ capabilities and run-off-road protection as well. In this system, the sensors of the car detect when the vehicle runs off the road and implements measures such as tightening front seatbelts. The car seat frames and cushions have been fashioned to absorb energy from vertical forces that happen when a car lands hard and thereby cut down the risk of spinal injury. The ‘automatic brake at intersection’ feature offers another layer of protection for city dwellers who travel across busy intersections all the time. Volvo and it’s Auto Collision Avoidance functionality through its IntelliSafe system helps put drivers at ease as an added safety feature. In stop/go traffic, the new Volvo XC90 also has an adaptive cruise control system. It provides pilot assist features that keep the car controlled or facilitate acceleration when needed as a comfortable semi-autonomous driving system. There is also a lane departure warning system installed in specific models of the new XC90. It utilizes a Semi-Autonomous Drive Pilot Assist Ii System.

It may be a semi-autonomous piece of technology, but the Pilot Assist II is the brands greatest leap when it comes to autonomous driving. The feature is home to adaptive cruise control and that entails a semi-autonomous highway driving system which is similar to that of Tesla. It is an advancement compared to the previous generation which relied mainly on adaptive cruise control. That only works in cities and at speeds which are 50 kilometers per hour and below.

The safety and technology features on the upscale XC90 has made it one of the pricey models in the market. A 2013 XC90 model may fetch as much as three to four million Kenya shillings which is slightly more than other first-generation models. second-generation models are far much more costly, retailing at seven to ten million Kenya shillings depending on the model year.