What is it?
2003 Volvo XC90
What's special about it?
Volvo wants to make it crystal clear that its new flagship SUV, the XC90, is not a crossover vehicle, even though it shares a platform with the S80, V70 and S60, along with their front MacPherson strut and rear multilink suspension setup. The XC70 fills that niche. Nor is it the company's first-ever SUV — that honor goes to the all-wheel-drive Hogster, built for the Swedish army a few decades back. Rather, the XC90 is Volvo's first attempt at the next-generation SUV, one that embodies all the positive attributes and eliminates the compromises made with traditional sport-utes.
The XC90 sports a cab-forward design with a short snout, thanks to the transverse-mounted inline engines. You can have your choice of two forced-induction units. A 2.9-liter six-cylinder with twin turbochargers makes 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, while an inline five with a single light-pressure turbocharger brews up 208 horses and 236 pound-feet of grunt. Not available in the states is a diesel unit. Both engines are mated to a four-speed Geartronic automanual transmission and both meet ULEV standards.
This is a seven-passenger vehicle, even though its exterior dimensions resemble that of five passenger cars. Volvo designers made it a point to give the XC90 the illusion of being smaller than it is. Nevertheless, occupants are treated to a high seating position, an appealing feature of an SUV. The middle seat of the second row can be outfitted with an integrated booster seat and allows the seat to slide forward between the first- and second-row seats so that parents have better access to their youngsters.
Rear passengers on each side have their own control unit for the stereo, if they're not too busy watching the optional DVD/CD monitor. Second- and third-row passengers also get side curtain airbag protection, just one of a plethora of safety systems. Others include traction and stability control and ABS with Brake Assist. To address the concern of rollovers, a Roll Stability Control system has been developed that incorporates a gyro-sensor that detects the car's roll angle and speed. If it detects an imminent rollover situation, it activates the stability control system to counteract the motions. Don't forget, though, that physics cannot overcome stupidity. The XC90 also offers Night Vision, incorporating Cadillac technology.
The XC90 retains SUV utility and functionality. With a cargo capacity of 85 cubic feet, it lands on the higher end of the midsize SUV class. An electronically controlled all-wheel drive that takes into account not only road conditions but driver inputs to route power to the rear wheels if loss of traction is detected. Coupled with an impressive 8.6 inches of ground clearance, the Volvo should be able to tackle some treacherous roads not accessible to the likes of the BMW X5, Audi allroad or Lexus RX 300.
Finally, the issue of putting other drivers at risk when you're in a heavier, higher vehicle is addressed by a lower cross member in the front suspension; its purpose is to impact the other car's protective structure and crumple zone.
Why should you care?
Volvo wants to sell more cars; 50 percent more in 2005 than in 2001. They figure an SUV is the only way to achieve that goal. The XC90 is replete with intriguing safety systems. Around 50,000 units will be available in the States. We think those who need the utility and functionality of SUVs, but have been warded off from the still-popular sport-utes because of their well-deserved bad reputation for being gas-guzzling safety hazards, may find the XC90 appealing. — Liz Kim
2003 Volvo XC90
What's special about it?
Volvo wants to make it crystal clear that its new flagship SUV, the XC90, is not a crossover vehicle, even though it shares a platform with the S80, V70 and S60, along with their front MacPherson strut and rear multilink suspension setup. The XC70 fills that niche. Nor is it the company's first-ever SUV — that honor goes to the all-wheel-drive Hogster, built for the Swedish army a few decades back. Rather, the XC90 is Volvo's first attempt at the next-generation SUV, one that embodies all the positive attributes and eliminates the compromises made with traditional sport-utes.
The XC90 sports a cab-forward design with a short snout, thanks to the transverse-mounted inline engines. You can have your choice of two forced-induction units. A 2.9-liter six-cylinder with twin turbochargers makes 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, while an inline five with a single light-pressure turbocharger brews up 208 horses and 236 pound-feet of grunt. Not available in the states is a diesel unit. Both engines are mated to a four-speed Geartronic automanual transmission and both meet ULEV standards.
This is a seven-passenger vehicle, even though its exterior dimensions resemble that of five passenger cars. Volvo designers made it a point to give the XC90 the illusion of being smaller than it is. Nevertheless, occupants are treated to a high seating position, an appealing feature of an SUV. The middle seat of the second row can be outfitted with an integrated booster seat and allows the seat to slide forward between the first- and second-row seats so that parents have better access to their youngsters.
Rear passengers on each side have their own control unit for the stereo, if they're not too busy watching the optional DVD/CD monitor. Second- and third-row passengers also get side curtain airbag protection, just one of a plethora of safety systems. Others include traction and stability control and ABS with Brake Assist. To address the concern of rollovers, a Roll Stability Control system has been developed that incorporates a gyro-sensor that detects the car's roll angle and speed. If it detects an imminent rollover situation, it activates the stability control system to counteract the motions. Don't forget, though, that physics cannot overcome stupidity. The XC90 also offers Night Vision, incorporating Cadillac technology.
The XC90 retains SUV utility and functionality. With a cargo capacity of 85 cubic feet, it lands on the higher end of the midsize SUV class. An electronically controlled all-wheel drive that takes into account not only road conditions but driver inputs to route power to the rear wheels if loss of traction is detected. Coupled with an impressive 8.6 inches of ground clearance, the Volvo should be able to tackle some treacherous roads not accessible to the likes of the BMW X5, Audi allroad or Lexus RX 300.
Finally, the issue of putting other drivers at risk when you're in a heavier, higher vehicle is addressed by a lower cross member in the front suspension; its purpose is to impact the other car's protective structure and crumple zone.
Why should you care?
Volvo wants to sell more cars; 50 percent more in 2005 than in 2001. They figure an SUV is the only way to achieve that goal. The XC90 is replete with intriguing safety systems. Around 50,000 units will be available in the States. We think those who need the utility and functionality of SUVs, but have been warded off from the still-popular sport-utes because of their well-deserved bad reputation for being gas-guzzling safety hazards, may find the XC90 appealing. — Liz Kim
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