Previous XC90 was launched in 2003

This is the fifth year that the XC90 has been on sale in Malaysia and the thing about being around so long is that as new models appear, the public tends to forget or overlook the model. Yet a look at the numbers reveals that 1,110 units were sold here up till the end of 2007, by far the highest number for a SUV in the premium segment which includes models such as the BMW X5/X3, Mercedes M-Class, Lexus RX350 and more recently, the VW Touareg. The Lexus RX/Toyota Harrier may actually sell in rather large numbers but many are not reconditioned units and official sales only began last year. Though the success of the first year of introduction has not been repeated (325 units in 6 months because the XC90 was introduced in the middle of 2003), the model has been the best-selling premium SUV in Malaysia.

XC90 has been best-selling premium SUV since its launch till today

2008 sees updates being made to the XC90 rather than a full model change though this is not unusual for a European product, especially a premium one. The Europeans are not caught in the frequent model change syndrome that Asian carmakers have and the longer model cycles also help in holding resale value somewhat.

The overall design remains the same and in fact, the shape must be considered still in fashion as Steve Mattin, who heads Volvo design, has adapted it for the new XC60 as well. Though the first 3-row premium SUV, its dimensions were not stretched disproportionately and it has a balanced look.  It’s a clean shape, functional as you’d expect of a Scandinavian product and it still manages not to look like a stationwagon.

Given that the XC90 remains popular, Volvo chose not to mess to much with what appears to be a successful package and the list of changes are mainly cosmetic. There are subtle changes and certainly in the course of 5 years, improvements would have been made internally but are probably too small and numerous for the engineers to detail.

Bumpers have more colour-coordination and headlights are now xenons

On the list of changes are xenon headlights now fitted and the uniquely shaped tail lights are also new with a separate bulb for the brake light. The grille area is also changed but unless you put the earlier model side by side, you won’t be able to tell. The door mirrors get signal indicators at last and there’s more colour-coordination on the bodywork. On the roof, the rails are aluminium (not sure what they were of before) and the rear bumper gets a new skidplate design. Three new colours are also available for the 2008 model - Shadow Blue, Oyster Grey and Electric Silver.

Under the bonnet, there are no engine choices – for now. Only the 2.5-litre petrol 5-cylinder engine is available and is the same one with a light-pressure turbocharger, delivering 154 kW (210 bhp) and maximum torque of 320 Nm from 1500 ~ 4500 rpm. The transmission is a 5-speed Geartronic unit which offers manual shifting as well (but only by using the normal shifter).

According to Robert Norrman, President of Volvo Car Malaysia, a turbodiesel option should be in the showrooms during the second half of the year. This would most likely be the 5-cylinder 2.4-litre D5 unit with a variable geometry turbocharger.

The drivetrain of the XC90 is All-Wheel Drive (developed with Haldex) which means not only mean torque goes to all four wheels all the time but the amount between the front and rear axles is ‘intelligently’ varied according to surface conditions. On surfaces with normal grip, eg highways, most of the torque goes to the front wheels but if there is slip at the front, then torque is diverted in progressive amounts to the rear wheels. And to give even better traction in difficult conditions, torque is also optimised to each wheel so that even when one wheel is off the ground, the others can still pull the Volvo forward.

Roll Stability Control system works to prevent tipping over during extremely hard cornering

As mentioned earlier, Volvo would not put a new model on the market if it did not meet its superlative safety standards and the Roll-Stability Control (RSC) system was what made it different because this addressed the known risk of a tall SUV tipping to one side during hard cornering. It’s not something that plagues SUVs but because their centre of gravity is higher than a car’s and yet the modern SUVs handle almost like cars, people tend to drive them faster round corners. Volvo’s RSC system (developed together with Ford) has a gyro-sensor to detect roll speed and roll angle. A computer analyses this data and if there is a risk of the vehicle tipping over, then the DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) system is activated. The DSTC system is a vehicle stability system that most premium models have but it is the RSC system working with it that makes the difference. The DSTC system works on each wheel, using braking forces, to create counteracting forces to stabilize the car so the additional signals from the RSC system enable it to work even better. The DSTC system can also reduce engine torque to reduce wheelspin.

Of course, there will be times when all the electronic devices cannot prevent an accident and this is where the Passive Safety provisions start their work. Besides the frontal airbags, the XC90 also has inflatable curtain airbags all along the side windows (right to the rear roof pillar) which will deploy when needed to give added protection to the occupants. So should the vehicle tip over and the glass shatters, there is less risk of the occupants heads being injured.

There are also other safety features which can be found in Volvos such as ABS, EBD, Brake Assistance and the seats are also designed to reduce whiplash injuries. Volvo is also proud to be the only manufacturer to offer an integrated booster seat for smaller children to be safely accommodated in the middle of the second row. To provide extra legroom, the console box can be detached.

Unlike other Volvos, XC90 interior has dark colour

SIPS – the Side Impact Protection System developed by Volvo – should also not be forgotten. Way back in the early 1990s with the 850, Volvo came out with SIPS which was among the first passive safety features to effectively reduce impact forces on the side of the vehicle. It works by a series of beams in the floor which distribute impact energy under the cabin, rather then trying to stop it in the door panels using the conventional anti-intrusion beams.

The inside of the latest XC90 looks pretty much the same as before and rather interestingly, the cabin has a dark grey colour rather than the light cream shades which is often seen in the Scandinavian cars. The Swedes have a thing about light and like to brighten up interiors but the XC90 is an exception (maybe because it is a SUV and the cabin might get dirty more easily?).

If you’ve been in a XC90 before, then you would recognise all the elements and think they are the same. But look closely and you will see the subtle changes. For example, the instruments are new and have a ‘watch dial’ face with metallic rims in place of the previous ones which were quite plain. There’s more metallic trim used to highlight many areas and apparently, the inner ceiling is new.

There’s still no sunroof, something which one would expect of a SUV in this price class. Though being assembled locally may be a reason, it cannot be used as an excuse since other premium models assembled locally can have sunroofs.

Volvo Navigation System display screen

Headrests have built-in monitors for rear passengers

The audio system was also highlighted as having additional capability to play mp3/WMA formats with an auxiliary port to accept iPod input. However, there is no USB port provided, something which is becoming a familiar feature on after-market head units.

Our testcars were fitted with the Volvo Navigation System (VNS) which is displayed on a LCD panel that rises out of the middle part of the dashboard. The VNS provides useful route guidance and travel information using GPS signals to track the position of the XC90 on the planet. Digital maps of Malaysia are pre-installed and cover many large urban areas, especially the Klang Valley.

In the previous XC90, there were additional sockets for rear passengers to plug into and listen to their own music (great for parents!) and in the latest one, we noticed that the back of the headrests also had integrated LCD screens with input sockets which may or may not also allow interface with gaming devices. It’s clear that the interior designers expect this Volvo to be very much a family vehicle and have provided features to keep children happy on long trips… and their parents sane (less of the ‘are we there yet?’ questions every 10 kms!).

At the media preview in Putrajaya this morning, the program included a brief drive to the Sepang Circuit, not to race around the track but to take the XC90 off-road to prove its capabilities. The drive to the circuit showed that it’s pretty much the same as what was experienced on the long drive to Johor in 2003, the engine and shifting characteristics noticeably smooth. The engine was still in the testcar so its full performance was not yet available.

On the off-road course behind the Sepang Circuit, we were invited to drive the XC90 on a route which is very familiar by now. It has a very rough section at the start which has deep ruts and one wheel will rise off the ground, a slope, a ‘canal’ of muddy water and various climbs and drops, ending with a very steep drop. Suffice to say the XC90 go through it all without difficulty though it is clear that if the conditions were very muddy, those street tyres would become slicks very fast and AWD or not, the vehicle might have problems.

Owners are unlikely to do this kind of driving unless forced to!

The transmission is not really designed for off-road purposes, it seems. For one thing, there is no transfer case and no dual range with extra-low ratios although that’s typical of the modern SUVs. However, some have a hill descent feature which makes driving down steep slopes no sweat as the computer becomes your ‘professional off-road driver’ and moderates the speed so all you have to do is steer. The Volvo doesn’t have this so apart from using 1st gear on a steep slope, some use of the brakes is needed as the vehicle goes down because even the lowest gear ratio does not provide enough engine braking.

But that’s would be a minor issue to the majority of owners who are unlikely to put their XC90 through the same things we did. It can do it but as many studies have found, most SUV owners never take their vehicles off-road and if they do, it is usually not in extremely difficult conditions. Besides, with a pricetag of RM349,800 (about RM9,300 more than the 2007 model, excluding insurance), few would be inclined to purposely drive through mud and deep jungle! But it is reassuring to know that if there is a flood on the way home, you can deviate off the highway and find an alternative route.

The three new colours for the 2008 model

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