Speedmonkey: The 2015 Volvo XC90 Is Finally Revealed

After the longest build up for almost any SUV Volvo has finally revealed the all new XC90. But why is this so important for Volvo?

2015 Volvo XC90

Twelve years ago Volvo was known for building boxy estates and saloons. They weren't sexy cars. They were safe cars. The two didn't mix.

Then along came the XC90, and everything changed for the Swedish company. The XC90 was its first SUV and it was a hit. As far as an SUV can be sexy this was safe and sexy.

Ford, who'd owned Volvo since 1999 sold the company to Geely in 2008. The Chinese company allowed Volvo to flourish, producing a range of good looking cars with a unique identity, although they were still based on Ford chassis' and mainly used Ford based engines.

In 2013 three Volvo concept vehicles were revealed. They came from the pen of Volvo's senior vice-president of design Thomas Ingenlath and looked sensational. These concepts foreshadowed all future Volvo design not just on the surface but underneath.

The concepts are based on Volvo's flexible new chassis architecture which, unlike VW's MQB, allows cars of all sizes to be designed and brought to market quickly. In addition the power plants are Volvo's own range of Drive-E engines.

The reason the XC90 is so significant for Volvo is that it is the first all new, entirely Volvo product in a generation. And it should sell well. The XC90 was a sales success but as it's aged the newer, smaller XC60 SUV has overtaken it as the best selling Volvo.

All engines in the XC90 will be Drive-E engines. Petrol or diesel they're all 4-cylinder, 2-litres. I've already tested the D4 (in the XC60) and liked its power, economy and smoothness.

The range topping engines in the XC90 are the D5 (diesel) and T8 (petrol). The T8 is a plug-in hybrid which is boosted by a turbocharger and a supercharger. It produces a stonking 394bhp and 640Nm/472lb ft of torque yet returns 110mpg and produces 60g/km of CO2. The D5 is a turbocharged diesel and has 225bhp and 470Nm/347lb ft of torque.

Through a combination of construction technique and materials and technology Volvo reckons the new XC90 will be the safest SUV on the market. Check out this video for evidence of that.

The only prices revealed so far are for the D5 AWD Momentum, which costs £45,000 and can be ordered in October and delivered in May 2015, and the special edition First Edition D5 which comes with every option box ticked and costs £68,000. The First Edition is limited to 1,927 (to commemorate Volvo's founding in 1927) and can be ordered from 3 September only via Volvo's global website here.

I'll come back with a review once I've had the chance to drive one of the new XC90s.

2013 Volvo XC90 D5 review