Volvo’s primary focus on safety
The thing that has always stood Swedish Automaker Volvo apart from other manufacturers is its primary focus on safety, an attitude which has rightly earned it plaudits. With this in mind it is always exciting when Volvo decides to look at the MPV market. After all, this is a segment which is all about moving people, and often families, which surely makes Volvo a prime candidate to compete favourably.
New Xc90 to look like Discovery
The major plus about newly released plans for the third installment of the popular Volvo XC90 is that the aesthetics appear to also be a major part of the design process, and that can only help Volvo establish loyal followers outside of its usual fanbase. Indeed, drawings seen so far suggest the new XC90 is set to look a lot like a Land Rover Discovery, which is no bad thing, just a bit more curvy.
New Volvo Xc90 People Carrier
Launching in 2014
So what else can we expect from the new XC90 when it finally launches, probably sometime around 2014? Well, the word on the street is that it will offer far greater fuel efficiency on the current model with a range of diesel engine choices. There is also rumour of a hybrid edition, but that would almost certainly come even later than the petrol and diesel models. Other than that little else is known about the vehicle as it continues to undergo development at Volvo’s Concept Centre in California.
Safety
The original version of this vehicle has proven a major player in this segment of the MPV market. In 2003 it won Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year in Motor Trend, along with North American Car of the Year. On safety it is second to none, as you would expect. The roof uses the ROPS system of reinforced ultra high grade steel to prevent a collapse in the structure of the passenger cavity if and when the car roles over in an accident. There is a whiplash protection system, a rear impact system which absorbs huge amounts of energy and a pre-gauged position for the engine during a front collision. This has led to independent safety standards placing the Volvo XC90 in the highest category.
Current Volvo Xc90 People Carrier
40,000 XC90s recalled
Other factors that have earned this MPV a name for itself have been less deliberate. In 2009, the XC90 featured heavily in the Bollywood film 3 Idiots, the biggest smash in Indian film history, prompting a surge in popularity on the subcontinent. All of this means the latest installment of the XC90 is hugely anticipated, especially as there are a few minor things that Volvo needs to fix. The Swedish carmaker was forced to recall over 40,000 vehicles in July, 2007, over a feared battery fault. This only applied in North America, however, and no cases of short circuiting or any other major electrical faults were found in the vehicles. More of a problem was the wearing down of the transmission.
Purchase Price
Exact prices for the 3rd Generation XC90 haven’t yet been released but it is anticipated they will be between £35,000 and £43,000.
There is certainly room for a little improvement when the new XC90 does materialise in 2014. Overall it looks like it will be a sleek, well engineered machine, and therefore a major contender.
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