![]() ![]() The XC90's roof is reinforced with ultra-high-strength steel to help prevent a collapse in the passenger cavity in the event of a roll-over. Volvo has patented the unique frontal structure that features crumple zones, and predetermined positions for the engine and other ancillaries during a frontal impact. The Volvo XC90's front end is designed to absorb frontal impacts and also deflect any pedestrians up on to the hood of the vehicle rather than underneath the vehicle. The 235 hp (175 kW 238 PS) 3.2 L SI6 straight-6 engine replaced the 208 hp (155 kW 211 PS) B524T2 straight-5 in the base model for the US market. The XC90 was updated for 2007 with a restyled front and rear and a revised interior. Jeremy Clarkson, ex-host of Top Gear, has previously owned three XC90s, and claims they were designed by "someone who must've had children due to its practicality." The XC90 won the North American Car of the Year award and Motor Trend magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year for 2003. Volvo sold just over 40,000 XC90 units in North America that year. This 4.4-litre Volvo B8444S engine produced 288 hp (215 kW) for the first few models later upgraded to 311 hp (232 kW) and 325 lb⋅ft (441 N⋅m) of torque. The T6 was offered only with the AWD system.Ī Yamaha V8 engine was added in 2005. While the 2.5T came standard with front-wheel drive, a Haldex Traction all-wheel drive (AWD) system was optional. The T6 offered a 2.9-litre B6294T twin-turbocharged inline-six with 268 hp (200 kW) and 280 lb⋅ft (380 N⋅m) mated to a GM-sourced, Volvo-modified four-speed 4T65EV/GT automatic. The 2.5 T was the entry level version and offered a 2.5-litre B5254T2 "T5" turbocharged inline-five engine, producing 208 hp (155 kW) and 236 lb⋅ft (320 N⋅m) mated to an Aisin co-developed five-speed AW55-50/51 automatic. Īt its North American launch for the 2003 model year, the XC90 was presented with a choice of two trim levels, the 2.5 T and the T6. Production began in August 2002, after Volvo's traditional mid-year shutdown, with the first XC90s coming out of the Torslanda factory in Sweden. In January 2002, the full XC90 unveiling occurred, at the North American International Auto Show. Notable as Volvo's first SUV model, the styling of the XC90 recalled the concept. In November 2001, Volvo released a teaser image showing the frontal styling of the production version, named the XC90. Volvo XC90 was named 2003 North American Truck of the Year by a jury of 49 independent automotive journalists.In January 2001, Volvo débuted its Adventure Concept Car at the North American International Auto Show, to gauge reaction to the styling and features of its upcoming SUV. It's powered by turbocharged five-cylinder and six-cylinder engines and we actually preferred the 2.5T five-cylinder version. The XC90 offers a comfortable ride quality and handles well. Unlike the BMW, the new Volvo is roomy, with a versatile interior that boasts more cargo space than the Mercedes M-Class, Acura MDX, and other vehicles in this class. It has a unique low front chassis crossmember, about the same height as the bumper of a sedan, designed to inflict less damage on any vehicle or its occupants that the XC90 might strike.Ī totally new vehicle, the 2003 Volvo XC90 looks like a cross between a Volvo Cross Country wagon and a BMW X5. ![]() ![]() It has a gyroscopic sensor that detects a possible impending rollover, activating a Roll Stability Control system to apply braking and cut throttle to correct the imbalance also, there's a high-strength steel roof structure, just in case. It gets good gas mileage and the five-cylinder version has ultra-low (ULEV) emissions. Volvo says its new XC90 is 'the first SUV with a conscience.' It gets straight to the heart of the matter by directly addressing the three big SUV issues.
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