The 2015 Volvo XC90 has started road tests in Europe, ahead of an unveil scheduled to take place by the end of this year. Currently, we know that the new Volvo will be based on the company's new SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform, and will preview the new design language set forth by Thomas Ingenlath, Volvo's design chief.
British publication, Autocar, got to ride along in the new XC90 while it was undergoing winter tests at the Arctic Circle. Here are the new details that have come to light.
As reported earlier, even top-end variants of the Volvo XC90 will use only four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The top-end petrol is turbocharged and supercharged and develops about 300 bhp reports the publication. The drive is transmitted to all four wheels using a mechanical all-wheel drive system and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The new XC90 is claimed to be the lightest car in its class thanks to the use of high-strength steel in its construction. On the outside, the new XC90 will be about 100 mm longer than its predecessor, while dimensions such as width and wheelbase will increase marginally.
Volvo engineers told Autocar that the SUV is 65 percent ready, while work on the chassis is 80 percent complete.
[Source - Autocar UK]
