Volvo XC90

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Volvo XC90
Manufacturer Volvo Cars
Parent company Ford Motor Company
Production 2002–2012, ?–?
Assembly Torslanda, Sweden
Shah Alam, Malaysia
Class Mid-size crossover SUV
Layout Front engine, four-wheel drive
Platform Volvo P2 platform
Engine(s) 2.5 L 210 hp turbocharged I5
2.9 L (straight-6, 272 hp), 3.2 L 238 hp I6
4.4 L 315 hp V8
2.4 L 185 hp (163 hp) Diesel I5
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual, 4/5/6-speed automatic
Wheelbase 2003-04 & 2007-present: 2857 mm (112.5 in)
2005-06: 2859 mm (112.6 in)
Length 2003-06: 4821 mm (189.8 in)
2007-present: 4807 mm (189.3 in)
Width 1909 mm (74.7 in)
Height 1784 mm (70.2 in)
Fuel capacity 80 L (21.1 US gal/17.6 imp gal)
Related Volvo S60
Volvo S80
Volvo V70
Volvo XC70

The Volvo XC90 is a mid-size crossover produced by Volvo Cars since it was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show 2002. It is based on the P2 platform, shared with the Volvo S80 and other large Volvo cars. As Volvo's top-selling vehicle in the United States,the XC90 is also Volvo's best selling model worldwide with 85,994 cars sold in 2005.

At its launch as a 2003 model, it was presented with a choice of two models, the 2.5T and the T6. The 2.5T was the entry level version and offered a 2.5L 20 valve turbocharged inline 5 engine putting out 205hp and 236 lb-ft mated to an Aisin co-developed AW55-50/51 5 speed automatic. The T6 offered a 2.9L 24 valve twin turbocharged inline 6 with 268hp and 280lb-ft mated to a GM-sourced, Volvo modified 4T65EV/GT 4 speed automatic. While the 2.5T came standard with front wheel drive, a Haldex all wheel drive system was optional. The T6 was offered only with the AWD system.

A new Ford/Yamaha V8 engine was added in 2005. This 4.4 L Ford V8 engine produces 311 hp (232 kW) and 325 ft·lbf (441 Nm) of torque. The XC90 V8 will be priced at just over US$45,000 and it is expected that more than 15,000 would be sold per year.

The XC90 won the North American Car of the Year award and Motor Trend magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year for 2003.

The XC90 was updated for 2007 with a restyled front and rear and a revised interior. The 235 hp 3.2 L SI6 straight-6 engine replaced the 208 hp B524T2 straight-5 in the base model for the US market. The 2007 XC90 debuted in April 2006 at the New York Auto Show.

The XC90 is produced at Volvo's Torslanda Plant (Torslandaverken) in Sweden.

Contents

[edit] Safety

2007 Volvo XC90 V8
2007 Volvo XC90 V8

The XC90 is also known for the world's best performance in the SUV roll over test, as many other premium brands neglect to test this feature on their models.[citation needed] The Volvo XC90 front end is specifically designed to absorb frontal impacts and also deflect any pedestrians up on to the hood of the vehicle rather than underneath the bonnet. Volvo has patented the unique frontal structure that has renowned crumple zones, and a pre-determined positions for the engine and other ancillaries during a frontal impact.[citation needed]

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. This Volvo system is called ROPS, and is closely associated with the RSC, DSTC, and SIPS systems of Volvo to prevent and ultimately minimize effects of a pending accident.

This Volvo SUV has been designed on the rear end to absorb impact energy, but the occupants are also protected by one of the world's most advanced whiplash protection systems. This Volvo WHIPS system cradles the entire body of the occupants when jolted in a rear end collision.

The XC90 has scored the highest rating of "Good" in the IIHS crash test; notably the rear impact, side impact, and roll over; for numerous years since its debut and most recently on.[citation needed]


[edit] Reliability

Many owners of the T6 variant have reported very early transmission failures, many before 60,000 miles. Some owners have reportedly gone through two transmissions in that time. The GM-sourced 4T65EV/GT transmissions usually show symptoms of failure by suddenly slipping while in gear. There has not been a recall for this issue, but the faults are widely known and documented. Various causes have been claimed, ranging from engine coolant entering the transmission fluid to problems arising from Volvo's modification of the original GM valve body unit inside the transmission, but none have been substantiated.


[edit] The 2007 recall

At the end of July 2007, Volvo Car Corp. announced the recall of 42,211 2005 year XC90's in order to check their batteries to avoid the risk of an internal short circuit and fire. The vehicles were manufactured in the Swedish Torslandaverken between June 7, 2004 and May 13, 2005.[1] The recall only applies to cars in the U.S. and Canada.[2] There have been no reports of short circuiting in the vehicles.


[edit] Second generation

The updated XC90 that was scheduled for 2010 introduction, has been canceled. Instead, the current model will undergo a facelift that will keep it on the market until 2012.[3] Volvo has stated that the second generation XC90 is not cancelled altogether, as rumored, but its introduction could be delayed. The next generation was sent back to the engineering board to improve the vehicles weight, handling, and most important of all, its fuel efficency.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Volvo recalls SUVs due to fire risk", Bloomberg News / The Arizona Republic, 2007-07-25. Retrieved on 2007-07-27. 
  2. ^ Volvo to recall 42,000 cars in North America because of short circuit risk - International Herald Tribune
  3. ^ SUVs are in their death throes - Dec. 18, 2007
  4. ^ Second Generation Volvo XC90 Canceled

[edit] External links

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