Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90
Overview
Manufacturer	Volvo Cars
Production	2003–present
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury crossover SUV
Body style	4-door SUV
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive

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

First generation (2002–present)

Volvo XC90
Pre-facelift Volvo XC90 2.5 T (Australia)
Overview
Production	August 2002–present
Assembly	Torslanda, Sweden
Designer	Doug Frasher (1999) [1][2]
Body and chassis
Platform	Volvo P2 platform
Powertrain
Engine	2.5 L 210 hp turbocharged I5 2.9 L 272 hp turbocharged I6 3.2 L 238 hp I6 4.4 L 315 hp V8 2.4 L 185 hp (163 hp) Diesel I5
Transmission	5-speed Volvo M56 manual 4-speed GM 4T65EV/GT automatic 5-speed Aisin AF33 automatic 6-speed Aisin AWTF-80 SC automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2003–04 & 2007–present: 2,857 mm (112.5 in) 2005–06: 2,859 mm (112.6 in)
Length	2003–06: 4,821 mm (189.8 in) 2007–present: 4807 mm (189.3 in)
Width	2003-2012: 1909 mm (74.7 in) 2013-: 76.2 in (1,935 mm)
Height	1784 mm (70.2 in)

At the January 2001 North American International Auto Show, hosted at Detroit, Volvo showcased the Adventure Concept Car to gauge reaction to the styling and features of its upcoming SUV.^[3] Then in November 2001, Volvo released a teaser image showing the frontal styling of the production version, titled XC90. Notable as Volvo's first SUV model, the styling of the XC90 remained true to the concept.^[4] The full XC90 unveiling occurred in January 2002 at the North American International Auto Show.^[4] Production began in August 2002 after Volvo's traditional mid-year shutdown, with the first XC90s coming out of the Torslanda factory in Sweden.^[4]

Pre-facelift Volvo XC90 2.5 T (Australia)

Facelift Volvo XC90 D5 (Australia)

Facelift Volvo XC90 3.2 (Australia)

At its North American launch for the 2003 model year, it was presented with a choice of two trim levels, the 2.5 T and the T6. The 2.5 T was the entry level version and offered a 2.5-litre B5254T2 "T5" turbocharged inline-five engine, putting out 208 hp (155 kW) and 236 lb·ft (320 N·m) mated to an Aisin co-developed five-speed AW55-50/51 automatic. 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. While the 2.5T came standard with front-wheel drive, a Haldex Traction all-wheel drive (AWD) system was optional. The T6 was offered only with the AWD system.

A new Yamaha V8 engine was added in 2005. This 4.4-litre Volvo B8444S V8 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. Volvo sold just over 40,000 XC90 units in North America that year.^[5]

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

The Passion Red avatar of the XC90 was heavily showcased in the 2009 Bollywood blockbuster 3 Idiots, which has since become Bollywood's biggest box office success to date. Curiosity and demand for the car went up hugely in India and elsewhere, after its prominent feature in the film.

Safety

As with all Volvo models, the car's safety is a key part of its design. The Volvo XC90's 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 vehicle. Volvo has patented the unique frontal structure that has renowned crumple zones, and 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 Roll Stability Control (RSC), DSTC, and SIPS systems of Volvo to prevent and ultimately minimize effects of a pending accident.

The XC90 has been designed on the rear end to absorb impact energy, but the occupants are also protected by a whiplash protection system. This Volvo WHIPS system cradles the entire body of the occupants when they are jolted during a rear end collision.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Volvo XC90 their Top Safety Pick award. The XC90 was granted the IIHS's highest rating of "good" in front, side, rear and roof strength tests and has Electronic Stability Control as standard equipment to receive the award.^[6]

The industry-first Roll Stability Control was first introduced in XC90 in 2003.^[7][8]

Interior

At the end of July 2007, Volvo Car Corp. announced the recall of 42,211 2005 model year XC90s in order to check their batteries to avoid the risk of an internal short circuit and fire. The vehicles were manufactured in the Swedish Torslanda Plant between June 7, 2004 and May 13, 2005.^[9] The recall only applies to cars in the U.S. and Canada.^[10] There have been no reports of short circuiting in the vehicles.^{[citation needed]}

¹ vehicle structure rated "Good"

² strength-to-weight ratio: 4.51

Reliability

Many owners of the T6 variant reported very early transmission failures, many before 60,000 miles (97,000 km).^[12][13][14] Some owners reportedly went through two transmissions in that time.^[15] The GM-sourced 4T65EV/GT transmissions usually show symptoms of failure by suddenly slipping while in gear. There was no recall for this issue, but the faults are widely known and documented. Various causes have been given, ranging from engine coolant entering the transmission fluid to problems arising from Volvo's modification of the original GM valve body^[16] unit inside the transmission, but none has been substantiated. Non-GM sourced transmissions have not suffered unusual failures of this type.

Many owners of early V8 models in 2005 and some in 2006 have reported problems with the counterbalance shaft. A crevice in the engine block where one of the sealed bearings is located collects water if the engine has been in a wet environment such as washing the engine bay. If the engine is not allowed to heat up and evaporate the water out of the crevice, the bearing will fail prematurely. This issue was addressed and fixed by Volvo by drilling a drain hole in the crevice.

2007 Facelift

The XC90 was updated for 2007 with a restyled front and rear and a revised interior. 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 2007 XC90 debuted in April 2006 at the New York Auto Show.

2009, 2010, and 2012 Updates

For the 2009 model year, the XC90 received a new rear logo, featuring larger lettering with wider spaces between the "VOLVO" letters.

In 2010, all XC90 models received painted wheel arches (previously they were optional). In addition, a new, larger, circular Volvo logo appeared on the front grille.

For the 2012 model year, new LED tail-lights became available on certain models, although entry-level models retain the previous style.

Second generation

In May 2012 it was announced that the second generation XC90 will go into production in late 2014.^[17] For 2013, the XC90 received a cosmetic refresh that included standard LED daytime running lights and taillights, and an exterior touchup that saw the addition of body color bumpers, rocker panels, and new silver trim to replace the black plastic that was previously used. The refreshed model went on sale during late spring 2012. Base price was $40,395 for a front-wheel drive Base model.^[18]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Volvo XC90.

• 2003-2011 Volvo XC90 Review
• XC90 Gallery - FamilyCar.com