Volvo Cars SA unleash S80, XC90

After previewing its all-new S80 flagship and upgraded XC90 at last month’s Auto Africa Show, Volvo Cars SA has now made both ranges available on the local market.

After previewing its all-new S80 flagship and upgraded XC90 at last month’s Auto Africa Show, Volvo Cars SA has now made both ranges available on the local market.

The focus of the Swedish manufacturer’s stand at the bi-annual expo was the sporty C30, which will find it’s way to our shores in the first quarter of 2007 – look out for a full driving impression in the January edition of CAR Magazine! However, the stand also played host to the new S80 (which was appraised by CAR road test engineer Peter Palm in Sweden earlier this year) and the XC90. The latter offers Volvo Cars’ first production V8 petrol engine (232 kW at 5 950 r/min with 440 N.m of torque at 3 950r/min) and the former’s lineup will be headed by a new 3,2-litre in-line six cylinder (175 kW at 6 200 r/min and 320 N.m at 3 200 r/min).

The enhancements to the XC90 follow three years after the SUV’s initial introduction to South Africa. The exterior has undergone a number of modifications, which include a new grille with more chrome and bumpers with a greater degree of colour-coding. The tail lamps have been redesigned and the reflectors in the bumper are recessed within chrome trim surroundings.

All versions of the XC90 now have colour-coded side trim mouldings and door handles. New wheel-housing mouldings, partly painted in the car’s body colour, are optional. Furthermore, the door mirrors are partly colour-coded and now feature built-in turn indicator repeaters. A new turn indicator function has been added: a push on the indicator stalk flashes the turn indicator three times, which should be useful for when a driver changes lanes.

Two new body colours, Electric Silver metallic and the XC90-unique Shadow Blue, provide added choice, as do the new Camulus 8 x 18 inch aluminium wheels. As an alternative to black roof rails, brushed aluminium can be specified as an option, Volvo says.

As for the interior, new upholsteries have introduced and the exclusive option is the new soft-leather Sovereign Hide trim with contrasting seam stitching and panels in perforated leather.

The centre console has been upgraded with a new display and aluminium-effect trim. Additional options come in the form of a combined instrument with a watch dial-inspired design and an interior rear-view mirror featuring an integrated compass.

In the High Performance and Premium Sound systems it is now possible to play CDs with music in MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) format. All the audio systems are equipped with an extra input (AUX) for connection of external equipment, such as an iPod or MP3 player. The most advanced audio system, Premium Sound, includes a digital class D amplifier from Alpine with ICE Power technology from Bang & Olufsen Powerhouse, Dolby Pro Logic II Surround system and loudspeakers from Dynaudio.

All the engine variants with the exception of the five-cylinder 2,5-litre D5 turbodiesel turbo (producing peak torque of 400 N.m) are mated with a six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission and upgraded all-wheel drive system (includes Instant Traction).

Furthermore, Active Bi-Xenon lights are standard equipment on the XC90 V8 Executive, and can be ordered as an option on the XC90 2,5T and XC90 D5. A microprocessor is used to measure and analyse a number of parameters and optimise the Active Bi-Xenon system’s light pattern. The headlamps can be rotated up to 15 degrees in either direction, and can thus light up longer stretches of twisty road, a Volvo spokesman said. To reduce power consumption, the system is automatically disabled in daylight.

The XC90 can also be equipped with BLIS (blind spot information system). Using cameras built into the door mirrors, BLIS registers whether another vehicle has entered the car’s offset rear blind spot. If so, a light comes on in the relevant mirror to alert the driver and help him or her avoid mid-lane change collision.

:: Click here to read about the new S80 range ::

XC90 prices:

2,5T (Geartronic) 5-seat R440 000

2,5T (Geartronic) 7-seat R470 000

D5 (Manual) 5-seat R450 000

D5 (Geartronic) 5-seat R460 000

D5 (Manual) 7-seat R480 000

D5 (Geartronic) 7-seat R490 000

V8 Sport (Geartronic) 5-seat R535 000

V8 Sport (Geartronic) 7-seat R565 000

V8 Executive (Geartronic) 5-seat R565 000

V8 Executive (Geartronic) 7-seat R595 000

S80 prices:

2,5T (Geartronic) R350 000

3,2 (Geartronic) R385 000

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TAGS | africa, car magazine, south africa, sweden CATEGORIES : New Models, News