New Models - Volvo XC90

New entry XC90

Non-turbo: But six-cylinder XC90 is quicker off the mark.

Volvo increases the power, but not the price, of its XC90 SUV - via a 3.2-litre six

21 March 2007

By MARTON PETTENDY

VOLVO Car Australia has introduced a 3.2-litre straight-six petrol engine in its XC90 SUV, replacing the 2.5-litre inline-five turbo but maintaining a sub-$70,000 starting price and an equivalent features level.

Pricing remains at $69,950 for the 3.2, which delivers 175kW and 320Nm – 21kW more power but no gain in torque over the 2.5T.

The engine is paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission, and Volvo claims 0-100km/h acceleration improves from 9.9 seconds in the turbocharged five to 9.5 in the natural-breathing six.

Fuel consumption is also said to fall from 12.0L/100km to 11.8L/100km.

“The XC90 3.2 offers significant improvements, and considering the sub-$70 grand price, we certainly expect it to capture sales and play a large part in the continuing positive transformation of the Volvo brand,” said Volvo Car Australia managing director Alan Desselss.

The 3.2 is expected to account for 40 per cent of all XC90 sales, with the remainder split between the 136kW/400Nm 2.4-litre inline-five D5 turbo-diesel and the 232kW/440Nm 4.4-litre V8 petrol. Standard features include seven seats and leather trim.

Meanwhile, VCA is also now offering an Executive trim level across the XC90 range, which for $6000 over the recommend retail price includes soft-leather upholstery (in all three rows), thick-pile carpeting, a redwood steering wheel, walnut panel inlays, chrome finishing on the wing mirrors and C-pillars, watch-dial instrumentation, 19-inch “Galateia” alloy wheels, colour-co-ordinated wheelarch extensions, a large single oval exhaust outlet (which encases both exhaust pipes), and metallic paint.