Volvo XC90

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 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 (153kW; 208PS) and 236ft·lbf (320N·m) 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 (200kW; 272PS) and 280ft·lbf (380N·m) mated to a GM-sourced, Volvo modified 4T65EV/GT 4 speed automatic. While the 2.5T came standard with front wheel drive, a Haldex Traction 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 4.4L Ford V8 engine produces 311hp (232kW; 315PS) and 325ft·lbf (441N·m) 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 235hp (175kW; 238PS) 3.2 L SI6 straight-6 engine replaced the 208hp (155kW; 211PS) 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.

Safety

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]