Volvo XC90 release date and rumours

Though the release of the Volvo XC90 is not due until 2015, news on the model has been revealed ahead of it's launch. Rumours state that the vehicle could see a full reveal this year before it goes on sale for around £40,000 next year. This means that the Volvo could be seen as early as the 2014 Paris Motor Show.

What powers the new Volvo XC90?

The XC90 is expected to come exclusively with the new range of 2.0 litre four cylinder petrol and diesel Drive-e engines, and for the first time there will be a front wheel drive alternative to the standard four wheel drive. Volvo has yet to release power and emissions figures for the XC90, but in the V40 the 187bhp D4 engine returns 74.3mpg economy and emits just 99g/km of CO2, while the 242bhp T5 petrol claims 47.9mpg and 137g/km. A flagship XC90 hybrid will use a supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine to drive the front axle and an electric motor at the rear for a total of around 400bhp and 600Nm of torque.

All XC90s will gain an eight speed auto transmission but Volvo has confirmed the SPA platform will support a manual box for use in it's saloons and estates.

How will the Volvo XC90 look?

The second generation XC90 will be a big step in Volvo's development under Chinese owner Geely. The model's design is influenced by the recent Coupe, XC Coupe and Estate concepts seen at various industry motor shows.

On either side of the new grille shape sit slimmer headlights which feature distinctive T-shaped LED running lights. A smooth crease follows the shoulder line, while kinked horizontal tail lights give the rear an unmistakable signature at night.

The XC90 is to be the first model on the brand's Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA), which will underpin all future large Volvos. So far, the vehicle has only been spotted as a prototype and then testing in Sweden. From these sightings it's possible to see that the new model will be similar to a BMW X5 in size, and given the rollcage and racing seats visible inside, it is likely that the test car has been undergoing calibration tests for the new ESP system.

The SUV will also feature class-leading safety tech, with all the passive safety and collision avoidance systems standard on every model. Inside, Volvo’s designers have followed Tesla’s lead with a 9.3 inch portrait screen compatible with Apple’s new CarPlay interface. The sat nav, audio, climate and car settings are controlled with swipe and pinch gestures, like on a smartphone.

Comments on the Volvo XC90

Volvo's Senior Vice President of Research and Development, Peter Mertens, commented, “The new car will be only slightly bigger on the outside, but with more space inside. The look will be a development of the latest Volvo designs, but won’t draw too much from the Concept You car [shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011].”

More details on the new Volvo XC90 will become available closer to the model's launch.