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Volvo has unleashed its latest seven-seater upon the kingdom, and the marque is hoping that its raft of new features will see it become a big hit.
Unveiled by distributor Motorcity at a glitzy ceremony at the Capital Club, the Volvo XC90 is a luxury SUV featuring the world-renowned safety features the brand is known for, alongside updated technology, power and fuel efficiency.
The XC90 is the first Volvo to carry the marque’s new more prominent iron mark, which will be the new distinctive branding for the company’s next generation of cars. The bonnet size has been increased, while the shoulders have been sharpened and the wheel size increased to 22 inches to create a more masculine feel.
The interior is also considered to be the most luxurious yet, with fine Nappa leather and handcrafted wood panelling, a crystal glass gear level and diamond-cut controls. Topping it off is the tablet-style touch screen which houses the new infotainment system that integrates between itself, the steering wheel and the driver via voice-control.
A four-zone climate system should eliminate any family quarrels on longer journeys as individual settings for the occupants in the front seats and second row are available, with a separate air-conditioning unit for the third row also included.
Volvo Cars’ Clean Zone air purification system has been further improved by adding a new carbon filter for more efficient capturing of small, harmful particles and pollen from the incoming air.
Under the bonnet, a two-litre, four-cylinder engine delivers 320BHP and 400Nm of torque thanks to its supercharger and turbocharger, with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
As to be expected from the marque, the XC90 features a sophisticated safety suite as the company aims towards its vision that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2020.
It includes two world first safety technologies: a run-off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability. In a run-off road scenario, the XC90 detects what is happening and the front safety belts are tightened to keep the occupants in position. To help prevent spinal injuries, energy-absorbing functionality between the seat and seat frame cushions the vertical forces that can arise when the car encounters a hard landing.
Secondly, the XC90 is the first car in the world with technology that features automatic braking if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car. This is a common scenario at busy city crossings as well as on highways, where the speed limits are higher.
On the driver support side, the new Adaptive Cruise Control with Pilot Assist enables safe and comfortable semi-autonomous driving by automatically following the vehicle ahead in stop-and-go traffic. Acceleration, braking and now also steering are controlled automatically.
Volvo Car Corporation, the Swedish premium automobile manufacturer, headquartered in the VAK building in Gothenburg, is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group of China.
The Volvo XC90 is available now from the Motorcity showroom in Sitra. Prices start from BD25,500. For more information, call 17879222 or email Volvo@motorcity.com.bh
