Volvo’s supermodel wagon arrives in the Philippines
VOLVO continues to build on one of its core strengths — making wagons with Swedish supermodel looks but which can also traverse tough terrain — with the new V90 Cross Country. In early June the brand’s distributor in the Philippines released this model.
The latest in Volvo’s Cross Country line, which started almost 20 years ago, the V90 Cross Country follows its predecessors’ form- follows- function design that mixes together high-end materials with classic proportions and controlled surfacing. Volvo described the car’s styling as “rugged yet elegant,” noting that the V90’s grille and headlights were inspired by the Volvo Concept Estate of 2014. The car’s upright grille, high belt line, large wheels, panoramic roof and LED headlights all give it a Volvo identity, the company said.
Beneath the sheet metal is a spacious, luxurious cabin that features all of Volvo’s newest connectivity and entertainment devices. Switches and buttons are replaced by a touch screen panel, eliminating clutter, and handcrafted materials are “further expressions of Scandinavian luxury,” Volvo said.
Another intelligent system is Volvo’s Sensus technology, which allows voice control operation for the car’s entertainment, information and navigation devices. Smart phone integration and the Android Auto feature that have special interfaces for the car’s center display further make using various mobile devices safe for drivers, Volvo said.
As a Volvo, the V90 Cross Country is fitted with advanced safety systems like Pilot Assist, the brand’s semi-autonomous driving system, and Park Assist Pilot.
According to Volvo, the V90 Cross Country, underpinned by its Scalable Product Architecture, has undergone “rigorous testing to ensure that it can survive the extremes in which it will ultimately find itself.” The car was tested in the northern part of Sweden, where temperatures regularly hit -40˚C, and in the deserts of Arizona, US, where it was subjected to high heat.
Adding to the V90 Cross Country’s capabilities is its increased ground clearance — 65 millimeters higher when compared to the V90 on which the car is based. This increase in approach and departure angles help in making the car’s front and rear to clear steep slopes and uneven surfaces.
Propelling the car is Volvo’s Drive-E power train, which fuses low emissions and fuel economy with performance. In the Philippines, the V90 Cross Country packs a 2.0-liter, inline-four diesel engine that, through the help of two turbochargers, makes 235hp at 4,000rpm and 480Nm at 1,750-2,250rpm. Sending the power to an all-wheel drive system is an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Speaking of which, the V90 Cross Country’s all-wheel drive unit uses a compact coupling to distribute the engine’s power between the front and rear wheels. In dry conditions, practically all of the power goes to the front wheels. But the system also constantly calculates if the rear wheels need traction, and can instantly redistribute up to 50% of the engine’s power to the back axle.
The V90 Cross Country is truly one capable Swedish supermodel.