VOLVO XC90 RECHARGE PLUG-IN HYBRID T8 AWD INSCRIPTION by Tony Yates
When I first got a glimpse of the new updated XC90 Recharge – I was jumping for joy because Volvo had made good on all its promises of producing something bold and new and what you now see before you is something that I can only describe as a thing of beauty which will have the hairs on the back of your neck standing up for some time to come .
Another little secret : I now own a Volvo XC40 Recharge , its smaller brother as to say , so I am now finally classed as being cool and hip - and like a Cruise Missile , many of my friends are now locked onto the path of the nearest Volvo dealership .
Power and Efficiency : The XC90 is comfortable and is agile enough to keep up with the demands of most of what you throw at it – but to be honest , you don ’ t drive around in a luxury XC90 with your hair on fire – you simply glide . If you do decide to push the car a bit ‘ gung-ho ’ down a quiet country lane or even around some twisty curves you will find it ’ s very smooth and very controlled . My test vehicle was also fitted with the Active Four-C Chassis ( option ). This equips the XC90 with electronically controlled air suspension in place of the front coil springs and rear transverse leaf spring , with separate air chambers for each wheel . Adaptive dampers are also included .
Interior & Technology : The XC90 is a car that stands out from what everybody else is driving around you . It is very futuristic looking , but it does keep some of the standard Volvo appearances that I loved so much about the older model – such as being Big & Bold .
Inside is a real pleasure to behold . It ’ s well equipped and has some very nice touches around the centre console . To be honest , sitting in here is like sitting in the Royal Suite at The Goring , where everything you will ever need is just a button push or arm ’ s reach away . Volvo has done a brilliant job of making you feel like it was made just for you .
Space : Inside the cabin is a big plus point for the XC90 , it has plenty of room for everyone . Boot space is brilliant and even better with its split-folding seats . There is more than enough space in here for your entire family , even with the use of the seven seats , there is still enough room for a few bags etc … not like some seven-seat cars I have come across in the past , where you see the thirdrow passengers faces being contorted against the glass in the rear window due to lack of rear seating space .
Standard equipment on the New XC90 starts with ; Nine-inch centre console touchscreen with voice-activated control , Volvo On Call with the app – available for your smartphone , smartwatch or tablet , this enables you to control various car functions remotely , and also acts as an emergency and tracking service , Sensus Navigation – full European mapping with traffic information and lifetime map updates , Sensus Connect – allows you to access a range of web apps , Data SIM card – provides up to 100GB of data for 12 months , City Safety – includes pedestrian , cyclist and large animal detection , and front collision warning with fully automatic emergency braking , including at junctions ( a world first ) Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control – this driver-assistance technology helps with the steering ( up to 80mph ) and takes care of the accelerator and brake inputs required to keep the car within lane markings and at the desired cruising speed .
Oncoming Lane Mitigation – automatically provides steering assistance if you unwittingly drift out of your lane , guiding you back into your lane and out of the path of any oncoming vehicles , Run-off Road Protection – automatically tightens the front seatbelts should the car inadvertently leave the road , while front seat frames with a collapsible section ( a world first ) reduce vertical forces to help prevent spinal injuries , LED headlights with active high beam , Two-zone climate control with CleanZone air-quality system , Poweroperated tailgate with hands-free opening , Rear parking camera , Front and rear parking sensors , 12.3-inch active TFT crystal driver ’ s information display , Seven seats – three second-row individual folding seats with fore / aft adjustment and two third-row individual folding seats and heated front seats .
Safety : Well , let ’ s just say it ’ s a Volvo and it has you and your family fully covered . There probably isn ' t a safer vehicle anywhere from any other brand .
To sum up : Would I buy one ?
A big fat YES , but I can ’ t afford one , which is why I opted for its smaller brother , the brilliant XC40 Recharge – but as a bloke - I , really , really do want to own an XC90 - eventually , when I actually grow up ( like all of us ). Will we ever ?......?
I ‘ d have one in a heartbeat . Price : ( from ) £ 68,820
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