Post the immense queries and success of the XC90, Volvo has decided to bring the Excellence, R-Design and T8 Hybrid variants of the premium SUV to India next year.
Volvo recently launched the super-attractive and premium second-generation XC90 in India on 12th May. The new SUV replaced its predecessor after a very long time and has finally brought some freshness along with it. Volvo had also recently announced that they are serious with their strategies for the country and will even set-up a manufacturing facility in the future.
The Swedish manufacturer is considering to bring in more SUV options to India due to the fact that the sentiment of new car buyers is more inclined towards the same at the moment and it seems that Volvo is still not done with their latest product launch, the XC90. Brought in two variants, namely, Momentum and Inscription, Volvo will be introducing the XC90 in the Excellence, an optional R-Design kit and even the T8 Hybrid variant in 2016.
The Volvo XC90 Excellence offers one hell of a premium interior experience. Unveiled at the Auto Shanghai 2015, it is the most luxurious model ever to leave the company’s production line. The main feature of this model is its 2+2 seating layout, having four amazingly comfortable individual seats. With increased legroom over its basic counterpart, all seats of the XC90 Excellence have a massage and ventilation function.
A central compartment divides the interior of the SUV into two equal halves and offers exclusive equipment like folding tables, a refrigerator with bottles and glass holders, a retractable touchscreen control unit, footrests, heating/cooling cup holders, handmade crystal glasses from Swedish glass design company Orrefors, luggage compartment dividing screen, ambient lighting, a unique 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, extra sound insulation for the cabin and Pirelli Noise Cancelling System tyres (PNCS).
The second variant is the R-Design, which is nothing but a XC90 with a body-kit and full-black interiors. The kit includes ‘R-Design’ badges to set the variant apart from the others, a stylish front bumper, side skirts and sleek 5-spoke alloy wheels. On the inside, the R-Design gets sport seats that are finished in black Nubuck textile and perforated leather.
The T8 Hybrid (Twin Engine) is powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder supercharged engine and an electric motor, to produce a huge 400 HP and 640 Nm of torque. There is a high-voltage 270-400 V battery that is present in the central region of the SUV and can be recharged with a power socket or through a two-step brake energy recovery system. The hybrid can hit 100 km/hr from standstill in 5.9 seconds and Volvo claims that it is the cleanest crossover in the market at the moment, emitting just 59 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. The XC90 hybrid returned a fuel efficiency figure of 40 km/l in the European test cycle.
The upcoming new variants of the SUV will be launched in 2016 and the T8 Hybrid will be launched after the other two, in the second half of next year. All of these will be brought in via the CBU route and prices are expected to be premium as well. Volvo has taken this step due to the fact that the XC90 SUV has been very well received in the Indian market. With high demand, dealers are asking the Swedish manufacturer to allocate more cars to their respective showrooms and Volvo has decided to bring 1000 units (up from 350 units for 2015) to the country next year. Global production of the XC90 is being hiked from 55,000 units per annum to 90,000 units a year in 2016. The company plans to increase its dealership count from the current 14 to 22 outlets by the end of this calendar year.
