Volvo XC90 – the nine-year-old doyenne gets updated

Volvo XC90 – the nine-year-old doyenne gets updated

Yes, that grand dame of the SUV world, the Volvo XC90, may be nine years old, but it shows no sign of stopping – in fact, the vehicle has been given yet another set of exterior and interior refinements to keep it going until, well, the second-gen one eventually arrives.

On the outside, there’s a new daytime running light configuration using LEDs in the lower bumper, and a redesigned silver metallic bumper bar as well as silver roof rails are now standard on all variants. There’s also a new lower door moulding, with all XC90 specifications now fully colour-coordinated.

At the back, there are new tail lamps, with dual light guides, LED brake lights and silver turn indicator bulbs (offering an amber light). Also on the exterior treatment list is a new six-spoke 18-inch wheel, done in a silver matt finish.

Volvo XC90 – the nine-year-old doyenne gets updated

Inside, the veritable fave gets a number of refinements to give the interior an even more luxurious feel – aside from revisions to the three-spoke steering wheel, there’s aluminium décor as standard and watch dial-inspired instrument design with white lighting, among others. The tailgate now comes with a new, colour-coordinated leather grab handle, and the load cover has also been redesigned.

Meanwhile, the Volvo On Call system can now be combined with Bluetooth mobile phone connection, and the system has been upgraded to be able to do music streaming from a preferred Bluetooth-enabled portable music player. New too is a mobile app that makes sure that the driver can stay in touch with the parked car via an iPhone or Android smartphone.

Along with the new dress-up comes two exclusive version forms, the Executive and R-Design. Going the Executive route bags one a number of exclusive options, such as soft leather seats with ventilation and massage, as well as a number of details with a more exclusive finish. Opting for the R-Design version gets the buyer a more driver-focused character. On top of the special chassis, the new R-design version also features redesigned upholstery, inlays, door panels and new Ixion 19-inch wheels.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • *YAWN*

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  • insperut on Sep 07, 2011 at 11:28 am

    I always like XC90 ;)

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  • maabas on Sep 07, 2011 at 11:38 am

    Same old engine ?

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    • Anthony Lim (Member) on Sep 07, 2011 at 12:25 pm

      No changes to existing drivetrain/powertrain selection lineup, methinks.

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  • M0Faz on Sep 07, 2011 at 11:40 am

    Faster give it the XC60/S60 treatment la.. Volvo wanna break the VW beatle record meh?

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  • firdaus on Sep 07, 2011 at 11:44 am

    is this facelift for overseas or malaysian market?

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    • Anthony Lim (Member) on Sep 07, 2011 at 12:23 pm

      It’s just been introduced in Europe. No idea when it’ll come our way.

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  • firdaus on Sep 07, 2011 at 11:45 am

    is this facelift available in Malaysia or only overseas market?

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  • F.O.C on Sep 07, 2011 at 11:55 am

    Work of Geely! Good upgrade but price increase then not worth it, since already 9yrs almost end of product life cycle.

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  • Still looks good though.

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    • greasemonkey on Sep 07, 2011 at 10:51 pm

      DAMN BORING!! If outdated engine tech,normal la,as usual cannot keep up with the German,but outdated design what more add this and that can consider upgrade? more like Perodua,add something,then become SE,LE….ETC.too many to remember.

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  • loveit on Sep 07, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    design look so dated already…very boring

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  • sewellng on Sep 07, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    HAHA, i always want to buy the latest gen of Volvo.

    if you buy the current S60, you can drive for 9 years and it is still the current model. so Good !

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  • will-kill-for-exclusivity on Sep 07, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    if it aint broke

    dont fix it

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  • firdaus on Sep 08, 2011 at 11:35 am

    i just bought a brand new xc90 last week…i have to admit, its a pretty nice car to drive, Roomy for 7 people. Of course cannot compare to my other car (audi a4 1.8 B8) but when compared to other large suvs, its still really good

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  • pedobear on Sep 10, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    Volvo statement is correct ‘Volvo for life’
    it take about a decade to change a design.

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  • mohd nor on Nov 06, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    xc90 the best cars

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  • XC 90 great but dated.

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