First interior images of the next-generation Volvo XC90 have been revealed ahead of the new car’s official unveiling in August. About time, too, considering the ageing original has been on sale since 2002.
Through these images, it is clear that the new XC90 will feature a cabin that looks friendlier than those seen in Volvo’s latest series of concept cars – the Concept Coupe, Concept XC Coupe and Concept Estate – with softer surfacing and a less adventurous use of materials.
What it does share, however, is the large tablet-like portrait touchscreen, an integral part of a new in-car control system with a range of Internet-based products and services. It has virtually no buttons and is said to help create a space that is “modern, spacious and uncluttered”.
Also contributing that effect are the materials used, combining traditional trimmings like wood and leather with handcrafted details, including gear lever made by crystal glass from Swedish glass maker Orrefors as well as a diamond-cut start button and volume control knob.
The seats, inspired by Scandinavian chairs, have been designed to be comfortable without requiring very thick padding, with cores shaped like a human spine. The standard Comfort seats feature power operation including for the side bolsters, seat cushion extension, lumbar support and vertical headrest adjustment. Ventilation and massage functions are optional, as are Contour seats with additional side support.
Like the car it replaces, the new XC90 is also expected to feature a very family-friendly seven-seat interior. The second row consists of three separate seats that can slide, recline and fold independently, and an optional booster seat is integrated into the centre seat.
The two third row seats, which Volvo says offer “class-leading comfort” for passengers under 170 cm in height, have been moved slightly inboard to offer a better view forward. These too can be folded individually to create a flat load bay, with electric folding operation optional. Additional feet space under the second row seats frees up more legroom, and special attention has also been given to third row ingress and egress.
As you would expect from a Volvo, all seven seats will be fitted with three-point seat belts with pre-tensioners and all three rows will be protected by improved curtain airbags.
A four-zone automatic climate control system is available, and third-row air-conditioning vents are either optional or standard depending on the market. Volvo’s CleanZone air purification system has been improved with a new filter to more effectively capture small, harmful particles and pollen.
The new Volvo XC90 will be the first car built on the company’s new modular Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) which broadens design flexibility, improves drivability and includes the latest safety features and in-car technologies, all while increasing interior space. It is tipped to weigh up to 150 kg less than the outgoing model and will be powered solely by a range of Drive-E four-cylinder engines from the Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA) family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_ybBhJ8aYA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn0FCqROU2g
