NEW DELHI: Volvo has revealed a new flagship version of the second-generation XC90 range that goes on sale in Australia in August.
Due to make its world public debut China’s Shanghai motor show next week, the XC90 Excellence features a four-seat interior packed with a host of luxurious extras for the Chinese market.
In place of the standard XC90’s seven seats, the pair of individual rear bucket seats look almost identical to the two up front but come with extra legroom, footrests and heating, massaging, recline and slide functions.
Also helping make it “the most luxurious vehicle ever built by the Swedish company in its 88-year history”, as Volvo claims, are full power adjustment for rear occupants, who also score twin colour screens on the front seatbacks, an illuminated storage space, refrigerated compartment, fold-out tables, unique leather detailing in blond or charcoal, colour co-ordinated pure Nubuck textile headlining and ambient lighting.
Rear passengers are also treated to heated and cooled drink holders, a retractable control touch-screen and hand-made crystal glasses from Orrefors.
Ensuring crystal-clear sound quality from the 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system is a dividing screen between the rear seats and cargo space, extra cabin noise-proofing in the body and Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNCS) tyres.
Volvo says the Italian tyre-maker’s noise-cancelling technology, which comprises a sound-deadening polyurethane sponge on the inside of the tyre, reduces road noise by up to 3dBa.
On the outside, the XC90 Excellence is distinguished by an Excellence badge, plus chromed B- and C-pillar cappings and lower door mouldings.
“This is our new flagship car,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President, Design. “We have created the ultimate luxury experience of Scandinavian design. Volvo has never launched a car like this before. This is the car that demonstrates what the name Volvo now means.
“What we have designed is amongst the best rear seat experiences available in a luxury car. The result is a superlative environment for relaxed comfort or doing business.”
Since its international launch in August, Volvo says the new XC90 has attracted more than 24,000 orders before it even hits showrooms, accounting for half of the Swedish brand’s expected volume for the car in 2015.
Volvo Car Australia indicated the XC90 Excellence is a chance for local showrooms.
“As with all new products, we will follow its reception closely and evaluate the relevance and opportunity for our local market,” said VCA Marketing and Communications Director, Oliver Peagam.
