The V90 Cross Country packs an evolution of the Active 4C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) first seen in the S80 in India. The active chassis uses a SPA monocoque placing its wheels using a double-wishbone front with damped steel springs and a multi-link rear with air springs. Combined with a self-levelling system, it ensures optimum ride height depending on payload and even road surface.
In ‘Off-road’ mode, the hill-assist is active and the ride height is optimised, up until 45 or 50 km/h when it reverts to a regular drive mode. Speaking of which, there are five driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Off-Road, Dynamic (in the immediate select) as well as an Individual set-up (achieved using the car’s massive 12.3-inch touch display) that lets you configure your choice of steering, suspension and performance modes. For instance, the steering feels super-light in ‘Eco’ and ‘Comfort’, but firms up considerably in ‘Dynamic’ mode. The suspension is softer with great rebound characteristics in ‘Comfort’, with quicker upshifts too. ‘Dynamic’ tightens things up, firming the suspension for more precise cornering and holding the revs even past 4,000 rpm; where peak power is achieved. You could even pull on the steering-mounted paddle-shifters should you want to get more involved.
Handling, in either mode, is commendable. I was up the twisties and S-bends with ease, before realising I was in ‘Comfort’ the whole time. There was hardly any understeer too. Attacking the corners is easier in ‘Dynamic’ and the steering lets you feel more at ease with proportional input resulting in more controlled lines. Let’s not forget it was pouring with rain and the near two-tonne V90 Cross Country stayed planted and sure-footed at all times at all speeds. It was almost dark as we snaked through the Madikeri hills, cold air and the smell of coffee permeating it every now and then. The LED headlamps (and LED fog-lamps) are adept at piercing through fog and recreating daylight ahead. The beams dynamically adjust to prevent dazzling other road-users.
Giving it its get-up-and-go is the new-gen D5 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder i-ART injected twin-turbo diesel engine with 235 PS and 480 Nm. Or, is it a five-cylinder? The arrival of ‘PowerPulse’ is imminent (The XC90 didn’t have it on arrival and the S90 only has the D4 in India). A fifth cylinder, if you will, is installed on the engine. An electrically-driven third compressor feeds it with air that is released into the exhaust stream to compensate for any turbo-lag. It works too. Though the torque peaks from 1,750 rpm, the V90 XC feels responsive even at 900 rpm. The surge isn’t really there but the momentum is tangible.
Factor in the Aisin eight-speed ‘Geartronic’ automatic and Haldex-four-wheel-drive coupling and it makes sense. This isn’t something meant to emulate a sport SUV proving its track credentials, it will shift sensibly and the focus will be on economy for most part. The drive-split, we’re told, is 100 per cent front with dynamic distribution to all four wheels when needed. I remember the older layout being 90:10 with a 50:50 max; it’s still close, yet optimised even further. Before we forget, this is India’s first diesel-powered luxury estate, and, to be fair, its performance is above and beyond what anyone would want from a sensible car. Yes, the ‘luxury’ bit is also just as important. Don’t forget, it has 40 Nm more than the old 4.4-litre petrol V8, and a whole host of more features.
The layout of the cabin is fantastic. Quality is evident in every single element, from the Amber Nappa leather and Charcoal interior combination to the Aluminium-mesh trim detail and the contrast stitching. The massive centre touch-screen display looks futuristic, and the brilliant Bowers&Wilkins 19-speaker concert-hall quality surround-sound system delivers an enthralling and immersive audio experience. The huge panoramic sun-roof is a joy to have on pleasant days, as well as on rainy days such as these, with raindrops falling inches from your face as you look up into the sky. It’s a balance of the good things and the more unseen essentials. Driving pleasure is one thing, but being cocooned in a well-built, unofficial NCAP benchmark body with top-notch safety features is an entirely different tale.
Furthermore, the V90 Cross Country packs a 60-litre tank, with Volvo claiming a fuel efficiency of as much as 18.8 km/litre combined. It’s almost 1,900 kilos, so that’s good. Realistically, like the S90 D4 FWD and XC90 D5 AWD, you can safely expect – rational driving considered – around 9-10 km/l in city, with about 14-15 km/litre on the highway. That works out to a range of around 650 km on a full tank, give or take. That’s a lot of distance that it can cover. A proper mile-muncher, it also offers great boot volume. With the rear seats up, there’s 560 litres, including 77 litres of under-floor volume. Maximum cargo volume is 1,953 litres.
Volvo Auto India were tight-lipped about the price, but we believe it will be competitive: less than half of what the more affordable of the two sport-wagons we have now costs. Rs 60-65 lakh (ex-showroom) is a fair expectation considering the D4 FWD S90 is just under Rs 55 lakh. They should launch the car very shortly, so if you were in the market for a luxury car but confused between that crossover SUV and that long-bodied saloon, you might want to hold on to your chequebook a little longer. Watch for a full road test review soon.
Need to Know: Volvo V90 Cross Country D5 AWD Inscription
Price: Rs 65 lakh (estimated, ex-showroom)
Engine: 1,969 cc, in-line four, twin-turbo, direct injection, diesel
Max Power: 235 PS @ 4,000 rpm
Max Torque: 480 Nm @ 1,750-2,250 rpm (29-37 rps)
Transmission: Eight-speed, automatic, all-wheel-drive
Weight: 1,880 kg (kerb)
Dimensions (LxWxH, WB): 4939x1903x1543 mm
Wheelbase: 2941 mm
Track (F/R): 1655/1645 mm
Ground Clearance: 210 mm (unladen)
Wading Depth: 300 mm
Approach/Breakover/Departure Angles: 18.9°/17.7°/20.7°
