Volvo Cars have announced a slew of changes and updates across their model range from the V40 luxury hatchback to the XC90 luxury seven-seater SUV.
First, set for a Geneva début, is the facelift V40. The most compact offering from Volvo and its Cross Country twin both receive a new face, incorporating the Thor’s Hammer LED signature headlamps and a revised front grille.
The V40 is also being offered with a choice of up to five new colours including four blues. Two all-new pallette shades of Amazon Blue and Denim Blue arrive, with three colours already used by other models in the portfolio: Bursting Blue, Mussel Blue and Luminous Sand, the latter seen on the XC90. More visual updates include new tread plates for the R-Design and Inscription models and new wheel options. The updates to the interior bring in a new ‘City Weave’ upholstery choice, a new steering wheel option, as well as more panel trim options.
Volvo will also introduce ‘Flic’ button compatibility with Volvo On Call. Flic allows you to program a single physical ‘smart button’ to perform several tasks, such as lock your car or to start/stop pre-heating, and can be used as a shortcut to Volvo On Call services. Support for Windows 10 with a new version of the Volvo On Call application is also being offered. It can be used on regular PCs and tablets to interact with your car.
The Volvo XC90 is already set for its first engine update come the 2017 MY. It gets the PowerPulse D5 motor that reduces turbo-lag with the help of compressed air stored in a tank, all integrated into the engine’s construction. The benefit is quicker response with added power and torque. The engine deliver 235 PS and 480 Nm, up 10 PS and 10 Nm over the first iteration of the Drive-E D5.
The XC90 also gets Pilot Assist II as standard in certain markets. Semi-autonomous driving gets a boost with the car being able to handle itself at speeds of up to 130 km/h on well-marked highways. City Safety also gets updated with Run-off-riad mitigation that makes use of an auto-steer function to keep the car on the road.
Streaming music from Spotify is also being added to the list of standard equipment across all ’90’ model lines. Park and Pay and Connected Service Booking also make it to the list in some markets, adding to parking and ownership convenience.
While drivelines remains unchanged for most part, on the ’60’ series, the T5 models, with the 254 PS 2.0 Drive-E turbo-petrol motor, now get all-wheel drive a standard.
Some of these updates will be offered in the models on sale in India in the following year.
Story: Jim Gorde
