Topic: New XC90 a hit - things looking up for Volvo

[Scaerio]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/114101682926/volvo-to-boost-production-in-sweden-by-adding-1300-jobs

[roundupready]

Good to hear.  Just wish something could've been done for SAAB.

[quadzilla]

Good news. Can't wait to see what Volvo does to the next gen V60.

[Noto]

The XC60 didn't get much love from Motor Trend at the SOTY event:

Contender: Volvo XC60
By: Edward Loh  2015 Volvo Xc60 T6 Drive E Front Three Quarter In Motion Turn We Like: Next-level interior design, punchy powertrains, bionic lane-departure.
We Don't Like: Gluey steering, rough ride, tight rear seat. Probably the purest, most polarizing vehicle in this year's competition, the Volvo XC60 left no judge waffling in praise or criticism. "The exterior design is interesting and expressive -- sporty in the current Volvo idiom. The interior design is outstanding, with original combinations of forms, materials, and finishes. It looks light, contemporary, and elegant, like a furniture exhibit you'd see in a modern art museum," said MacKenzie. Lieberman concurred. "Talk about moving needles -- look at this interior! Simply, utterly gorgeous. Yes, please! All automakers should take a long, hard look at what Volvo's done here." But it's not perfect. As with many designer goods, function often takes a backseat to form, though rarely so literally. "The only problem with the interior is the rear seat is virtually useless for anyone other than small children. The Volvo has the worst packaging of any of the C-segment SUVs in this year's field," said MacKenzie, though he and others noted that the support and comfort of the seats, front and rear, are among the best in the business. Our XC60 came equipped with Volvo's new top step twin-charged Drive-E engine. Designed in-house, this 2.0-liter inline-four employs a turbo and supercharger to crank out a very believable 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and 30 mpg highway fuel economy. These numbers mean the XC60 is a solid performer against its competitive set. It also feels very quick, but at a cost. "The engine surges hard at throttle tip-in -- too aggressive," noted Evans. Other editors commented on more than a bit of torque steer. Things got worse once underway. Steering feel is unnatural at best, becoming downright gluey under spirited driving. "The steering has a strong self-centering effect and there are noticeable variations in weighting as you turn through on-center and back," explains MacKenzie. And the ride? "Appalling." Volvo put a lot of effort into designing the XC60. It just didn't seem particularly well-designed for America.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/2015_suv_of_the_year_contenders_and_finalists/#ixzz3GLEzrmX5

[Noto]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/114082780217/crash-testing-the-new-volvo-xc90-video

holy sh!t, the rollover test 

The roof looks like it barely moved.  Incredible.  Good job, Volvs!

[aquadorhj]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/114082780217/crash-testing-the-new-volvo-xc90-video

holy sh!t, the rollover test 

The roof looks like it barely moved.  Incredible.  Good job, Volvs!

yeah...  i still remember seeing footage of the previous gen XC90 being dropped from air on its windshield frame,..    the windshield cracked a little...  that was it.

can't believe Ford didn't take all these safety tech from them when they owned it.

hope the chinese do...

[Noto]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/114082780217/crash-testing-the-new-volvo-xc90-video

holy sh!t, the rollover test 

The roof looks like it barely moved.  Incredible.  Good job, Volvs!

yeah...  i still remember seeing footage of the previous gen XC90 being dropped from air on its windshield frame,..    the windshield cracked a little...  that was it.

can't believe Ford didn't take all these safety tech from them when they owned it.

hope the chinese do...

I've always heard "Volvo is so safe" but this is the first time I've been legit impressed by their product(s).  Not that their stuff before this video wasn't good, but I didn't think anything out of the ordinary.

The fricken giant pane of glass on the roof didn't even shatter.  I'm speechless.

[mmret]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/114082780217/crash-testing-the-new-volvo-xc90-video

holy sh!t, the rollover test 

The roof looks like it barely moved.  Incredible.  Good job, Volvs!

Isn't it a bit of a coin flip whether a car ends up on its wheels or on its roof during the test? It seemed like the speed / angle and the rotational inertia of the car was just perfect so that the roof never really touched the ground. It was like the car did a bunch of no-hands cartwheels.

In any case though, I too am excited about the future of Volvo product. The current stuff is nice styling wise but I feel like it is suffering from years of neglect on the R&D / capital investment side under the old masters (car design / production has a really really long cycle...). But now it appears we are seeing the first fruit of all that Geely money. And it is looking tasty.

[Weels]

I'm pulling for Volvo as well - but good/great product won't mean much unless they get their dealership experience in order, which in the 3 years i had the S60 was really lacking.

[Guy]

Very impressive, well done Volvo!

[Snowman]

Always like the XC90, great job Volvo.....What an awesome job.. crash testing cars 

[Noto]

I'm at a lawyer's conference now and the guest speaker just showed the above video of the XC90. It's rather funny - he keeps touting the benefits as due to "high strength steel" with a Texan accent.

[Fobroader]

My mom and my wife are enamored by the XC-90....Ive gotta say, I wouldn't mind adding one to the fleet.....especially after seeing that crash test  The Volvo name still means something.

[Guy]

I can tell you that our XC60 is a quality, well built car. And that T6 engine is a gem. 

[mmret]

My mom and my wife are enamored by the XC-90....Ive gotta say, I wouldn't mind adding one to the fleet.....especially after seeing that crash test  The Volvo name still means something.

My wife immediately took to it as well.

Her: "Whats that?"

Me: "New Volvo XC90"

"Does it fit 7 people?"

"Yes"

"How is the fuel economy?"

"Really good, you can get a plug in hybrid rated at 2.7 which is pretty insane."

"Sounds awesome. I love the way it looks. How much money?"

"$75k fully loaded."

"Haha. Well you better get to work."

[revalations]

I really like this vehicle, good for Volvo as they need a hit. I just hope the reliability measures up.

[Northernridge]

I'm warming to the design...I fancy it to be a return to boxy.

[Scaerio]

I can tell you that our XC60 is a quality, well built car. And that T6 engine is a gem. 

Even though the roots of my C30 are old (back to 2006, I think), they did a great job on the 2010 refresh,and the T5 engine is a fun beast.  I am totally going to give it the Polestar treatment when it is "on sale" next.  Volvo offers discounts on Polestar every few months.

[aaagul45]

I wouldn't mind adding one to the fleet.....especially after seeing that crash test  The Volvo name still means something.??