Aspeed limit of 70kph on silky smooth country roads and a V8 under the bonnet. Talk about taking the jam out of donuts. The Swedes might not...
Aspeed limit of 70kph on silky smooth country roads and a V8 under the bonnet. Talk about taking the jam out of donuts. The Swedes might not appreciate the concept of going fast for fast's sake but having such restrictive limits,backed up by a battery of speed cameras and traffic cops does show that they have a wicked sense of humour. Drivers in Gothenburg religiously follow these speed limits, most shops down shutters by 6pm and life moves along at such a measured pace it's no surprise that every second car on the road is a Volvo. If you throw a stone in Gothenburg,you will either hit a Volvo or a naked statue. But mention Volvo in India and most will think superfast interstate buses or even trucks.As of now that's the under-lying brand recall the company has in India; it is banking on the XC90 SUV and the S80 sedan to change that position.
The premium luxury car segment in India is dominated by the Germans; Mercedes-Benz, and to a lesser extent BMW and Audi. Volvo might initially find itself thrashing about to be seen as a premium brand alongside this trio.Indians splurge big money on cars to declare that they've arrived.It's hard to imagine an Indian sensibility that wants to say:“I'm here, I have arrived quietly and I would like to remain inconspicuous… would you kindly excuse me?”That kind of an Indian moneybag is mostly found travelling in rickshaws anyway.
Volvo will be hoping to differentiate itself by focussing on its deserved reputation for thoughtful and innovative safety features, understated Swedish design elements and vanguard bum comfort.It doesn't take too long to appreciate the comfort bit after going some distance in the XC90 - the bestselling model for Volvo internationally and the one tipped to hit big-ish numbers in India too. Front passenger seats are superlative; middle-row occupants are also well looked after and passengers in the optional third row will prize their kneecaps therein. To be fair, the seven-seat arrangement is well thought-out and the rearmost seats fold under the floor to create a massive boot.With six of the seven seats tipped over, cargo space is enormous.
The businesslike interiors of the XC90 are either cool or cold, depending on personal view, and only obsessive-compulsive whiners would fail to notice that they are functional and easy to get used to.On the move,one can't miss the flashing amber light on the side mirror, which is the new optional Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) that uses little cameras to scan the mirror's blind spots and warn you when someone's lurking around you; a massive help given our road conditions. As with other Volvo models, all engine options are mounted transversely to reduce the risk of the engine intruding into the passenger compartment in case of a frontal collision, and to maximise interior room. The high roof-line and big windows create a feeling of enormous space, with excellent forward visibility and the less evolved among us will appreciate the thick steering wheel.
We had a choice of two engines to experience - the top-end 315bhp V8 (built by motorbike maker Yamaha) and the fivecylinder,185bhp D5 turbodiesel,both equipped with a Geartronic six-speed automatic with a manual-shift feature to shuffle up and down the ‘box. A 238bhp, six-cylinder petrol powertrain completes the range. The auto is standard on the V8 and 3.2, while the D5 comes standard with a six-speed manual and the Geartronic 'box as an option.
The V8 hurtles the car with some serious commitment and makes all the right noises. The D5 feels slightly unsure with the optional six-speed automatic, yet packs in adequate clout and might prove a better match to people’s financial sensibilities in India.
An all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is thrown in on the V8 and available as an option on the other two engine specs, although we didn't get a chance to test its limits in the face of Sweden's ever-watchful speed cameras. The XC90 is not a very involving drive but it does shrink in size on country roads. The steering is not sharp or quick around curves but there is no unwarranted sway around hard corners. It maintains a relaxed, solid demeanour.The brakes are on the softer side but nicely progressive once you get used to them. Ride quality is on the stiffer edge of comfortable, without being harsh.
The confusing part however, is that the XC90 is a fair drive, looks fairly good and is fairly, actually incredibly, practical. But its only real purpose in life is to fill the brief of a conservative, family-friendly SUV. Would the conventional Indian moneybag splurging on a whopping, high-end SUV want something conventional? That I guess we will have to wait and see,but the Rs 47 lakh price tag sure sounds inviting.
