Volvo aims for excellence with new ultra-luxury SUV
The XC90 Excellence is the flagship version of Volvo's flagship car and it's the company's bid to become recognized as a true luxury carmaker, one mentioned in the same breath as Range Rover or Mercedes.
"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," said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President, Design.
The car, destined to go on sale globally after its official unveiling in China at the Shanghai International Automobile show on April 22, clearly has wealthy Chinese potential owners in mind.
For example, the standard XC90 has three rows of seats. For the Excellence, rather than extending the wheelbase like Land Rover does for its luxury models, Volvo has jettisoned the third row of seats altogether and ditched the middle chair in the second row so that the car becomes a four-seater with acres of legroom in the back, rear footrests and individual chairs that recline, deliver massages and offer ventilation.
This is crucial. The majority of owners will be traveling in the back while their driver deals with congestion. The other nod to China is the integrated ionic air cleaner that flushes out smoke or dust particles and keeps cabin air fresh.
Other features that the superrich take for granted are all present. The cup holders automatically heat or chill a beverage. There's an integrated fridge and a set of handmade crystal glasses. There are deployable tables for working, integrated screens in the backs of the front seats and a retractable tablet-like control panel. Volvo has also paid special attention to sound proofing, through better insulating the cabin and adding a dividing screen between the rear seats and luggage space, and through the use of special Pirelli tires.
"What we have designed is amongst the best rear seat experiences available in a luxury car," said Ingenlath. "The result is a superlative environment for relaxed comfort or doing business."
The premium SUV market is about to get very crowded. At the New York Auto show, Land Rover unveiled its SVAutobiography, the most luxurious production Range Rover in history, and later this year, Bentley will unveil the production version of its much hyped Bentayga. Rolls-Royce is also developing its first SUV, but the finished vehicle is not expected to arrive until some point in 2017.
Whether or not Volvo will be able to compete in this very exclusive market remains to be seen. It is yet to reveal any details about bespoke customization, for example, a service that Rolls-Royce and Bentley owners take for granted. However, what it can boast that none of its competitors can, is that the XC90 is possibly the safest car ever built.
