Yamaha Supplies 315-HP 4.4-Liter V8 Powerplant
Volvo has made its plans to integrate a V8 engine into its popular XC90 sport utility vehicle official last month, and in so
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| It's official, Volvo will be producing a V8 powered version of the popular XC90. (Photo: Volvo Cars of Canada) |
While 5- and 6-cylinder equipped XC90s enjoy best-selling-in-U.S. status among European SUVs, approximately 30 percent of sport utilities in the premium segment roll off the dealer's lot with V8 engines. That statistic bodes well for future XC90 sales.
Being that Volvo doesn't currently offer a V8 engine in any of its new models, and never has in its 77 year history, the automaker has turned to an unlikely partner. Motorcycle (and just about everything else) manufacturer Yamaha has designed, developed and
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| Seeing that Volvo has never produced a V8 engine in their 77 year history, they needed some outside help. (Photo: Volvo Cars of Canada) |
"With the V8, we will not rest on our laurels but will build on our success," says Vic Doolan, president and CEO, Volvo Cars of North America. "Our V8 package is the perfect fusion of performance and safety, versatility and value" he added.
Being a Ford Motor Company subsidiary, why wouldn't Volvo opt for one of its Premier Auto Group (PAG) 32-valve, DOHC V8s? Jaguar's 4.2-liter 8-cylinder would be a likely choice, having just recently been optimized to 4.4-liters for use in the new Land Rover LR3.