Volvo Revamps XC90 for New York

"The changes we have made to the new Volvo XC90 can be regarded as precision tuning designed to increase the vehicle's appeal further," says XC90 project director, Hans Wikman. "We are aiming at a highly discerning group of buyers and we want to give them an even better premium experience."

But the biggest news regarding this modest update is what can be

Another quantum leap forward in Volvo powertrain technology; the new 3.2L inline-six. (Photo: Volvo Cars of Canada)

found under the hood. Over the past year, Volvo switched around the powertrain palette aplenty, adding and dropping engines at the top of the range. The twin-turbocharged inline-six used in the old T6 flagship model was retired due to its age and inability to meet increasingly strict emissions requirements. During the summer of that year, Volvo introduced its first V8 motor, which it developed in collaboration with Japanese engine manufacturer (and everything else manufacturer) Yamaha. Not only does the engine generate 315-horsepower, it's also one of the cleanest engines featured in any SUV, V8 or otherwise. For 2007, the spotlight moves to the entry-level model which receives Volvo's new 3.2-litre inline-six engine, the successor to the aging 208-hp 2.5-litre turbocharged inline-five.

Although

New tail lights, bumpers and a slightly more organized tailgate are what separate this XC90 from years prior. (Photo: Volvo Cars of Canada)

the new I-6 engine made its world debut in the all-new second-generation Volvo S80, it will arrive on the market first with the XC90. Generating 235-horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, it utilizes the latest in engine management technology, including continuously variable valve timing, variable camshaft profiling and a variable intake manifold. Volvo claims that the move to the bigger, naturally aspirated engine has no penalty on fuel consumption, a testament to these advancements. To keep the engine's size small, the timing chain, power steering pump and other vital components have been moved to the back of the engine, allowing greater space for crumple zones. With the adoption of the balanced I-6 layout and a new six-speed automatic gearbox Volvo claims that the drivetrain smoothness is greatly improved.

The 2007 Volvo XC70 will make its world debut at this year's New York International Auto Show, just around the corner. Although it's a mild update, it will carry the current design over until 2009, at which point the current XC90 will have reached the end of its life cycle. In the mean time, the updated XC90 will arrive in dealerships this summer; pricing will be announced closer to its launch.