Volvo’s Station Wagons have provided some alternatives for people who prefer not to own a sport utility. Now the Swedish automaker has created its own SUV, and it might well be the sport utility for people who never thought they’d owe one. Styling for the XC90 comes not from Volvo’s design studio in Goteborg, Sweden, but from Camarillo, California. Penned by an American, Doug Frasher, and the SUV’s shape mirrors all the latest design cues from Volvo cars, though exaggerated for this larger vehicle.
Although only 5 in. longer than a BMW X5, the XC90 is a 7 passenger vehicle, thanks to clever packaging. Using transverse inline engines – a 2.5 liter 5 cylinder or a turbocharged 2.9 liter 6 cylinder allowed the power plant, wheels and dashboard to be moved forward. With the rear wheels pushed as far back as possible, designers were able to create a large cabin.
The interior isn’t just big, its also quite flexible to accommodate different configurations. To aid this, the second row of seats can be moved fore and aft. Parents of younger children will appreciate that the centre seat in the second row can be slid forward, to bring the child almost level with the front seat passengers.
No comments:
Post a Comment