Although Volvo has been largely quiet in the SUV market, the updated XC90 and limited edition XC60 should excite fans of the brand

Photos: Low Fai Ming & Volvo

 

Tradition continues when, for the fourth time in its history, Volvo Cars' Special Vehicles Division launches a specially designed model range with a sail racing theme - the new Volvo Ocean Race edition. Materials and colours that turn your thoughts to the sea, design details inspired by life on board a boat.

Volvo Car Corporation estimates to sell about 7,500 units of limited edition Volvo Ocean Race cars, which include the Volvo V60, V70, XC60 and XC70. The four largest markets are expected to be Germany, Sweden, Great Britain and Italy. Other markets outside Europe that will be involved in the race will also sell the cars. Wearnes Automotive has managed to secure just ten units of the Volvo XC60, even though Singapore is not involved in the race.

Customers can choose between two luxurious exterior colours, Volvo Ocean Blue II or Electric Silver, in conjunction with the sail-inspired leather upholstery in off-black and soft beige. Other features are the uniquely designed aluminium wheels, chromed detailing and the Volvo Ocean Race emblem gleaming on the front fender.

Inside the car, the seats and door panels feature an added level of craftsmanship. The load cover displays the Volvo Ocean Race logo in print with stitching and sheet detailing, there are textile floor mats with clew-inspired details in aluminium and the tread plate in aluminium is embossed with the text "Volvo Ocean Race". In addition, the Human Machine Interface (HMI) start-up display shows the Volvo Ocean Race logo and text.

Volvo has rejuvenated the successful Volvo XC90 with refinements to the iconic SUV including more sophisticated lines and materials, and an even more rewarding driving experience.

The Volvo XC90 Refresh is designed to give an elegant, muscular and robust impression. This has been reinforced through a number of refined exterior details, namely Daytime Running Lights upfront, standard metallic bumper bars and silver roof rails, colour-coded bumper areas, redesigned tail lamps and eight-spoke 19-inch Galateia wheels in Silver Bright finish.

Inside, an even more luxurious aura has been given, including the three-spoke steering wheel, aluminium Sanded Silver décor inlays as standard and the watch dial-inspired instrument design with white lighting.

The tailgate is divided into an upper and a lower section. It now comes with a new, colour-coordinated leather grab handle. The load cover has also been redesigned. The passenger compartment is very spacious and features a modern uncluttered design. The seating position gives drivers a commanding view over the traffic and the passengers a comfortable position with cinema-style seating. Music streaming from a preferred Bluetooth enabled portable music player also comes standard. Volvo is the only car brand to offer Bluetooth music streaming throughout the entire vehicle range.

Made entirely of aluminium, the in-line 5-cylinder 2.5-litre T5 petrol engine with a light-pressure turbocharger has a power output of 240 bhp and torque of 370 Nm from 2,000 rpm, thanks to the Polestar Power Optimisation by Volvo.

With the introduction of the new Polestar tuning, Volvo cars can now produce higher power output and better torque in the range where the engine works most often in. This result in improved performances and higher safety in situations where extra power is needed; without increasing the fuel consumption or affecting the original Volvo Warranty.