Volvo Cars has unveiled a refreshed version of its flagship XC90, adding a newly developed fuel-saving engine option that is the next step in the automaker’s electrification strategy.
The 2020 XC90 gains a kinetic energy recovery braking system coupled with existing internal combustion engines to create a new integrated electrified powertrain, under a new ‘B’ badge.
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Volvo claims this new ‘electrified’ powertrain offers fuel savings of up to 15% fuel savings and emission reductions “in real world driving”.
The new brake by wire system interacts with the energy recovery system and reduces fuel consumption and emissions by recovering kinetic energy under braking.
“The introduction of the new XC90 ‘B’-badged cars represents a major step for Volvo Cars towards its electrification ambitions,” the automaker said.
The new B-badged cars complement the existing T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid electrified option available for the XC90 since its first full redesign four years ago.
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By GlobalDataOn the outside, the refreshed 2020 models have subtle changes to exterior design, such as new wheels, exterior colours and grille.
Based on Volvo’s own, in-house-developed platform, powertrain and safety technology, rather than sharing with previous owner Ford, the 2015 XC90 marked the start of transformation at Volvo Cars, by then owned by China’s Geely group.
The flagship SUV introduced a new face for the Volvo brand, characterised by the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights while introducing Scalable Product Architecture (SPA).
Claimed world-first technology and innovations (including a spider ‘surprise’ hidden in a plastic moulding) launched with the XC90 appeared on later 90, 60 and 40 series models between 2015 and 2019 while other minor changes and new powertrains have found their way into the XC90 in the intervening years.
Now more advanced since its introduction, the XC90 has reached over 320,000 sales worldwide.
The latest model now offers drivers help with steering through both the City Safety and the Blind Spot Information systems. Volvo claims City Safety with Autobrake is still the only system to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals.
Oncoming Lane Mitigation system first introduced with the later XC60 is now also available for the XC90, while Cross Traffic Alert now also offers autobrake.
The XC90 was the first Volvo to offer Apple CarPlay integration and Android Auto is now available. The tablet style Sensus infotainment system has gone through multiple updates in recent years, all of which have been adopted into the XC90. Where available, Spotify music streaming is integrated into the XC90.
Production of 2020 model year XC90s starts in May at the Torslanda plant in Sweden. and will be available to order from mid-March, with first customer deliveries expected in late Q2 2019.
