For Volvo, an extraordinary level of safety is standard, and the all new XC90 is no exception. There are two world firsts. First, the XC90’s ‘Run-off road protection’, detects when the vehicle is running off the road unintentionally, and tightens both front safety belts to keep the occupants in position. Additionally, energy-absorbing material between the seat and seat frame cushion passengers to prevent their sustaining spinal injuries should the vehicle encounter a hard landing on the terrain. Secondly, ‘Auto brake at intersections’, makes the XC90 the first car in the world with technology that triggers automatic braking should the driver turn in the path of an oncoming car. During the test drive in Shanghai, Volvo demonstrated this autonomous-ready ability on the road.
In most circumstances, we would hardly miss a SUV test drive. There are other more entertaining ways to spend one’s time. However, the new XC90 is so much fun, if its superb handling were muted in any sense due to an autonomous driving mode, it would be a crime . It is an unexpectedly agile SUV on winding roads; no one would believe it’s over two metres wide and weighs over two tonnes. Both Volvo sedans, and now, Volvo SUVs have long been vehicles known for safety and “maturity”. After twelve years of waiting, the brand new XC90 is more like an energetic teenager. Its handling reminds us of the 240 Turbo race car from the Group A era; gigantic, but nimble and fast.
In order to commemorate their factory’s founding in 1927, last year Volvo produced 1,927 XC90 First Edition units and made them available for sale via online commerce at www.volvocars.com. Within 48 hours, thousands of potential customers responded with online orders. Ranked behind only the U.S., China became the second largest market of this individually numbered XC90 build, with mainland China scheduled to receive 328 units. Celebrities like John Wu (film director), Liu Zhuan Zhi (founder of Legend Computer) and Mei Bao Jiu (Beijing Opera actor) are among those lucky customers.
