Power and torque charts for the T6 gasoline unit (left) and the D5 diesel (right). Click to enlarge. The diesel D5 twin turbo diesel engine delivers 225 hp (168 kW) with 470 N·m (347 lb-ft) of torque. Fuel consumption (combined) is 5.8 l/100 km (40.6 mpg UD). The gasoline supercharged and turbocharged T6 delivers an output of 316 hp (236 kW) and a maximum torque of 400 N·m (295 lb-ft) of torque. Fuel consumption is 7.7 l/100 km (30.6 mpg US).

The engines are teamed with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 4-corner air suspension includes Four-C, an electronically controlled damping system. There is a choice of five modes, including one in which the driver is free to tailor the settings to his or her personal taste.

For the North American market, the suggested price of the First Edition is $65,900. Full details on standard pricing will come later, but Volvo did say that a well-equipped XC90 T6 AWD will have a starting price of $48,900. The XC90 T6 AWD will come standard with such features as Navigation, 19" wheels, a power laminated panoramic sunroof, and car connectivity.

Powertrain of the Volvo XC90 Twin Engine PHEV. A two-liter, four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged Drive-E gasoline engine powers the front wheels (green) and an 80 hp (60 kW) electric motor drives the rear wheels (blue). The battery pack is located in the center of the vehicle. Click to enlarge.

The all-new XC90 features an advanced safety package including two world-first safety technologies: a run-off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability. (Earlier post.)

• In a run-off road scenario, the all-new Volvo XC90 detects what is happening and the front safety belts are tightened to keep the occupants in position. To help prevent spine injuries, energy-absorbing functionality between the seat and seat frame cushions the vertical forces that can arise when the car encounters a hard landing in the terrain.

• The XC90 is also the first car with technology that features automatic braking if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car. This is a common scenario at busy city crossings as well as on highways, where the speed limit is higher.

City Safety is the umbrella name for all of Volvo Cars’ auto brake functions, which are standard equipment in the all-new XC90. It now covers vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians in front of the car, day and night.

Volvo is focusing on three areas to help it reach Vision 2020 (no serious injuries or related deaths in Volvo cars): safety, connectivity and autonomous drive.

With the XC90, we take the first step towards self-driving cars. A new function that automatically follows the vehicle ahead in stop-and-go traffic will provide a radically simplified, semi-autonomous driving experience.

—Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President, Product Strategy and Vehicle Line Management of Volvo Car Group

Volvo’s new face. The new XC90 will be the first Volvo car to carry the company’s new more prominent iron mark, which has the iconic arrow aligned with the diagonal slash across the grille. Together with the T-shaped “Thor’s Hammer” DRL lights, the iron mark introduces a new face for Volvo’s forthcoming generation of cars.

The XC90’s larger hood with its new topography, the beltline and the sharpened shoulders connecting with the tattoo-like, new rear lights are other important design signatures that will be mirrored across the range. To add more visual muscle from the sides, the XC90 comes with a range of wheel sizes up to 22 inches.