Volvo XC90 has just become better

WHAT do you do to a vehicle that is already extremely good? Just make it better. Hence, the Volvo XC90 — Malaysia’s all-time favourite premium SUV (sports utility vehicle) — just got better, fuel consumption wise.

Volvo Car Malaysia Sdn Bhd (VCM) recently introduced the diesel variant of the country’s top selling luxury SUV since 2003, with a marketing gimmick that the XC90 D5 will not cost the earth.

VCM president Robert Norrman said the D5 gives at least 30 per cent better fuel consumption than the XC90 2.5T petrol, whose latest facelifted version made its own local debut last May.

While the poor quality of diesel fuel sold in Malaysia remains a big issue, Norrman is confident that it is only a matter of time before diesel will catch on here.

The government announced in December 2008 that Euro-2 fuel will be available this year but things seem to have gone quiet.

Industry executives said the high sulphur content of diesel currently available in the country could potentially be damaging to modern diesel engines.

VCM, however, believes the D5 can cope with any diesel outcome.
Better fuel efficiency for more mileage, less emission and greater torque and power were some of the benefits of driving the XC90 D5 cited by Norrman during the recent media test drive of the SUV to Lumut last month.

“I’m very pleased and proud to introduce the new Volvo XC90 D5. It has all the features and benefits that are renowned in a XC90 model — safety, versatility, spaciousness and stylish too… and now with the diesel variant, things just got even better,” he said.

He also addressed another issue that seems to hinder the Swedish marque from generating more solid sales here — the perception that service and spare parts for Volvo cars are expensive.

Norrman dismissed this as a myth and said that the company has the figures and research findings pointing that Volvo parts are either on par or cheaper than brands like BMW and Mercedes.
VCM was keen to release details of the data in the near future, he added.

Packaging

Apart from the lack of xenon lights, the D5 shares the same good-looking shape and high specifications with its petrol sibling. Thus, you get similar safety features such as dual-stage airbags, side airbags, as well as those with terms and initials such as Whips, ABS, EBD, DSTC, EBA and RSC.

Black leather and cold aluminum panels make up the main theme to highlight the SUV’s premium side. There are seven comfy seats, from the supple driver’s seat right to the two individual third row seats that can easily fit full-size adults.
For added child comfort and safety, there is a built-in booster support at the centre second row seat.

Mechanical

The locally-assembled D5 is a transversely-mounted 2.4 litre in-line five-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 185 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque with a 6-speed automatic Geartronic transmission.

On the road

The drive to Lumut covered some 500km back and forth. In summary, the ride in the D5 was impressive. A full tank of 72 litres certainly gave us much more than 500km. The engine and shifting characteristics were noticeably smooth, with low vibration and high torque across a wide rev range.

VCM officials said the responsive D5 engine features a service-free particle filter, making it a highly eco-efficient engine. In other words, the engine produces low emissions of carbon dioxide and soots particles.

Overall, the D5 handled highways and trunk roads well. It was floaty over bumps due to its off-road capable suspension, but otherwise was exceptional overall.

Competitors

There are not many diesel-powered premium SUVs in the local market right now. Besides the D5, the other premium diesel SUV is the BMW X5. Mercedes-Benz used to have sold a diesel model years ago.

Price and equipment

The D5 costs more or less the same as the petrol version of the XC90, which is at RM355,000 on the road without insurance (it even comes with cheaper road tax at RM760 against RM873.60 for the petrol unit).

For the price, one will also get improved sound system with a high performance auxiliary system with MP3 or WMA capability CD player found in the XC90 petrol. It comes in four colors — Black Sapphire Metallic, Oyster Grey Pearl, Electric Silver Metallic and Shadow Blue Metallic.