Automotive

Volvo veers into mud and snow with V90 Cross Country

Volvo veers into mud and snow with V90 Cross Country
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
View 43 Images
The standard radar/camera-based detection system can detect large animals, warn the driver and self-brake
1/43
The standard radar/camera-based detection system can detect large animals, warn the driver and self-brake
Animal detection system
2/43
Animal detection system
Steel cage breakdown
3/43
Steel cage breakdown
Cross Country badging and contrast arches
4/43
Cross Country badging and contrast arches
The Cross Country gets larger wheels and tires
5/43
The Cross Country gets larger wheels and tires
Loading up the new V90 cross country
6/43
Loading up the new V90 cross country
Versatile load space
7/43
Versatile load space
Versatile load space
8/43
Versatile load space
With its generous load space and off-road capabilities, the V90 Cross Country should get some SUV loyalists thinking "wagon"
9/43
With its generous load space and off-road capabilities, the V90 Cross Country should get some SUV loyalists thinking "wagon"
Both seats down
10/43
Both seats down
The new V90 Cross Country starts at $55,300 in the US
11/43
The new V90 Cross Country starts at $55,300 in the US
The familiar Thor's hammer headlights
12/43
The familiar Thor's hammer headlights
The Cross Country grille has a similar look as the standard V90 but includes the distinguishing studs on each slat
13/43
The Cross Country grille has a similar look as the standard V90 but includes the distinguishing studs on each slat
Cross Country badging
14/43
Cross Country badging
The interior through the roof
15/43
The interior through the roof
In talking about the interior, Volvo mentions only the Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system specifically and says the Cross Country will have the same features as the S90 and V90
16/43
In talking about the interior, Volvo mentions only the Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system specifically and says the Cross Country will have the same features as the S90 and V90
Inside the new V90 Cross Country
17/43
Inside the new V90 Cross Country
The Cross Country range goes back 20 years
18/43
The Cross Country range goes back 20 years
S90, V90, V90 Cross Country (left to right)
19/43
S90, V90, V90 Cross Country (left to right)
The V90 Cross Country finishes off the 90 range
20/43
The V90 Cross Country finishes off the 90 range
"Powerful off-road capability in a most elegant, sophisticated, tailored wagon suit" - Thomas Ingenlath, Volvo senior VP of design
21/43
"Powerful off-road capability in a most elegant, sophisticated, tailored wagon suit" - Thomas Ingenlath, Volvo senior VP of design  
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
22/43
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
23/43
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
24/43
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
The Cross Country model has an extra 2.4 in of clearance
25/43
The Cross Country model has an extra 2.4 in of clearance
The studs in the grille give it a distinct look
26/43
The studs in the grille give it a distinct look
Volvo V90 Cross Country
27/43
Volvo V90 Cross Country
A more capable, off-road-ready V90
28/43
A more capable, off-road-ready V90 
The Cross Country includes a front skid plate
29/43
The Cross Country includes a front skid plate
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
30/43
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
31/43
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
32/43
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
33/43
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
Volvo performed much chassis tweaking and testing to get a suitable blend of smooth road driving and capable off-road handling
34/43
Volvo performed much chassis tweaking and testing to get a suitable blend of smooth road driving and capable off-road handling
The Volvo V90 Cross Country is ready to take you to your destination ... no matter what route you plan on
35/43
The Volvo V90 Cross Country is ready to take you to your destination ... no matter what route you plan on
Volvo performed cold-weather testing at secret facilities in Northern Sweden, where temperatures dip below - 40
36/43
Volvo performed cold-weather testing at secret facilities in Northern Sweden, where temperatures dip below - 40
Hot weather testing was performed in a very different environment: the Arizona desert
37/43
Hot weather testing was performed in a very different environment: the Arizona desert
A more adventurous breed of Volvo wagon
38/43
A more adventurous breed of Volvo wagon
Volvo reveals the all-new V90 Cross Country
39/43
Volvo reveals the all-new V90 Cross Country
Maybe Volvo didn't want to get the new V90 dirty, but this is more of what we'd like to see it doing. Pictured here is the first-gen XC70 Cross Country getting after it
40/43
Maybe Volvo didn't want to get the new V90 dirty, but this is more of what we'd like to see it doing. Pictured here is the first-gen XC70 Cross Country getting after it
XC70 Cross Country
41/43
XC70 Cross Country
XC70 Cross Country goes for a swim
42/43
XC70 Cross Country goes for a swim
XC70 Cross Country getting dirty
43/43
XC70 Cross Country getting dirty 
View gallery - 43 images

Earlier this year, Volvo put SUVs and CUVs on notice with the new V90, a car that proclaims, "the wagon is still here, it's still relevant and it's every bit as stylish and versatile as any utility vehicle." As of today, it's also built to be as capable. The new V90 Cross Country debuts as the rugged outdoorsman of the V90 family, an all-road, all-weather estate built for sure-footed driving on all of life's adventures, big and small.

"With all-wheel drive, increased ride height, and a chassis optimized for comfort and control in all weather and road conditions, the new V90 Cross Country takes our versatile V90 estate and adds the heart of an explorer," says Dr. Peter Mertens, Volvo Cars senior VP, research & development.

"Powerful off-road capability in a most elegant, sophisticated, tailored wagon suit" - Thomas Ingenlath, Volvo senior VP of design
"Powerful off-road capability in a most elegant, sophisticated, tailored wagon suit" - Thomas Ingenlath, Volvo senior VP of design  

Possibly the most noticeable change from the standard V90 is the increased ground clearance. The Cross Country stands 2.4 in (60 mm) higher than the standard V90. Its large tires feature a softer design and more rounded profile, adding better grip and a softer ride on whatever terrain is below.

Contrast charcoal wheel arches sit around those tires, extending into matching bumpers, and Volvo will also offer a body-color option for those that prefer to keep things uniform. A front skid plate, distinct grille design, Cross Country badges and high-gloss black window frames further distinguish the new model.

Volvo explains that it also spent serious time tuning and tweaking the SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) underpinnings for just the right combination of smooth highway handling and off-road prowess, a process that included reprogramming electronic chassis control systems. Also assisting drivers will be hill descent control and five selectable modes: comfort, eco, dynamic, off-road and customizable "individual" mode.

XC70 Cross Country goes for a swim
XC70 Cross Country goes for a swim

The new V90 Cross Country debuts 20 years after the original V70 XC Cross Country. Like the Cross Country models that came before it, the new V90 Cross Country is inspired and informed by the extreme temperatures and rugged terrain of Volvo's Scandinavian surroundings. It was tested in Sweden at temperatures as low as -40° F (-40° C) and was also shipped over to the US to endure the dry, baking heat of the Arizona desert.

Photos like the one below show that the 315-hp super/turbocharged 2.0-liter T6 four-cylinder will be on offer, but it's not clear if the other V90 engine options will be extended to the Cross Country.

Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country
Volvo introduces the V90 Cross Country

The VC90 Cross Country will complete the greater 90 series when it launches. Volvo will begin production in Sweden during Northern Hemisphere fall, and the new model is listed on Volvo's website starting at US$55,300.

Source: Volvo

View gallery - 43 images
2 comments
2 comments
DavidRogerBrown
Surely every buyer will take this $55 thousand plus vehicle down streams & off road. Ha,ha,ha.
Rehab
I remember the original diesel Volvo wagons with rear wheel drive. If they had come with all wheel drive they would have dominated the market, probably to this day.