The volvo xc90 may look very familiar to owners of the current generation luxury SUV - yet it heralds a new phase in the brand's commitment to sustainability. This mid-cycle update comes with almost no marked changes aesthetically but eagle-eyed fans may notice the redesigned front grille, which now features concave bars, as well as slightly modified front and rear bumpers.
The biggest change to this refreshed model lies beneath the body panels.
No, not in the cabin - even though the leather upholstery looks stylish and premium while the digital instrument panel and touchscreen monitor fitted to the dash are both user-friendly and quite contemporary.
The major change is the vehicle's power unit.
This entry-level XC90 B5 Momentum employs a new, third-generation, Drive E powertrain featuring a two-liter turbocharged engine and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, meaning the engines have a bigger capacity.
The first-generation four-cylinder Drive E engine family was unveiled by Volvo in 2013.
Though the four-cylinder gasoline engine that forms the base architecture of the new Drive E is not new in itself, it has undergone several revisions.
It now features cylinder deactivation, which sees two of the four cylinders shut down in low-load situations, in addition to a liquid-cooled air intake for a better turbocharging response.
The best change is the 48-volt mild hybrid system, which features a kinetic energy recovery system that will recuperate energy from the vehicle's inertia - similar to other hybrid or electric systems.
To distinguish the new powertrain from the previous one, while signifying a new era, Volvo has given the B badge to the new engine units, replacing the T badge used before.
The B5 hybrid system is not designed to provide maximum horsepower output.
The 48-volt battery system's electric motor is capable of producing an extra output of just 14PS, on top of the petrol engine's 250PS.
Its sole purpose is to assist the engine and to reduce the work the engine needs to do, according to Volvo.
So despite offering better throttle response and the sense of more power in off-the-light acceleration, as noted by car reviewer William Chan of Sing Tao Daily, performance is not the main goal of this B5 engine.
Volvo Cars have pledged to have fully electric cars making up to 50 percent of its sales by 2025, building on its 2017 announcement that every new model released from 2019 will be available as either a plug-in hybrid, a mild-hybrid or a fully-electric powered car.
This mild hybrid XC90 B5 Momentum is therefore the new entry-level of the flagship SUV series.
Starting at HK$649,800, the refreshed all-wheel-drive vehicle comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission and good equipment levels as standard, including Volvo's excellent CitySafety system, four-zone air-conditioning and purifying, keyless entry, panoramic glass roof, 360-degree parking camera, and many more.
The very subtle changes made to the vehicle may not make headlines, but its new owners will appreciate that it is a relatively more sustainable luxury SUV.
staff.reporter@singtaonewscorp.com
