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2005 Volvo XC90 V8 Preview

Yamaha Supplies 315-HP 4.4-Liter V8 Powerplant

Volvo has made its plans to integrate a V8 engine into its popular XC90 sport utility vehicle official last month, and in so doing directly targets other premium brands such as BMW, Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz, while also taking on Volkswagens new Touareg SUV which also sports an optional V8.

While 5- and 6-cylinder equipped XC90s enjoy best-selling-in-U.S. status among European SUVs, approximately 30 percent of sport utilities in the premium segment roll off the dealers lot with V8 engines. That statistic bodes well for future XC90 sales.

Being that Volvo doesnt currently offer a V8 engine in any of its new models, and never has in its 77

Its official, Volvo will be producing a V8 powered version of the popular XC90. (Photo: Volvo Cars of North America)

year history, the automaker has turned to an unlikely partner. Motorcycle (and just about everything else) manufacturer Yamaha has designed, developed and will produce the engine (see news archives for June 23, 2004: New 4.4-Liter V8 to Power 2005 Volvo XC90 SUV).

"With the V8, we will not rest on our laurels but will build on our success," says Vic Doolan, president and CEO, Volvo Cars of North

Seeing that Volvo has never produced a V8 engine in their 77 year history, they needed some outside help. (Photo: Volvo Cars of North America)

America. "Our V8 package is the perfect fusion of performance and safety, versatility and value" he added.

Being a Ford Motor Company subsidiary, why wouldnt Volvo opt for one of its Premier Auto Group (PAG) 32-valve, DOHC V8s? Jaguars 4.2-liter 8-cylinder would be a likely choice, having just recently been optimized to 4.4-liters for use in the new Land Rover LR3.

Volvo has worked hard to separate itself from

Being a Ford Motor Company subsidiary, why wouldnt Volvo opt for one of its Premier Auto Group (PAG) 32-valve, DOHC V8s? (Photo: Volvo Cars of North America)

its sibling Ford brands, and has achieved tremendous sales success in its own right. This may be the only reason it chose to go with the Yamaha power unit, but there may be additional underlying reasons, possibly driven by its Ford owner. After all, the domestically based automaker has enjoyed an engine-supply business with Yamaha for years, starting with the Taurus SHO that appeared in 1988 as a 1989 model, featuring a high-revving V6 when it first entered the market, replaced later in the 1996 model year with a sport-oriented V8.

Volvos Yamaha-built V8 boasts 315 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Volvo Cars of North America) align="justify">Volvos Yamaha-built V8 boasts 315 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, which should prove ample for transporting the seven-occupant SUV quickly. Maximum torque comes on at 3,900 rpm, but more importantly it only needs 2,000 rpm to dole out 273 lb-ft of torque. Its transverse placement is unusual, for sure, as most V8 engines are configured longitudinally. Positioning it sideways allows for excellent packaging. No doubt the engines compact size is another reason Volvo chose it.

While Volvo North America has not announced pricing, the division says the new XC90 AWD V8 will be positioned competitively

Saab will soon be selling its Chevy TrailBlazer-based 9-7X in North America, featuring an old-tech OHV, 2-valve per cylinder V8. (Photo: General Motors)

within the 8-cylinder luxury SUV segment. Whats more, the only directly competitive 7-seat SUVs featuring V8 power are the Lexus GX 470 and Land Rover LR3. With the LR3 in mind, maybe Doolan wasnt considering the U.K. as part of Europe when he stated that, "The Volvo XC90 is the only European V8 with the versatility of seven seats." Of course, if the U.K. isnt part of Europe, where does that leave the Scandinavian countries?

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