• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2006 Volvo XC90 V8 Road Test

On Par with the Best Premium Imports?

The large luxury SUV has been at the forefront of the horsepower wars consuming most segments of the auto industry these days, and which continue virtually unabated despite the price of crude oil reaching new heights.

Buyers of these vehicles want it all, and the Volvo XC90, in its first three model years, has certainly been one of the more appealing and best-selling premium SUVs, with a rational combination of attributes like safety, conservative luxury and Swedish quality.

Effortless performance was perhaps not that high on the list,

The Volvo XC90, in its first three model years, has certainly been one of the more appealing premium SUVs. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, American Auto Press)

although many people would say that a turbocharged six cylinder engine is plenty powerful enough. Still, the XC90 is a relatively heavy vehicle, and it has been playing in an arena that has been populated with V8-powered rivals since before its introduction.

It was only a matter

It was only a matter of time before Volvo offered a V8 in one of its models, and the XC90 is a good one for the Swedish automaker to start with. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, American Auto Press)

of time before Volvo offered a V8 in one of their models, and the XC90 is a good one for them to start with, as it vaults the SUV up into an entirely different class, where it can run with the base V8s of all the other prestige European marques.

The question for Volvo was, where would the V8 come from, since the brand had never had one? And how could

The narrow block V8 found in the XC90 is made by Yamaha, although the Swedes arent exactly playing up that connection. (Photo: Volvo Cars of North America)

it be made to fit into an engine compartment designed for transverse inline engines, while maintaining the all-important crumple zones?

The connection with company owner Ford was little help, at least as far as its current line-up of V8s goes. But about ten years ago, there was a Ford Taurus called the SHO, and in its last incarnation, it had a transversely-mounted, 60-degree (versus the usual 90) V8. That engine was made by Yamaha, and it was the conceptual inspiration for

Volvo claims the new engine is the cleanest gasoline-powered V8 on the market today. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, American Auto Press)

the Volvo V8, which is also made by the Japanese firm, although the Swedes arent exactly playing up that connection.

The narrower block angle is the solution to both fitting a V8 transversely into the engine bay, and maintaining the all-important safety standards of the XC90. The output is as one would expect for a DOHC 32-valve 4.4-liter engine, with 315 horsepower, and 325 lb-ft of torque at 3,900 rpm, over 80 percent of which is available as low as 2,000 rpm thanks to some creative intake manifold design and variable valve timing.

Volvo claims the new engine is the cleanest

For various reasons, including torque management, performance and refinement, a new transmission was a necessity behind the V8. (Photo: Volvo Cars of North America)

gasoline-powered V8 on the market today, meeting the American ULEV II standards, thanks in part to the use of four catalytic converters. It is also one of the most economical, returning 14 mpg in the city and 22 mpg highway.

Volvo put some thought into how the V8 should sound. After all, it is aimed primarily at North Americans who are quite accustomed to big V8s and their macho rumble, but such crassness would hardly be suitable for a classy Euro SUV. The Swedes settled on a muted, yet authoritative sound, with an appealing burble when the throttle is let off. The folks down at the country club wont be offended.

Page:  1  2

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo