The XC90 V8 Sport is designed for those who desire a more athletic variant of Volvo’s flagship luxury SUV. Introduced as a midyear addition to the lineup last year,
the limited production XC90 V8 Sport benefits from a dynamic chassis setting, standard 19-inch alloy wheels with low-profile tires, unique appearance, interior specification upgrades and sport-tuned suspension.
“Driving characteristics are of a caliber that few thought were possible in a Volvo SUV,” said Susana Johnsson, Product Manager of Special Vehicles at Volvo Car Corporation. “We have succeeded in finding a balance between driving stability and the capacity to absorb unevenness in the road.” The XC90 V8 Sport gains firmer springs and struts as well as thicker stabilizer bars for a high level of stability when cornering. The steering has also been modified for quicker response.
The XC90 V8 Sport shares its high-tech 4.4-liter 32-valve engine with the XC90 V8. Fitted with continuously variable intake and exhaust valve timing (CVVT), this naturally aspirated V8 develops 311 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque. Both V8 models feature standard all-wheel drive with Instant TractionTM. This traction enhancing system employs computer-controlled Haldex AWD that instantaneously delivers up to 50 percent more torque to the rear axle only when needed, such as during takeoff. A six-speed “Geartronic” automatic transmission is standard on all XC90s.
Also introduced last year was an all-new 3.2-liter in-line six-cylinder engine for the XC90 3.2. This naturally aspirated powerplant replaced the 2.5T, utilizing the latest technology to maintain the same exterior dimension and fuel consumption as a five-cylinder engine. The result is 235 horsepower, an increase of 27 hp versus the 2.5T, and an identical 236 lb.-ft. of torque. It achieves performance and economy thanks to Variable Cam Timing (VCT) and Cam Profile Switching (CPS). With CPS, the intake valves can be lifted to different heights depending on engine revs and load - a lower lift for economical driving and a higher one for more power.
Read Article