VOLVO XC90 test drive since 2007 SUV

Hot Snow

Even the old -timers of these places will not be remembered that in mid -February in the north of Sweden, snow melts. And the ice of the Baltic Sea melted under the wheels of Volvo XC90.
Scientists do not lie when they scare us with global warming. We arrived in the town of Lulea, which is located only 50 kilometers from the polar circle and on the first day the test drive the thermometer rose to the positive mark, it rained. Volvo representatives were frankly upset, and we are very satisfied. The narrow rural roads were covered with ice crust in combination with the rain gravy - it is the most to experience the new Volvo XC90 in the case.
Slippery path. Typically, distances in the navigator map and odometer readings coincide on Volvo test drives with an accuracy of a meter. But this time we wound an extra kilometer for every 40--50 kilometers of the route-regularly slipping the wheels on slippery coating affected. And if it were a test of an ordinary front -wheel drive car, then it could end deplorable.
But, thank God, under us was an all -wheel drive XC90. With the smart system AWD, which has never failed. Even in the most risky areas, our car moved confidently, and only a quiet click of various electronic devices reminded that the full -wheel drive system was working with all his might.
By default, Volvo XC90 is a front -wheel drive car with the distribution of torque between the front and rear wheels in a ratio of 95: 5 percent, respectively. But it is worth the front wheel to scroll at one seventh turn, as electronics come into business. The system instantly increases the load on the rear wheels, thereby guaranteeing the best adhesion to the surface. And the TRACS anti -operating system, braking the skid wheels, plays the role of blocking inter -fire differentials, controlling the distribution of torque between the right and left wheels.
In the all -wheel drive system, unlike the XC70, it is not applied to VISKOFT, but by a multi -disable haldex clutch with oil filling. The electronic unit reads information about the speed of rotation of the wheels, engine speeds, the load on it, the state of the brake system and in a split second can transfer the torque to the rear wheels to eliminate slippers.
In the process of braking, the all -wheel drive system turns off so as not to interfere with the ABS to do its own business and maintain a straightforward movement.
 
Electronic swing. Another electronic system, the work of which we felt plenty of rushing along the frozen Baltic Sea, is Roll Stability Control (RSC). This is a fundamentally new development of Volvo, which protects the car from turning. - the basis of the system - gyroscopic? Sensors registering the speed of the car and the angle of deviation of the body. If the RSC calculated that the deviation angle is too large, then the electronic unit gives the DSTC signal (the maintenance system for the course stability) and automatically reduces the engine power, slowing one or more wheels.
In practice, this can be tested by forcing Volvo to wobble on the road, working with a steering wheel left-right. At some point, when the body begins to swing with all growing amplitude, automation strangles the engine speed. At the same time, the car begins to significantly pull towards the opposite inclination of the body - on the outer arc of turning. This traction effort from the engine is thrown to the inner wheels - Volvo restores straightforward movement and extinguishes the body of the body.
Dig deeper. Despite the abundance of electronic systems that greatly facilitate the control of the XC90 in difficult conditions, it is not entirely correct to call a new Volvo SUV. We were convinced of this, overcoming the route specially offered to us. Yes, the XC90 off -road has a high clearance, a powerful engine and one of the most progressive electronic all -wheel drive systems for today. Our car confidently overcame steep climbs, descents ... but on a rolled rut. If the same track were covered with loose snow, deep mud or sand, then most likely the XC90 would not get out of such a trap. The lack of mechanical and inter -long locks and, most importantly, a demultipliter, speaks against the new Volvo SUV.
Before we discussed this with our colleagues, we received a visual confirmation of our words - the XC90 descending from the hill was demolished to the side of the road and he was bogged down with two left wheels in loose snow. All attempts to get out independently were not successful - the car buried deeper and deeper into the snow, and smart electronics went crazy and did not understand where, in fact, to throw the torque. Yes, the situation is freelance, and it is not known how I would cope with it, say, Land Rover Discovery. But the fact remains - the serious off -road Volvo XC90 is not yet tough. Which does not detract from his obvious virtues.
A magnificent seven. When designing a new car, the main emphasis was to be placed as compactly as possible on the chassis of the engine and transmission and increase the living space in the cabin due to this. The goal was achieved primarily due to the transverse placement of the 6-cylinder engine.
The Volvo XC90 salon is striking in its size. The Swedes designed the really largest SUV family car with a very thoughtful use of each centimeter of the interior.
The driver and front passenger shares a huge panel on which the radio tape recorder, GSM telephone, climatic installation and all the control keys are located. The decent dimensions of this beard and the optimal angle of inclination relative to the windshield allowed not to flicker with all the keys and buttons located on it and make them equally accessible for both the driver and the passenger. Moreover, the management of some systems - a radio and telephone - is duplicated by the buttons on the steering wheel. And two more simple block control units are located on the rear racks and are equally available to passengers in the second and third rows of seats.
Three adults are calmly placed on the sofa of the second row. It is designed as two full -sized chairs between which the third is located, more narrow. It can transform both in a children's seat and a huge subcard table. All three seats have longitudinal adjustment and folding backs.
The third row is not the notorious dog place, but two full -size chairs that have an original design. Without the slightest effort, the pillows are removed under the floor of the trunk, and the backs are laid in their place. As a result, we get a trunk with an absolutely flat floor and an impressive volume of 613 liters. And due to the fact that all the backs of the back rows are folding, you can painlessly place a load of almost 3 meters in the cabin and go the three-day. And if without luggage, then seven people are arranged in the salon with quite acceptable comfort.
Do not miss. And what about the shortcomings - is it really not? There is, since the perfect car does not exist yet. It’s just that the advantages in a good car should outweigh the shortcomings - as in this case. I personally did not like the movement of the automatic transmission handle. It moves along the too short trajectory, and I constantly missed the position D, sticking the manual gear shift mode. And once he was forgotten, and only the straining of the engine led me to the idea that I had been going in the first gear for a long time, by raping the engine.
That's all - we did not find other egregious inconsistencies between the price and quality of the Volvo XC90. And, parting with the new Swedish all -around, they regretted only that the European market will get only 25 percent of the general production - the rest of the cars will leave for the ocean, in the USA, where the Volvo XC90 has already received the Truck of the Year 2003.
Text Nikolay Kachurin, photo Alexey Ilyin
 
Model/Modification Volvo XC90 Volvo XC90 T6
Manufacturer/ country ---- Volvo Car Corporation/ Sweden
ENGINE
Type/number/location of the cylinders gasoline, turbocharged, with an intermediate cooler/5/rowing gasoline, turbocharged, with two intermediate coolers/6/row
Working volume (cubic cub) 2521 2922
Power, kW (L.S.) at about./Min. 154 (210) at 5000 200 (272) at 5100
Moment (Nm) at about./Min. 320 at 1500-4500 380 at 1800-5000
TRANSMISSION
The permanent drive is complete
 
Automatic 5-speed gearbox type GEARTRONIC Automatic 5-speed type GEARTRONIC
Brakes, safety
Front/rear disc ventilated circular ventilated
ABS, assisting electronic systems 4-channel systems with EBV, DSTC and ROPS 4-channel systems with EBV, DSTC and ROPS systems
Pillows of safety front, lateral for the driver and all passengers, inflatable curtains front, side for the driver and all passengers, inflatable curtains
Dimensions/mass
Length/width/height (mm) ----- 4800/1890/1740
Wheel base (mm)/clearance (mm) 2860/220 2860/220
Equipped/full mass (kg) 2046 2046
The volume of the fuel tank (L) 72 72
Maximum speed (km/h) 210 210
Acceleration to 100 km/h (c) 9.9 9.3
Fuel consumption (city/highway, l/100 km) 16.3/9.5 18.5/9.6
The price in Moscow from $ 63.5 thousand from $ 63.5 thousand.
Additional options (dealer price, USD)
 
Metallic color $ 713
The third row of seats (with installation) $ 2000
Radio with a CD changer for 6 discs $ 625
A set of rugs in the salon $ 85
Faculty $ 143
 

Source: "Autopilot"