This SUV doesn't have to strain to reach the first hundred in seven seconds from the start — the reserve of power of its V-shaped "eight" is more than enough for that. But the price asked for the Executive version is comparable to the budget for a decent three-room apartment. Today, the XC90 in Executive trim is the most expensive model in the entire Volvo lineup.
2005 Volvo XC90 V8
© Photo: 5 Koleso
Actually, we owe the appearance of this car to the Americans. It was for their demands that Volvo once created its XC90 SUV. And although initially everyone was satisfied, over time the situation changed. In the North American market, not only comfort is valued — and there is no doubt that the XC90 provides it — but also serious power. Moreover, the decisive argument when choosing there is not the displacement or horsepower, but the number of cylinders. Less than six — and they won't even approach the car.
2005 Volvo XC90 V8
© Photo: 5 Koleso
Apparently, that is why interest in the model gradually began to fade, and buyers increasingly looked toward BMW and Volkswagen. To avoid being left with nothing, Volvo engineers began searching for a suitable V8. However, none of the engines available from Ford fit into the engine bay. That's when they decided to turn to the Japanese.
Yamaha already had experience supplying engines for the Ford Taurus, but it was hard to call it successful. Nevertheless, the order was entrusted to them. And they didn't miscalculate. Wanting to restore their reputation, the Japanese gave it their all and created an engine that today evokes genuine admiration. The engine turned out to be both compact and quite powerful. We're not just talking about 315 horsepower, but also a decent torque, the peak of which — 440 Nm — is reached at 3900 rpm. Moreover, the engine is highly environmentally friendly. But that's not all. With a displacement of 4.4 liters, in the city cycle the car consumes about 17 liters of gasoline with calm driving. Approximately the same is spent on the highway at speeds from 140 km/h. If you drive slower — then only 10. However, there's nothing to be surprised about: at a speed of 90 km/h, the tachometer shows only 1500 rpm. This is almost idle speed, considering that the "eight" easily revs up to 6000.
2005 Volvo XC90 V8
© Photo: 5 Koleso
But no matter how good the "eight" is, without a worthy transmission it won't reveal itself. And since they went to the Japanese, they decided not to be petty. The gearbox was also ordered from Japan. The six-speed automatic Aisin AW perfectly suited the new engine — both in layout and in its characteristics. Driving a car with such a gearbox is a sheer pleasure, whether in automatic mode or manual.
2005 Volvo XC90 V8
© Photo: 5 Koleso
True, we used the manual mode only once during the entire time we had the car — and that was a rather long period — and only out of curiosity. And why bother with it if everything works flawlessly and smoothly? The automatic perfectly adapts to both aggressive and calm driving styles. Pauses during shifts are minimal and almost imperceptible. Chasing hundredths of a second by yanking the lever? Let the owners of VW Golf GTI have fun with that. The Volvo XC90 has a different character. You drive it, not race around with bulging eyes, trying to prove your exclusivity to everyone. A person behind the wheel of such a car doesn't need to prove anything. Why, if the car itself already speaks of the owner's status and success. Especially if it's an XC90 in Executive trim.
2005 Volvo XC90 V8
© Photo: 5 Koleso
So what does the Executive version actually offer? Essentially, it's a few distinctive details. The first is the interior trim. The leather here is stitched with white threads — and that's not a figure of speech. This deliberateness is not accidental: it emphasizes the level of execution, because the quality is so high that the seams can be left exposed. The second detail is a spacious refrigerator hidden in the front armrest. The third is a pair of independent DVD players. The fourth is three monitors: two are built into the headrests of the front seats, and the third lowers from the ceiling. And finally, a table for two in the trunk. Yes, exactly there. It is installed on the folded lower tailgate of the fifth door, special mats are placed on top — and you get an improvised bench from which you can admire the sunset in the mountains or the sunrise by the sea. And if you take a chilled bottle of good champagne out of the refrigerator... Beautiful, that's all. And what else is there to do when you already have everything?
Technical specifications of Volvo XC90 V8
Body – 5-door
Number of seats – 5
Curb weight, kg – 2207
Gross weight, kg – 2760
Dimensions (length/width/height), mm – 4800/1900/1784
Wheelbase, mm – 2860
Trunk volume, l – 249–613
Maximum speed, km/h – 210
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, s – 7.3
Fuel consumption, l/100 km:
- city cycle – 19.8
- highway – 9.6
- combined – 13.3
Fuel tank volume, l – 80
Engine:
- type – V8
- displacement, cm3 – 4414
- power, hp at rpm – 315/5850
- torque, Nm at rpm – 440/3900
Transmission – 6-speed automatic
Suspension:
- front – independent
- rear – independent
Brakes – disc, ventilated
Steering – rack and pinion with power steering
Price, $ – from 90,000.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Powerful engine, decent dynamics, excellent sound insulation, passenger car comfort.
– High price.
© 5 Koleso