At last, Volvo has begun field tests of its long overdue replacement for the XC90 that will be introduced in late 2014 or (more likely) in early 2015. For starters, your eyes are not playing tricks with you as the test mule depicted in these spy shots is indeed wearing a modified body from the XC70 to hide the running gear of the XC90. Prototypes of the production body model are expected to start making their appearance over the next year.
The next XC90 will be the first model in Volvo’s range to use the company’s all-new scalable platform architecture (SPA) that was previewed in 2011 with the “You Concept” sedan, and which will eventually be utilized in the replacements of the S80 saloon, V70 estate, and if the rumors turn out to be true, a coupe model as well.
While our spy shooter found out that, the test mule was fitted with one of Volvo’s current five-cylinder engines via the car’s registration number, the Swedish company has confirmed that besides the new platform, the three-row XC90 will also debut a new generation of modular gasoline and diesel four-cylinder engines sharing up to 40 percent of their parts.
It has been reported that diesels will produce from 120hp to 230hp, and the gasoline units, from 140hp to 280hp, with the XC90, obviously, getting the most powerful versions. We still don’t know if Volvo will continue to offer V6 and V8 powerplants for the top range XC90s, or if it will hybridize the four-cylinder mills to achieve higher outputs.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
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