"This supercharged XC90 is a great way to illustrate the supercharged year of sales weve had," noted Vic Doolan, President and CEO of VCNA, "It could possibly be the ultimate Volvo. It has all the safety that Volvo is known for with the looks and performance of an exotic vehicle." But a concept it will remain as neither VCNA nor the Volvo Car Corporation may ever offer anything like the XC90 PUV. Noted Doolan, "This is just to get the juices flowing; to draw attention to the Volvo brand in a way that we havent before."
Once you get past the XC90 PUVs aggressive stance and fully customized body enhancements, a true beast lurks within. The "raging moose" XC90 V8 on display puts an estimated 600 horsepower through the use of a massive supercharger, revised engine mapping and low restriction exhaust. That power is routed through Volvos Haldex electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. The system is "pre-charged" meaning that power may be instantly routed to the wheel with the most traction. A new 6-speed automatic "Geartonic" transmission rounds out the driveline.
Right out of the box, the production Volvo XC90 V8 has the makings of purebred performer. With 311 horsepower and 325 ft.-lb. or torque at a low 3,900 rpm the Volvo XC90 reinforces its position as one of the most successful SUV models in the premium segment.
The new V8 engine marks a new turning-point in Volvo Cars history. It is the first V8 the company has produced since it was founded in 1927, and the Volvo XC90 is the first model to be powered by the new engine. One absolute requirement for the new V8 engine was that it had to be installed transversely in the engine compartment, just like all other Volvo engines.
A transverse engine is helpful in maintaining the frontal crumple zones in the XC90 and thus not compromise on protective safety, says Hans Wikman. For this reason, extremely compact external dimensions were essential for the new engine. This also explains the choice of just 60 degrees between the two banks of cylinders as opposed to the more conventional 90 degrees.
In order to maintain overall compactness, all the ancillary units such as the alternator are fitted directly onto the engine itself without any space-stealing brackets. The starter motor is fitted above the transmission for the same reason. Additionally, the exhaust camshafts are driven by secondary chains running off the inlet camshafts, saving additional space.
The left-hand cylinder bank is offset half a cylinder ahead of the right bank, contradicting normal practice in the automotive world so the engine can slot neatly into the structural beam network of the XC90 and thus enhance collision safety. Weve tailored this V8 specifically for the XC90, confirms Hans Wikman. The result is a V8 that is just 29.7 inches long and 24.9 inches wide the most compact on the market compared to engines of equivalent volume.
As a result of these compact dimensions and the fact that both the block and cylinder head are cast in aluminum, Volvos new V8 weighs just 418 pounds an important consideration when aiming for low fuel consumption.
For the 2005 Greater Los Angeles auto show, VCNA is unveiling this screaming yellow fire breather with an estimated 600 rootin tootin ponies beneath its sculpted hood. A conservative torque estimate hovers somewhere in the 500s. To keep things cool, a massive intercooler has been mounted below the XC90s custom fabricated front fascia.
Riding a full two inches lower than a production XC90, this SUVs extraordinary styling is highlighted by it mouthwatering yellow paint scheme. With a nod to the super cars of Italy, the supercharged XC90 V8 sits squarely on its 9-inch wide ultra high-performance alloy wheels. The Pirelli P-Zero Assimetrico tires are 275/40-ZR20s front and rear.
Up front is an ultra deep front airdam with a wide-mouth opening that helps to channel cool air into the engine compartment and the superchargers intercooler. Fared into the front fascia are small, high intensity foglamps. Air slips smoothly around the PUVs front end and over the ultra-wide, custom fabricated wheel arches. Deep cuts at the rear of the side sills direct air around the tires to the 13-inch floating rear brakes, shod with 4-piston calipers. Brake duty up front is handled by 15-inch floating discs with 8-piston calipers.
Once you get past the XC90 PUVs aggressive stance and fully customized body enhancements, a true beast lurks within. The "raging moose" XC90 V8 on display puts an estimated 600 horsepower through the use of a massive supercharger, revised engine mapping and low restriction exhaust. That power is routed through Volvos Haldex electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. The system is "pre-charged" meaning that power may be instantly routed to the wheel with the most traction. A new 6-speed automatic "Geartonic" transmission rounds out the driveline.
Right out of the box, the production Volvo XC90 V8 has the makings of purebred performer. With 311 horsepower and 325 ft.-lb. or torque at a low 3,900 rpm the Volvo XC90 reinforces its position as one of the most successful SUV models in the premium segment.
The new V8 engine marks a new turning-point in Volvo Cars history. It is the first V8 the company has produced since it was founded in 1927, and the Volvo XC90 is the first model to be powered by the new engine. One absolute requirement for the new V8 engine was that it had to be installed transversely in the engine compartment, just like all other Volvo engines.
A transverse engine is helpful in maintaining the frontal crumple zones in the XC90 and thus not compromise on protective safety, says Hans Wikman. For this reason, extremely compact external dimensions were essential for the new engine. This also explains the choice of just 60 degrees between the two banks of cylinders as opposed to the more conventional 90 degrees.
In order to maintain overall compactness, all the ancillary units such as the alternator are fitted directly onto the engine itself without any space-stealing brackets. The starter motor is fitted above the transmission for the same reason. Additionally, the exhaust camshafts are driven by secondary chains running off the inlet camshafts, saving additional space.
The left-hand cylinder bank is offset half a cylinder ahead of the right bank, contradicting normal practice in the automotive world so the engine can slot neatly into the structural beam network of the XC90 and thus enhance collision safety. Weve tailored this V8 specifically for the XC90, confirms Hans Wikman. The result is a V8 that is just 29.7 inches long and 24.9 inches wide the most compact on the market compared to engines of equivalent volume.
As a result of these compact dimensions and the fact that both the block and cylinder head are cast in aluminum, Volvos new V8 weighs just 418 pounds an important consideration when aiming for low fuel consumption.
For the 2005 Greater Los Angeles auto show, VCNA is unveiling this screaming yellow fire breather with an estimated 600 rootin tootin ponies beneath its sculpted hood. A conservative torque estimate hovers somewhere in the 500s. To keep things cool, a massive intercooler has been mounted below the XC90s custom fabricated front fascia.
Riding a full two inches lower than a production XC90, this SUVs extraordinary styling is highlighted by it mouthwatering yellow paint scheme. With a nod to the super cars of Italy, the supercharged XC90 V8 sits squarely on its 9-inch wide ultra high-performance alloy wheels. The Pirelli P-Zero Assimetrico tires are 275/40-ZR20s front and rear.
Up front is an ultra deep front airdam with a wide-mouth opening that helps to channel cool air into the engine compartment and the superchargers intercooler. Fared into the front fascia are small, high intensity foglamps. Air slips smoothly around the PUVs front end and over the ultra-wide, custom fabricated wheel arches. Deep cuts at the rear of the side sills direct air around the tires to the 13-inch floating rear brakes, shod with 4-piston calipers. Brake duty up front is handled by 15-inch floating discs with 8-piston calipers.
