New Volvo SUV is ready for tough journeys

Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta, novan@thejakartapost.com

Swedish carmaker Volvo is best known here for its luxurious sedans provided for our ministers and other high-ranking state officials. Currently, those officials are driven around in the S90 sedans, which are modified versions of the S960.

As the new trend in automotive industry is shifting toward sports utility vehicles (SUV), Volvo has released its own, the Volvo XC90.

This seven-seater -- its competitors are five-seaters -- was first introduced here in July 2003 at the Gaikindo Jakarta Motor Show.

Despite some supply problems, there have been some 100 units sold by PT Central Sole Agency, its authorized dealer here.

"We only received a limited number from Volvo. If the supply had been larger, we could have sold more XC90s," PT Central Sole Agency's chief executive officer Djunaedi Hadiwidjaja said on the sidelines of a media ride in Lido, near Bogor, last month.

First introduced at the Detroit (U.S.A.) Motor Show last year, there are two options available: the XC90 2.5T with a 2,521 cc, 20-valve, 5-cylinder engine and XC90 T-6 with 2,922, 24-valve 6- cylinder power plant. Both engines have inline configurations.

The 5-cylinder engine is equipped with turbo and electronic ignition producing a maximum of 210 horsepower (hp) at 5,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 310 on the Newton meter (Nm) between 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm.

Meanwhile, the larger 6-cylinder engine is able to unleash 280 hp at 5,200 rpm and a maximum torque of 380 Nm from 1,800 to 5,000 rpm thanks to its double turbocharger.

Both types are equipped with five-speed automatic transmissions with the Geartronic adaptive shift feature.

The XC90 is about 4.7 meters long with a wheelbase of some 2.8 meters. It is 1.7 meters high and 1.8 meters wide. The SUV has a ground clearance of 21.8 centimeters and a turning circle of 11.9 meters.

The XC90 2.5T has 225/70 R16 tires while the XC90 T-6 comes with 235/55 R18 tires. Both come standard with alloy rims. For braking safety, the XC90 is equipped with an antilock braking system (ABS), and four-wheel disc brakes. It also has the electronic brake assist (EBA) feature and an electronic braking- force distribution (EBD).

It is the first SUV to get a five-star Euro NCAP rating on a crash test.

With its reputation for safety and quality, the Volvo XC90 is equipped with an inflatable curtain, a whiplash protection system, side impact protection system and dual stage airbags for the driver and front passenger.

The XC90 2.5T will set one back Rp 796 million (US$86,500) while the XC90 T-6 is tagged at Rp 912.5 million ($99,100).

Current competitors included the German Mercedes Benz ML class, the BMW X5, the Porsche Cayenne and the VW Touareg.