Next-gen Volvo XC90 goes high-end

VOLVO'S long-awaited second-generation XC90 SUV is heading upmarket, with a crystal gear-shifter and diamond-cut controls just some of the high-end features revealed by the Swedish car-maker today.

Images of the interior have been released ahead of the full exterior reveal in August, with Volvo Cars saying in a statement that the new model promises to be a “transformational vehicle in its market segment”.

The new interior appears to be a major step up with clean lines giving the cabin a minimalist look while the light-coloured wood-grain adds a distinctly Scandinavian flavour.

Volvo has included a number of hand-crafted touches, including the gear-shift lever that is made of crystal glass by Swedish glass-maker Orrfors as well as diamond-cut controls for the idle stop button and volume control.

A massive tablet-like touch-screen dominates the centre stack and while Volvo is yet to release details about its functionality, it appears to house many of the XC90's controls which eliminates the needs for a multitude of buttons on the lower stack.

The XC90 marks the first use of Volvo's new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) that allows for the use of the latest technology and increased interior space.

Describing the second-generation XC90 as a “genuine” seven-seater, Volvo said the newly designed seats free up extra cabin space in both the second and third row.

Volvo Cars’ interior design director Robin Page said that the seats offer excellent comfort and support as well as various seating positions.

“Just like classic Scandinavian chairs, our new seats prove that seats don’t need a lot of thick padding to be comfortable. The full seat core has an ergonomic shape that resembles the human spine. A multitude of adjustment possibilities makes it possible for the individual user to create an ideal seating position.”

The standard Comfort seats are available with power operation, memory settings, ventilation and a massage function, depending on specification, while an optional Contour seat has been designed for optimal side support.

Second row seats feature reclining and sliding functions, while Volvo is claiming class-leading room in the third row for passengers with a height up to 170cm. These third-row seats are centred for a better view and there is extra foot-room under the back of second row.

Each row is covered by a curtain airbag and all seven seats have seat-belt pre-tensioners.

A four-zone climate control system can be optioned in the XC90 separating the front and second row and there is also the option of a separate air conditioning unit for the third row.

Volvo has even improved its CleanZone air purification system by adding a new filter to better capture pollen and other particles in the air.

The exterior design is yet to be seen, but it is likely to take cues from the striking Concept Coupe from last year's Frankfurt motor show as well as the bold XC Coupe crossover wagon concept that was shown at this year's Detroit show.

The new-gen XC90 is expected to replace the current model which has been around since 2002 at some point early next year.