Paris show: Volvo V90 Cross Country bound

VOLVO Cars has announced its aged XC70 crossover wagon will be imminently replaced by a new-generation V90 Cross Country with a public showing now confirmed for the Paris motor show later this month.

A teaser video briefly showed a raised version of the V90 Estate revealed earlier this year with the expected Cross Country signifiers of black plastic cladding on the front bumper teamed with a silver applique.

They are placed below the familiar Thor’s hammer LED front headlight design and square chrome grille retained from the production V90.

The Swedish car-maker has also spruiked its credentials in the offroad-capable large luxury wagon segment, having positioned the V90 Cross Country as a successor to the original 1997 V70 XC, and the 2000 and 2007 generations of XC70.

“Through three generations Volvo Cars has come to define this adventurous and distinctive segment,” the brand said in a statement, before hinting at new technologies set to be revealed in its latest model.

“With all-new chassis technology, Cross Country is about to be reborn.”

Added Volvo Car Group senior vice president of research and development Peter Mertens: “We were very careful from the very beginning to ensure that the Cross Country concept was not just an exercise in rugged styling. We placed high demands on real-world capability, and as we developed the segment we added the comfort and convenience elements that Volvo drivers have come to expect.”

Volvo has not confirmed any further styling or range details for the V90 Cross Country but said it would be revealed in “mid September” indicating a debut before the Paris show opens on September 30.

Given the S90 sedan range will arrive locally in October priced between $79,900 plus on-road costs and $98,900, the V90 Cross Country could be positioned to rival the Audi A6 Allroad which is priced from $112,855, depending on final specifications.

The ‘CC’ has a host of drivetrain options from which to draw in the S90 and V90 range, including single turbocharged and turbo/supercharged 2.0-litre petrol engines and a twin-turbo diesel of identical capacity, producing between 140kW and up to 400Nm with fuel consumption as low as 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres.

The A6 Allroad uses a 160kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, while the outgoing XC70 offered between 158kW and 440Nm from a choice of turbo-diesel four- or naturally aspirated six-cylinder engines.