Forza Motorsport 7: Thor's Hammer

As Forza Motorsport 7's gone crossover crazy, this crossover featured at the March Car Pack is somewhat of a different ballgame. In fact, the crossover in question that I've encountered in this pack is basically a Volvo...



Yes. It's a Volvo but what Volvo is it? I bet you can't guess...



It's the second-generation Volvo XC90 and it's odd why a people mover like this made it through the ranks, in fact, this game is becoming in tune with the times now that crossovers are becoming mainstream than any other body style in the globe. So, what's it all about this Volvo XC90?



The launch of the second-generation Volvo XC90 marks a new beginning in Volvo's history, incorporating signature Volvo safety tech and utilising their brand new Scalable Product Architecture platform. It is the first Volvo to don the updated iron emblem as well as Volvo's new signature "Thor's Hammer" DRL lights, promising a new, distinctive, and confident face for Volvo's forthcoming models.The interior now boasts a tablet-like touch screen control console, which forms the heart of an all-new in-car control system.

While boasting a wide array of Advanced Driver Assists, the new XC90 boasts a full range of other engine options,all mated with an 8-speed AT, with the range-topping T8 Twin Engine PHEV that combines supercharging, turbocharging, and an electric motor, resulting to 407HP of power output, 0-100kph time of 5.6 seconds, and 134.5mpg of fuel economy. In pure electric mode, it has a range of 26 miles, which is impressive for a seven-seater PHEV.

With its advanced driving technology, wide range of engine choices, and distinctive design, the all-new XC90 is a fresh new start to Sweden's only surviving mainstream luxury car company, even though it's now owned by China's Geely.



Trying to mock this crossover as a "school bus" is downright absurd but there's something about the Twin Engine XC90 variant that is worth noticeable. Volvo states that this PHEV variant of the XC90 is all about the best of both worlds. With the twin-charged petrol engine and a rechargeable electric motor, it promises to deliver the power equivalent of a V8 engine but at what costs? To find out, I went to the venue of the F1 Abu Dhabi GP that is Yas Marina.



I know, bearing a car with an automatic gearbox that has no paddle shifters whatsoever can be somewhat dull for a speedo boy driving it but when I tried driving it with all the electronic nannies on, it feels not so bad to drive and by demonstrating how Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture works, not only it feels lively to drive but also worth coming back for more. Of course, there are some drawbacks and one of them is when I engaged the ESC Sport Mode, which shuts the electronic nannies off, including the traction control, it's worth taking a trip to the drugstore for some painkillers when it triggers some sort of catastrophic understeer and for an SUV that weighs over 5,000lbs, that is worth a challenge.



Anyway, back to the Twin Engine's capability, and since I'm at Yas Marina to explain what I was on about, I'm trying to find a V8-powered SUV that can match against the XC90's Twin Engine capability as an all-rounder PHEV and I got one...





As you can see, I am rejoined by my old friend, the Dodge Durango SRT. The high-performance crossover I've lauded for being almost as quick as a Ford Focus RS when I thrashed this one round Laguna Seca and what am I going to do is see if the XC90's Twin Engine power can be a decent alternative against a V8 SUV like this. Let's roll the tape.



And now, the results...

Durango - 2:54.772
XC90 - 2:59.180



Well, that was just rubbish, isn't it? Volvo said their Twin Engine capability provided the V8-ish power but what was that all about? Almost five seconds slower than a V8-powered Durango SRT? How sad but let's just say, they've tried and I am impressed that the second-generation XC90 is the way forward for Volvo because of its pioneering breakthrough that writes a new chapter for Volvo's history. It may not have the guts to outflank a V8-powered super-suv but as an all-rounder, this Twin Engine PHEV is all about decency in action. Well, now that I've explained everything about the new Volvo XC90, I made a little reward for doing a good job...



A Scandinavian aria worth beholding... Wait a minute, looks like my whole set is complete!























What you're looking at, ladies and gentlemen, are my collection of cars made with the theme of Aikatsu Stars on it and since this show's ending in a few weeks this month, time to take a moment to try out some of the designs I made. I call them "Aikatsu Stars In Reasonably Fast Cars" and it made it sound like Top Gear's Star In A Reasonably Fast Car but I hope you appreciate for all the hard-ish work I've done in the making of those.

Until then, Bon Bon Voyage!

Second-Generation Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90. When it was launched over a decade ago, it was their first attempt to take on luxury SUVs from Germany but as when time pass by, even with numerous improvements to keep it afloat, the XC90 has been decaying for so long and no matter how time passed by, the XC90 still looks pretty much the same. Now, for the first time, the XC90 finally got the regeneration it deserves and OH MY GAS! It looks perfect to look at.

2015 Volvo XC90

Well, here it is. They've all been waiting for this moment to come. This is the all-new Volvo XC90 and Volvo really mean it about the "all-new" phrase because it REALLY is all new.

First, the exterior design is brand new and this is the first to carry Vovlo's new signature look as well as its new Volvo logo in the front. No longer the male sign logo, it's now pointier than ever for a Volvo. The headlamps are now wearing the Mjolnir, or Thor's hammer for those who are gibberish about the M-word and although it wasn't more of a Mjolnir as we hoped for, this new look will be the forefront of future Volvo designs.

The new XC90 is armed with a brand new platform which is stronger and lighter than the previous platform the first one used. Because of this new platform, next-gen Volvos are looking forward to wear such a breakthrough platform but Volvo remains mum on this because they are on a "slow and steady" progress on rebuilding the Swedish carmaker, which became the pioneer of safety since the second-generation S60 of 2010. Apart from its new platform, the new car is now sharper and stable than ever thanks to its double wishbone front suspension and a new lightweight integral link rear axle. The air suspension is an optional extra and when you have it, it can be adjusted into five different modes, be it high or low depending on the road conditions.

2015 Volvo XC90 interior

On the inside, the new XC90 is now more high-tech than ever and because this car focuses more on the future rather than the past, everything's digitalized now and bad new for those music lovers, the CD player's nowhere to be found. Instead, you'll find this big screen dashboard just like you saw on the Tesla Model S. On this dashboard, you can take advantage of the built-in wi-fi hotspot, real-time navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, and so much more. The interior's pretty harsh for us because it was the first to see the future when all cars doesn't have CD players anymore and replaced by those...things. Looks like the end of the CD era's fast approaching, don't you think and pretty soon, we won't be relying on physical media anymore and that's kinda sad.

Anyway, forget the harsh word because the interior is now as luxurious as a new Range Rover and because it's now longer and taller than the previous generation, getting inside in one of those is like having a first class trip to your office and way back home. It also works as a family car because it can seat up to seven people but if you're a little grumpy and if your mother asks to seat at the back, this is one thing you would pray that this will not happen to you unless you have a newborn crybaby and a child seat that adds your misery of having your parents force you to seat at the back. Ugh...

2015 Volvo XC90

All engines in the new XC90 are 2.0L and at launch, you can have either the twin-turbo 225HP D5 or the twincharged 320HP T6 but later on, you will be able to take on the top-of-the-line T8 Twin-Engine model. Yes. there's a PHEV that is way beyond compare than your average PHEV because with the combination of the T8 engine and the electric motor, over 400HP of power and 640Nm of torque is produce. That's four times more than what your Outlander PHEV had! And no matter which engine choice you'll pick, it's mated with Volvo's 8-speed Geartronic transmission, which isn't so bad for an everyday car.

2015 Volvo XC90

Because safety is the forefront of Volvo, the new XC90 is now fully prepared with the next-generation of safety features as well as two of the world's first safety technologies. There's the run-off road protection which detects what comes next on the road and the front safety belts are tightened to keep occupants in place. Lastly, there's the auto brake in intersections when in the event the driver turns in front of an oncoming car, it automatically halts this car full stop. There are so many safety gadgets loaded in this Volvo but I can't tell what are those or this will be one heck of a snoozefest but with all of these features, this new model believes the future really is now thanks to science. Very clever but car enthusiasts weren't so sure whether they like this car or not now that it becomes a car that feels like it's been made from the future and it's been made to avoid accidents once and for all. Hmmm...

The new XC90 starts at 554,000 Krona (or around 60,000 Euros estimated), which is more expensive than any other Volvos in the lineup but that's more affordable than the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. That's one luxury SUV you can afford on.

The new Volvo XC90 isn't just more of a full model change, it's about rebuilding the Swedish carmaker into new and exciting ways and I can expect big things for Volvo for now.

Photo: Volvo Cars