The new Volvo XC90 is set to become the brand’s biggest-ever launch. Buried in preorders and scrambling to get the HOT new truck into buyer hands, Volvo started production of the new seven-seater with exclusively T6 engines and the luxury trimlines.

These are fab, of course, but not technically the coolest or fastest new XC90.

Nope, that honor definitely goes to the 400HP T8 R-Design!  Running a turbo PHEV drivetrain, the XC90 T8 will become the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV with seven seats. It will also be the quickest XC90 ever — V8 included.

How?  This incredible twin-engine drivetrain makes a stonking 472 pound-feet of torque, available throughout the rev range.  That is huge shove — especially versus the T6’s 316-hp and 295-pound-feet of torque. The T6’s estimated highway mileage average is 25-mpg, which the T8 will match, we expect.  Thanks to its PHEV batteries, however, the T8 should be able to beat the T6 in town mileage stats — perhaps a 22-mpg.  Unheard-of efficiency for any non-diesel full-size SUV.  With a full battery, the T8 should achieve a MPG-equivalent of nearly 100-mpg.  Nothing else comes close — not even a Tesla Model X 70D from $83k. 

Competition for the car will be the Tesla Model X and the BMW X7, arriving by August of 2016 as a 2017 model-year.

The flagship XC90 T8  — with or without the R-Design option — of the range is now in full production, with first shipments arriving globally in the next few weeks.   The R-Design pack is also offered on the other US engine, the T6 turbo with more than 300HP.

Whichever you pick, the XC90 is awesome.  Futuristic but also soothingly old-world in its luxury cabin experience.  On the roads, the standard T-bar LED lights are sure to spin some heads with their unique light signature and full-width LED amber blinkers too.

A fantastic new start for the Volvo brand — with the new S90 limo and fresh S60 models just around the corner.

Go drive this car. You will buy it.

Bluster?

Prove me wrong!  =]

I’m moving funds around just seeing how great the R-Design looks in production form!

POST SCRIPTS:

— thrilled to see Volvo added our suggestion of a deep window tint to the trucks in the US, and perhaps globally as these UK pics in red show. Makes the glasshouse look much cooler than the see-through alternative some in rainy Europe prefer.

— colors and wheels!   many to choose among, with the whole lot included in animated form below, plus real-life photos is the T6 AWD Inscription inside and out.

2016 Volvo XC90 T8 R-Design

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As you may know, we’ve followed the development of the all-new Volvo XC90 with a magnifying glass — loving the design vision, tech solutions and family-first attitude of this first in a new series of Volvo models.

Meeting the truck in person this week was a seriously competitive affair. Journalists were literally running to reserve it for a quick spin every time it became available.

Just an exceptionally short test drive as a result — without the chance to take a video or really get on-road impressions. Even so, we do have a gorgeous set of photos of the T6 AWD to share. This is the most loaded model in the USA so far — the T8 with 400-horsepower and a PHEV drivetrain just started production in Sweden recently, so first arrivals of the top-dog engine are a month or so out at least. R-Design trim is available on both — with monochrome exterior and sportier details that are even more appealing than the stunner shown here.

Even with the T6 engine, the XC90 press car is loaded to the gills with impressive features. The seating and cabin make as great a first impression as the simply breathtaking exterior. Lovely perforated tan leathers, ultra-posh seats with comfort for days, and tech that is full of surprise/delight?  Yes yes yes.

Outside, the details might seem like a simple evolution of the long-running XC90 style in preview pictures. In person, the long hood and boxy glasshouse made this author giddy with excitement. Volvo is well and truly BACK!  And ready to dominate the seven-seat SUV market for 2016!

Can’t wait for some on-road time in the XC90 — but on first impressions, the next Audi Q7 has some seriously impressive competition. And a full year before the new Q7 arrives!

The XC90 is in showrooms now… but only briefly. As soon as the cars arrive, they are reserved and pre-sold with verve rarely seen for a family truckster.

Even better news? The upgraded S90 luxury car is well on its way with looks directly inspired by the Concept Coupe. And a future S60/V60 range with T-bar LEDs and the crisp, lean looks to take on the BMW 535i — and WIN!

Future Volvo Renderings

Until then, the new S60 Inscription and its long-wheelbase room is tempting and a nice addition to the range. Same goes for the new V60 Cross Country and S60 XC —  two Outback-style makeovers of the very capable Volvo sedan staple that are both available in US showrooms as we speak.

2016 XC90 R-Design and V60 Cross Country

We highly encourage you to beat us to the test drive — and are thrilled to share this preview of the T6 AWD, the XC90 color options, and pricing from $50,000 via the builder links below.

	Powertrains	Horsepower	Torque	MPG Hwy	MSRP

	T6 AWD	316Hp	295lb. ft.	25 MPG	$ 49,800

T8 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid

400Hp

472lb. ft.

N/A MPG

$ 68,100

2016 Volvo XC90 Colors

2016 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription

2016 Volvo XC90 Builder Link