What is it?
Volvo has provided a rugged off-street property vehicle since the mid-Nineties and has almost had the market to itself. Yes, there was the Subaru Legacy Outback, however income of that automobile had been hamstrung through its petrol-best range of engines for a long term, it most effective getting diesel alternatives extra these days.
With the onset of a backlash against vehicles that drink from the black pump, Volvo has gone the other way and fitted a petroleum engine to its most high-priced estate automobile, which means it now gives extra powertrain range than its closest competitors, the Audi A6 Allroad and the brand new Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain.
Quite loads has modified on account that Volvo launched its first of all-road property - not simply the popularity of the the sizeable SUV. But the Swedish firm has managed to keep its function within the market by means of providing Cross Country - badged XC - versions of the V70 estate. Its alternative, the V90 Cross Country, has a raised journey peak, an off-avenue mode and outside body cladding in black plastic or painted in the exterior frame color of the auto for a chunk more money.
Instead of the more common diesel this is common in a vehicle of this kind, Volvo has put its highest-output 2.0 four-cylinder petrol into the maximum high-priced V90 Cross Country you could purchase. With 316bhp, the T6 is a lot faster on paper than the D5 Powerpulse, dropping the 0-62mph time to 6.3sec.
What's it like?
All of what we’ve concluded approximately the diesel car nevertheless applies to this new T6. It still has a greater supple experience than the V90 on which it’s primarily based, that means it smooths out the preliminary surprise of sunken drain covers with aplomb and is enjoyable in preferred. When driven, it's going to roll to a greater degree, but that appears a profitable alternate-off given the raised trip top and better ranges of comfort the Cross Country offers.
The critical bit is the brand new engine. Much has been written about Volvo downsizing its engines; but, the primary point is it now uses the same engine length for all fashions within the range, growing energy output via the use of different compelled-induction systems. This T6 runs a supercharger for while the engine is running at low revs, with a turbo taking over at better revs. The concept is that both systems, on their very own, have barriers, but with the aid of combining the 2 on one engine you may mitigate them.
On the whole, it works. This engine is enormously robust, dealing with to provide fantastic mid-range strength while you need to overtake or merge onto a toll road, but it's miles allow down via its gradual-performing 8-pace automatic. It additionally doesn’t experience all that effective round city, because of a lifeless spot within the preliminary travel of the throttle pedal. It’s something you have to get used to - otherwise, the uninitiated may try pushing the pedal a chunk further all the way down to stoke the auto into action and then get a piece an excessive amount of acceleration.
The diesel engine has been criticised for being grumbly from bloodless and beneath acceleration. While the petrol version is close to silent at idle, it has a raspy exhaust notice that is common to high-overall performance four-cylinder engines but a bit unbecoming of an more luxurious car.
Should I buy one?
The T6 is an impressive engine, however as soon as the better gas expenses, road tax and buy charge are all taken into account it turns into difficult to wholeheartedly endorse.
It offers the identical quantity of torque as the decrease-powered diesel D4 model, but does so a few 550rpm higher inside the rev variety. That doesn’t sound too extensive, but it approach that even as the diesel holds onto the same gear while requested for slight acceleration, the T6 inconveniently requires a downshift or two. When the car is loaded with passengers plus bags, this effect is even extra said.
Then there’s fuel financial system. Officially this car need to achieve 36.7mpg, yet we struggled to get anywhere near that, even after an extended run on the motorway. Also bear in mind that the T6 is only available in top-spec Cross-Country Pro trim, and as such is priced above the diesel, and financially it certainly doesn’t make experience.
However, study it in context with its opponents, the Audi A6 Allroad and the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain, and the Volvo starts offevolved to advantage a chunk of floor. It doesn’t have pretty the equal boot space of the Mercedes, but it's far extensively less costly, and it's also extra cutting-edge than the Audi. For now, then, the V90 Cross-Country is the nice choice in this area of interest category, simply not with this engine - stick with the diesel.
Max Adams
Volvo V90 T6 Cross Country Pro
Where Surrey On sale Now Price £50,555 Engine 4cyls, 1969cc, turbocharged and supercharged petrol Power 316bhp at 5700rpm Torque 295lb ft at 2200rpm Gearbox 8-velocity computerized Kerb weight 1834kg Top velocity 143mph 0-62mph 6.3sec Fuel economic system 36.7mpg CO2 rating 176g/km Rivals
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