We’ve heard plenty of promising prospects of the all-new second generation Volvo XC90 ever since its world debut back in August 2014. Since then, the Chinese-owned Swedish automaker have went on to announce the T8 plug-in hybrid variant and showcased a possible Polestar variant to rival its Bavarian competitor.
Volvo also previewed their XC90 R-Design shortly after its launching last year, although the similarly named model here is currently exclusive to the UK market courtesy of Volvo Car UK. This 2015 Volvo XC90 R-Design gets a myriad of visual, equipment and dynamic upgrades.
Externally, the Scandinavian SUV gets a new set of 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, matte-silver side mirrors (like the Audi S models), gloss black meshed front grille and tinted rear windows. All this adds on top of the model’s standard features such as LED headlights, powered tailgate and Volvo’s full suite of latest safety technologies.
Inside, features unique to this variant are finely contoured leather sports seats, a 12.3-inch active TFT driver’s information display and perforated-leather wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters. The foot pedals are of the sporty kin, whereas the SUV benefits from upgraded ambient lighting system and black headlining to square off the sporty package.
The Volvo XC90 R-Design variants also come equipped with Drive Mode Settings and Adjustable Steering Force which work in tandem to alter engine, transmission, steering and air suspension (optional) when a driving mode is specified. Customers can opt to go with the R-Design package for the D5 diesel, T6 petrol and T8 plug-in hybrid variants. Its on-the-road price starts from £49,785 (about RM319k) upwards.
IMAGE GALLERY
