Cape Town - Volvo has upgraded its XC90 with technology featured in its upcoming sedan, the new S90.
The XC90 uses features borrowed from the forthcoming Volvo S90. The latest version of Volvo’s Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system is now standard for all variants.
Able to take control of acceleration, braking and steering at speeds up to 130km/h, the support system is designed to ease daily commute, Volvo says.
Autopilot for 2017
The XC90 is able to maintain semi-autonomous driving provided that "lane markings are clearly visible on both sides of the vehicle" and at speeds up to 130km/h, the Swedish automaker says. Volvo stresses that its Pilot Assist is a support system and not designed for the driver to remove their attention from driving.
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Fully-autonomous Volvos, which will allow for complete autonomous driving, will be available in the future - the first examples of which will be driven by real customers in Gothenburg, Sweden, as part of Volvo’s Drive Me programme, in 2017.
The inclusion of Pilot Assist as standard means that all XC90 models are also fitted with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which uses radar to manage acceleration and braking in a more conventional manner, without steering control.
PowerPulse diesel technology
Introduced globally on the forthcoming Volvo S90 and now also available for 2017 in the XC90 D5 AWD, is Volvo’s PowerPulse technology. PowerPulse draws air from the air filter via a compressor into a pressurised two-litre tank. When required, the compressed air is fed by a valve into the exhaust manifold to instantly spool up the turbo.
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Power has increased to 173kW/480Nm, up from 165kW/470Nm. Fuel economy is rated at 5.7-litres/100km and carbon emissions at 149g/km.
The enhanced XC90 is available now at Volvo dealers throughout South Africa.