What makes a car a masterpiece? Is it its overall visual appeal? Its technology? Its safety? Its sheer luxury? Its status?
At the end of the day, it is all these.
Volvo Philippines recently unveiled its flagship vehicles in the 90 Series gala held at Shangri-La at the Fort. The two new models, the XC90 luxury SUV and the S90 luxury sedan, represent Volvo’s new design direction and showcase Volvo’s latest technologies on powertrain management, safety and connectivity.
“Tonight we launch the Volvo XC90 and S90, each a masterpiece, where every little detail is there for a reason. Where everything we know about technology, design, and safety are brought together to take your journey to the next level,” announced lawyer Alberto B. Arcilla, Volvo Philippines president.
The launch event was a feast for the senses. Guests were treated to a sumptuous five-course dinner specially crafted to bring out flavors of Sweden, Volvo’s home country. Hosted by the first lady of musical theater, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, the show featured acclaimed artists Nicole Asensio, Kettle Mata, Daryl Ong, Opus One, Manila String Machine and Triple Fret, regaling the crowd to accompany the true masterpiece of the night, the Volvo 90 Series cars — Volvo’s Magnum Opus.
The Volvo XC90
With over 118 awards since its global launch, Volvo’s new XC90 SUV has earned nods and accolades the world over. Journalists, experts, and automotive enthusiasts around the world agree that Volvo has indeed come up with the best Volvo to date, especially with its award-winning interface, design and engine. Volvo’s reincarnation of its world-first seven-seater SUV garnered votes such as “Car of the Year,” “Best Luxury SUV,” and “Overall Best in Class,” among others from motoring institutions, publications and associations.
Strong and exceptional, the new Volvo XC90 is a delight to the senses with an overall package that spells out the ultimate in Swedish luxury. Wrapped with features that benefit the user, the XC90 is a confident looker, carrying Volvo’s new design language and strutting its curves with utmost confidence. It takes the term “user-friendly” to a new level with its easy-to-use infotainment interface — minimizing control buttons from 42 to just eight, for example. Its unparalleled safety and reduced environmental impact spell a world of difference, delivering first-class comfort, exhilarating drive, and a clear conscience.
A premium seven-seat SUV, the XC90 is designed to deliver a luxurious user experience, while retaining the ride height, space and practicality that typify this segment.
The XC90 carries the proud and confident face of Volvo’s new design language, along with classic Volvo styling cues. Key features include the iconic “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlight design, the new grille and Volvo Iron Mark, and the expressive use of the Volvo word mark on the rear, framed by the signature sweeping lines of the rear lights.
The Volvo S90
The S90 is Volvo’s new premium four-door, five-seat flagship sedan. It is built on the new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), Volvo’s advanced modular product platform that will underpin all new Volvo cars in the 90 and 60 Series.
Like its sibling, the S90 carries Volvo’s new design language, highlighted by the iconic Hammer of Thor LED headlights and the expressive tail lamps. The shape of the S90 takes styling cues from Volvo’s Concept Coupe, giving the car a confident, sophisticated, yet sporty appearance.
In the cabin, Volvo has taken cues from the success of its XC90 model and raised the bar with new details on the dashboard and instrument panel, including new air blades that stand vertically on each side of the Sensus user interface.
Safety & Semi-Autonomous Drive
Volvo’s leadership in the field of automotive safety is confirmed in the 90 Series cars. Volvo’s City Safety Technology, standard on all Volvo models, combines automatic braking functionality and collision avoidance systems to cover a range of potential accident scenarios and help keep you safe.
City Safety’s functionality is further extended in the 90 Series with Intersection Traffic Detection and Large Animal Detection, designed to help avoid or mitigate collisions with large animals. An auto-steer functionality that helps to keep you on the road, called Run Off Road Mitigation, has also been added.
Volvo’s overall safety offering, called IntelliSafe, encompasses both active and passive safety systems and forms the groundwork for Volvo’s leadership in the field of autonomous driving.
(Some descriptions and facts in this article relate to Volvo Cars’ international car range.)
(You may e-mail me at joanneraeramirez@yahoo.com.)