Next generation 2014 Volvo XC90 SUV to get downsized engines measuring under 2 liters in displacement

When Volvo launched its flagship XC90 SUV in the Indian car market, the Chinese Geely owned Swedish car maker gave buyers the option of choosing either petrol or diesel engine options. Typically, the Indian SUV buyer shies away from petrol engined models, more so in the luxury SUV space due to diesel being much cheaper than petrol. Predictably, Volvo India discontinued selling the mammoth 4.4 Liter petrol V8 engine that delivered 311 Bhp-440 Nm, with only the 2.4 Liter, inline five, D5 turbo diesel engine continuing to power the XC90. The diesel engine which pumps out 200 Bhp-420 Nm is the only engine that powers the India-spec Volvo XC90.

2014 Volvo XC90 SUV Sketch

Now, the XC90 is quite a large SUV, what with it tipping the weighing scales at well over 2.2 tons. This much weight means that the SUV does need a powerful engine to lug it around. However, the men in white coats at Volvo have decided that bigger isn’t necessarily better. Yes, it is widely anticipated that the next generation 2014 Volvo Xc90 will not just get smaller and lighter, but will also be powered by smaller petrol and diesel engines. Volvo plans to use downsized engines on the next generation XC90, with the SUVs engine range to be under 2 liters in displacement.

The 2014 Volvo XC90 SUV will be based on the Swedish car maker’s latest SPA(Scalable Platform Architecture), which will allow the SUV to be lighter and smaller than ever before. The Scalable Platform Architecture(SPA) is to Volvo, what the MFA platform is to Mercedes Benz or the MQB platform is to Volkswagen, in that it will allow the brand to build a range of cars through the platform sharing approach. Along with sharing the platform, engines and parts will be shared, allowing Volvo to build cars at more competitive price levels. The engines that will be used on the 2014 XC90 will feature turbo charging and direct injection, both for diesel and petrol units.

2014 Volvo XC90 SUV Sketch

Hybrid power options are also expected to make it to the 2014 XC90 even as Volvo holds the distinction for putting the first diesel hybrid car into production, in the form of the V70. The other area that Volvo will seek to improve on is the exterior styling of the XC90, which is quite boring and conservative currently. The new model is expected to look much more sharper and curvier, something akin to the big stylistic shift that Volvo has now adopted across its model range beginning with the S60 sedan. If the sketches of the next generation Volvo XC90, that surfaced a few months ago, are anything to go by, expect one mean looker of an SUV.

Source AutoExpress