The R-design variant of the multi-award-winning Volvo XC90 has it all: Compelling performance, distinctive styling and of course, legendary Volvo safety. With its sports-tuned chassis, the Volvo XC90 R-design is not shy – especially not around corners. The exceptionally agile Volvo XC90 R-design secures its  high-traction road-holding ability courtesy of a unique, sports-tuned chassis, sports-calibrated steering, and sophisticated stability control technologies. The result is a vehicle that feels quicker and more responsive, yet remarkably composed and purposeful. This is active safety from Volvo that helps keep the thrill of Driving (and much more) alive.

I stepped out of What’s Up Head Office to find an attention-grabbing, smart European SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) standing proud in front of me, the brand new Volvo XC90 R-Design—a scintillating, fresh version which augments the long list of prominent features already found in the XC90.

The Exterior:

What sets this car apart from the rest are distinctive features like a sport-tuned special chassis, that adds to the vehicles overall balance and stability.

Walking around the car would lead you to take note of the five ‘Diamond’, high performance Cratus 19” wheels which serve for better handling around tight turns.

At the back we noticed the distinct R-Design signature tailpipes, chrome-finished to add a dramatic effect, a feature that unquestionably demands respect on the road.

With all these distinctive features, you can tell that the Volvo XC90 R-Design is built to accommodate a busy, active lifestyle, clearly upholding your expectations on durability, and further it does so without compromising on grace.

The Interior:

While stepping inside the XC90 R-Design, we observed the beautifully polished Aluminum side-board foot-steps, which add a confident, muscular and subtly sexy perspective to the car.

Sliding onto the smooth ergonomically-designed leather seats, we sensed the excellent body-support instantly. Another noticeable feature we found to be utterly practical, was the integrated cushioned pocket at the bottom front-side of the front seats, where you can store your cell phone, or wallet in a reachable location.

The steering wheel with its stunningly beautiful sports design is built for convenience with the Sound Volume/Cruise Control buttons easily accessible, the simple yet distinctive dials feeding you with instant information about speed, RPM, gas, and heat.

The car is also equipped with a Premium Sound System, with a digital class D amplifier generating 5×130 watts and 12 high-end loudspeakers by Dynaudio, producing Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound.  This superb system supports MP3 & WMA CDs, AUX input, USB, and an iPod ready interface.

On top of the dashboard you can find a hidden screen that gives satellite navigation information, it also serves the park assist camera at the rear.

At the back you can find a lot of space to accommodate passengers while of course maintaining the ption of entertaining them with the rear seat entertainment dual screen system that can play DVD as well as iPod or USB content.

Volvo XC90 has a fantastic model range and comes with both 5 & 7 seats with Comfort, Premium, Prestige, Executive and R-Design. On top of all, you get the freedom to customize your own exterior and interior with your own selections and choices. The XC90 range also offers Inscription pack interior design; which enables customers to literally choose their own options or custom-build their car, letting their imagination go wild with the possibilities.

Performance:

The Volvo XC90 R-Design is controlled by a 6-speed Geartronic Automatic transmission and comes with a 4.4 Liter V8 engine that can generate 315hp@5850 RPMs.  When we took it for a spin we noticed immediately how stable and solid the car felt on the road, thanks to the All-wheel drive. We also learned that extra stability and control has been achieved with Volvos Instant Traction which compensates for any under-steering or over-steering tendencies, giving you all the control and precision that delivers the maximum driving experience.

Safety:

How can one describe the best? Volvo is certified as the World’s safest. The XC90 R-Design packs so many safety features it would give you a head-spin: apart from the fact that it is built to be super- strong and super-resilient to impact, its most significant features include park assist sensors and rear camera, rain sensor that automatically adapts the speed of the wipers to the rainfall intensity and the most extraordinary safety feature is the BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) which warns you of vehicles on either sides while switching lanes. The BLIS system uses a rear-facing camera implanted into the side-view door mirrors and is automatically engaged once you exceed the speed of 10 Km/h.

What’s Up Conclusion:

What can we say, we simply love the car! It feels solid, powerful, yet elegant and graceful.  Our favorite feature was the BLIS system which makes switching lanes so much easier. In fact it can be said without a doubt that the safety features that come with the XC90 R-Design give the driver a confidence-boost unparalleled to any other on the road.  We really recommend dropping by Zahid Tractors Automotive division in order to learn more about the extensive and exclusive safety features that the XC90 R-Design offers.