For various reasons including torque management, performance and refinement, a new transmission was a necessity behind the V8,

For various reasons, including torque management, performance and refinement, a new transmission was a necessity behind the V8. (Photo: Volvo Cars of Canada)

and Volvo has equipped it with an entirely new six-speed automatic, which is as compact as the engine is so it would not interfere with the structure of the vehicle. It is equipped with Geartronic, so that manual shifting is possible. The third ingredient in the V8 recipe is the electronic all-wheel drive system, which is, as before, of the Haldex type. It has been massaged to allow more engine torque to be "pre-charged" into the system under normal front-wheel drive conditions. When conditions warrant and the rear wheels are called into action, that torque is ready to go sooner, reducing the slippage of the wheels before the system reacts. Not only that, but the amount of power that can be directed rearward has been increased by 50 percent over the previous XC90.

A brief drive in the XC90 V8 showed that the mere adequacies in power and

The V8 moves down the road with a greater degree of effortlessness and a much nicer soundtrack. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, Canadian Auto Press)

refinement of either of the 5- or 6-cylinder models have been thoroughly addressed. The V8 moves down the road with authority, all with a greater degree of effortlessness and a much nicer soundtrack. Beyond the mechanical changes, there is little different from the XC90 that has been increasing its sales in most reporting periods even after three years on the market. Although the 2.5T 5-cylinder model remains, the T6 with the turbo six has been discontinued, and the V8 is equipped pretty much the way it was in terms of safety and luxury equipment, which is to say there is nothing lacking.