News Source: autoblog.com

Over the past several months, Volvo has been very busy sprucing up the top of its product lineup, introducing the next-generation XC90 crossover, S90 sedan, and V90 wagon in quick succession. Now that each of these models is out and available for public inspection, it looks as though the Swedish brand is prepping a new rough-and-ready V90 variant to add to the list. It’s called the V90 Cross Country, and it’s essentially a Swedish take on soft-roader utility, sans the SUV body style. That means the same extended roofline and luxurious interior as the regular V90, plus a taller stance, tough exterior body cladding, and drivetrain selections limited to only the most powerful Volvo engine options available.

The premium midsize station wagon was recently spotted in Southern Europe undergoing testing in full camouflage. With the recent release of the standard V90 at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, it’s expected the V90 Cross Country will debut sometime early into 2017. Whether or not it’ll come stateside remains up in the air, but either way, read on for my speculative review.

At this point, there’s been plenty of time to digest the new looks of the standard V90, and long story short, I like what I see. The front half is more or less a carryover from the S90 sedan, with the fascia and each of the panels ahead of the B-pillar incorporating the same low-and-wide styling as its four-door sibling. The design language, which can also seen in the XC90, manages to offer slick modernity without being overly busy.

Moving towards the rear, we find an excellent complement to the new front end, with sporty cues and numerous horizontal lines that emphasize the wagon’s width. The taillights merge with the D-pillar, paralleling the hatch as they rise towards the roof, while squared-off tailpipes sit in the corners of the lower bumper.

For the Cross Country, Volvo will most likely add the usual gamut of soft-roader features. For starters, the bumpers will be replaced in front and back, gaining a bolder look while also incorporating new skid plates. The fenders will flare out and come finished in a matte color, most likely black or grey. Up top, it’s clear the Cross Country will also benefit from larger roof rails, while in the corners, there appears to be larger wheels wrapped in chunky, trail-ready tires.

All told, there shouldn’t be too many surprises in store when it comes to aesthetics.

Unlike the exterior, the interior of the V90 Cross Country won’t come with too much new stuff compared to the standard model. The look and layout will be essentially identical to that of the S90, with wood inserts for the dash, a large touchscreen mounted centrally as the primary infotainment control hub, and digital instrumentation behind the steering wheel, all well executed in typically Swedish fashion.

And, being a Volvo, you should also expect the latest gadgetry for safety and convenience. Features like Pilot Assist, lane-keep assist, automatic headlights, park assist, and auto brake will come as standard, as will Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

That said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few new options for grime-resistant carpeting, plus a little Cross Country badging here are there.

The new V90 is offered with several different engine packages, all of which utilize a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, plus a unique combination of power adders.

At the bottom is the T5, which is turbocharged to 254 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Next is the T6, which is both turbocharged and supercharged, bringing output up to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. At the top is the hybridized T8, which uses the four-banger, a turbo, a supercharger, and an electric motor for 400 horsepower and 427 pound-feet of torque.

The V90 Cross Country will most likely stick with the T6 and T8 when it comes to drivetrain options, given its placement at the upper reaches of the product line. And while diesel power is also a possibility, it’s highly unlikely Volvo will bring any of the oil burners stateside.

Both a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic are offered on the standard V90, but the Cross Country will most likely stick with the auto as the only available gearbox. An AWD system will also come as standard.

One of the most obvious features of the Cross Country’d V90 is a significant boost to ground clearance. We expect at least 2.5 inches added to the ride height, which should help to increase both its usefulness off the paved stuff, and its soft-roader visual presence. It’ll also make the ride stiffer and less comfortable than the standard V90.

Underneath the skin, you’ll find Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture, or SPA, which is the same platform used on the XC90 and S90. Considering the standard V90 will start somewhere under the $50,000 mark, I expect the well-equipped V90 Cross Country to go for a figure between $55,000 and $60,000. It should also come with a lot of standard equipment, which means options won’t add too much to the final price.