Volvo Cars’ XC90 luxury SUV has been awarded one of the world’s premier product design awards.

The prestigious Red Dot ‘Best of the Best’ award, based on the results of a 38-strong international jury of experts, was presented to Volvo for the XC90’s pioneering design and high level of quality. The car was chosen from almost 5,000 participating product designs across 31 product categories.

The Red Dot: Best of the Best is awarded for pioneering design and is the highest individual Red Dot award: Product Design. Only the outstanding products in a category receive this award – in 2015, only 81 products from 31 categories received the coveted seal of approval.

"The new XC90 is the vanguard of Volvo’s new design direction. In our work on this car we have been very much aware of Volvo’s heritage, the value of authenticity and Scandinavian design, but we have also taken some bold and progressive steps forward, aiming for a design style and execution level that pushes our boundaries. I am very proud that our new flagship has won the prestigious Red Dot: Best of the Best award," said Thomas Ingenlath, senior vice-president (Design) at Volvo Cars.

The XC90 represents a new beginning for Volvo in terms of design philosophy and has been credited with taking the luxury SUV to a new level. Characterised by precision design and attention to detail, the XC90 paves the way for future Volvo car designs with signature design elements. These include the new face of Volvo with a new Volvo logo and a floating grille, and the celebrated T-shaped ‘Thor’s Hammer’ daytime running lights.

Volvo says the XC90’s design was made possible thanks to the new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) which will underpin many of the company’s forthcoming models which supports the dynamic and balanced proportions of the new XC90.

Carrying the precision and pioneering exterior design inside the car, head of Volvo Design, Thomas Ingenlath and his team have created a serene and relaxing interior combining the finest natural materials such a leather, wood and crystal with a calming and luxurious take on Scandinavian Design. This is also reflected in the way that Volvo approached the total redesign of the information displays and interaction in the car, reducing complexity and creating a uniquely intuitive interface.

"It is particularly challenging to develop a new design language which refers to well-known brand values while presenting a modern, desirable interpretation. The all-new Volvo XC90 symbolises the cornerstone of a complete new generation of cars where our progressive design combines innovative technology with Scandinavian design virtues and stands for a new individual approach in the premium segment.”

XC90 is India-bound
The XC90 is headed for the Indian market. Volvo India has set aggressive sales targets for the year 2015, lining up a slew of new model and variant launches. First up, the Swedish carmaker will bring the standard version of the V40 hatchback. The Volvo V40 is expected to compete with the likes of the recently updated Mercedes A-class and the BMW 1-series facelift. The V40 hatchback will be powered by Volvo’s D3 diesel engine that also does duty on the V40 Cross Country. 

Since sales of petrol-powered cars are gaining momentum, Volvo will introduce the petrol-powered version of the V40 Cross Country here. The V40 Cross Country petrol will come with a 1.6-litre motor.  

Volvo will also launch the S60 in the T6 variant that will feature a powerful 304bhp four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine.

The new XC90 will be introduced in September this year in India. It is expected to come in two trim levels and will be priced competitively. Volvo will start taking orders for the XC90 in May 2015.  All Volvo passenger vehicles sold in India are CBU units. Volvo also sells the S80 luxury sedan in India.

Also read: Volvo Auto India targets sales of 2,000 units in  2015
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