What you think of the changes new model??

Here are some good pictures : http://www.autoweek.nl/forum/read.php?4,2025941

Thoughts?

[Jonathan_angelo]

To be honest with you i cant see that they've made that much of an improvement. To the untrained eye, it would appear exactly the same as the previous model.

I do think they could have bothered designing some nicer alloys as the current ones are not all that much to write home about!

As for that aweful wood inside the cabin, what are they thinking? It looks bloody aweful, and so out of place!!

I have seen somewhere in here i believe, pictures of the XC90 V8, which is red, i dont know if it is a special edition Ferrari model, but had a Ferrari badge on the side and flaired wheel arches - this looked how it should have been released standard - sexy!!!

Jono

What changes?

Volvo are way behind the competition, particularly with the outdated screen for radio/cd/phone?

I assume we still do not have an minidisc, what's that about when hard drive is the least clutter option.

Is there any MP3 player link (jukebox), bluetooth phone link or is it still the sim insert?

Compared to the X5, Q7, RR Sport and VW Toureg spec the XC90 seems miles behind. I thought they would have taken the opportunity to catch up this time???

The edge the XC90 had was 7 seats and looks IMO but given the price of the Lux how can they justify this when you see the kit on the Q7 and with the X5 going for 7 seats the edge is going?? What do you think?

[bircham]

I am about to order a D5SE manual in silver with camulus alloys and sapeli wood with (probably) calcite leather and either off black or quart interior - or maybe soft beige with sandstone - not sure yet and privacy glass.
However, I agree that the 2007 model year changes are very minor (except perhaps for bhp upping on D5) and that the new Q7 has the edge now on technology. It is significantly more expensive though and is an acquired taste styling wise and is pretty big.
The new XC comes with an mp3 input in the cupholders betweeen the front seats but apart from that there appears to be no real development of the car. It may be that I will pop down to my local Audi dealer and have a look at the Q7 just to be certain that the XC is the right choice.

I wonder if these changes are a precursor to another larger changer shortly or whether they will let the car soldier on as is.

Jon

[perussell]

I had an extensive exchange of opinions about this on another site but I think the changes are part of a smoke screen to hide the REMOVAL of some bits of kit. For example, it seems the new Executive model lacks the central fridge, DVD rear seat player, some wood trim around the CD player and spare wheel that all came as standard on my 04 model. The changes seem more superficial than anything else, more about style than function.
The changes don't harm the styling of the car but check the spec before you buy.
And why do we suddenly need an SE Lux model?

[bircham]

perussell I totally agree about your thoughts on the new se lux trim.
Why?!?!
I can see the sense in a 'base' model (although it is still nicely equipped), a 'standard' car with all the toys most people would want and then a 'range topper' that comes with some probably completely irrelevant but very nice 'boys toys' but the se lux is neither a good mid-range or a range-topper. I can't see anything that it offers that the se doesn't that is really anything other than an se plus option.
Oh well, I'll just have to put up with my simple SE spec car when it arrives in 8 weeks time!

Jon