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R-Design treatment for XC90

Volvo's long-awaited SUV gets sportier looks inside and out.

R-Design treatment for XC90 View gallery

What's the news?
It hasn't even had an outing in public, but already Volvo is previewing a top-end R-Design model for the XC90 SUV.

Exterior
You'll spot one of these models thanks to specific R-Design features such as the front spoiler and grille, a 'silk metal window', integrated twin exhausts and silver roof rails, matte silver mirror covers and 20-inch R-Design alloys.

Interior
Inside is a 'driver-centric' interior with Contour sports seats in Nubuck and perforated leather, gearshift paddles and various R-Design trinkets on the seats, pedals, floor mats and illuminated tread plates. The XC90 R-Design also gets the central tablet touchscreen and 12.3-inch full TFT instrument display.

Mechanicals
No exact word on powertrains as yet but the XC90 will only use the Drive-E four-cylinder units covering a variety of output levels, with the one piquing our interest most the 400hp version obliquely referenced by Volvo in its release.

Anything else?
According to Alain Visser, Volvo's senior vice-president for marketing, sales and customer service, the "R-Design is created for people with a passion for things that add spice to life. It appeals to customers that love active driving and a personal, expressive design. Every single R-Design detail is designed to contribute to the individualistic and refined expression these customers desire".

We expect to see the new Volvo XC90 in R-Design specification at next month's Paris Motor Show.

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