Volvo's electrifying journey: From roaring XC90 PUV to silent EVs
Today, electrification is Volvo's absolute priority. Two decades ago, it was a completely different story. The brand, known for its safety and solidity, sometimes "let loose."
An example is the XC90 PUV Concept—one of the first truly powerful SUVs in the world. The car debuted in 2004 at the SEMA tuning show, hoping to attract those who previously weren't interested in Volvo. Vic Doolan, the then-president of the American division, had the idea for this beast.
"This was such a fun concept that we just had to do it. It could possibly be the ultimate Volvo. It has all the safety that Volvo is known for with the looks and performance of an exotic car," said Doolan in one of his later interviews.
Just one glance at the photos is enough to agree with him fully. The heavily widened body, 20-inch rims, and sizeable air intakes definitely grabbed attention. What’s more, they were not just for show, as the performance matched the looks.
Under the hood of the XC90 PUV Concept was a 4.4-litre Yamaha V8, which was then Volvo's flagship engine. The unit was equipped with a supercharger, increasing the power to an astonishing 650 horsepower. Power was sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed Geartronic transmission, and the electronic torque distribution system ensured proper traction in all conditions.
The large and powerful SUV also required efficient brakes, so 15-inch discs with 8-piston callipers were installed at the front and 13-inch discs with 4-piston callipers at the rear.
It's a pity the concept didn’t become a production version. At the time, no one could predict that massive SUVs would become so highly sought after.
