It was the start of a success story in the premium automotive segment: in February 1996, Volvo presented the 850 AWD estate, the first Swedish passenger car with permanent all-wheel drive. The model was the first car in the world to combine pioneering new safety systems such as side airbags and SIPS side impact protection with the traction advantages and increased driving stability of variable four-wheel drive with viscous coupling.
All-wheel drive for safe driving pleasure with crossover innovations (from 1997)
The automotive world had not expected this at the time: The Volvo 850 AWD not only laid the foundation for the Swedish manufacturer's all-wheel drive expertise in 1996, it also initiated the creation of new vehicle segments. From as early as 1997, the Volvo V70 XC and Cross Country offered plenty of space for family and adventure.
The robust crossover station wagons surprised with permanent all-wheel drive and high ground clearance for all road and weather conditions. People with an active lifestyle no longer had to choose between a family station wagon and an off-road vehicle. Since then, the Volvo Cross Country models - copied from other brands - have been writing their own success story.
Premium SUV in top form right from the start: Volvo XC90 (from 2002) and Volvo XC60 (from 2008)
Volvo's first SUV also embodied the Swedish spirit of innovation. Introduced in 2002, the Volvo XC90 was characterized by a body concept in the new cab-forward design and a passenger cell with transversely mounted engines that was positioned far forward. The off-road capabilities were also unusual for an SUV, made possible by the built-in mechanical all-wheel drive system in combination with an electronic clutch and the DSTC driving dynamics control system. The engine power was variably distributed to both axles depending on the driving situation. It is no surprise that the Volvo XC90, which has undergone continuous technical development, developed into a global mega-seller, becoming Sweden's most valuable export in 2005 with an equivalent value of over 40 billion Swedish kronor and maintaining its great popularity for twelve years. Only then did the iconic premium SUV, which had won over 100 awards, leave the field to the second, current Volvo XC90 generation.
The all-wheel drive system in the new Volvo XC90 with electronically controlled multi-plate clutch and infinitely variable distribution of drive power to both axles depending on the driving situation is regarded as the benchmark for modern four-wheel drive systems. The scalable product architecture (SPA) also ushered in a new era for the luxury-class SUV in 2015, making it the first Volvo to have the ideal prerequisites for electrification. As a plug-in hybrid, the Volvo XC90 therefore offers double power at the front and rear wheels by combining a petrol engine with a powerful electric motor.
Since 2007, there have been seven Volvo model series with all-wheel drive, from the compact Volvo S40 mid-range model to the Volvo S80 luxury sedan. A Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept presented at the beginning of 2012, with a petrol engine as the power source for the front wheels and an electric motor at the rear wheels, also played a pioneering role in the introduction of plug-in hybrid technology, which combines low CO2 emissions with the safety of all-wheel drive. The Volvo V60 initially went into series production at the end of 2012 as the world's first diesel hybrid with four driven wheels.
Into a new era with an innovative electric all-wheel drive system
The Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD now goes one step further as the brand's first fully electric model. This premium compact SUV has a 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor on both the front and rear axles, providing instantaneous, quiet and clean power delivery for greater stability, traction and driving safety.
