2016 Volvo XC90

Twelve years, a new owner (China-based Geely automotive), and just one major face-lift later, the XC90 is still here, having sold more than 550,000 units worldwide. There's just one engine option now, a 3.2-liter I-6 that makes all of 240 hp and is mated to a six-speed automatic. The base price sits at a shade over $40,000 including destination. But all that's about to change for the 2016 model year. 

I was invited to Volvo's top-secret winter testing facility in very northern Sweden (the appearance isn't as exciting as it sounds - this is no Bond villain hideaway) where temperatures don't often swing out of negative digits in winter. The reason? To catch a sneak preview of Volvo's second-generation XC90, due to be unveiled to the public later this year, ahead of a production launch in early 2015. While the photos shown here are a heavily camouflaged (Mad Max-influenced?) prototype, I actually got ride in an undisguised mule to get an impression of what's to come for Volvo's top-flight vehicle. 

Initial styling impressions are good. Take a look at Volvo's recent Concept Estate shown in Geneva and you'll get an idea of what the front end is all about. The nose is at once sleek and abrupt, with a very large, upright grille, short front overhang, and long hood. Moving rearwards, the waistline sits a little higher than the current XC90, meaning less window surface area, but an overall sleeker appearance to the current vehicle's utilitarian look.