After a flurry of photos flooded the internet, Volvo made the new generation XC90 official and even announced preliminary pricing for the US.

Completely new from the bottom up, the XC90 will have a starting price of $48,900 for the T6 AWD with a 316hp 2.0-liter turbo- and super-charged, inline-four gasoline engine linked to an 8-speed automatic. Standard features will include navigation, 19-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof and in-car connectivity.

Volvo plans to launch the model with an initial series of 1,927 First Editions, with the number representing the brand’s founding date in 1927. Available for order exclusively online from September 3, 2014, the XC90 T6 AWD First Edition carries an MSRP of $65,900.

Special equipment includes unique tread plates, tailgate badge and leather key fob, with all models finish in an Onyx Black paintwork on the outside and Amber nappa leather seats with a Charcoal leather dashboard and Linear Walnut wood inlays on the inside.

Other standard features on the First Edition are the 21-inch alloy wheels, the 4-corner air suspension with Volvo’s Four-C electronically controlled damping system, power-operated heated front seats with ventilation, heated second row seats, power third row seats, a Bowers & Wilkins audio system and raft of safety features.

Volvo will also offer a range-topping Twin Engine plug-in hybrid variant that utilizes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor producing “around” 400hp with CO2 emissions of “about” 60g/km. The Swedes state that this “will be the world’s first 7-seat plug-in hybrid”.

Whereas the exterior of the new XC90 has a very conservative feel to it, aside from a handful of details such as the so-called “Thor’s Hammer” LED daytime running lights, the cabin is quite stylish and upscale.

“The new interior is pure and uncluttered, while still radiating the sophisticated confidence and formality that luxury SUV customers expect,” stated Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design of Volvo Cars. “The simplicity is perfectly in tune with our Scandinavian design heritage. It opens up generous surfaces and gives us the opportunity to create a modern, luxurious interior architecture.”

We don’t have the dimensions of the SUV yet, but Volvo promises a spacious interior for the first two rows, while the third row of 2 seats were purportedly designed “to accommodate passengers in class-leading comfort up to 5’7″ inches tall [1.70m]”.

The other big news for the XC90 is the introduction of Volvo’s long-anticipated Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) modular chassis that will be used in other models as well.

“SPA has enabled us to create the world’s first SUV without compromises,” said Peter Mertens, Volvo Car’s Senior Vice President of Research and Development. “You get the in-command feel, generous interior space and flexible capability combined with the agility and smooth comfort of a much smaller and lower car. The adrenaline rush that is key to true driving pleasure is delivered by powertrains that offer an unrivalled combination of power and clean operation.”

As a true Volvo, the second generation XC90 comes packed with safety features, including two “world first” technologies, a run-off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability, which the Swedes describe thusly:

“In a run-off road scenario, the all-new Volvo XC90 detects what is happening and the front safety belts are tightened to keep the occupants in position. To help prevent spine injuries, energy-absorbing functionality between the seat and seat frame cushions the vertical forces that can arise when the car encounters a hard landing in the terrain.

“The XC90 is the first car in the world with technology that features automatic braking if the Volvo driver starts to turn in front of an oncoming car that is going quicker than expected. This is a common scenario at busy city crossings as well as on highways, where the speed limits are higher.”

We should get more details on the XC90 over the following days and weeks leading to the Paris Auto Show, but for now, head down to check out the SUV in our photo gallery.

Photo Gallery