What's the news?
The Volvo XC90 is already a 5-star car but the Swedes are looking to bring the flagship SUV even further upmarket with the introduction of the Excellence model.
Set to be unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show next week the posh(er) XC90 does without the seven-seat configuration of the standard car, instead replacing the rear five-seats with a pair of massaging seats that benefit from extended legroom. There are also retractable touchscreens, folding tables, a refrigerator with bottle and glass holders, a heating/cooling cup holder and handmade crystal glasses from leading Swedish glass design company, Orrefors.
Should Captains of industry demand more from their Volvo the Excellence is also fitted with a 19 speaker audio system from Bowers & Wilkins, ambient lighting, extra leather trim and noise cancelling tyres from Pirelli.
"This is our new flagship car," said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President, Design. "We have created the ultimate luxury experience of Scandinavian design. Volvo has never launched a car like this before. This is the car that demonstrates what the name Volvo now means."
Anything else?
Over 24,000 orders have been received for the all new XC90 since it was unveiled in August 2014 but despite the Excellence version being hailed as a global model it will not be offered in Ireland.