Gotcha! Volvo XC90 spy shots

While not due to be unveiled until later this year (early talk is the Paris motor show in October), Wheels can confirm several details about the new car, including ground-breaking new safety tech.

As part of Volvo’s aim to have zero fatalities in its cars by 2020, the XC90 will be crammed full of the brand’s latest safety innovations, including advanced systems that scan the road for dangers, pedestrian detection that works at night, adaptive cruise control with steer assist and Volvo’s famous pedestrian airbag.

As for design, these spy pics reveal little, but we do know the XC90 will draw inspiration from the XC Coupe concept shown at last month’s Detroit motor show and the Coupe concept shown in Frankfurt last year.

Inside, an iPad-sized central touchscreen has been confirmed, meaning an uncluttered dash with minimal buttons.

Engine-wise, expect a high-output version of Volvo’s in-house 2.0-litre twin-charged four-cylinder petrol producing 225kW – a number that could leap to 300kW (and 600Nm) should an electric motor be fitted to the rear axle.

New, innovative tech is also likely to find its way into the diesel range.