2017 Volvo Updates: XC90 D5 PowerPulse, T5 AWD, S60 Cross Country D3

For 2017, the XC90 is fitted with a new D5 PowerPulse engine. It's the same 2-liter diesel as before, but it's been fitted with an ingenious air tank system that can spool up the turbocharger in an instant. That's ideal for off-the-line acceleration and might make the D5 the most popular engine for the XC90 in Europe.

We have a video below that explains how PowerPulse works and what kind of performance benefits you can expect. Moving on to the 60 series cars, we find that the T5 petrol engine is now fitted with all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission, the same one used by the BMW X1.

Before, you could either have the new T5 four-cylinder engine (245 PS and 350 Nm) with front-wheel drive or the old and less efficient T5 with AWD and an old 6-speed automatic.

The S60 Cross Country adventure sedan that was just introduced last year is now available with a less powerful diesel engine. The decision to offer the D3 unit seems justified, considering it's a 2.0-liter making 150 PS. Models like the Passat TDI, BMW 318d and Mercedes C200d, are in demand and offer almost the same output.

The 60 Series cars will also be provided with three new exterior colors. Luminous Sand will be available on all cars while Mussel Blue will come on the XC60, S60, V60 and V60 Cross Country. Bursting Blue will be available for S60, V60 and XC60 R-Design variants. Passion Red is also being added to the V60 Cross Country model. All of them are from the 90 series, and you can google them if you want to (or check the gallery below).

From the long list of boring apps and widgets, we've managed to dig out one important feature: for 2017, the XC90 has the same Pilot Assist II as its sister cars. That means it can drive by itself at speeds of 130 km/h in well-marked highway lanes.