We have Volvo Car UK Limited to thank for the introduction of the XC90 SE Sport. The Brits managed to persuade their bosses in Sweden that a more driver-friendly version of the popular SUV would be a good idea, and a development programme was duly started on UK roads (or, to be more accurate, replicas of UK roads built on a Swedish test ground). The results are not a whit less than astonishing.First, a brief explanation of what was done. Don't worry, this won't take long. Some of the modifications relate to control systems (the self-levelling and the steering assistance have both been fine-tuned), but the bulk of the effort concerns the good old mechanical suspension components. If you don't get those right, no amount of electronic trickery is going to save the car's handling.Volvo's engineers have done a fine job with them. They have fitted stiffer anti-roll bars at both ends, more so at the rear than at the front; compared with other XC90s, the SE Sport therefore not only leans less in corners, it also has slightly more of a grip bias towards the front. Turn-in is improved, and the chances of understeer are reduced.The other significant alteration has as much to do with ride as with handling. The shock absorbers are stiffer in rebound, which means that they restrict the upward movement of the car more than is the case on non-Sport models. The most obvious effect is that the tendency - characteristic of most large, heavy SUVs - to float in a slightly worrying fashion over crests in the road is almost completely eliminated.In combination, these changes make an enormous difference to the driving experience. The car tested here is the D5, with the 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine which is so impressive in smaller Volvos but has a tough job to push the XC90 along quickly in a straight line. It doesn't have much performance to speak of, but in all other respects it is a wonder. It feels more secure than the other cars in its family under acceleration, it's impressively stable under hard braking, and it requires just one steering input to get into a corner and another to straighten it up afterwards, with no nervous twitching at the wheel between the two (though the way the steering weights up as you apply more lock isn't its best feature).The SE Sport appears halfway up what is now a five-model range. The specification is basically that of the SE, but the exterior appearance is quite different thanks to 19" alloy wheels, twin chrome exhaust pipes, larger wheelarch extensions and satin silver paintwork where there would otherwise be chrome. To promote the sporty look even further, roof rails are not part of the standard equipment, but they are available as a no-cost option.There are moderate enhancements inside, too, the most significant being sports seats with more side support than normal. This doesn't make them any less comfortable; quite the reverse, in fact, and that holds true for the rest of the improvements. It would be easy to think - because there is a lot of precedent for it - that creating a Sport version would ruin what comfort the basic car had, and sacrifice driving pleasure in the name of style.This absolutely has not happened in the case of the XC90. In firming up the suspension by just the right amount, Volvo has made the Sport a much more enjoyable car to travel in. It may deal with road imperfections more rapidly than before, but it still absorbs them rather than crashing over them.The improved body control makes the ride less wallowy, and perhaps most crucially of all the superior handling makes life easier for the driver because you have less to think about; you point the Sport at a corner and let it get on with the job, rather than dragging it along behind you. Less brainpower is required, leaving more available for reacting to the road conditions, so there's a safety element along with everything else.The SE Sport is the best thing that has ever happened to the XC90. What would be even better would be for Volvo to render the model redundant (apart from the styling changes, which will no doubt appeal to several customers) by applying the new suspension set-up to all the other cars. Volvo would then have a range of SUVs in which every single version was admirably precise in its handling and unusually comfortable to ride in, and that would be quite an achievement. Engine 2400cc, 5 cylinders Power 182bhp Fuel/CO2 34.0mpg / 219g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 10.9 seconds Top speed 121mph Price £37,270 Details correct at publication date
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