German Motor Works

Wilner states the motor redesigned new-from-scratch fits under the XC90's hood because it's a 60-degree all-aluminum design with a reversed-bank offset and a two-stage cam timing chain and direct-mounted accessories. A counter-rotating-balance shaft keeps the cylinders chugging smoothly under the same hood that usually houses the 208-horsepower, 2.5-liter turbo inline-five or the 268-horsepower, 2.9-liter twin-turbo inline T6. The Yamaha makes 311 horsepower and 325 pound-feet--just four horses short of the X5 4.4i V-8, with an extra pound-foot of torque. Volvo also boasts the first Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle II status in a gas V-8 and engine packaging that maintains the XC90's exemplary 35-mph head-on and 40-mph offset-crash properties. The V-8 has a 1250-rpm idle at cold start for a lean air/fuel mixture, and it settles in at 675 rpm when warmed.