[Turbanator]

Just heard, Volvo India to launch 3 Seater Hybrid Excellence variant of XC-90 soon. Must be a segment or should I say Industry First, 3 Seater SUV that can also seat 7 in other configurations.

Very Bold by Volvo definitely Expected to cost 1,3 Cr Plus.

Some pictures and a video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8hqiEr0cmg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpFcx_cMbv0

Glass partition between Second row and luggage compartment

[reignofchaos]

Expect a wave of these niche CBU products to land on our shores soon considering the waiver of homologation for upto 2500 units that the government recently announced.

Good I say - more choice for the consumer.

[karan561]

Full Marks for Volvo in attempting to bring such a niche 3 seater SUV experience in the form of the XC 90.

Zero Marks for the 'Screen Popping' out as such screens are so common these days and even found in local Uber/Ola Taxis too.

[spd_tkt]

In my understanding this flavour of luxury, where a chauffeur driven person feels comfortable, or even privileged when seated this way, with his/ her feet next to the driver, is more in tune with China, Japan etc rather than Europe or US. I don't think many in Europe or US would even feel comfortable with such seating. Ps: I am not dissing on Chinese / Asian concept of comfort or luxury here.

[androdev]

This is the silliest contraption I have ever seen - looks like an undergrad project. Even the most insensitive person would cringe to sit like this next to the driver or offer the economy passenger seat to a guest or family member. And the whole arrangement of TV screens look very childish. Here is the real deal:

New Toyota Alphard and Vellfire Royal Lounge variants

https://paultan.org/2016/01/13/new-t...unge-variants/

[octane_100]

Totally lacks taste and class! All those mechanisms could have been put to better use than just making a screen and a table pop out. And what happens to the one sitting behind the driver?

[V.Narayan]

This is a competitor, functionally at least, to the Innovas modified by DC Design. It will suit those politicians, landlords and businessmen in Tier III and Tier IV towns who need to travel a lot by road. In India that category always travel with a PSO - that is a Personal Security Officer for those who live in law abiding areas - sometimes needed, sometimes a factor of status. Will have to figure out where the PSO will sit!!

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

This is a competitor, functionally at least, to the Innovas modified by DC Design. It will suit those politicians, landlords and businessmen in Tier III and Tier IV towns who need to travel a lot by road. In India that category always travel with a PSO - that is a Personal Security Officer for those who live in law abiding areas - sometimes needed, sometimes a factor of status. Will have to figure out where the PSO will sit!!

PSO will follow in the DC Innova

[drmohitg]

I have no knowledge of this segment of cars and frankly neither got the taste for them but I beg to ask if it so tough to just add a proper recliner sofa seat in such vehicles instead of the set up shown in the pic above? I find a recliner much more comfortable. Is it tough to add one to a car intended for such usage?

[Yeldo]

Originally Posted by spd_tkt

In my understanding this flavour of luxury, where a chauffeur driven person feels comfortable, or even privileged when seated this way, with his/ her feet next to the driver, is more in tune with China, Japan etc rather than Europe or US.

Yes. Many high end JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars have collapsible cushions for the front passenger backrest through which the person seated at the rear may stretch his legs and put his feet up.

Originally Posted by androdev

Here is the real deal: New Toyota Alphard and Vellfire Royal Lounge variants

Those who have used these vans in SE Asia, Hong Kong, etc., know that those two seats in such vans are the ultimate when it comes to rear seat comfort. Sadly we may not realistically expect Toyota to sell these in India, and even if Toyota indeed launch them here, the prices would be higher than the XC90 shown in the original post here!

Originally Posted by drmohitg

I find a recliner much more comfortable. Is it tough to add one to a car intended for such usage?

Maybe safety regulations prevent such installation. BTW, the Royal Louge Alpahrad and Vellfire seats are almost like recliner sofas.

[avishar]

Reminds me of the Toyota Century. The ultimate in back-seat luxury and one can also make the driver suffer from your smelly socks.

[porsche_guy]

This feature isn't even worth so much. Why don't they just design something similar to Honda's Magic seats. That will serve the purpose of a 4 seater when needed and a more luxurious recliner when needed too!

[ACM]

Forwarded the link to a politician who earlier considered the XC90 and then ditched the Idea due to the brand value vs his Mercedes.

Will share here if this appeals to him sufficiently now.

I have my doubts though.