Volvo is to unveil its new Sports Utility Vehicle, the Volvo XC90, at the Detroit show next month.

The vehicle will receive its first UK public debut at the British International Motor Show in Birmingham next autumn.

The car, which will be powered by the new generation D5 diesel and T6 petrol engine, has the flexibility of up to seven forward-facing seats and aims to be the most exciting and safest SUV on the road including crash test compatibility with smaller cars.

In the XC90, Volvo's Adventure Concept Car has become a reality.

Its modern design, powerful turbo engines, and innovative interior, make the Volvo XC90 the most stylish to be marketed by the company so far.

It incorporates the latest, modern Volvo trademark design features of gently rounded, elegant lines, a distinctive V-shaped bonnet, pronounced shoulders, and a powerful stance.

"We wanted the car to look masculine and confident, but not macho," says Volvo's British vice president and chief designer, Peter Horbury.

"A new generation SUV should deliver car-like driving characteristics, and the XC90 won't disappoint."

Developed on Volvo's large car platform, the all-wheel drive XC90 combines off-road capability with excellent road-going performance with a choice of powerful turbo engines either the 272bhp T6, six-cylinder petrol or Volvo's new state-of-the-art 163bhp D5 diesel.

It will continue to reinforce Volvo's leading position on safety and showcases a range of technologically advanced solutions in the important areas of roll-over protection and compatibility with smaller cars in the event of an accident.

Full details and prices will be available during 2002.