Volvo’s redesigned SUV is a game changer

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This article was published 19/06/2015 (3835 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new era in design for Volvo products is underway and Winnipeggers were introduced to the Swedish automaker’s latest offering June 9, at Jaguar Land Rover Volvo Winnipeg with the unveiling of the brand new 2016 XC90 SUV.

“Our new XC90 is transformative,” said Dave Forrest, vice-president of sales for Volvo Canada, who was on hand for the Winnipeg introduction. “It’s a game changer for us. This is Swedish innovation, luxury and design at its best.”

Jaguar Land Rover Volvo Winnipeg sales rep Craig Deslandes said that the last redesign for the XC90 was in 2003. “With its refined luxury and clean lines, the XC90 is more than a motor vehicle,” said Deslandes, a former massage therapist and longtime Volvo owner who joined the sales team in mid-May. “The interior, consisting of Napa leather and natural wood, is beautiful.”

Deslandes’ fellow sales rep, Kevin Xi, said the new model is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that is both turbocharged and supercharged. The engine puts out 320 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque.

The seven-seat SUV has the largest interior in its class, Xi said.

Inside, he pointed out, the new model is unique in that it has a central LCD screen above a single knob flanked by three buttons on each side–plus the start button adjacent to the steering column.

And the 9.3-inch touch screen is similar to an iPad in its operation. You can pinch, expand, and swipe the screen to do various tasks.

Of course, the 2016 XC90 has all the latest safety technology in keeping with Volvo’s reputation for its focus on safety.

The new model starts at $62,000 (plus freight and pdi), Xi said.

The dealership is expecting to receive 18 2016 XC90 models by year’s end. Xi said half a dozen are already spoken for.

Nott just a grand opening

NOTT Autocorp celebrated the official opening of its second pre-owned luxury vehicle store — Winnipeg South Luxury Auto and Art Gallery — at Waverley Street at McGillivray Boulevard on the weekend of June 5 and 6 with a weekend barbecue that attracted up to 200 people and featured special appearances by Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Drew Willy and receiver Clarence Denmark.

The weekend was also a fundraiser for Nott property maintenance manager Joel Toth and his family. As Trevor Nott, the company’s president, said, the Toths’ new addition to the family was born with an underdeveloped heart.

“The baby has undergone three surgeries in Edmonton,” Nott said. “It’s costly for the family. We raised over $5,000 to help Joel and his family with the expenses.”

Nott Autocorp opened for business at the beginning of January at its new location. (The original location in north Winnipeg has been rebranded as a wholesale outlet service centre handling local trades and pre-owned vehicles on sale for $20,000 and less.)

Nott said sales at the new location have been going like gangbusters. “We have sold five exotic models — two Maseratis, two Lamborghinis and one Audi R8, all valued at more than $100,000 just in recent weeks — in addition to numerous less expensive models.”

Nott adds that the company is renovating a second building on the site to be a service centre. “We are interviewing for technicians now,” he said.

With a second store and growing sales, Nott has naturally added to his sales staff. At the beginning of January, Terra Bellisario joined the staff as sales and finance manager. For the past 15 years, Bellasario has been working on the finance side of the industry, most recently managing the auto finance department at TD Canada Trust.

“I was dealing with up to 100 auto and RV dealerships, including Nott Autocorp” she said. “I was looking for a change. Trevor and I reached an agreement that is good for both of us.

“I like the sense of family here. Rather than sticking to specific roles, everyone does whatever is necessary.”

Sales rep Jeff Janzen joined the Nott Autocorp sales team in February after spending the past six years working for Manitoba Hydro helping to design and implement the Power Smart program. But car sales run in Janzen’s genetic makeup.

“My grandfather has a used car lot and my father was in the autobody business,” Janzen said. “I wasn’t specific looking to get into car sales after leaving Hydro a few months ago. A cousin introduced me to Trevor (Nott). I had heard positive things from several friends about Nott Autocorp. So I decided to give it a try.

“I wouldn’t sell cars anywhere else.”

At Nott, he said, the goal is to match the customer to the car. “We are not pushing any one brand,” he said. “Our customers have 40 different makes and models to choose from.”

While selling cars is now Janzen’s day job, he continues to pursue his second passion as a professional race car driver and trainer. He’s been involved in racing and ancillary activities, such as tire comparisons and product launches, for the past 10 years.

Janzen is a veteran of the North American racing circuit. Driving a Honda S2000, he was rookie of the year on the circuit in 2008. He also drives a Corvette.

“I’ve done well in Canadian National championships and U.S. tour events,” he said. “I also work for a U.S.-based racing school teaching racing across North America. Every couple of months, I travel on weekends to teach racing. Working at Nott Autocorp, I have the flexibility to keep teaching and racing.”

Toys for truck fans

LAST Sunday’s weekly Classic Car gathering at the Pony Corral Grant Park featured some new “toys for boys” — 15 Western Star trucks, compliments of Connexion IndustriesTruck Centre, including the model for the character Optimus Prime Western Star Truck from the movie Transformers: Edge of Extinction, and the manufacturer’s brand new 5700 XE model which is just being released throughout North America.

The model on display is the first 5700 to be sold and delivered in North America, said Ken Cranwill, Connexion co-owner with Marshall Love, who were both on site to talk about the Western Star models on display.

“There is a huge demand for this truck,” Cranwill said. “We have 120 on order and all have been pre-sold.”

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