IT'S clear that a lot of people have been awaiting the birth of Volvo's new version of its popular XC90.

The first vehicle to be built on a new in-house design and built chassis, using its own engines, it has already excited the buying public enough to flood out dealers' order books to saturation levels - and that's even before the first one has been delivered to the UK.

Principle changes have been the introduction into the UK of the 320 bhp T6 petrol engine and the availability of a heating system on the D5 which allows the driver to pre-condition the vehicle cabin to a set temperature so that it is ready for when the car is required - ideal for those frosty mornings.

It is the first to be powered solely by Volvo's new Drive-E engine range. Available to order from launch with either an all-wheel-drive (AWD) D5 225 bhp diesel, an AWD T6 320 bhp petrol or an AWD T8 Twin Engine petrol plug-in hybrid with 400 bhp, there has been every reason for fans to be excited.

Volvo already enjoys a reputation for providing the most comfortable seats in the industry and the new XC90 enhances this by re-designed seats that free up interior space for passengers both in the second and third seat rows, helping to make the new XC90 a much more genuine seven-seater.