COMPETITIVE fuel consumption figures, CO2 emissions data and insurance groupings have been released for diesel and petrol models (with Geartronic1 automatic transmission) of the new Volvo XC90 SUV.

The 163bhp, 2.4-litre XC90 D5 turbodiesel with Geartronic transmission is less thirsty than its rivals, returning 31.0mpg on the combined cycle, compared to 29.1mpg and 29.7mpg for the equivalent BMW X5 3.0D and Mercedes ML270 CDi models with automatic transmission, respectively.

Figures for the XC90 D5 with manual transmission are expected to be even more competitive and will be available when the six-speed gearbox is introduced mid 2003,

The 272bhp, 2.9-litre petrol XC90 T6 with the standard Geartronic transmission sits alongside the 228bhp BMW X5 3.0i automatic, with a combined cycle figure of 21.9mpg.

The XC90 will also be cheaper to insure than other premium SUVs. The Volvo XC90 D5 has been rated Group 15 (at least one group lower than any of the competitors) and the XC90 T6 is rated Group 16.

Both petrol and diesel XC90 models produce lower CO2 emissions than comparable competitor models with automatic transmission. The XC90 D5 turbodiesel with Geartronic transmission is the only vehicle in the premium SUV market with a CO2 figure low enough to qualify for a 33 per cent BlK rating.

This means that a 22 per cent taxpayer would incur an annual company car tax bill of £2,139 for the XC90 D5 S. while a 40 per cent taxpayer would pay around £3,889.