VOLVO has decided to bring an extra petrol-fuelled XC90 to the UK to boost the range and offer an alternative below the 272bhp T6.

The XC90 2.5T has been available in other markets since the car was launched in 2003, but was not introduced in the UK.

It uses a five-cylinder light-pressure turbo engine and produces 210bhp and 236lb-ft of torque from 1,500rpm and is offered with a six-speed manual or five-speed auto- matic. The manual version achieves 25.2mpg on the combined cycle (auto: 23.9), with carbon dioxide emissions of 269g/km (auto: 282).

In 2003, nearly 25% of XC90 models were sold to fleets and this is likely to increase in 2004, according to Volvo. The XC90 2.5T is available to order now, with first deliveries expected soon after UK production starts in January.