XUK Volvo dealers must wait until next year before the new Volvo XC90 hits forecourts.It means the launch of the £28,000 diesel D5 has been pushed back from October to January 2003 while the £32,000 petrol T6 will now be available in February.

The Swedish carmaker delayed production of right-hand drive versions of the vehicle so it could satisfy demand from its home market and the US. One dealer, Alan Gibson Basingstoke, says the delay could make the car even more desirable. “Customers who want the XC90 are prepared to wait,” says MD Alan Gibson.

UK supplies for 2003 are restricted to 4000 – the US gets the bulk of the 50,000 production. CAP says it's likely to generate residual values of around 44 per cent for the T6 and 51 per cent for the D5 diesel.