Full images and details of the 2015 Volvo XC90 have been released ahead of its official unveiling at the 2014 Paris Motor Show after images surfaced online.

The internet, it would seem, has forced Volvo’s hand. After official images were leaked online 24 hours ago, Volvo has responded by releasing more details and pictures. And, while it might have taken the all-new Volvo XC90 a staggering 12 years to get here, it looks to have been worth the wait.

Volvo says the XC90 was three years in the making and part of an $11 billion investment program by new owners Geely, “the all-new XC90 marks the beginning of a new chapter in Volvo’s history, capturing its future design direction, incorporating its own range of new technologies and utilizing its new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) technology,” a statement read.

“This is one of the most important days in our history. We are not just launching a car, but re-launching our brand. This day marks a new era for our company. The XC90 paves the way for a portfolio of exciting new cars to come in the following years,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Car Group.

Being the first of a new-generation of vehicles, the XC90 carries a number of firsts for the company, including the new iron mark logo which sees Volvo’s iconic arrow aligned with the diagonal slash across the grille. This, coupled with the T-shaped ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED daytime running lights gives the front-end of the XC90 real presence.

According to Volvo, the longer bonnet, the beltline and sharper shoulder line running through to “tattoo-like”, tail-lights are design features that will carry across to other Volvo models. To add extra visual muscle, the XC90 is available with a range of wheel sizes up to 22 inches.

“The overall impression, both exterior and interior, has a strong connection to the key elements of the Swedish lifestyle: the generous space, the celebration of light and the focus on wellbeing,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design of Volvo Car Group.

Built on Volvo’s new Scalable Product Architecture platform (which can be adjusted to sit under a range of other new Volvos), the new XC90 will feature a raft of safety features and debut a number of world-first technologies, including “a run off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability”. City Safety, Volvo’s umbrella term for its auto brake functions, is standard equipment in the all-new XC90 and has been expanded to recognise vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians in front of the car, day and night.

“The new technologies will take us a significant step closer to our vision that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2020,” said Dr Mertens. “Our starting point on safety is the same today as it was when the company was created almost 90 years ago: real-life situations. We study data. We crunch numbers. We innovate. The result is one of the safest cars ever made.”

And, with the XC90, Volvo is taking a first small step towards autonomous driving, with a new function that allows the vehicle to follow the car ahead in stop-start traffic situations.

“With the XC90, we take the first step towards self-driving cars. A new function that automatically follows the vehicle ahead in stop-and-go traffic will provide a radically simplified, semi-autonomous driving experience,” said Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President, Product Strategy and Vehicle Line Management of Volvo Car Group.

Under the bonnet, the new XC90 offers a 316hp (235kW), 2.o-litre turbocharged and supercharged six-cylinder engine, this is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and offers all-wheel drive. The range-topping XC90 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, offering around 400hp (298kW) with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of around 60g/km. This makes the XC90 the world’s first plug-in hybrid seven seater – the third-row seats were designed to accommodate passengers up to 5ft7in tall. The XC90 gets air suspension with four different damper settings.

On the inside, the XC90 is intended to lift the Volvo brand onto the same playing field as its German rivals. As we’ve already seen the centre console is dominated by the tablet-like touch screen control console, which forms the heart of an all-new in-car control system. “This system is virtually button free and represents an entirely new way for drivers to control their car and access a range of Internet-based products and services. It also helps create an interior that is modern, spacious and uncluttered,” a statement read.

“The new interior is pure and uncluttered, while still radiating the sophisticated confidence and formality that luxury SUV customers expect. The simplicity is perfectly in tune with our Scandinavian design heritage. It opens up generous surfaces and gives us the opportunity to create a modern, luxurious interior architecture,” says Mr Ingenlath.

“The new XC90 interior combines materials such as soft leather and wood with handcrafted details, including a gear lever made of crystal glass from Orrefors, the famous Swedish glassmaker, and diamond-cut controls for the start/stop button and volume control. Craftsmanship has been in sharp focus during the whole development work,” a statement read.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed.