[bhilmer]

I'm a cynic as well--my first thought was that we're close enough now to MY17 that they don't want to hurt 16 sales with people deciding to just wait for MY17... Laird brings up a good point, though I would think they would at least know internally if it was doable or not.

Fingers crossed we see some sort of upgrade, even if it's just another 10mph. I love this feature--my only complaint is that when it kicks off, it does so pretty suddenly. I wish there was an audible warning before it stops, since even at 30mph, the slow down is pretty dramatic when it happens.

I agree that there is a harshness to stop and go when using Pilot Assist. If traffic is constantly moving, it's pretty smooth, but when traffic becomes stop and go, it almost makes me car sick with how sudden it will stop or start again, especially if the car in front is creeping along at an extremely low speed. Hopefully they make this smoother.

 

[bhilmer]

Ah, that's actually a separate issue for me--I've found that, for me, the sweet spot is 4 bars. I still have people cut in front of me occasionally but it's much better with the start and stop in slow traffic and when using ACC I'm not nearly as worried about getting rear ended.

I was actually referring to what happens when autopilot loses the lane or hits the max speed limit and just shuts down entirely. As I use it more, I've gotten better at predicting when it will lose a lane, but it's still pretty jarring to go from 30mph to nothing when the traffic in front has opened up. Feel like it must be totally annoying to be driving behind me.

Ah. I get your point. I always keep mine at 1 bar, so maybe I'll play around with that and see if a farther distance makes it smoother.

 

[bhilmer]

I emailed Jim who posted the Volvo US press release on their website asking why they removed mention of PilotAssist 2 in the XC90 and if it'd be avlb for 2016 and got this response:

"At this time, Pilot Assist 2 will be an option on the 2017 XC90. It is still to be determined if the 2016 XC90 can be upgraded."

At least it's confirmed the 2017 model will have it as an option... I really don't want to trade in my 2016 model for a 2017 just for this feature, but I'd highly consider it.

 

[bhilmer]

Response from Volvo Canada:

You are correct that the 2016 XC90 has the Pilot Assist functionality however it can not be upgraded with enhancements that will be available with Pilot Assist II. I trust this adequately answers your question but please feel free to contact us again with any questions you may have.

Interesting to see that Volvo Canada says no upgrade available for 2016, yet Volvo North America has said they are still looking into it...

 

[bhilmer]

I've developed a good friendship with my dealer who informed me of some not-so promising news. They had a Volvo rep at their dealership to train the team on the new S90 before their shipment came in. He asked the rep if PA2 would be an available upgrade for 2016, and he said it would not be...

Still hoping all of these rumors are proven wrong. I just with VCNA would make an official announcement since there are reps going around saying yes and no...