ROCKLEIGH, New Jersey — Volvo has come up with a simple and playful way to get car shoppers behind the wheel of the 2015 Volvo XC90 SUV months before it arrives at Volvo dealerships. A Volvo Reality app and Google Cardboard is the launch pad for a virtual test-drive of the highly anticipated SUV.
The innovative test-drive will launch at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.
"After downloading the Volvo Reality app and inserting their phone in the Google Cardboard, viewers will be transported into an XC90 where they can explore and immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the car on the open road," the automaker said.
Initially, the virtual test-drive will be available on Android, with iOS following a short time later.
The unusual test-drive experience is one more way that Volvo is positioning the XC90 against such competitors as the 2015 Acura MDX, Buick Enclave and Infiniti QX60.
The XC90 will go on sale in spring 2015.
As an added bonus to consumers, Volvo said there is no problem if you don't have a Google Cardboard headset.
"The app works both with or without Google Cardboard," the company said.
Edmunds says: A clever way to win over younger, tech-savvy buyers.