Yes, it is puzzling to figure this out. I'm going to the company Open House in Rockleigh in October, and I'm planning to ask a company rep, in-person there, about this.

In Europe, towing limits are very different from here in the USA. Brake requirements, tongue weights, all play a role. I remember (checking this a few years ago) that the USA-market MB M-class had a limit of 5,000 lbs, and yet in the European market it was 7,700 lbs. Hard to figure, except for taking into consideration road (and TUV) regulations.

But I'm still irked about there not being enough pre-purchase acknowledgment of these drastic weight limits (considering the reasonable expectation of someone wanting to carry family members). I think that this is serious advertising deception.

And yes, I'm well aware of auxiliary transmission oil coolers. In fact, I've put one of these expensive Volvo accessories in all three of my 240's (currently an '84 and two '93s), simply because I just want the transmissions to run cooler and last longer (I also use synthetic fluid for the same reason). And the XC90's owners manual (2010 model year) also recommends both an auxiliary cooler and automatic self-leveling system (pg 154, column one, 5th bullet).

Nice corresponding with you. Best regards.