With the launch of the well-received and fast-selling XC90 complete, Volvo has turned its attention to the full-size sedan segment. Yesterday they took the wraps off their S90 luxury sedan in Gothenburg, Sweden. The S90 sedan follows the same formula as the XC90 offering high-level Scandinavian design and materials, advanced safety and convenience technologies, and a suite of semi-autonomous driving features.
According to Håkan Samuelsson, President & CEO, Volvo Car Group, the S90 is the latest in a string of new vehicles planned for the Swedish auto maker which has invested $11 billion in product development over the past five years.
Inside, the S90 continues the design theme established in the XC90 with a strong Scandinavian influence that shows in the light, unvarnished woods, open feel and minimalist architecture. A case in point, the centerpiece of the S90 dash is the Sensus Connect touchscreen that debuted in the XC90, which reduces the number of buttons on the center console, simplifying the overall look at feel.
“Our idea was to bring something entirely new to this rather conservative segment and deliver a visual expression that exudes leadership and confidence on the exterior. On the inside we have taken the S90 to the next level, delivering a high-end luxury experience that promises comfort and control,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design at Volvo Car Group.
The Volvo S90 also takes step toward Volvo’s Vision 2020, which states that no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by the year 2020. Volvo states the S90 will include a number of new safety technologies and semi-autonomous features. This includes things like large animal detection with auto brake which allows the car to detect deer and other large animals, warn the driver about it and automatically apply the brakes if necessary to avoid an accident. A new version of Pilot Assist will also be available allowing the car to accelerate, decelerate, come to a complete stop and steer itself up to highway speeds. The current system is limited to speeds below 30MPH and requires a car to follow – in the new version for the S90, no pilot car is needed and it will work at higher speeds.
The S90 will offer three engine choices. The first is the 2.0 liter turbocharged and supercharged T6 engine that’s in the XC90. In that configuration it makes 319 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque which we expect will be the same in the S90. The 240 horsepower turbocharged 2.0 Liter T5 and a Twin Engine plug-in hybrid will also be available.
Other details such as vehicle specifications, mileage and all-wheel drive options are still forthcoming. Volvo officials have told us they will reveal those and more at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 11th. We’ll be there to bring you the news from Volvo and all the other luxury manufacturers as it happens.