Volvo S90 officially revealed – new E-Class, 5er rival?

Volvo has finally revealed its all-new S90 sedan on the Internet, ahead of its public debut at next year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January. The flagship Volvo sedan certainly carries the brand’s ambitions, and aims to compete against the Jaguar XF, Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

As far as looks are concerned, the Volvo S90 is the full size version of the Chinese-made scaled model that was “leaked” many times before this. With influences from the Volvo Concept Coupe and the XC90 SUV, the S90 sports the Swedish marque’s signature grille and T-shaped “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights.

The reserved Swedish styling continues on to the profile, where the sleek body provides a drag coefficient of between 0.28 and 0.29. At the rear, the contemporary design continues with C-shaped taillights that extend into the Volvo badging in the centre of the trunk. A pair of trapezoidal exhaust tips round up the looks department.

Riding on the new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) – the second car to do so after the XC90, the S90 measures 4,963 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, 1,443 mm tall, with a wheelbase measuring 2,941 mm. On the scales, the S90 has a curb weight of between 1,800 kg and 2,150 kg, depending on its configuration.

Inside, the S90 follows in the footsteps of its XC90 with a similar dashboard layout. Differences can be seen at the air-con vents that feature a vertical silver element in the centre of each one. Other features like the 12.3 inch Adaptive Digital Display instrument panel and Volvo’s Sensus Connect High Performance audio system interface with 9.0-inch touchscreen are still here.

That configuration also includes its powertrain options. On the petrol-powered side, there is the T6 and the plug-in hybrid Twin Engine T8. Both 2.0 litre four-cylinder engines (turbocharged and supercharged) generate 320 hp at 5,700 rpm and 400 Nm of torque from 2,200 rpm to 5,400 rpm, send through Aisin’s AW TG-81SC eight-speed automatic gearbox and an all-wheel drive system.

However, the T8 is supplemented by an electric motor located in the rear axle providing 87 hp and 240 Nm of torque. The electric motor draws its power from a 9.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack located centrally in the tunnel of the car. It also propels the vehicle in all-electric mode (around 45 km range), provides electric all-wheel drive functionality and performs brake energy recuperation.

PowerPulse air from filter

Emblem Twin Engine T8 Volvo S90 Inscription White

The Volvo S90 is also available with two diesel mills – D5 and D4, both 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel units. Where the former generates a healthy 235 hp at 4,000 rpm and 480 Nm of torque from 1,750 rpm to 2,250 rpm, the latter makes do with 190 hp at 4,250 rpm and 400 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm.

The D5 engine is mated to an eight-speed auto like the petrol units, and comes with all-wheel drive as well. As for the D4, it gets a M66F six-speed manual gearbox, with drive being directed exclusively to the front wheels.

Volvo’s PowerPulse technology is also part of the diesel powertrain that tags on an electrically-driven compressor and pressurised air tank to the engine. PowerPulse pulls air from the air filter and pressurises the air before storing it in the tank. When rapid acceleration is needed, a valve opens and feeds the compressed air into the exhaust manifold, feeding the turbo, providing instant power.

Moving on to the safety, the well-equipped S90 also introduces a few semi-autonomous driving features. IntelliSafe Pro (with City Safety collision avoidance) comes as standard, with IntelliSafeSurround and IntelliSafeAssist being additional options. The former adds on blind spot information, rear collision warning and cross traffic alert.

IntelliSafe Assist meanwhile, provides adapative cruise control, distance alert and the second-generation Pilot Assist semi-autonomous drive that now offers steering assistance up to 130 km/h and no longer needs a lead car.

The Volvo S90 will be followed up with a wagon body style soon, dubbed the V90. If leaked images of the car in scaled model form are to be believed, the final outlook of the car would have already been revealed. As for the S90, do you think it has what it takes to go up against the established German marques?