Volvo S90 re-enters Volvo into the executive sedan market

Better known for its big estates with square stature, SUVs and smaller sedans, Volvo also makes big sedans. The big executive sedans were Volvo 960, 850 which became S70, and the Volvo S80 – these were all available in SA for some time, but eventually S80 was withdrawn from a local market where people only have wallets for German big sedans, and maybe the odd British or very seldomly an American or Japanese.  But what if you want a Swedish sedan…?

Square stature is back

Volvo has gone about it the correct way when turning up its image:  cars like the V40, with its hatch / sporty estate car layout, showed a new smart young creative side of Volvo. 

Recently Volvo looked back for inspiration into its rich history of beloved square estate cars, and what followed is the new XC90 SUV, where Volvo brings back the square Volvo with stature.  It draws attention and compliments for its that’s-a-Volvo design.

Volvo has become desirable again.

Time for the executive sedan

With this platform in place, Volvo is ready to introduce a modern new big executive sedan.  The new Volvo S90 is a clean and powerful design, with the same Thor’s hammer horizontal front LED lights and executive-looking neatness in its lines.  Designers even managed to bring the trademark vertical taillights into a sedan, thereby giving the car a bold strong rear-end.

Volvo is confident it is ready to compete product-wise against any other executive sedan like the Jaguar XF, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, Mercedes E-Class, Chrysler 300C, Honda Accord, Lexus GS, Infiniti Q70 and Volkswagen Passat / CC.  Wondering if Volvo will take on the biggest executive sedans like Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ and Audi A8?

If their XC90 is a gauge of how to take on the luxury SUV with a stylish prestigious alternative to the usual bunch, then the S90 should, in similar vein, be a discerning sedan buyer’s choice.

The XC90 interior with its huge tablet-style touch-screen and super-elegant interior has shaken up the SUV market, so with S90 the inside of an executive sedan will now also be an elegant and high-tech one in this Volvo.

The ride, handling and drivetrain have been engineered to create a sophisticated and refined drive and ride: a sense of precision, engaging control and comfort.

Efficiency is important, so S90 will also get the modular 4-cylinder Drive-E petrol and diesel engines like the XC90 has, of 2.0-litre capacity in turbo, turbo + supercharged, or turbo + supercharged + electric hybrid T8 Twin Engine.

Animal detection

What would a new Volvo be without a new safety invention?  The new S90 debuts a world-first function to its City Safety system: this car is capable of detecting large animals such as horses, moose and elk, and engage intuitive warning and braking to help avoid a collision.

Launch

In the USA and China big executive sedans are still big business.  The decision to launch the Volvo S90 sedan at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is therefore a smart move.  South Africa will get the S90 late in 2016.