Volvo S90 & V90, presentation and test drive in Málaga

Volvo is experiencing a second youth. It is possibly the brand that has evolved the most in a short space of time, developing outstanding products such as the second-generation XC90.

Now is the time to get to know the new generation of its largest saloon, which changes its name to become the S90, as well as its estate version, the V90.

Exterior design

The S90 (and by extension the V90) debut a completely renewed look. Nothing remains of the previous S80, a saloon that lasted many years on the market. Now, the S90 has a more dynamic stance, more in line with the times. The front stands out for its large grille which, in turn, houses the brand’s logo, also very large.

The light clusters are similar to those of the XC90, maintaining the LED light signature whose name, “Thor’s Hammer”, refers to Swedish mythology. The lower part of the bumper houses an elongated moulding along with the fog lights, placed at the ends to give a greater sense of width.

The entire bodywork of the S90 and V90 is completely new. No trace remains of their predecessors, breaking completely with the past to look to the future with renewed enthusiasm and more than enough arguments to compete head-to-head with the strongest rivals in the segment. The side view is more dynamic: the large, pronounced “shoulders” that ran along the silhouette of earlier versions give way to softer lines. The wide range of alloy wheels stands out, which in Spain ranges from 17″ to 20″, and can even be upgraded to 21″, available in the brand’s accessories catalogue.

Attention to detail on these new Volvo borders on obsession

The attention to detail is enormous. Wherever the eye falls, we find all kinds of thoughtful touches. The one-piece door handles, the inscribed mouldings on the lower part of the doors, the laminated side windows, the thickness of the doors or the resonant “clunk” when closing them are indicative of how carefully the sense of quality has been crafted in this new generation of Volvo.

At the rear, the design is more controversial in the case of the S90, with a more classic and harmonious result on the V90. The light clusters, with LED technology, show a double C-shaped light signature on the S90 that may not appeal to all customers, while still maintaining a strong personality.

The rear overhang is slightly longer than the front, although the overall look is well balanced. In the case of the V90, the roofline drop is practically non-existent, maintaining the robustness that characterises the design of Volvo’s estate bodywork. As is common in today’s automotive industry, the exhaust outlets are “concealed” behind twin mouldings set into the lower part of the bumper.

Interior design

If the exterior of the new S90 and V90 draws attention, the cabin places them directly above some of their rivals. We are talking about the fact that, today, the S90/V90 offer a more refined and higher-quality dashboard than practically all their rivals. The design is very similar to that found in the XC90, with quality and simplicity as the primary qualities.

The sense of quality and robustness is evident from the very first moment. We never miss the finishing touches or fit of its rivals. The dashboard once again has a very clear design, studied so that ergonomics are not compromised and ease of use takes priority above all else. In fact, just like in the XC90, between the dashboard and the centre console, the number of buttons adds up to just 8.

Just like the XC90, the dashboard’s key feature is the vertically oriented central screen

The build quality of these new models is perceived indirectly through details such as the well-placed ambient lighting, the feel and smell of the leather, the decorative trim made from untreated wood, or the sense of insulation produced, among other things, by the thickness of the door seals or the double-glazed windows.

On this occasion, all the units available at the presentation were fitted with the highest and most extensive equipment level, called Inscription. With it, the perceived quality increases even further thanks to details such as heated, ventilated leather seats with four different massage programmes, or full leather upholstery on the dashboard and doors.

The fit and finish is practically perfect except for the overhead console, which creaked slightly when pressed, clashing with the interior ambience. Following the trend set by the XC90, the interior revolves around a central screen positioned vertically, from which most of the vehicle’s systems are controlled centrally, from driving settings to climate control, through to navigation or the activation/deactivation of safety systems.

In the cabin, the sense of spaciousness is amplified thanks to a wheelbase of 2.94 metres, providing more than enough room in both rows for legs and head. The width is also considerable, so passengers never touch each other. The central seat in the second row is, by contrast, somewhat narrow and is hampered by a very bulky transmission tunnel.

The boot offers a capacity of 500 litres in the case of the S90, a figure which, while not leading its segment, is sufficient. The V90 increases that capacity to 560 litres, with more usable shapes. The second row of seats can be folded down at the push of a button, turning the V90 into a true load-carrying workhorse with a capacity of up to 1,528 litres.

Driving dynamics and technology

If there is one thing these new members of the 90 series stand out for, it is the monstrous technological load they can be equipped with. Like the XC90, both the S90 and V90 are built on the modular SPA platform, sharing numerous components. Almost the entire structure and bodywork of the S90/V90 is steel, with aluminium reserved for very specific locations such as the suspension towers and the front cross-member.

The suspension is the same as that of the XC90, that is, a deformable parallelogram at the front axle and multi-link at the rear axle, using a composite leaf spring as the elastic element at the rear. An adaptive air suspension system is available as an option.

The platform is shared with the new generation of the XC90

The S90/V90 arrive on the market with three diesel and two petrol alternatives, with a plug-in hybrid variant already planned. All engines are developed from a modular 4-cylinder in-line block with a 2-litre capacity. In diesel, the range starts with the 150 CV D3, moving through the 190 CV D4 to the 235 CV D5 at the top of the range.

In petrol, the T5 offers 254 CV and the T6, 320 CV. All engines are paired as standard and exclusively with an 8-speed automatic gearbox with torque converter, with a 6-speed manual gearbox available as standard only for the D3 and D4. These are very innovative powerplants, with direct injection and supercharging, with double supercharging using a turbo and a compressor reserved for the T6 variant.

Exclusive technology of the D5 is the “PowerPulse” system, consisting of a two-litre compressed air accumulator that discharges into the exhaust manifold, increasing pressure and “filling in” the time the turbo needs to spool up when you floor the accelerator.

In real terms, the new Volvo move with great composure on the tarmac. These are vehicles with an essentially touring focus, feeling very comfortable on long journeys on fast roads, where it is possible to maintain high cruising speeds in total relaxation. The steering, while not conveying much, offers good feedback.

The technology serving driving and safety is very impressive. This is one of the most advanced vehicles on the market, offering systems such as the new Pilot Assist, which prevents the vehicle from weaving within the lane, self-centring with precision without the driver noticing anything at all. In addition, the Intellisafe package, comprising a camera and a radar located behind the windscreen, integrates systems such as pedestrian detection, city emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.

Range and versions

The first S90 units will arrive in July, while for the V90 you will have to wait until September/October. The launch price is €44,911 for the S90, rising to €47,713 for the V90. Both models will be available in three trims, Momentum, Inscription and R-Design, although the Kinetic will arrive later as the entry-level version.

Photograph | Daniel Valdivielso

Technical specifications of this car

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