Volvo News: Revealed! 2017 Volvo S90

[William Maley]

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The next step in Volvo's lineup revitalization plans was revealed today in Gothenburg, Sweden. The 2017 Volvo S90 will take the place of the long-running S80 as the automaker's biggest sedan.

 

Just one look at the S90 and you can tell that it is an all-new model. The front end is very reminiscent of the XC90 crossover with a chrome grille and headlights with the distinctive 'Thor's Hammer' LEDs. Around back is trunk lid that reminds us of the Concept Coupe from a few years back. Moving inside, the S90 gets leather, metal and wood trim, and Volvo's Sensus Connect touchscreen system.

 

Volvo will offer three engines for the S90 at launch; a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder (T5), a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0L four (T6), and a plug-in hybrid powertrain (T8).

 

Volvo says the S90 will boast "world-first safety technologies and highly advanced semi-autonomous features" as part of its Vision 2020 initiative to eliminate automotive casualties in its vehicles by the end of this decade. Volvo will talk about these at a later date.

 

The 2017 Volvo S90 will make its public debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month.

 

Source: Volvo

 

 

Press Release is on Page 2

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Volvo Cars Debuts the S90 Luxury Sedan

 

Gothenburg, Sweden (Dec. 2, 2015) Volvo Cars debuted the highly-anticipated Volvo S90 luxury sedan in Gothenburg, Sweden today on the heels of the company’s award-winning Volvo XC90 SUV. The all-new Volvo S90 sedan is a bold entry into the luxury sedan market and sets a new standard with superior materials, technology, comfort and class-leading semi-autonomous features.
“With $11 USD billion of investment over the past five years we have not only reimagined what Volvo Cars can be – we are now delivering on our promise of a resurgent and relevant Volvo Cars brand,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President & CEO, Volvo Car Group.
The Volvo S90 will combine Scandinavian design with cutting-edge safety and cloud-based applications and services. The interior makes use of the Sensus Connect touchscreen that debuted in the XC90, providing a clutter-free interior with minimal dashboard buttons.

 

“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 introduces another 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, through world first safety technologies and highly advanced semi-autonomous features.

 

Three engine choices will be available: the award-winning four-cylinder, 2.0 liter turbocharged and supercharged T6 engine, the turbocharged T5 variant and the clean and powerful T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid.

 

“The S90 has taken a big step forward in terms of driving dynamics, performance and ride. We have completely redesigned the Volvo driving experience from the ground up to deliver a sense of precision, engaging control and comfort,” said Dr. Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President, Research & Development at Volvo Car Group.

 

The S90 will follow a legacy of strong sedan sales for Volvo Cars in the United States. Over the last several years, Volvo sedans have enjoyed significant demand at launch, with the last luxury sedan outselling robust competitors in its segment. Volvo Cars has seen an 18% growth in US car sales so far in 2015. The all-new 2016 XC90 has received strong demand from American drivers along with the XC60, which has enjoyed 31% growth in US sales.

 

“The S90 is a terrific addition to the Volvo Cars lineup in the United States,” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, “it will continue the terrific sales momentum Volvo Cars has gained within the last year.”

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[G. David Felt]

Not a bad looking sedan, but a bit too conservative for me. The interior is nice. I just hope the interior comes in black or at least Mocha Brown as the white interiors like tan show so much dirt.

[Paolino]

I have grown to love Volvo's styling, partly because I'm one of the bland-liking guys... I like conservative styling.  I think it's beautiful.  I love the interior, particularly the wood.

[Drew Dowdell]

Very handsome! I like it

[William Maley]

Not a bad looking sedan, but a bit too conservative for me. The interior is nice. I just hope the interior comes in black or at least Mocha Brown as the white interiors like tan show so much dirt.

 

I'm sure Volvo will offer that.

[surreal1272]

Very nice looking Volvo but the rear end tail light treatment is "blah".

 

Overall, a very impressive offering though.

[ccap41]

Very good looking car

[Guest Wings4Life(BANNED)]

Very nice. Excellent profile. A bit German even. 

[smk4565]

Overall the outside looks pretty good, I really like the front end, but not a fan of the A7-like C pillar or the tail lights.  I really like the interior though.  That color combo is good, I like the metal trim, the bowers and wilkins speaker covers, the big nav screen.  Excellent job on the inside.  The new Volvo engines make good power for being small displacement, the fuel economy should be pretty good too.  

 

But I assume this is fwd, hard to compete with the E-class and 5-series with that.

[Suaviloquent]

It's sexifull, pretty tasty and 11/10 I would lick this car.

[William Maley]

Overall the outside looks pretty good, I really like the front end, but not a fan of the A7-like C pillar or the tail lights.  I really like the interior though.  That color combo is good, I like the metal trim, the bowers and wilkins speaker covers, the big nav screen.  Excellent job on the inside.  The new Volvo engines make good power for being small displacement, the fuel economy should be pretty good too.  

 

But I assume this is fwd, hard to compete with the E-class and 5-series with that.

 

But doesn't the Audi A6 come with FWD as standard (on the 2.0T in the U.S. and many more options in Europe)? It seems to be doing ok.

[Drew Dowdell]

I think Volvo would be ecstatic to get 1/4 of E Class sales.

[Suaviloquent]

Look at the visual trickery though. That's a pretty meaty dash to axle.

 

My thoughts? Lack of RWD isn't going to stop Volvo from winning industry accolades, and XC90 is off to a running start.

 

Volvo is a known quantity. They enjoy one of the best loyalties too. In this sense: when Volvo produces excellent vehicles, people don't fuss, they buy the Volvo.

 

They're still a niche player, but based off this and the XC90, they're the benchmark for the niche and up-and-coming luxury brands trying to break out.

 

And look at this again, Volvo gets to use its SPa platform exclusively from Geely, atleast for a good long-time.

[regfootball]

Volvo going back to a conservative shape for the F ship is a good idea.  Car does have a tinge of Chinese feel in the interior, but at the same time it evokes the blockiness and boxiness of older Volvo interiors.

 

Lots of sedans morphing into one or two box designs. This has a definite 3 box creased look.

[smk4565]

 

Overall the outside looks pretty good, I really like the front end, but not a fan of the A7-like C pillar or the tail lights.  I really like the interior though.  That color combo is good, I like the metal trim, the bowers and wilkins speaker covers, the big nav screen.  Excellent job on the inside.  The new Volvo engines make good power for being small displacement, the fuel economy should be pretty good too.  

 

But I assume this is fwd, hard to compete with the E-class and 5-series with that.

 

But doesn't the Audi A6 come with FWD as standard (on the 2.0T in the U.S. and many more options in Europe)? It seems to be doing ok.

 

A6 sells about 1,500 cars a month here.  Not really setting the US market on fire.  It sells huge in China though.  So if Volvo hopes to take a bite out of Audi China sales maybe they can do that.

[Suaviloquent]

 

 

Overall the outside looks pretty good, I really like the front end, but not a fan of the A7-like C pillar or the tail lights.  I really like the interior though.  That color combo is good, I like the metal trim, the bowers and wilkins speaker covers, the big nav screen.  Excellent job on the inside.  The new Volvo engines make good power for being small displacement, the fuel economy should be pretty good too.  

 

But I assume this is fwd, hard to compete with the E-class and 5-series with that.

 

But doesn't the Audi A6 come with FWD as standard (on the 2.0T in the U.S. and many more options in Europe)? It seems to be doing ok.

 

A6 sells about 1,500 cars a month here.  Not really setting the US market on fire.  It sells huge in China though.  So if Volvo hopes to take a bite out of Audi China sales maybe they can do that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Again, sales? Yeah they're the last common denominator along with profitability when it comes to the going concern of the auto company, but this is easily exceeding anything in terms of interior quality and luxury in the midsize flagship sedan segment.

 

And because of bounded rationality and brand loyalties, Volvo's may have a one-hit wonder and yet not turn the industry up-side down. It'd be hard for anyone to do that.

 

In fact, this vehicle represents the Modus Operandus of the upcoming Continental, and if the Buick Lacrosse was a global beyond N/A and China, then that too.

 

Those especially, but everyone else will also be gauged against this as well.

 

Bespoke, brand specific platform, bespoke interior and parts bin and unique powertrains. Sure there's no V8, but I can't imagine Volvo selling many of those anyways.

 

Sometimes it's best to compete in way you know how, not where someone thinks you should. Besides, based off the XC90, Volvo has proven you can have excellence everywhere even with a FWD/AWD platform in the luxury space. They didn't compromise, and they didn't just execute by taking something else and changing it. It's wholly unique.

 

Besides, in China they tax the hell out of displacement.

[smk4565]

I think the S90 interior is better than any Acura or Lincoln or even the CTS.  And the horsepower to fuel economy ratio if you want to call it that is pretty good from their new turbo and supercharged 4.    But it is still a front drive car, hard to go head to head with the E-class and 5-series with that is all I am saying.  I think they made good products with the XC90 and S90, but you have to sell them to recoup those investment dollars.  I think the XC90 has a better chance because crossover buyers don't care about performance or drivetrain.   And the XC90 has a 400 hp engine option, which is more than what Lexus, Cadillac, Acura, or Infiniti will put in a crossover, so they can actually win on performance for the few crossover buyers that do want that.

[Suaviloquent]

Yes, you're right. I see what you're saying.

 

Volvo will not go toe to toe. But they'll make their own market...

 

Remember the post I made where I said I am a sucker for V8s and RWD?

 

I laugh whenever I make posts trying flesh out an argument for FWD and four cylinders.

[smk4565]

Pricing will be interesting.  If this thing is high 40s base and like $65k for the hybrid, do people really want to pay $65k for a Volvo sedan?

[Suaviloquent]

Pricing will be interesting.  If this thing is high 40s base and like $65k for the hybrid, do people really want to pay $65k for a Volvo sedan?

 

Hmm, not in the numbers that Volvo would love right now, but certainly enough to work with.

 

Definitely more than Lincoln, Buick, Acura and even Infiniti.

 

I'll be the first to pay more for a Volvo than a comparable XTS and most likely the Continental too.

[balthazar]

Certainly nothing game changing, segment-wise, but looks generally competitive.

I'm finding less & less aspiration coming out of upper tier luxury segment, IMO.

 

The tails, tho, scream '11:55PM', IE; VERY last minute, and I predict a Year 2 revamp back there.
I believe my spur of the moment comment after clicking the pic was 'Yikes'.

[Drew Dowdell]

I think the S90 interior is better than any Acura or Lincoln or even the CTS.  And the horsepower to fuel economy ratio if you want to call it that is pretty good from their new turbo and supercharged 4.    But it is still a front drive car, hard to go head to head with the E-class and 5-series with that is all I am saying.  I think they made good products with the XC90 and S90, but you have to sell them to recoup those investment dollars.  I think the XC90 has a better chance because crossover buyers don't care about performance or drivetrain.   And the XC90 has a 400 hp engine option, which is more than what Lexus, Cadillac, Acura, or Infiniti will put in a crossover, so they can actually win on performance for the few crossover buyers that do want that.

That's interesting, because there is no way that you've even sat in the S90 yet. 

 

The XC90's sales are up a HUGE amount and over 60% of them are high end Inscription models. It's only been on sale since late September and they've already sold over 9,000 of them. 

[smk4565]

Well based on photos, I like the design and layout of the S90 interior more than what is in a lot of other luxury cars.  

[Suaviloquent]

I'm going off of the XC90. Since they're basically the same interior save for the design of trim pieces and their placement.

 

Yeah, I can totally see this car's interior being a match for high-trim 5 Series, E-Class, CTS and the like.

[daves87rs]

Very grown up Volvo here...looks pretty good...