Malaga, Spain.
Volvo selected the magnificent Mediterranean coastline of Spain to launch the beautiful S90 luxury automobile.
The new fabulous Volvo S90 did not come as a surprise. Recently Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO Volvo Car Group stated, “Volvo cars is moving rapidly with its brand transformation plans, launching new products every year and redefining luxury in the premium car market.”
The S90 will be followed quickly by the V90 station wagon in the months ahead.
There are basically three things that make this new Volvo important and differentiate it from the rest: The extraordinary interior, profound new technologies (old ones see improvements too), but most importantly, the feeling of being special accompanying the drive in the S90.
This proud Volvo sits on 18-inch turbine alloy wheels, while enshrined by a power sunroof/sunshade.
The interior awaits the driver and passengers with sophisticated, engaging technologies wrapped in quality materials such as the leather upholstery. The S90 is beautifully designed, providing a luxurious experience. There is stitching around the leather-capped instrument panel. The leather and wood finishing work together to expound on a stunning front cabin design.
A 9-inch touchscreen with navigation gets you started and keeps you on track. The Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound System with CD player has 19 speakers strategically placed to deliver a clear, concise balance of sound throughout the interior.
There was a time during the drive when I missed the turn. In no time, the Volvo Navigation System had made recalculations and got me back on track, with only a few minutes of lost time.
Volvo offers the S90 in two trims: Momentum and Inscription. There are two engine choices. The S90 T5 FWD is a 2.0 L turbocharged inline-four delivering 250 hp at 5,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque in the band of 1,500-4,800 rpm. The S90 T6 AWD is a 2.0 L inline-four with both a supercharger and a turbo, delivers 316 hp at 5,700 rpm and a torque of 295 lb-ft from 2,200 to 5,400 rpm. Both engines use an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
The S90 has a number of noteworthy technological features. A 360-degree camera, Active High Beam, Park Assist, HomeLink, and Surround Cross Traffic Alert are standard.
Then there are two that are down-right magical.
The S90 is the only vehicle in the U.S. standard-equipped with a semi-autonomous highway driving technology called Pilot Assist. If you so wish, the car will provide assist with steering, acceleration, and braking to follow the lane, at speeds up to 81 mph, allowing you to experience everything the all new S90 has to offer while staying relaxed. The driver can always override the system, thus retaining complete command over the vehicle.
The other special feature is a world first. It is called Large Animal Detection. The technology picks up large animals like deer (or cyclists) that otherwise might take a precious second or two for the driver to react to, and hit by your car. Wonderfully beneficial in urban areas for bikers and rural areas where there are a lot of big creatures.
Lutz Stiegler, Volvo Director of Powertrain Controls and Calibration, said that Volvo’s goal is “Nobody killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020.” Now that is a worthy goal.
As mentioned above, the S90 is offered in combinations of the two engine choices and two trim levels. The T5 Momentum carries a list price of $46,950, while its Inscription peer lists for $50,450. Opt for the T6 engine, and the prices jump by approximately $6,000 to $52,950 and $56,250.
The S90 has four options packages to choose from depending on your driving location and personal interests. They are: Climate Package (cold weather), Momentum Plus Package, Vision Package, and Convenience package.
Earlier it was mentioned how special one feels driving the S90. Granted that the sun reflecting off the white-caps of the deep blue Mediterranean added to the ambience of the drive, and viewing the grassy green of the coastal mountains capped with red stone crowns had some input into the experience. Yet all this was outside the car.
Inside the vehicle was a marvellous and luxury interior, filled with technological wizardry and safety features that aided the quietness of that specialness as it expanded my heart towards excitement. The cabin was quiet and soundless except for the music selection that calmed the spirit. The car and I became one.
At the end of the day I felt a reluctance to get out. I wanted to spend just a few more minutes inside—wrapping myself for just a little longer in the spirit of harmony.
External Dimensions
Length: 195.4 in.
Width: 74.6 in.
Height: 56.8 in.
Wheelbase: 115.8 in.
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or at [email protected].
Friends Read Free