Volvo is going after some big game with their new S90, and the Swedish marque - better known for its estate cars and SUVs - isn’t shy about acknowledging its leaps with their new flagship sedan.
When the Volvo S90 gets its first public showing at the 2016 Detroit Motor Show in January, it will come to the market with a brand-new design that resembles their still fairly new second-generation XC90 in all the right ways, but adapted to match their intent to shake up the prestige sedan segment.
The S90 will arrive in Australia in August 2016 with the powerful but eco-friendly T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain and comes with a slew of new technologies that, naturally for Volvo, involve the cutting edge of safety and crash prevention systems. Aside from that, Volvo is also bringing to the S90 support for cloud-based apps and services, a clear sign that the brand is looking to the future in more ways than one.
Volvo is also bringing their new Pilot Assist feature to the S90, which is an advanced system that enables semi-autonomous driving up to motorway speeds of around 130km/h by applying gentle steering inputs to keep the car aligned with the lane markings. It’s Volvo Australia’s second major participation in the autonomous driving field, and cements their leadership role in this nascent technology within the country, with the first ever trial run held in Adelaide in November using an all-new XC90 equipped with a similarly advanced system.
The S90 also introduces a world’s first technology in the form of large animal detection, a feature now built into the car’s City Safety suite. It is able to detect large animals during the day and night and is able to provide the driver with warnings and even braking support should it sense an imminent collision.
Kevin McCann, Managing Director of Volvo Car Australia said: “With the launch of the XC90 we made a clear statement of intent. We are now clearly and firmly in the prestige segment,” said Kevin McCann, Managing Director of Volvo Car Australia. 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,”
“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.”
Full Australian pricing and specifications will be available closer to launch when it goes on sale in Australia in August, 2016.
