THE competition in the prestige sedan market is nothing short of fierce, with big name players like Jaguar, Mercedes and BMW dominating the space, along with a handful of boutique brand names.
Well now there’s a new challenger set to enter the space, with Volvo preparing to unveil the new look S90, which will make its first public appearance at the Detroit Motor Show in January next year.
The new Volvo S90 is the car maker’s entry ticket to the prestige sedan club, and marks a giant step forward for the brand better known for its SUVs and estates, and the occasional mid-sized high performance sedan (like those that race in the domestic V8 Supercar championship).
With the launch of the S90, Volvo is clearly intent on shaking up the prestige sedan segment with its distinctive executive class sedan, equipped with a host of new technologies ranging from cutting edge safety to cloud-based apps and services, and the S90 is further proof of the Swedish brand’s continuing transformation.
“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.
The new Volvo S90 comes equipped with an advanced semi-autonomous drive feature, Pilot Assist. The system gives gentle steering inputs to keep the car properly aligned within lane markings up to motorway speeds of around 130 km/h and no longer needs to follow another car.
Pilot Assist is another step towards full autonomous drive. In Australia, Volvo has taken a leadership position in autonomous drive technology by participating in the first ever trial held in Adelaide in November with the All-New XC90.
The S90 will also come with a clean and powerful T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid power train and one of the most luxuriously appointed interiors and connected infotainment systems in the large sedan segment.
“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 Mr McCann.
The S90 also introduces a world first function to City Safety – large animal detection – a system capable of detecting large animals, night or day. The technology offers an intuitive warning and brake support to help avoid a collision. The S90 has also benefitted from Volvo’s recent investment in a highly advanced chassis simulator.
The S90 will go on sale in Australia in August, 2016.
