Despite the declining popularity and demand for estate/wagon body styled cars, to everyone’s surprise, Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has decided to introduce the V90 here in Malaysia. Two variants are available – T5 and T6 AWD R-Design, priced at RM394k and RM459k respectively.
Launched simultaneously as its sedan twin, Mr Lennart Stegland, Managing Director of VCM explained that the company’s decision to introduce the V90 estate is due of the increasingly dynamic lifestyle of Malaysians, and he believes that more people will rediscover the appeal of a premium estate.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Volvo V90 T5 | Volvo V90 T6 AWD R-Design |
| Engine | 1,969cc; in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged | 1,969cc; in-line 4-cylinder supercharged & turbocharged |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Max Power | 254 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 320 hp @ 5,700 rpm |
| Max Torque | 350 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,800 rpm | 400 Nm @ 2,200 – 5,400 rpm |
| 0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed | 7 seconds; 230 km/h | 6.1 seconds; 250 km/h |
| Price (OTR without insurance) | RM393,888 | RM458,888 |
EXTERIOR
Sharing the same Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) as the XC90 and S90, the V90’s dimensions are very close to the S90. Compared to the sedan, the V90 measures 4,936 mm (-27 mm) in length, 1,879 mm (-11 mm) in width 1,475 mm (+32mm) in height and a wheelbase of 2,941 mm.
At the front, the V90 looks identical to the S90. As such, it gets LED headlamps with “Thor’s Hammer” LED daytime running lights and chrome front grille with Volvo Iron Mark. The V90 gets a redesigned rear profile with a roofline that extends to the tailgate. The taillights are specifically designed to highlight the estate profile of the V90.
On T5 models, a 10-spoke 18-inch “Turbine” alloy wheels wrapped in 245/45 profile tyres is specified. T6 R-Design on the other hand gets a five-spoke 19-inch Diamond Cut alloy wheels wrapped in 255/40 profile tyres along with several unique design cues such as black accents on the front and rear bumper, gloss black grille and side metal finish side mirror caps. It also gets a more advanced full LED adaptive headlamps and R-Design badge at the rear.
INTERIOR
Like the S90, you can specify the interior leather in Charcoal, Amber or Blond in combination with two inlay options – Iron Ore or Dark Flame Birch. Only difference between the V90 and S90 is the capability to swallow 913 litres of cargo, which is 413 litres more than the S90! With the seats folded down, the V90 can take up to 1,526 litres of cargo.
Standard equipment dittos the V90 which include 9-inch Sensus Connect Portrait touchscreen infotainment system with 10-speakers, leather upholstery, 12-way powered front seats with driver side memory function, leather wrapped three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel, 12.3-inch TFT Adaptive Digital Display, keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control system with CleanZone Interior Air Quality system and reverse camera. In addition, the V90 gets a powered tailgate.
T6 R-Design gets perforated leather wrapped three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel with paddle shifters, Charcoal perforated Nappa leather seats, R-Design sports pedal, heads up display, 360-degree camera, powered sun roof, sun shade for rear passenger windows and powered rear sun blinds. Customers are also able to choose between Metal Mesh or Carbon Fibre deco inlay to go with the Nubuck interior theme.
PERFORMANCE
Under the hood of the V90 T5 is the same 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder found on the S90 with the same state of tune of 254 hp and 350 Nm of torque. Transmission of choice is an eight-speed automatic sending power to the front wheels. Due to the heavier body, the V90 T5 goes from 0 to 100 km/h a fraction of a second slower than its sedan sibling at 7 seconds flat. Top speed however remains at 230 km/h. Fuel consumption is also slightly higher at 6.8 litres per 100 km.
The V90 T6 also gets the same 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged in-line four, pushing out 320 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Power is channelled to all four corners via the same eight-speed automatic transmission. Century sprint is done and dusted in 6.1 seconds before maxing out at 250 km/h. The V90 will sip 7.7 litres of fuel per 100 km.
SAFETY
Like the S90, the V90 also comes with IntelliSafe package that bundles Collision Avoidance with intersection support, Pedestrian, Cyclist &Large Animal Detection, Rear Collision Warning & Mitigations Support, Run-off Road Mitigation, Pilot Assist with steering assistance (up to 130 km/h), Driver Alert Control with Lane Keeping Aid (LKA), Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert.
WHAT ELSE?
The Volvo V90 can be had in six exterior shades – Onyx Black, Ice White, Osmium Grey, Bright Silver, Mussel Blue (exclusive to T5 variants) and Bursting Blue (exclusive to T6 R-Design variants). All purchases of the V90 come with a 5-Year or 120,000km warranty as well as five years Volvo on-call package.
IMAGE GALLERY
Volvo V90 T6 AWD R-Design
Volvo V90 T5
