Following the unprecedented success of the Volvo XC90, Volvo Car Malaysia felt emboldened to introduce the full range of the flagship 90 series models First to join the XC90 SUV is the S90 sedan, which is available in two trims: T5 and the hotter T6 R-Design.
Here to challenge the conservative luxury E-segment, the S90 embodies the Scandinavian idea of luxury – natural materials, ergonomic, purposeful design and cutting-edge technological innovations. To take home this fully imported Swedish sedan, you will need RM389k for the T5 while the T6 R-design will set you back at RM454k.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Volvo S90 T5 | Volvo S90 T6 AWD R-Design |
| Engine | 1,969cc; in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged | 1,969cc; in-line 4-cylinder supercharged & turbocharged |
| Transmission | 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 | 6.8 seconds; 230 km/h | 5.9 seconds; 250 km/h |
| Price (OTR without insurance) | RM388,888 | RM453,888 |
EXTERIOR
Underpinning the S90 is the company’s new Scalable Produce Architecture (SPA) platform, which is a modular chassis designed for all future Volvos to come. The dimensions are: 4,963 mm in length, 1,879 mm in width, 1,443 mm in height and a wheelbase of 2,941 mm.
Like the XC90, the S90 wears Volvo’s new design language. Up front, you get LED headlamps with “Thor’s Hammer” LED daytime running lights and chrome front grille with the prominent Volvo Iron Mark (the Volvo logo). At the rear, Volvo explained that the twin C-shaped lights are designed to give the S90 more stance and a muscular profile. The S90 T5 rides on 10-spoke 18-inch “Turbine” alloy wheels shod with 245/45 profile tyres.
Step up to the S90 T6 R-Design and you get some unique design cues such as gloss black accents at the lower front lip and rear bumper, R-Design horizontal mesh grille, silk metal finish side mirror caps, R-Design badge at the rear as well as full LED adaptive headlamps and five-spoke 19-inch R-Design diamond cut alloy wheels wrapped in 255/40 tyres.
INTERIOR
At first glance, the S90’s interior greatly resembles the XC90, except here you don’t get the fancy crystal gear knob. There are three leather colours you can choose from – Charcoal, Amber and Blond in combination with two inlay options – Iron Ore or Dark Flame Birch.
Standard equipment 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.
Opt for the T6 R-Design and you’ll get substantially more kit such as R-Design 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 can also choose between Metal Mesh or Carbon Fibre deco inlay to with the Nubuck interior theme.
PERFORMANCE
Powering the S90 T5 is a 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder that packs 254 hp and 350 Nm of torque. Power is channelled to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. It manages the century sprint in 6.8 seconds before maxing out at 230 km/h. The combined fuel consumption figure is rated at 6.7 litres per 100 km.
The S90 T6 is also motivated by a 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged in-line four, pushing out 320 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Transmission of choice is the same eight-speed automatic but here, power is channelled to all four corners. Thanks to the all-wheel drive system, the T6 gets to 100 km/h almost a full second quicker compared to the T5 at 5.9 seconds. Top speed is also slightly higher at 250 km/h. Fuel consumption for the T6 is rated at 7.5 litres per 100 km.
SAFETY
Safety has always been the hallmark of the Swedish marque, even more so after the company’s pledge that no one should be killed in a Volvo car by 2020. Mr Lennart Stegland, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia said that Volvo Cars Malaysia will live up to the ethos of the brand and thus equipped the S90 with the full range of safety features the company can offer.
The IntelliSafe package gives 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. It is safe to say that the S90 is class leading in the safety department.
WHAT ELSE?
The Volvo S90 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 S90 come with a 5-Year or 120,000km warranty as well as five years Volvo on-call package.
IMAGE GALLERY
Volvo S90 T6 R-Design
Volvo S90 T5
