The resounding thunk of the doors would let you know that it's still a solidly built Volvo, but otherwise you could be forgiven for not recognising it instantly. The Chinese-owned Swedish carmaker has moved away from the boxy styling of its predecessor, the S80, and thus gone are the strong hips and haunches.
The brand’s new flagship sedan is sleek and stylish with flowing lines and tautly stretched skin. Look a little closer and the Volvo genetics are all there – the concave grille, the Iron Mark logo and the Thor's hammer headlights. The bonnet is a long stretch of metal and the roofline flows over almost to the end of the bonnet in a coupé-like manner. Built on the same underpinnings as the XC90, the S90 shares a lot of its interiors with the SUV too.
What's instantly recognisable on the inside is the vertically laid out LCD screen, which with its larger fonts and multiple window format is easy to use. The 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system is a pleasure and will aid in drowning out the din of horns on Indian roads. The interior is uncluttered and the generous use of real wood, double-stitched leather and subtle lines of matte chrome really make it feel rich. The only thing I missed was the electric adjuster for the steering which is manual even on to range-topping variants.
Settled into the plush and spacious front seats of the S90, I set off on the roads around Malaga, Spain. The engine that will make it to India first, the 190hp D4 diesel, wasn't around to sample so I got into the 235hp D5 model, which will follow sometime later.
This D5 comes with a new ‘power pulse’ technology which helps eliminate the 2.0-litre, turbocharged engine’s bottom-end lag. As a result, this engine really has a nice linear build-up of power from the word go. Amble around at low revs and put your foot down and it won't hesitate; it just serves you up power immediately. Thing is that it does it in such a calm and relaxed manner you’re fooled into thinking this is not really a quick engine. But with a 0-100kph time of 7 seconds, the S90 is no slouch. Without the characteristic diesel surge, this engine doesn't feel exciting and the top-end response isn't its strength. Push it hard and it does get audible too, so it's best driven dialled a few notches back.
The 320hp T6 petrol I sampled next has a claimed 0-100 time of 5.9 sec, which makes it the quickest in its class. However, here too the engine accelerates in that subtle, luxurious manner, masking its speed. The weak mid-range makes you work the engine a bit for pull always and here's when you miss a paddle shift for a quick dab to decelerate.
Driving down the highways out of Malaga both engines felt refined at cruising speeds, and in fact that is the comfort zone of the S90. Drive at a leisurely pace and they will whisk you from place to place with ease and refinement. The 8-speed gearbox, however, isn't that refined and feels a bit jerky especially when pushed to serve up a gear quickly.
What was interesting was the Pilot Assist function, that uses the car's lane keeping system to auto pilot the car at the speed and distance you set to the car in front. It's a little unnerving at first, handing over the wheel to the car, but it does steer for you. This is a step towards autonomous driving, but Volvo recommends you keep your "eyes on the road and hands upon the wheel" at all times. But if you do get excited by the system and take your hands off, a warning alarm sounds to remind you put your hands on the wheel again.
As we got onto the windier hilly sections, it became apparent to me that the S90 is no corner carver. Enthusiasts will find the steering lacking, but for the regular user it feels well enough weighted and gives you a good measure of confidence. The car goes around the corners well, as along as you don't demand quick direction changes or push it hard.
The rear seat where most Indian buyers will be is big on space, and the legroom and width is impressive too. In fact, three could sit easily abreast but the high central tunnel is an impediment for the middle passenger. The seats themselves are comfortable and with the suspension tuned for luxury more than thrill, it's a pillowy ride. You waft along most surfaces even with the car set to Dynamic mode. It's only the larger pothole or sharp ridges that catch it out once in a while.
The S90 is expected to reach India showrooms by November this year at a starting price of around Rs 50-55 lakh for the D4 diesel, and Rs 55-60 lakh (ex-showroom) for the D5.
The S90 is not about being flashy but more about being understated. The entire demeanour of the car is one that calms you down. It's not a car that you buy to get your pulses racing but one that you buy to arrive at your destination pampered in luxury and as relaxed and fresh as when you got in.
