Volvo S90 spiced up with R Design kit

Sportier body bits and suspension setups for Swedish flagship sedan

THE VOLVO S90, which made its debut in South Africa in January 2017, is now available in more athletic R-Design guise.

Available in four engine derivatives, the new R-Design models are honed with some visual venom and sportier suspension.

Visually, R-Design models are distinguishable by a deeper front bumper with aggressive air dams and a glossy new R-Design radiator grille with satin chrome accenting. The flanks are enhanced by a satin chrome glasshouse surround and distinctive matt-silver mirror caps. At the rear, the rhomboid tail pipes are embedded into a sportier bumper with a colour-coded diffuser plate. Striking 19” alloy wheels complete the sportier look as standard, with 20” and 21” upgrades available for extra visual oomph.

Accessories are available to add further sportiness, including side sills, a subtle chin spoiler for the front bumper, a boot spoiler and split-integrated tail pipes.

On the inside, charcoal sports-contoured seats finished in fine Nappa leather with Nubuck inners provide support and grip. A sports steering wheel with perforated leather inserts and an R-Design badge further revs up the interior’s athleticism, accented by the perforated

Engines include two petrols and two diesels - all of which displace 2.0 litres, feature forced induction, and are available with either frontor all-wheel drive. All engines are mated to the 8-speed Geartronic automatic transmission.

The twin-turbo D4 diesel, with front-wheel drive, offers 140kW and 400Nm, with claimed fuel economy of just 4.4 litres per 100 km.

The twin-turbo D5, with allwheel drive and PowerPulse technology to effectively mitigate turbo lag, pushes out 173kW and 480Nm, but sips fuel at the rate of 4.8 litres per 100 km.

Petrol power is provided by either the high-pressure, single-turbo T5 with front-wheel drive (187kW and 350Nm; 6.5 litres per 100 km) or the range-topping T6 AWD.

This twin-charged petrol engine, which features a supercharger and a turbocharger, produces 235kW and 400Nm - good for 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds - while maintaining a claimed 7.2 litres per 100 km.

PRICES:

T5 FWD R-Design Geartronic

R718 300

D4 FWD R-Design Geartronic

R742 200

D5 AWD R-Design Geartronic

R822 900

T6 AWD R-Design Geartronic

R874 600

All derivatives come with Volvo’s five-year/100 000km full maintenance plan and warranty.

- Motoring Staff