WORLD OF WHEELS
THE NEW VOLVO S90 IS TURNING HEADS
IT’S silky smooth, stylish and good looking – the new Volvo S90 is turning heads wherever it goes!
Launched in Franschhoek last week, the sexy Swede is yet another stunner in the luxury brand’s lineup.
It was initially launched with two engines – the D5 and T6, both with all-wheel-drive – in Momentum or Inscription guise.
But later in the year, the D4 and T5 derivatives will follow, with front-wheel drive. The range-topping T8 twin engine plug-in hybrid (PHEV) will make its way to South Africa at a later date.
Mirroring those of the XC90, the new Volvo S90 is also available with a range of petrol and diesel engines, as well as front- or all-wheel drive.
All models feature the silkysmooth 8-speed Geartronic automatic transmission.
All engines are part of the Drive-E engine family – designed by Volvo, for Volvo. The modular, aluminium engines are all 2.0-litres in capacity and all feature forced induction – for a great balance between performance and efficiency, with real-world merit.
Diesel power is provided by either the D4 or D5 engines.
The D5 engine, which features PowerPulse technology, is a game-changer.
Powering all four wheels and featuring a two-stage, series-sequential twin-turbocharger system with variable geometry, the engine is further augmented by a 2.0-litre tank of compressed air.
Available on demand, the compressed air is fed through to the high-pressure turbo on pull-away and under-light throttle inputs for instant spool-up – removing the turbo lag that tends to characterise high-output diesel motors.
The tank is topped up immediately and quickly after each activation, ensuring another fresh burst is ready to be used, and Volvo Cars is the only manufacturer currently using this technology.
Outputs are impressive – 173kW is produced at 4 000rpm, while a meaty 480Nm of torque is on hand from 1 750 to 2 250rpm.
Below this rev range, PowerPulse ensures a smooth driving experience, with the results making the engine actually feel more normally-aspirated rather than turbocharged.
The D5’s efficiency is as impressive as its output – average combined consumption is just 4.8-litres per 100km and carbon emissions are as low as 127g/km.
Performance is real-world impressive, with the 0-100km/h sprint achievable in just 7.0 seconds, and top speed is 240 km/h.
On the petrol front, two options are available.
The T5, with front-wheel drive, sees 187kW (at 5 500rpm) and 350Nm (between 1 500 and 4 800rpm) on hand for swift performance and an enjoyable drive.
Efficiency from this high-pressure turbocharged engine is good – average combined fuel consumption is 6.5-litres per 100km, carbon emissions are 149g/k, 0-100km/h takes 6.8 seconds, and top speed is 230km/h.
The T6 engine, mated to allwheel drive, is the cream of the crop. Featuring a turbocharger and a supercharger, which supplements the turbo and takes care of low-down grunt until 3 500rpm, power and torque is available on demand – the T6 engine produces 235kW at 5 700rpm and 400Nm between 2 200 and 5 400rpm.
The resulting performance is gutsy, with the 0-100 dash completed in 5.9 seconds, with top speed limited to 250 km/h.
Volvo S90 prices range from R698 500 for the D4 Geartronic Momentum to R857 400 for the T6 Geartronic AWD R-Design.