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 leather gear lever and accentuated contrast stitching. Aluminium sports pedals and gearshift paddles feature as standard as well, alongside unique floor mats and illuminated “R-Design” door sills.
The chassis has been uprated for sportier driving, with tauter springs than the comfort-oriented chassis seen in regular S90 models. Air suspension is not available on R-Design models, in keeping with their more dynamic vibe.
R-Design models retain the S90’s generous list of features including ‘Thor’s Hammer’ full-LED automatic headlights with Active Bending and Active High Beam, LED front fog lights with cornering functionality, rear parking sensors, and automatic ‘wet arm’ wipers. Inside, the occupants are pampered with electric front seats, 10-speaker high-end audio system, and satellite navigation.
As with the rest of the S90 range, the R-Design models get standard semi-autonomous driving features including Pilot Assist, an extension of Adaptive Cruise Control which is able to control acceleration, braking and steering up to 130 km/h, provided there are clear lane markings on both sides.
All of Volvo’s available safety systems are fitted as standard to all S90 models, including ABS brakes, stability control, six airbags, City Safey (Volvo’s autonomous emergency braking system) and IntelliSafe (which includes a Lane Keeping Aid and Lane Departure Warning). Earlier this year the Volvo S90, V90 and XC90 were named the three safest cars yet tested by Euro NCAP.
Engines include two petrols and two diesels - all of which displace 2.0 litres, feature forced induction, and are available with either front- or 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 twinturbo D5, with all-wheel 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 twincharged 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 R718 300 D4 FWD R742 200 D5 AWD R822 900 T6 AWD R874 600
All derivatives come with Volvo’s five-year/100 000km full maintenance plan and warranty.
- Motoring Staff R-Design R-Design R-Design Geartronic Geartronic Geartronic Geartronic