Volvo lifts wraps from 2016 V90 18 | 02 | 2016
VOLVO HAS REVEALED its new V90 ahead of its official public unveiling at next month's Geneva Motor Show, and and seven months before it goes on-sale in Scotland in the autumn (see more photographs of the 2016 Volvo V90).
It will come as no surprise that the shape of the iconic V90 estate remains similar to that of the S90, and also takes some inspiration from 2014’s Volvo Concept Estate.
And inside the cabin, the five-seat estate gets the same dashboard layout – including the same large touchscreen infotainment interface and digital dashboard technology – as the S90.
Interestingly, the Volvo estate isn't as cavernous as some of its main rivals. While the Mercedes E-Class estate offers 1855 litres of space, and the BMW 5 Series Touring can swallow 1670 litres, the V90 can carry up to 1526 litres of luggage.
The new model will also be offered with the same safety systems and efficient Drive-e powertrains as its S90 and XC90 siblings.
The top spec will be powered by the T8 'Twin Engine' plug-in hybrid, which marries an 87bhp, 177lb/ft electric engine to a 2.0-litre diesel motor delivering a combined output of 401bhp and 472lb/ft of torque. As in the XC90 T8, Volvo claims 134.5mpg, and 47g/km CO2 (the XC90 is 47g/km).
Related: Kia unveils Optima Sportswagon
All the other powerplants in the range are 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engines. With a claimed 41.5mpg and CO2 emissions 154g/km, the T5 produces 250bhp and 258lb/ft of torque. The equivalent diesel, the D4 — which is expected to be the big-seller in the range — produces 187bhp and 295lb/ft, and Volvo claims 62.7mpg at the pumps, with 119g/km CO2.
There's also a four-wheel drive D5 twin-turbo diesel engine with 232bhp and 354lb/ft of torque which returns 57.6mpg and emits 129g/km CO2.
The least popular model in the new line up is expected to be the T6 turbo- and supercharged four-cylinder petrol: not surprising really, with 38.1mpg and 169g/km emissions.
All engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
As you would expect, safety is paramount with every Volvo, and the V90 shares the same safety equipment as the S90 and XC90. That means Volvo's IntelliSafe Assist system, with adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous 'Pilot Assist II' system and distance alert comes as standard. That's further supplemented by a lane-keeping aid, driver alertness detection and warning, road sign recognition which is linked to a speed limiter, and Volvo's 'run-off road mitigation' system.
As if that wasn't enough, there's also autonomous emergency braking also features, with pedestrian, vehicle, cyclist and large animal detection, including warning lights, brake pulsing, front seat belt pre-tensioning and automatic braking at potential junction accidents.
Related: Top safety marks for Volvo and Audi
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Jim McGill