Volvo S90 to replace the S80; launch likely in 2015

The new Volvo XC90 received a very positive response since its reveal last year. Volvo claims that they have received almost 24,000 pre-orders or close to half of the expected full-year volume already. Drawing upon the reaction to the XC90, the Swedish car maker is now gearing up to replace its flagship sedan – the S80, with an all new model i.e. the S90.

Volvo’s VP of product strategy, Lex Kerssemakers has stated that the brand will take its lessons from the new XC90. The new sedan is expected to draw design cues from the Volvo Concept Universe that was revealed in 2011. Kerssemakers admitted that the large saloon market was contracting, but offered enough potential to make business sense. He added that markets like China and the USA still offer strong demand. Volvo UK managing director Nick Connor added that the new S90 will feature design and dimensions that are more premium than the S80, while the interior will be an evolution of the XC90’s cabin.

Apart from the exterior and interior design, the focus points will include in car technology and the car may even get a plug-in hybrid powertrain. An estate version named the V90 is also expected to follow soon after. The Volvo S90 is expected to make its debut later this year and like the S80, the car will rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-Series, Audi A6 and Jaguar XF.

Source: Autocar UK

*Volvo Concept Universe images for representation only