Volvo debuts SA-bound S90 at Detroit auto show

• All-new flagship sedan
• Features plug-in hybrid technology
• Crafted Swedish interior
• Standard Pilot Assist, large animal detection

Volvo Cars has launched its new premium sedan, the S90, at the American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. 

Volvo South Africa says the S90 is due to arrive locally towards the end of 2016.

Image gallery: 2016 Volvo S90

The launch of the new S90 forms the second chapter in the complete renewal of Volvo’s product range, says the automaker, which began in 2015 with the new XC90 SUV, says the automaker.

'Swedishness at its best' 

Volvo says: "The S90's proud yet non-aggressive face, characterised by a concave grille, itself a homage to the Volvo P1800, is home to Volvo’s new Iron Mark. The T-shaped Thor’s Hammer lights deliver a powerful sense of direction that makes the S90 unmistakable on the road.

"Inside, Volvo has taken cues from the success of the XC90 and raised the bar with some details on the new dashboard and instrument panel, including new air blades.

Volvo senior design vice-president Thomas Ingenlath said: “We created our new flagship sedan, the Volvo S90, as a real game changer. It is classy and cool. The exterior is exceptionally well surfaced with a fantastic stance and the sort of clean lines that are singularly appropriate of a Scandinavian design. The interior masters the art of blending innovative technology and natural materials into an elegant, welcoming and tasteful ambience – Swedishness at its best."

Semi-autonomous drive 

The S90 launches with IntelliSafe Assist as standard and includes adaptive cruise control and distance alert and the advanced semi-autonomous drive feature, Pilot Assist.
 
The Pilot Assist functionality gives gentle steering input to keep the car properly aligned within lane markings up to highway speeds of 130km/h and no-longer needs to follow another car.
 
Hybrid powertrain option 

The S90 comes with a clean and powerful T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain, delivering 298kW and offers three different car experiences in one – with Pure, Hybrid and Power driving modes.
 
World-leading safety

The S90 also introduces a world-first function to City Safety – large animal detection, feature capable of detecting large animals such as deer, horses, night or day, claims the automaker. The technology offers an intuitive warning and brake support to help avoid or mitigate collisions with large animals.