2017 Volvo S90: A New Swedish Contender in the Premium Sedan Market
Delving into the premium sedan market, Volvo Cars made a bold statement with the introduction of their 2017 S90 model. This move indicated a significant shift for the automaker, traditionally recognized for their SUVs and estates. With the S90, it seems Volvo is aiming to disrupt the premium sedan landscape with their unique take on the executive class vehicle.
Innovative Tech and Bold Ambitions
Volvo's unveiling of the S90 was accompanied by a showcase of a range of innovative technologies, from groundbreaking safety features to cloud-based applications and services. This served as another testament to the brand's ongoing evolution and aspiration to redefine itself. As noted by Volvo Car Group's President & CEO, Håkan Samuelsson, the company has invested over $11 billion USD in the past five years to reinvent what Volvo Cars can be. The S90 appears to be part of delivering on this promise.
Embrace of Autonomous Technology
Notably, the Volvo S90 arrived with an advanced semi-autonomous feature, Pilot Assist. Designed to provide gentle steering inputs to maintain the car's alignment within lane markings at speeds up to approximately 130 km/h, the system no longer needs to follow another car, making it a step closer to full autonomous drive – a crucial area of innovation for Volvo.
Powertrain, Interior and Infotainment
The S90 was also equipped with a clean yet potent T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain, marking Volvo's commitment to sustainable, powerful performance. As for the interior, the S90 seemed to challenge the standards of luxury in the large sedan segment with a highly appointed and connected infotainment system, thus asserting a sense of comfort and control.
A World First in Safety
One groundbreaking introduction was the 'large animal detection' feature in Volvo's City Safety system. A world first, this system can detect large animals like elk, horses, or moose regardless of the time of day. This intuitive technology provides warnings and brake support to help prevent collisions. This innovation comes alongside Volvo's recent investments in advanced chassis simulation technology, further bolstering the safety features of the S90.
Driving Experience and Performance
According to Dr Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President, Research & Development at Volvo Car Group, the S90 has seen significant improvements in driving dynamics, performance, and ride. The driving experience has been entirely redesigned, aiming to offer precision, engaging control, and comfort.
A Final Thought
The public unveiling of the S90 was indeed a turning point for Volvo, a calculated foray into the premium sedan market, and a testament to the brand's continued evolution. Only time will tell how this move by the Swedish automaker will disrupt the status quo, but it's safe to say the 2017 Volvo S90 brings a new level of competition to the game.
-Ed
2017 Volvo S90
