The moment I began driving the car and exploring and experiencing its features, both technical and otherwise, I was convinced that this vehicle was built with a purpose. The purpose was simple—to give its occupants great ride quality, comfort, safety, all put together with loads of indulgence. Yes, this car does not have paddle shifters, this car has a low ground clearance, and this car does not have….. well, it has almost everything else to make your ride so perfect.
On the looks front, this car has been designed and styled so perfectly. It’s like asking Charlize Theron to pose for you in her bare essentials. This car is not about a Kim Kardashian, because that’s pure trouble! The front of the car has all the oomph. Like a la Maserati, the grille of this car is absolutely stunning. The 23 vertical slats are fixed as though they are floating in air. It gives a three dimensional look in the front. The bold Volvo badge with diagonal strips on either side from tip to tip, gives it a stamp of authority. The almost wrap around elongated LED headlamps and the hammer shaped LED lights in these, along with the fog lamps enhance the looks of the car. These LED lights come with automatic bending. There is also a provision for headlight high pressure cleaning. The rear is equally well designed with tail lamps on either side stretching itself in a bracket shape into the boot lid or tail gate. The dual integrated tail lamps add to the good looks in the rear. The design flow from front to rear is extremely aerodynamic, suggesting a body structure that leaves a lot of space for the occupants, especially the ones in the rear seat. After all, who wouldn’t love to be chauffeured in this elegant car?
Just a minute please. Did I just say chauffeured? Let me also add to that. Who wouldn’t love to drive this car? Yes, this car is brilliant to drive too.
The interiors are luxurious and aesthetic. The dual tone colour on the steering wheel, the dark coloured leather dash with a single neat stitch, the Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, power adjustable driver and passenger seats, 4 way power adjustable lumbar support, power fold of rear back rest from tailgate opening, power folding rear headrests are some of the features that pamper you instantly. The car comes with adequate storage spaces for your cups and water bottles. The car has a Bowers and Wilkins 19 speakers audio system.
While the tail gate can be opened with your key and a button inside, it can also be opened by moving your foot under the boot area where a sensor picks up the motion to automatically open your tailgate/boot lid so that you can put any heavy stuff you are carrying in your hands into the boot.
It’s when you gently twist the knob on the floor console that the engine comes alive and then it’s a journey that is made perfect by 8-speed automatic transmission mated to the Volvo D4 diesel engine that produces 190hp @ 4250rpm. Peak torque of 400Nm is achieved in the range of 1740-2520rpm. The moment you put the vehicle in Drive mode, the vehicle accelerates and one can feel the turbo kick in immediately after the 1000 rpm. The early turbo response is what makes the car quick on its feet. From the floor console, if one were to scroll a button, you can choose the various modes of driving—Eco, Comfort and Dynamic. Like the words suggest, the vehicle shows its furious side in the Dynamic mode.
The suspensions of the vehicle are absolutely stunning. The air suspension at the rear and double wishbone in front make the car glide softly over potholes and bad roads. Mind you, I am not talking about craters and ditches! While NVH levels are a benchmark in this segment, noise insulation too has been taken care of very well.
A plethora of electronics help you in your driving and parking, whether it is cruise control, lane keeping aid, park assist cameras power steering, hill start assist, rain sensors, graphic head up display, etc. For those keen on adjusting audio and navigation, there are controls on the steering wheel and a large touch screen wherein you change a lot of settings in audio, navigation, temperature, etc.
Like all Volvo cars, the S90 too offers loads of safety features like airbags, inflatable curtains, emergency brake assist, EBA, etc.
All put together, the Volvo S90 offers a right mix of driving and ride satisfaction packaged brilliantly in Pure Elegance. The car will be offered in a single variant. Elegance has no brothers and sisters, I feel!