Review: Volvo S90 (2016-on)

Overview

Released in April 2016, the Volvo S90 was a large executive sedan. Manufactured in Torslanda, Sweden, the Volvo S90 range initially consisted of the T6 and D5 variants (solely available in Inscription editions), with T5 and D4 Momentum variants following later in 2016. In early 2017, the S90 T6 R-Design was introduced.

While the Volvo S90 T6 and D5 had a Haldex all-wheel drive system (described under ‘Haldex all-wheel drive (AWD) system’, below), the S90 D4 and T5 were front-wheel drive. For the Volvo S90, all engines were mated to Aisin Warner eight-speed automatic transmissions.

S90 D4 and D5 diesel engines

For the Volvo S90 D4 and D5, the 2.0-litre D4204T11 and D4204T23 diesel engines had an aluminium block and head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, a serial sequential two-stage turbo system, common-rail direct injection (at pressure of up to 2500 bar) and compression ratios of 15.8:1. The higher-output D4204T23 engine differed from the D4204T11 in that it had one variable nozzle turbine.

For the S90, the diesel engines had a ‘PowerPulse’ function which was designed to provide instant turbocharger response by drawing air from the air filter via a compressor to a pressurised, two-litre air tank. When the driver attempted to accelerate quickly during launch or low-speed driving, the air was fed by a valve into the exhaust manifold to feed the turbocharger for a responsive ‘pulse’ of power. Furthermore, the air tank was automatically re-filled.

S90 T6 petrol engine

For the S90 T6, the 2.0-litre B4204T27 supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine had an aluminium block and head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.3:1. In the B4204T27 engine, both the supercharger and turbocharger were active at engine speeds below 3500 rpm. Beyond 3500 rpm, however, only the turbocharger was active.

Haldex V all-wheel drive (AWD) system

The Volvo S90 T6 and D5 were fitted with a fifth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system which consisted an electronically controlled and hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch coupling (located in front of the rear axle differential at the end of the prop shaft). Under low loads or when coasting, the rear axle was decoupled to reduce fuel consumption. If, however, there was a loss of front wheel traction or such a loss was anticipated by on-board sensors, then an electrohydraulic oil pump applied pressure to the clutch plates to transfer up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels (for a 50:50 front:rear torque split).

Body and dimensions

The Volvo S90 was underpinned by Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) architecture which was shared with the Volvo Mk.2 XC90 . For the S90, 35 per cent of total body weight was hot-formed steel and kerb weights ranged from 1800 to 2150 kg for the different variants.

Compared to the Volvo Mk.2 S80 which it effectively replaced, the 2016 Volvo S90 was 112 mm longer (at 4963 mm), 14 mm wider (1890 mm), 47 mm lower (1443 mm) and has a 106 mm longer wheelbase (2941 mm). Boot volume for the S90 was 500 litres (including under floor storage), while the drag coefficient was 0.28 or 0.29 Cd depending on variant.

Suspension and steering

The Volvo S90 had double wishbone front suspension and an integral (multi-link) rear axle with composite leaf springs; both the front and rear suspension have hydraulic shock absorbers and a stabiliser bar. As an extra-cost option, the S90 was available with rear air suspension and Volvo’s ‘Four-C’ electronically-controlled damping system.

The Volvo S90 had rack-and-pinion steering with speed-sensitive, electric power assistance; the steering wheel required 3.0 turns from lock-to-lock, while the S90 had a turning circle of 11.8 metres.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volvo S90 included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and seatbelts with pre-tensioners for all seats.

For the S90, Volvo’s ‘City Safety’ system was fitted as standard and active at speeds above 4 km/h. City Safety includes collision avoidance or mitigation with –

• Other vehicles: for vehicles in front of the Volvo S90, the driver received a warning followed by autonomous braking if the driver did not brake or steer to avoid the vehicle ahead. At speed differences up to 50 km/h between the S90 and the vehicle ahead, the collision can be avoided even if the driver did not react. At higher speed differences, however, the autonomous braking of the S90 reduced the severity of the collision. If a collision was imminent and the S90 was travelling above 30 km/h, the front seatbelts were tightened;
• Cyclists: if a cyclist swerved into, crossed or was stationary in the path of the Volvo S90, City Safety would warn the driver and initiate autonomous braking if the driver did not;
• Oncoming vehicles in intersections: if the driver turned in front of an oncoming vehicle, City Safety could assist by braking autonomously if the driver failed to do so. If a collision was imminent and the S90 was travelling above 10 km/h, the front seatbelts were tightened;
• Pedestrians: if a pedestrian moved into, crossed or was stationary in the path of the Volvo S90, the driver was warned and the brakes would be applied autonomously if the driver failed to do so (at speeds up to 70 km/h). A collision with a pedestrian could be avoided at speeds of up to 45 km/h; and,
• Large animals: for the S90, the radar/camera unit could detect large animals – such as moose, elk and deer – that were either on the road or about to cross it. The driver received an initial warning and, when braking, additional brake pressure could be provided to support avoidance if needed. If the driver did not respond, the brakes would be applied autonomously. According to Volvo, autonomous braking when large animals were detected could result in vehicle speed being reduced by 15 km/h. If a collision was imminent and the S90 was travelling at speeds above 30 km/h, the front seatbelts were tightened.

Other active safety technologies for the Volvo S90 included –

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): when cruise control was active, ACC could automatically reduce vehicle speed if a vehicle was detected ahead and accelerate back up to the cruising speed when the road ahead was clear;
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS): used rear radar sensors to detect vehicles approaching the rear of the S90 from seventy (70) metres away and would alert drivers to their presence;
  Cross Traffic Alert (CTA): used the rear radar sensors and would alert the driver to crossing traffic – up to 30 metres from the sides of the vehicle – when reversing out of a parking space;
• Rear Collision Mitigation: used a rearward facing radar to detect if a rear impact was imminent and, if so, tightened the seatbelts to protect occupants and flashes the brake lights to warn the following driver;
• Lane Departure Warning: used a forward-facing camera to monitor lane markings when driving at speeds above 65 km/h. If the driver unintentionally drifted out of their lane, the system would provide gentle steering wheel torque to steer the vehicle back onto its intended course. If the vehicle departed from its lane, a warning would be issued via haptic vibration of the steering wheel;
• Run-off Road Mitigation: designed to prevent unintentional road departure at vehicle speeds between 65 and 140 km/h. When an accidental run off road situation was considered imminent, torque was applied to the steering to assist the driver, along with braking action if needed. The system could be over-ridden by the intervention of the driver;
• Run-off Road Protection: when a run off road scenario was detected, the front safety belts were tightened to keep the occupants in position. To prevent spinal injuries, Volvo designed an energy-absorbing function between the seat and seat frame which deformed mechanically to cushion the vertical forces that could occur when the vehicle encountered a hard landing; and,
• Driver Alert Control: monitored driver behaviour for signs of fatigue and if detected, provided an audible warning and a message which encouraged the driver to take a break.

Pilot Assist: semi-autonomous drive

As standard, the Volvo S90 was fitted with Volvo’s ‘Pilot Assist’ which assisted with acceleration, braking and steering functions to help the driver follow the traffic flow within their lane. According to Volvo, this assistance reduced driver strain and increases safety margins by enhancing distance keeping and positioning within the lane. For the Volvo S90, the second generation Pilot Assist system provided steering assistance at speeds up to 130 km/h and did not need a vehicle ahead to follow where road markings were clearly defined.

The Pilot Assist system was limited in the extent of acceleration, braking and steering force it can apply. As such, the driver remained responsible for the operation of the vehicle of Pilot Assist was active and Pilot Assist would automatically switch off if the driver did not keep their hands on the steering wheel. The driver could over-ride Pilot Assist at any time by using the brake pedal, accelerator pedal or steering wheel. Furthermore, using the lane change indicator turned off steering support. Pilot Assist was activated by the driver using the steering wheel buttons on the left side of the wheel.

Volvo considers Pilot Assist to be a ‘stepping stone technology’ to fully autonomous cars.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the 2017 Volvo S90 D4 received a five star safety rating which included a 95 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 80 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset test, protection of the front occupants was generally rated as good, though lower leg protection was rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury). Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test; in the more severe pole test, however, chest protection was rated as adequate.

Features: Volvo S90 Momentum (T5 and D4)

For Australia, standard features for the Volvo S90 Momentum included 18-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, a Sensus High Performance Audio system with ten speakers, HDD music storage, 3.5 mm auxiliary and USB inputs, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, voice recognition, a satellite navigation system, four-zone climate control air conditioning, Moritz leather upholstery, power adjustable front seats, cruise control (with speed limiter), directional LED headlights with Active High Beam (AHB) and washers, LED fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a leather wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power adjustable and heated door mirrors with folding function, power windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, driver memory settings (for the seat and door mirrors), push-button start, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, illuminated vanity mirrors, a 12 volt power socket, tyre pressure monitoring, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, ‘Iron Ore’ interior inlays, trip computer and an immobiliser.

As standard, the Volvo S90 was equipped with Volvo’s ‘Park Assist Pilot’ which could provide autonomous steering for parallel and perpendicular parking manoeuvres.

Features: Volvo S90 Inscription (D5 and T6)

The Volvo S90 Inscription editions are further equipped with 19-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, Fine Nappa leather upholstery, a proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), high level interior lighting, door handle illumination and puddle lights, and ‘Liner Walnut’ interior inlays.

Features: Volvo S90 R-Design (T6 only)

The Volvo S90 R-Design was distinguished by its 19-inch five-spoke diamond cut alloy wheels which had a Matt Black finish, perforated Nappa Leather upholstery with ‘R-Design’ insignia, perforated leather steering wheel trim, steering wheel gearshift paddles and carbon fibre interior inlays.

Technology Package

Available as a $3000 option, the ‘Technology Package’ included a digital radio tuner (DAB), an additional USB port, Apple CarPlay, a 360 degree camera and head-up display.

Specifications and brochure

• Specifications: Volvo S90 (December 2015)
• Specifications: Volvo S90 (February 2017)
• Brochure: Volvo S90 (March 2017)
• Behind the Wheel: 2017 Volvo S90 D5 Inscription Review