Volvo offers executive appeal with its newest model
Volvo offers executive appeal with its newest model
By Russell Williamson
VOLVO's new S90 Executive -- launched last week in Jakarta -- is set to attract the attention of business executives in a way that the outgoing 960 could never quite manage.
Not only does the car's new body offer a more stylish appearance, it also provides a significant increase in interior space.
The increase in size has been to such an extent that the dimensions of the new S90 approach those of BMW's luxury limousine 7-Series.
However its price -- Rp 225 million off the road -- is closer to the German carmaker's midsized 5-Series car.
At just over five meters in length, the S90 is 150mm longer than the 960, while the height has increased by 20mm.
What this means, particularly for rear seat passengers, is a substantial increase in legroom and headroom.
While the exterior styling maintains Volvo's heritage and may appear simply as a rounded-off 960, the interior is where customers are likely to notice the greatest difference.
The new dashboard and door trims in the S90 offer a modern vista while also being far more practical and comfortable than its predecessor.
In keeping with its executive status, the leather-upholstered interior offers all the comforts you would expect in a luxury car, with rear-seat passengers benefiting from comfort seats -- with an extra 50mm in the thigh support -- an electric rear window sun curtain and rear reading lamps.
Other standard equipment includes climate-control air conditioning, power windows, mirrors and front-seat -- driver and passenger -- and side air bags, cruise control and a 10-speaker CD audio system.
For those who actually prefer to drive themselves, the S90 offers an enjoyable and comfortable driving experience with a solid performance from the aluminum in-line six-cylinder engine and ride and handling that belie the car's size.
From its 3000cc, the engine squeezes out 150kW driving the rear wheels. On a kilowatt-per-liter basis, this is at the upper end of expectations for normally aspirated sedan-car engines.
Not only that, the Volvo's power-to-weight ratio actually puts it near the top of its class and its 99kW per tonne compares more than favorably to the 89kW per tonne of a BMW 730i.
The engine is a smooth, quiet unit that has an air of refinement entirely appropriate to the luxury category.
Teamed to the three-mode, four-speed automatic transmission, the in-line six produces satisfying levels of acceleration and has no great fear of climbing well up into the rpm band if asked.
Other mechanical components are largely carry-overs from the 960, although fine tuning of the front suspension has contributed to an immediately noticeable improved road behavior.
The overall effect is to give the S90 the poise, ride comfort and smooth engine performance needed to issue a challenge to the established market leaders.