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.