Geneva 2016: Volvo V90 makes its world premiere

Volvo’s party at Geneva may have been spoiled a little by the fact that images of its V90 premium estate leaked onto the internet in its full hi-res glory just a week before its official unveiling at the show. But still, nothing can detract from just how beautiful the V90 is in production form. After all, this is the station wagon that will sit at the top of Volvo’s food chain along with the XC90 and the S90.

Riding on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture platform that also underpins the XC90 and S90, the V90 looks way cleaner, sleeker and more dynamic than the boxy and rather subdued V70s of the past three generations. Seen up front, this model is a dead ringer for its sedan counterpart, including the attractive Thor's Hammer headlights. However, the roof and rear have subtle design cues from the amazing Volvo Concept Estate.

Volvo states that the V90 will have a total cargo volume of 1,526 litres with the rear seats folded and also including all the available under floor storage. The inside is akin to what we’ve already seen in the S90, offering ample space for five passengers and their gear in a spacious, well-lit cabin built using upscale materials. The bulk of the wagon’s navigation, connectivity, and entertainment functions are grouped in a state-of-the-art infotainment system controlled by a large tablet-like touch screen that takes up most of the center console.

Motive power also remains the same as the S90: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrain options, including a 410PS plug-in hybrid drivetrain, will be added to the V90 lineup a little later in the production run. All models will come standard with a semi-autonomous technology called Pilot Assist that controls acceleration, braking, and steering to follow traffic flow within the lane on well-marked highways. The system can operate at speeds up to 120 kmph and does not require a lead car as have other Volvo systems in development.

The Volvo S90 & V90 duo is scheduled to go on sale in the following months all over the world.